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Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk
It’s the last day of 1984, and 85-year-old Lillian Boxfish is about to take a walk.
As she crosses the unpredictable landscape of a run-down Manhattan, a city anxious after an attack by a still-at-large subway vigilante, she encounters bartenders, bodega clerks, chauffeurs, security guards, bohemians, criminals, children, parents, and parents-to-be—in surprising moments of generosity and grace. As she strolls, Lillian recalls a long and eventful life that included a brief reign as the highest-paid advertising woman in America, cut short by marriage, motherhood, divorce, and a breakdown.
A love letter to city life--no matter how shiny or sleazy--LILLIAN BOXFISH TAKES A WALK by Kathleen Rooney paints a portrait of a remarkable woman across the canvas of a changing America: from the Jazz Age to the onset of the AIDS epidemic, from the Great Depression to the birth of hip-hop.
As she crosses the unpredictable landscape of a run-down Manhattan, a city anxious after an attack by a still-at-large subway vigilante, she encounters bartenders, bodega clerks, chauffeurs, security guards, bohemians, criminals, children, parents, and parents-to-be—in surprising moments of generosity and grace. As she strolls, Lillian recalls a long and eventful life that included a brief reign as the highest-paid advertising woman in America, cut short by marriage, motherhood, divorce, and a breakdown.
A love letter to city life--no matter how shiny or sleazy--LILLIAN BOXFISH TAKES A WALK by Kathleen Rooney paints a portrait of a remarkable woman across the canvas of a changing America: from the Jazz Age to the onset of the AIDS epidemic, from the Great Depression to the birth of hip-hop.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 17, 2017
About the author
Kathleen Rooney
31 books1,308 followersKathleen Rooney is a founding editor of Rose Metal Press, a publisher of literary work in hybrid genres, and a founding member of Poems While You Wait, a team of poets and their typewriters who compose commissioned poetry on demand.
She is the author, most recently, of the novels Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk and Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey. Her latest collection Where Are the Snows, winner of the XJ Kennedy Prize, is coming out from Texas Review Press in September 2022. She teaches at DePaul and her next novel, From Dust to Stardust, will be published by Lake Union Press in Fall of 2023.
She is the author, most recently, of the novels Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk and Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey. Her latest collection Where Are the Snows, winner of the XJ Kennedy Prize, is coming out from Texas Review Press in September 2022. She teaches at DePaul and her next novel, From Dust to Stardust, will be published by Lake Union Press in Fall of 2023.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,051 reviews
April 21, 2016
I wrote it so I think it's pretty good.
January 14, 2021
Arriving in a Roaring Twenty
at a time of hope and plenty
Full of vim and joi de vivre
Aimed to stay and wouldn’t leave
Lilly made her mark with Macy
writing rhymes to make the case he
needed to attract the shopper.
Many tried, but none could top her.
Used her wit to publish books
of poems with a jaundiced look
At romance. And with each edition
earned more cash and recognition.
A true and very public spinster
’till a special guy convinced her
She should wear his golden band.
And risk some tarnish to her brand
The street provided inspiration
all her eighty-plus duration
As she walks this night we see
a passage through our history
On New Year’s Eve 1984, 84 year old Lillian Boxfish sets out from her Murray Hill apartment on a considerable walk. In stopping at various Manhattan spots over the course of the night, she encounters prompts to memory that span her lifetime, and a major chunk of the 20th century.
Lillian Boxfish, the character, is based on a real person, Margaret Fishback, whose career and life paths Lillian mimics. Like Margaret, Lillian hails from Washington DC, arriving in 1900, came to NYC in her 20s, and became one of the premier ad writers in the country. She penned several books of verse that earned her a reputation beyond her ad work. The poems that Kathleen Rooney uses in the book as Boxfish’s are Fishback’s. She presented a somewhat cynical view of romance, and had to eat a bit of crow when she succumbed to love and marriage in her 30s, taking it so far as to having a child.
Margaret Fishback - from the Poetry Foundation
In portraying Lillian’s life, Rooney shows us markers for the times. In her earliest memories we see, for example, a coal-powered railroad advertising the cleanliness of their service. Those who cynically refer to “clean coal” today would have been right home in the 19-aughts. In fact the book opens with what seems a fairy tale tone,“There once was a girl named Phoebe Snow,” the pristinely appealing character in the railroad’s ad campaign. Lillian will follow Phoebe not just on the road of anthracite but in her fondness for rhyming sales pitches.
