Title: City of Girls
Author: Elizabeth Gilbert
Release Date: June 4, 2019
Length: 470 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
***My Review***
Elizabeth Gilbert’s City of Girls is a novel that takes readers on a journey through the life of Vivian Morris, a young woman who moves to New York City in the 1940s to discover herself and find her place in the world. The novel is a coming-of-age story that explores themes of love, sex, friendship, and self-discovery, and offers a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era.
Elizabeth Gilbert’s City of Girls features a narrator named Vivian, an elderly woman looking back at her younger self as a 19-year-old who had just flunked out of Vassar College, ranking second to last in a class of 362 students. Her parents, baffled by their daughter’s lack of prospects in both marriage and career, send her off to live with her eccentric aunt, who owns a dilapidated theater in New York City.
The Lily Playhouse, located far from the glitz and glamor of Broadway, produces pedestrian musical comedies for working-class audiences. Although Vivian has no interest in acting, she has a passion for fashion and an extraordinary skill with a sewing machine. Her aunt, always on the lookout for talent, appoints her as the theater’s costumer. What was supposed to be a brief summer respite turns into a lifelong career for Vivian. And what a life it was!
To begin with, City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert is a genre-defying novel that combines light-heartedness with profound themes, resulting in a uniquely structured and engaging read.
The first half of the novel is conflict-free, yet captivating, as it transports readers to 1940s New York City, where Vivian Morris, the protagonist, experiences life as a carefree showgirl surrounded by theatrical personalities.
The vivid and fantastical portrayal of this world is so enchanting that it doesn’t require any drama to be engaging. The absence of conflict is actually preferred in this setting, and the novel proves that pleasure can be just as captivating as drama.
However, as the story progresses, the tone becomes more serious, and complications arise. This shift can be a little disappointing after the pure enjoyment of the first half.
Nevertheless, Gilbert’s portrayal of the consequences of the characters’ actions is thought-provoking, showing readers that it’s possible to move beyond mistakes, stay true to oneself, and still live a fulfilling life.
However, it must be noted that City of Girls is an exceptional novel that blends genres and defies expectations. While it may seem odd for a novel to be engaging without conflict, Gilbert proves that a captivating narrative can be created without relying solely on dramatic events. This book is a testament to the joys of life and the importance of living in the moment, even in the face of adversity.
The opening of City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert is powerful and captivating, with the author’s note and the introduction of the main character, Vivian Morris, immediately drawing the reader in. Vivian’s free-spirited approach to life is refreshing and serves as a reminder to make the most of the time we have.
One of the most impressive aspects of City of Girls is Gilbert’s ability to create fully realized and nuanced characters. Vivian is a complex and compelling protagonist, and her relationships with the other characters in the novel are richly developed.
I was truly impressed by the way in which Gilbert brings the characters to life, giving them each unique personalities, flaws, and complexities. From Aunt Peg to Uncle Billy to Edna, each character is well-developed and adds depth to the story. The parade of interesting people in Vivian’s life is so vividly portrayed that the reader can imagine them standing before them, making it all the more immersive.
What sets City of Girls apart is the authenticity of Gilbert’s writing. The book feels like a real memoir, and the characters feel like real people. The vividness and realism of the descriptions transport the reader to 1940s New York City and make it feel like they are right there with Vivian.
Gilbert brings the backstage drama of the theater world to life in vivid detail, and her descriptions of the glamour, excitement, and danger of New York City during the 1940s and 1950s are particularly evocative.
However, the novel is not without its flaws. The pacing can be slow at times, and the plot meanders in places. Additionally, some of the characters feel underdeveloped, and their motivations are not always clear. These shortcomings do not detract from the overall enjoyment of the novel, but they are worth noting for readers who prefer a faster-paced plot.
Despite its flaws, City of Girls is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of female sexuality and the challenges women faced during this time period.
Gilbert’s vivid prose and nuanced characters make for a captivating read, and the novel offers a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era. It is a worthy addition to Gilbert’s body of work and is sure to delight fans of historical fiction and coming-of-age stories alike.
Overall, City of Girls is a book that will leave readers pondering the nature of love, sex, friendship, and self-discovery long after they have turned the final page. The book is rich in character, vivid in description, and authentic in its portrayal of life in 1940s New York City. If you’re looking for a richly detailed and immersive novel that transports you to a different time and place, City of Girls is definitely worth checking out.