Who Would Like This Book:
If you love historical fiction, vivid New York settings, and coming-of-age stories, this is for you! City of Girls transports readers to the glitzy, chaotic world of 1940s Manhattan theater. Elizabeth Gilbert's writing sparkles with wit, warmth, and juicy period details, and Vivian Morris - a refreshingly imperfect, adventurous heroine - leads you through parties, scandals, and self-discovery. Fans of character-driven novels, period glamour, and stories about unconventional women carving their own path will be hooked.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you're not into slower-paced books or stories that spend a lot of time in characters' heads, this one might drag for you. Some readers found the framing device - a very long letter - overdone and the first half a bit repetitive, with Vivian's escapades getting more airtime than the plot. The main character's flawed, sometimes selfish choices can be tough to root for, and if explicit talk of sexuality or nontraditional relationships isn't your cup of tea, you might not vibe with some of the book's themes.
About:
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert is a novel narrated by Vivian Morris, an elderly woman looking back on her youth in 1940s New York City. Vivian is sent to live with her aunt Peg, who owns a theater called the Lily Playhouse, after being asked to leave Vassar. The story unfolds through Vivian's memories as she reflects on her experiences in the theater world, her friendships, and her personal growth. The narrative is a mix of nostalgia, humor, drama, and self-discovery, capturing Vivian's journey from a sheltered young woman to a more worldly and independent individual.
The book explores themes of friendship, women's autonomy, sexuality, forgiveness, and the importance of chosen family. Through Vivian's candid storytelling, readers are taken on a journey filled with vibrant characters, nostalgic descriptions of 1940s New York City, and a reflection on life's ups and downs. The narrative style shifts between light-hearted and poignant moments, offering a glimpse into Vivian's past and the lessons she has learned throughout her life.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include discussions of sexual experiences, promiscuity, and potential themes of shame and judgment regarding women's sexual choices.
Has Romance?
Romance is present but not the central focus; it serves to highlight the protagonist's journey of self-discovery.
From The Publisher:
A SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER
'Stunning'
Lisa Taddeo, author of THREE WOMEN
'Warm and wise'
Stephanie Merritt, Observer
'Glamorous, sexy, compelling'
Dolly Alderton, Sunday Times
'I fell in love with Vivian from page one'
Daisy Buchanan
'An education in love, and an iridescent delight'
Rowan Pelling, Spectator
New York, 1940. Young, glamorous and inseparable, Vivian and Celia are chasing trouble from one end of the city to the other. But there is risk in all this play - that's what makes it so fun, and so dangerous. Sometimes, the world may feel like it's ending, but for Vivian and Celia, life is just beginning.
City of Girls is about daring to break conventions and follow your desires: a celebration of glamour, resilience, growing up, and the joys of female friendship - and about the freedom that comes from finding a place you truly belong.
Ratings (106)
Incredible (16) | |
Loved It (40) | |
Liked It (29) | |
It Was OK (12) | |
Did Not Like (6) | |
Hated It (3) |
Reader Stats (275):
Read It (110) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (119) | |
Did Not Finish (8) | |
Not Interested (36) |
3 comment(s)
This was very disappointing. I expected to really love it. The premise sounded great. But what can I say... this was just plain boring. Literally nothing happens. And if the characters would have been interesting that might not have been so bad. But... they weren't. I made it to page 160 or something and I just couldn't take it anymore.
A 95 year old lady telling about her life starting from 1940s. The premise sounded a little like Evelyn Hugo and the seven husbands and inve read and adored a book from Elizabeth Gilbert before (about the female moss sientis. So I really thought I was going to at least like this. But this was at best a snooze fest. I didn't get invested in the story as even though it had a lot of drama it felt very un eventful. This book wasn't for me
Some of my favorite quotes
…at some point in a woman’s life, she just gets tired of being ashamed all the time. After that, she is free to become whoever she truly is.
You must learn in life to take things more lightly, my dear. The world is always changing. Learn how to allow for it.
Never has it felt more important for me to tell stories of joy and abandon, passion and recklessness. Life is short and difficult, people. We must take our pleasures where we can find them. Let us not become so cautious that we forget to live.
What can you read after
City of Girls?
About the Author:
Elizabeth Gilbert is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Big Magic, Eat Pray Love, and several other internationally bestselling books of fiction and nonfiction. Gilbert began her career writing for Harper's Bazaar, Spin, the New York Times Magazine, and GQ, and was a three-time finalist for the…
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