A nurse aunt brings mention of the Triangle Shirtwaist fire, and the Spanish flu pandemic. Other notable notes include the jazz age, the lindy-hop, break-dancing, WW II, rap, the subway vigilante, fear of crime in the city, automats, the Depression ( When I first came to the city, a line of people often helped me discover an exciting premiere or a big sale; in 1931, such a queue more often ended at soup kitchens or collapsing banks.), construction of Battery Park City, loft-living by artists, AIDS, the changing looks and uses of city infrastructure, and plenty more. The rights of women are given considerable attention. Lillian fights for equal pay at Macy’s. Pregnancy is a termination-level offense. Her publisher pushes her to take a more upbeat tone, but Lillian is no shrinking violet.
Of course, a look over any time period will not hold anyone’s interest if the guide on that tour is not engaging. Not to worry. Lillian is as hearty a traveling companion as you could want, although she does suffer from some well earned blues from time to time. She is bright, witty and charming, a character we can relate to, even if we may differ from her in this view or that.
Kathleen Rooney - from Entropymag.org
I adored Lillian maybe a bit more than most for our shared love of the city. While I may have started my NYC life a fair bit later than she did, I have seen it over a lifetime, and my attachment is as strong as hers. I was here, and remember well many of the events she notes.
The form of a person traversing a physical space as a structure for recalling a life is not a new one. Serial flashbacks are common enough. But it is done particularly well here. Lillian the younger is hardly the same as Lillian the elder, yet the core voices work well. In fact, one of the great strengths of the novel is that Rooney has made Lillian, from young woman to eighty-something, entirely credible. And her latter day walkabout is rich with a sense of diverse elements of the city, interesting characters who serve to illuminate the New York City of 1984, the fading institutions, and some new trends.
Lillian Boxfish is a marvelous, entertaining and moving read. I suppose you could walk to your nearest book emporium to pick up a copy. But if your legs are up to it, I would run.
Review first posted – January 13, 2017
Publication – January 17, 2017
=============================EXTRA STUFF
Links to the author’s personal, Twitter, and FB pages
This is her second novel
A wiki on Margaret Fishback , who was born in DC in 1900 and died in Maine in 1985.
Kathleen Rooney wrote this profile of Fishback in the Poetry Foundation site
My favorite small poem of Fishback’s, (from what little I have seen), appears in the book.
When life seems gray
And short of fizz
It seems that way
Because it is.
April 14, 2017
Kathleen Rooney is a goodreads' friend of mine, and over the past few months I have noticed a number of other goodreads friends reading her debut novel, Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk. I was drawn to the lovely cover and to the fact that Rooney lives in my home city of Chicago and that she has been named one of the city's up and coming writers during the past year. That the subject is an often forgotten pioneering woman reminiscing on the events in her life has been an added bonus. Reading about Lillian Boxfish's trip down memory lane has been an enjoyable experience that will stay with me for awhile.
Rooney's inspiration for Lillian Boxfish was the real life Margaret Fishback, an accomplished advertiser for Macy's as well as a poet during the 1930s. In this charming debut, the reader encounters the classy, octogenarian Boxfish as she sets out for a walk through Manhattan on New Year's Eve 1984. At each stop along the way, Boxfish reflects on milestones in her life, while sharing her charm with younger New Yorkers who she feels would benefit from her wisdom. We meet a melting pot of New Yorkers who Boxfish feels contribute to making the city a great place to live, while learning about the woman who was once a New York institution.
Boxfish and her best friend, illustrator Helen McGoldrick, attempted to break through the glass ceiling at Macy's long before women's rights picked up steam. Although these women helped make Macy's famous through their witty ads, when they worked, if a woman had a child, her career ended. Yet, Boxfish desired to keep working, and she freelanced at home during the baby boom era when most women were content as housewives. Her verse rivaled Ogden Nash and her volumes of poetry sold almost as well. By these respects, Boxfish was well ahead of her time.
The older Boxfish encounters ageism throughout her contemplative walk as well as in her memories about a taped public television appearance about the history of women in advertising. In both cases, Boxfish is initially disregarded as old until people get to know her better. Rooney has touched on a timely subject as many older citizens are viewed as feeble-minded despite having the wealth of a lifetime of knowledge to offer younger generations. Rooney's prose mirrors Boxfish's wit as she shares the wisdom of a lifetime during stops at New York landmarks such as Delmonicos, Chelsea Piers, Penn Station, and, of course, Macy's. Boxfish's charming story held me captivated as I read to its conclusion.
