Wow! Just, Wow! I loved this book! All the way around, top to bottom loved it!!!!
The flow from the narration was excellent. There was a lot of story to cover, and I never felt bored, or that we had lost direction. The style was excellent for me. It felt like I was sitting down for a chat with my eccentric grandmother, listening to her telling me the story of her life. About a third of the way through, I'd forgotten the entire purpose of this "letter" we were going through, caring only to find out more about Vivian's life.
The story was so bright and colourful! I wanted to be there, to take in the show, the glamour, the excitement! The Lily Playhouse was absolutely somewhere I wanted to be. The characters that came with a place like that made me love it even more. Olive, Mr Herbert, Aunt Peg.... I don't know how I didn't know I needed these guys in my life! When Billy walked into the story, he walked right into the trash heap that was my heart, and I was a goner! I loved him from the get go, in the way that you do with bad influences. I had a feeling he'd break my heart in the end.
Vivian really knew how to live a life! Her experiences, good and bad, really came into something magical. Her free spirit, her sense of adventure, her passion for what she loves and who she cares for, she was such a force! I loved her growth throughout the story. She went from this starry eyed girl to such a strong and capable woman. I will have her in my mind forever.
There is so much steam and sexiness throughout the story, without feeling smutty, and I think that might be the most special part. To take a topic like promiscuity and turn it around so that you have no ill thoughts toward the girls involved, that really is an incredible show of talent. The virginity scene will forever be one of my favourite pieces. It was awkward, embarrassing, charming, and hilarious all in one.
I can't say enough about all of the things this book did right for me. So many topics that are usually so taboo or impolite to discuss were covered in this one, and in such a way that they didn't feel like we should be discussing these things openly. My favourite of these topics was the idea of loving someone, regardless of how many times they've done you wrong, and knowing that it will happen again. Aunt Peg said it the best "Love like that is a deep well with steep sides. Once you fall in, that's it. You will love that person always." Isn't that the truth?!
5 Stars, all the way!
#5starreview #5starbook #CityofGirls #ElizabethGilbert #bookreview #bookblog #oineyreadsanother #historicalfiction
Comments