For a debut author, I found Kathleen Rooney's writing to be exquisite. I enjoyed reading about Lillian Boxfish as I uncovered the history behind trail blazing Margaret Fishback. Perhaps, as Rooney points out in her prose, most people can not appreciate Fishback's wit, but I found her poetry as well as the story she had to tell both humorous and intelligent. Lillian Boxfish merits a 4.5 star rating, and I look forward to reading Rooney's future work, whenever that may be.
Rooney's inspiration for Lillian Boxfish was the real life Margaret Fishback, an accomplished advertiser for Macy's as well as a poet during the 1930s. In this charming debut, the reader encounters the classy, octogenarian Boxfish as she sets out for a walk through Manhattan on New Year's Eve 1984. At each stop along the way, Boxfish reflects on milestones in her life, while sharing her charm with younger New Yorkers who she feels would benefit from her wisdom. We meet a melting pot of New Yorkers who Boxfish feels contribute to making the city a great place to live, while learning about the woman who was once a New York institution.
Boxfish and her best friend, illustrator Helen McGoldrick, attempted to break through the glass ceiling at Macy's long before women's rights picked up steam. Although these women helped make Macy's famous through their witty ads, when they worked, if a woman had a child, her career ended. Yet, Boxfish desired to keep working, and she freelanced at home during the baby boom era when most women were content as housewives. Her verse rivaled Ogden Nash and her volumes of poetry sold almost as well. By these respects, Boxfish was well ahead of her time.
The older Boxfish encounters ageism throughout her contemplative walk as well as in her memories about a taped public television appearance about the history of women in advertising. In both cases, Boxfish is initially disregarded as old until people get to know her better. Rooney has touched on a timely subject as many older citizens are viewed as feeble-minded despite having the wealth of a lifetime of knowledge to offer younger generations. Rooney's prose mirrors Boxfish's wit as she shares the wisdom of a lifetime during stops at New York landmarks such as Delmonicos, Chelsea Piers, Penn Station, and, of course, Macy's. Boxfish's charming story held me captivated as I read to its conclusion.
For a debut author, I found Kathleen Rooney's writing to be exquisite. I enjoyed reading about Lillian Boxfish as I uncovered the history behind trail blazing Margaret Fishback. Perhaps, as Rooney points out in her prose, most people can not appreciate Fishback's wit, but I found her poetry as well as the story she had to tell both humorous and intelligent. Lillian Boxfish merits a 4.5 star rating, and I look forward to reading Rooney's future work, whenever that may be.
October 28, 2016
THANK YOU *St. Martin's Press*!!!! A BIG TIME THANK YOU!!!! Had I not received their sweet email recommendation --- I may have missed this doozy-knock-out-smashing-whopper-pistol of a WONDERFUL novel!!!!
It's funny... I read most of this in bed -on my Kindle ebook - during the dark sleepy hours listening to the pouring rain outside my window, but I had never seen the book 'cover' until now. The cover perfectly captures the image of our leading lady. "Lillian Boxfish". Its exactly how I imagined her. Paul, my husband, says, "that's going to be me at age 85". I could only wish! (we do share a passion for walking). lol
I have such a soft spot for Lillian Boxfish and her storytelling, ha: THANK YOU, Kathleen Rooney! If I wrote all that I'd like to really say-- this review would be 10-20 pages long.
There are so many interesting and inspiring aspects about our main character,...that I find myself thinking about new possibilities in the ways I perceive myself and other people. Lillian was committed to living her life from truth, love, and joy. Her "physically impeccable" health-- in her 80's,-- in 1984, was a reflection of the way she lived!!!
Right from the start --this novel comes 'ALIVE'. Lillian sets the stage by sharing a memory from when she was 5 years old. (While reading this novel.....I went back to that beginning early memory - when she was still a child - before coming to New York and read it twice more). I could see her little mind in action --Lillian was not 'only' taking inspiration from two strong independent women who came before her: (Sadie who lead her to Manhattan.... and Phoebe who led her to poetry and advertising), it seemed to me...that Lillian was most happy when she didn't allow herself to be contaminated with other people's life agenda. Lillian was a woman who simply was committed to her own inner truth. There was a scene early in the book when she binged on a package of Oreo cookies. She noticed what she did... ( wasn't her most proud moment, but also not a big fricken deal either. I'm thinking... "wow...what lesson can I take from this?" I'm serious... "what lesson can I take from this scene"? Hell... I could write a book! Haha!!!!
Short point is: I'm sure Lillian did not binge on sugar daily, but at the same time, other than go for a walk to burn off a few of those calories -- only because it was New Years Eve and she was going to dinner in a few hours....she didn't beat herself up about it. Nor did I ever get the feeling that this woman assigned 'false cause' reasons
about anything. She wasn't a women to sit around to bitch and blame others or herself.
I loved her philosophical ways of looking at life: "things are the way they are". Criminals and muggers in the city? So be it! Didn't stop Lillian from walking!
I LOVE HER! I love her I love her!!!
We learn much about Lillian: her job with R. H. Macy's as the highest paid female writer in the advertising dept., her marriage to Max, ( he divorced her), her children and grandchildren, her poetry, her clothes ( she likes to think that she does not dress like a typical old woman), her lunchtime poems, ( people didn't always hate pigeons in the city), the spirited people she meets in the city, and the many places Lillian takes us while walking around New York a city!
I hope they make a movie of this book -- HAM IT UP GOOD TOO!!!
Oh... when I told Paul that my new heroine, *Lillian Boxfish*, once bought 25 "Helena Rubinstein Orange Fire lipsticks-- '25'.....BECAUSE she heard they were going to discontinue her favorite lipstick... Paul said, "sounds just like something I would do".
NOTE: I would not!!!! NOT LIPSTICK.....
But.... shhhhh, I did once buy 10 pair of Dr. Scholl's wooden sandals... when they were on a 'sell-out' sale. I, too, heard they were being discontinued. I've been wearing these shoes since I was about 10 years old. I still love them. I now have a lifetime supply. So... I say... "enjoy your lifetime lipstick, Lillian Boxfish"!!!
Last....A WOMEN WHO WALKS..... is a woman after my own heart!!!! Walkers share a special love together -- in the same way readers do!
It's so damn REFRESHING to read a novel that inspires humanity!!
Totally enjoyable!!! Another years favorite!!!!!!
Thanks again, St. Martin's Press, Netgalley, and 'hats off' to Kathleen Rooney!!!!
A readers Treat!!!!
It's funny... I read most of this in bed -on my Kindle ebook - during the dark sleepy hours listening to the pouring rain outside my window, but I had never seen the book 'cover' until now. The cover perfectly captures the image of our leading lady. "Lillian Boxfish". Its exactly how I imagined her. Paul, my husband, says, "that's going to be me at age 85". I could only wish! (we do share a passion for walking). lol
I have such a soft spot for Lillian Boxfish and her storytelling, ha: THANK YOU, Kathleen Rooney! If I wrote all that I'd like to really say-- this review would be 10-20 pages long.
There are so many interesting and inspiring aspects about our main character,...that I find myself thinking about new possibilities in the ways I perceive myself and other people. Lillian was committed to living her life from truth, love, and joy. Her "physically impeccable" health-- in her 80's,-- in 1984, was a reflection of the way she lived!!!
Right from the start --this novel comes 'ALIVE'. Lillian sets the stage by sharing a memory from when she was 5 years old. (While reading this novel.....I went back to that beginning early memory - when she was still a child - before coming to New York and read it twice more). I could see her little mind in action --Lillian was not 'only' taking inspiration from two strong independent women who came before her: (Sadie who lead her to Manhattan.... and Phoebe who led her to poetry and advertising), it seemed to me...that Lillian was most happy when she didn't allow herself to be contaminated with other people's life agenda. Lillian was a woman who simply was committed to her own inner truth. There was a scene early in the book when she binged on a package of Oreo cookies. She noticed what she did... ( wasn't her most proud moment, but also not a big fricken deal either. I'm thinking... "wow...what lesson can I take from this?" I'm serious... "what lesson can I take from this scene"? Hell... I could write a book! Haha!!!!
Short point is: I'm sure Lillian did not binge on sugar daily, but at the same time, other than go for a walk to burn off a few of those calories -- only because it was New Years Eve and she was going to dinner in a few hours....she didn't beat herself up about it. Nor did I ever get the feeling that this woman assigned 'false cause' reasons
about anything. She wasn't a women to sit around to bitch and blame others or herself.
I loved her philosophical ways of looking at life: "things are the way they are". Criminals and muggers in the city? So be it! Didn't stop Lillian from walking!
I LOVE HER! I love her I love her!!!
We learn much about Lillian: her job with R. H. Macy's as the highest paid female writer in the advertising dept., her marriage to Max, ( he divorced her), her children and grandchildren, her poetry, her clothes ( she likes to think that she does not dress like a typical old woman), her lunchtime poems, ( people didn't always hate pigeons in the city), the spirited people she meets in the city, and the many places Lillian takes us while walking around New York a city!
I hope they make a movie of this book -- HAM IT UP GOOD TOO!!!
Oh... when I told Paul that my new heroine, *Lillian Boxfish*, once bought 25 "Helena Rubinstein Orange Fire lipsticks-- '25'.....BECAUSE she heard they were going to discontinue her favorite lipstick... Paul said, "sounds just like something I would do".
NOTE: I would not!!!! NOT LIPSTICK.....
But.... shhhhh, I did once buy 10 pair of Dr. Scholl's wooden sandals... when they were on a 'sell-out' sale. I, too, heard they were being discontinued. I've been wearing these shoes since I was about 10 years old. I still love them. I now have a lifetime supply. So... I say... "enjoy your lifetime lipstick, Lillian Boxfish"!!!
Last....A WOMEN WHO WALKS..... is a woman after my own heart!!!! Walkers share a special love together -- in the same way readers do!
It's so damn REFRESHING to read a novel that inspires humanity!!
Totally enjoyable!!! Another years favorite!!!!!!
Thanks again, St. Martin's Press, Netgalley, and 'hats off' to Kathleen Rooney!!!!
A readers Treat!!!!
November 30, 2016
Lillian at the age of eighty five takes a walk through Manhattan. As she walks she meets many people and remembers the past. Based on an actual person, Lillian has led an interesting life, loved, lost, and reached the pinnacle of success.
I really wish I could have loved this like some of my friends here did, not sure why I didn't. Maybe it was the tone that basically stayed the same throughout the novel or the fact that in many books in the past few years the elderly have walked with varying success. I did like seeing the history of New York City through her eyes and memories but since it is a place I have never been it wasn't enough. It is well written and future readers may enjoy this more than I did. I liked it but didn't love it.
ARC from Netgalley.
I really wish I could have loved this like some of my friends here did, not sure why I didn't. Maybe it was the tone that basically stayed the same throughout the novel or the fact that in many books in the past few years the elderly have walked with varying success. I did like seeing the history of New York City through her eyes and memories but since it is a place I have never been it wasn't enough. It is well written and future readers may enjoy this more than I did. I liked it but didn't love it.
ARC from Netgalley.
November 8, 2019
In a walk, her life. Her entire life. No. It is not Virginia Woolf, nor her formidable creation Clarissa Dalloway. Instead, this is a figure that's less oppressive & much more chipper. Though not any less literary or monolithic.
Never once in the company of this prolific, successful, mega charismatic woman do you feel betrayed--it contains the certainty of biography, with details so concrete & rich; you never truly fall out of her immediate orbit. She's irresistibly graceful & dignified to a fault.
Never once in the company of this prolific, successful, mega charismatic woman do you feel betrayed--it contains the certainty of biography, with details so concrete & rich; you never truly fall out of her immediate orbit. She's irresistibly graceful & dignified to a fault.
April 24, 2017
2 Stars
Overall:
On New Year’s Eve 1984, Lillian Boxfish takes a walk. During that walk, she recounts most of the major (and several minor) events in her life, starting in the 1920s. This life was filled with a glamorous career in advertising, a crumbling marriage and stints of electro-shock therapy.
This sounded really exciting. But to me it felt like when your grandma pulls you aside at Thanksgiving to tell you “back-in-my-day” stories.
I received an ARC of this through Netgalley. Thank you to the publisher and author for the opportunity!
Pros:
Lillian Boxfish herself was a really fun and dynamic character. She had a level of grace and wit about her that was really delightful to read. I honestly haven't heard of the woman she was based off, but I certainly want to find out more.
This addresses several big issues in a rather lighthearted way; including homophobia, sexism and classism. I don’t think all these issues were handled very well, but the different perspectives throughout the years was very interesting. Lillian was a very open-minded and sex-positive individual and it contrasted very well with stereotypes.
Cons
This was so repetitive
It basically boiled down to Lillian meeting someone during her walk (who usually had a nickname “but you can call me NAME”) and that someone would discuss really personal information with this old-lady they don’t know—The Vietnam Vet discusses his difficulties accumulating back into American Society, a gay male discusses the AIDS epidemic and the Reagan administration and the unmarried Latino woman discusses how people slut-shame her for not marrying her baby daddy. These were all very interesting topics worth talking about, but none of these side characters were particularly well developed to me. All their stories only seemed to exist to remind Lillian of something that happened to her in the past.
This narrative was written with a very conversational tone, and while I think it is fairly unique and appropriate for Lillian, I just wasn’t a fan. Each sentence was made up of several clauses and just like when grandma pulls you aside at Thanksgiving, it seemed she would ramble and get lost before the sentence ended.
Example:
All those dialogue tags exist for one person, and before she finishes talking about what Gian called her to discuss, Lillian goes off talking about his name and middle-school.
In Conclusion
Interesting premise about an interesting woman, but it felt like an old-woman telling repetitive stories.
Overall:
On New Year’s Eve 1984, Lillian Boxfish takes a walk. During that walk, she recounts most of the major (and several minor) events in her life, starting in the 1920s. This life was filled with a glamorous career in advertising, a crumbling marriage and stints of electro-shock therapy.
This sounded really exciting. But to me it felt like when your grandma pulls you aside at Thanksgiving to tell you “back-in-my-day” stories.
I received an ARC of this through Netgalley. Thank you to the publisher and author for the opportunity!
Pros:
Lillian Boxfish herself was a really fun and dynamic character. She had a level of grace and wit about her that was really delightful to read. I honestly haven't heard of the woman she was based off, but I certainly want to find out more.
This addresses several big issues in a rather lighthearted way; including homophobia, sexism and classism. I don’t think all these issues were handled very well, but the different perspectives throughout the years was very interesting. Lillian was a very open-minded and sex-positive individual and it contrasted very well with stereotypes.
Cons
This was so repetitive
It basically boiled down to Lillian meeting someone during her walk (who usually had a nickname “but you can call me NAME”) and that someone would discuss really personal information with this old-lady they don’t know—The Vietnam Vet discusses his difficulties accumulating back into American Society, a gay male discusses the AIDS epidemic and the Reagan administration and the unmarried Latino woman discusses how people slut-shame her for not marrying her baby daddy. These were all very interesting topics worth talking about, but none of these side characters were particularly well developed to me. All their stories only seemed to exist to remind Lillian of something that happened to her in the past.
This narrative was written with a very conversational tone, and while I think it is fairly unique and appropriate for Lillian, I just wasn’t a fan. Each sentence was made up of several clauses and just like when grandma pulls you aside at Thanksgiving, it seemed she would ramble and get lost before the sentence ended.
Example:
“She was struggling in all this Maine snow, when there’s none in California,” says Johnny, says Gianino, my Little John, says my son, says Gian, as he asked to be called back in junior high school, when it occurred to him that he had the wherewithal.
All those dialogue tags exist for one person, and before she finishes talking about what Gian called her to discuss, Lillian goes off talking about his name and middle-school.
In Conclusion
Interesting premise about an interesting woman, but it felt like an old-woman telling repetitive stories.
December 3, 2016
It's New Years Eve 1984, and 85 yr old Lillian Boxfish takes a long walk through Manhattan and reminisces about her life as a wife, mother, grandmother, and top paid advertising agent for Macy's in the 1930's. Her main destination is Delmonico's steakhouse where she last had a dinner with her dead ex husband Max, though she makes many stops along the way and comes in contact with many different people.
Lillian has had quite a life, is a true lady and she loves to walk, walks everywhere, and says "I am not going to stay off the street. Not when the street is the only thing that still consistently interests me, aside from maybe my son and my cat. The only place that feels vibrant and lively. Where things collide. Where future comes from."
This story is based on the true story of ad woman Margaret Fishback the highest-paid female advertising copywriter in the world during the 1930's.
This was more of a 3.5 read for me, but I love stories based in New York, hence the 4 star review.
Thank you for the ARC to Netgalley, St.Martins Press, and Kathleen Rooney
Lillian has had quite a life, is a true lady and she loves to walk, walks everywhere, and says "I am not going to stay off the street. Not when the street is the only thing that still consistently interests me, aside from maybe my son and my cat. The only place that feels vibrant and lively. Where things collide. Where future comes from."
This story is based on the true story of ad woman Margaret Fishback the highest-paid female advertising copywriter in the world during the 1930's.
This was more of a 3.5 read for me, but I love stories based in New York, hence the 4 star review.
Thank you for the ARC to Netgalley, St.Martins Press, and Kathleen Rooney
December 14, 2016
REALLY enjoyed the journey! Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.
Alternating between past and present, Lillian Boxfish revisits her very interesting and long life via a five mile nostalgic trek thru The Big Apple as one year ends and another begins.
During the walk, we learn first and foremost that Lillian has a natural gift of gab with an ability to influence and negotiate with even the toughest of opponents. Determined to be a spinster for life, she has a strong work ethic and loves her job writing advertisements via poetry for R. H. Macy's more than anything in the world (except for Phoebe the cat of course) and until she makes purchase of an expensive carpet (with her BIG salary) getting the surprise of her life.
Lillian has no fear of the streets, not even the subway vigilante can deter her in the dark of night as she walks us through the Jazz and Depression eras, shares her trysts as a young woman, eats at a soup kitchen and stops by a speakeasy. She is helpful to those in need, unjudgemental, often generous and kind, and makes those who meet her feel good about themselves no matter what their station in life.
But all is not perfect in Lillian's world as she discovers a shocking secret that leads her to finally disclose to the reader the circumstances behind "the incident" that takes her away from her beloved streets and in a direction this reader did not see coming.
LILLIAN BOXFISH TAKES A WALK was a solid 4 Star read for me, my favorite stop being the do-over dinner at Delmonico's Restaurant that began with an act of kindness, continued on with interesting conversation that made me laugh and ended giving Lillian a huge dose of just plain happiness.
Interesting to note that this remarkable character and memorable work of fiction that brings New York City to life is based, in part, on the life of Margaret Fishback, the highest paid female poet and advertising copywriter of the 1930's who actually worked for R. H. Macy's. Great read!
Read
November 28, 2023This is the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club December 2023 selection.
A friend talked me into reading this after she shared that every member of her diverse book club loved this—the twenty-somethings and the sixty-somethings. That got my attention. It's the last day of 1984, and 85-year-old Lillian Boxfish takes a walk in late-night Manhattan, on a very specific mission. As she walks, she reflects on the life she's lived, the people she's known, and where things began to go wrong. This reminded me of J. Courtney Sullivan's The Engagements because of the strong women at the center of each.
A friend talked me into reading this after she shared that every member of her diverse book club loved this—the twenty-somethings and the sixty-somethings. That got my attention. It's the last day of 1984, and 85-year-old Lillian Boxfish takes a walk in late-night Manhattan, on a very specific mission. As she walks, she reflects on the life she's lived, the people she's known, and where things began to go wrong. This reminded me of J. Courtney Sullivan's The Engagements because of the strong women at the center of each.
April 5, 2017
This book, told in Lillian’s voice, is pitch perfect. It captures the times, the place and the woman perfectly. It just felt like I was right in Lillian’s head. Lillian and I were born 50+ years apart, but so many of the issues were the same for both of us, like being one of the few women in our profession and fighting for equal pay. It also struck me that I'm reading this on Equal Pay Day in 2017, so some things still haven't changed.
But the message here is to enjoy life no matter what it throws at you. As Lillian says “...she had it backwards. It wasn't that happiness led to humor, but more that humor could lead, perhaps, to happiness - that an eye for the absurd could keep one active in one’s despair, the opposite of depressed: static and passive.” And it's not as if Lillian had an easy life. She has to quit her beloved job when she gets pregnant, suffers a breakdown and goes through a divorce. But she is a survivor.
I love that at age 85, Lillian is able to walk more miles than most women half her age. She is a strong character in so many ways. It lent a whole new level of appreciation when I learned Lillian was based on a real person, Margaret Fishback.
Highly recommend this book.
But the message here is to enjoy life no matter what it throws at you. As Lillian says “...she had it backwards. It wasn't that happiness led to humor, but more that humor could lead, perhaps, to happiness - that an eye for the absurd could keep one active in one’s despair, the opposite of depressed: static and passive.” And it's not as if Lillian had an easy life. She has to quit her beloved job when she gets pregnant, suffers a breakdown and goes through a divorce. But she is a survivor.
I love that at age 85, Lillian is able to walk more miles than most women half her age. She is a strong character in so many ways. It lent a whole new level of appreciation when I learned Lillian was based on a real person, Margaret Fishback.
Highly recommend this book.
February 11, 2017
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk
★★★★★ 5 Lovely Stars!
I received a free advance e-copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you!
***********************************************
For centuries poets have used walking as a conduit to meditate, drive inspiration and find a path to enlightenment. For 85 year-old Lillian Boxfish, the zany, clever protagonist of this novel, her years as a walking poet might be behind her, but she's still someone who has the energy to enjoy a good walk.
The year is 1984, Manhattan, New Year's Eve. As the last hours of the year elapse, Lillian takes a long 10-mile walk and brings us right along with her. While she encounters old acquaintances and makes new ones, she reminisces on her life, past and present. Observing the dramatic changes that have taken place in the city she has called home for more than 50 years, brings a certain level of nostalgia and sadness.
It wasn't until after I finished the novel that I realize that Kathleen Rooney's inspiration for this character was a real person. Like her fictional counterpart, Margaret Fishback was a poet and copywriter for R.H. Macys during the 1930's, becoming highly successful in both roles.
If poetry and advertisement sound to you like two incongruously ways to make a living, keep in mind that America in the 1930's & 40's is a different world, one in which there's a market for poetry. Lillian uses her light verse poems to tell stories that entice customers while at the same time promote what she calls her "Girl Poet" persona.
When we first meet Lillian, her son Johnny has been trying to convince her to come live in Maine, closer to him and her grand kids. He is concerned because New York is engulfed in a crime spree. In spite of this, she is determined to stay in the city she loves.
Kathleen Rooney - The Author (Photo: Joe Mazza/BraveLux)
Lillian decries some of the changes society has been undergoing. Her complaints range from the fairly mundane (TV sets have now become staples in some of her favorite establishments), to the more consequential (the loss of civil discourse, what she sees as the lack of creativity in the advertising industry).
Criticisms notwithstanding, Lillian hasn't completely lost her ability to appreciate new cultural trends. In fact, she is fascinated by an emerging style of music called "Rap" . This actually makes total sense since there is a strong connection between the metric and rhyme schemes used by hip hop artists and poets, or as she remarks the rappers “joyful mastery of language, its sounds and its rhythms".
In alternating chapters, our protagonist recalls her highlights: the publication of her first book, meeting Max (the man she eventually marries), giving birth to her son. And her challenges: struggling to adjust to married life, . Throughout the novel, Rooney plants enough landmarks that help frame Lillian's memories within the proper historical context.
It seems to me that Lillian's secret to success had a lot to do with her ability to observe and read people well. I so appreciate how she makes a point of calling everyone she meets by their first name and takes time to really listen to what they have to say.
Watching a character grow old is so interesting because it underlines the fact that getting older doesn't erase the essence of who we are. That's why, experiencing Lillian's zest for life, her sense of curiosity and sharp mind, and seeing how consistent those traits remained throughout her life, was so very refreshing.
Rooney's writing is witty and illuminating and I admire her ability to write a novel so intimate that at times it almost reads like a memoir. Lillian Boxfish belongs in the canon of characters representing a generation of women so ahead of their times, they became feminist icons before that was even a thing.
Now, I must admit to possess a weak spot for charming old ladies, so perhaps I am bias here, but Lillian Boxfish, non-conformist, fiercely independent woman, scoffer of love, poet extraordinaire, it was splendid getting to know you, such a smart girl!!
***********************************************
Audio Book Review:
I became a fan of Xe Sans listening to her narration of Euphoria and The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty. Sands seem to have found a niche narrating strong female characters.
After you've been listening to audiobooks for a while, you can tell when a narrator has done her homework and prepared well to perform a story rather that just "read" it. I think Sans’s evocative, sultry voice was the perfect match for this novel. The conversation between the author and the narrator at the end of the audio, was a unexpected but wonderful bonus.
★★★★★ 5 Lovely Stars!
I received a free advance e-copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you!
***********************************************
For centuries poets have used walking as a conduit to meditate, drive inspiration and find a path to enlightenment. For 85 year-old Lillian Boxfish, the zany, clever protagonist of this novel, her years as a walking poet might be behind her, but she's still someone who has the energy to enjoy a good walk.
The year is 1984, Manhattan, New Year's Eve. As the last hours of the year elapse, Lillian takes a long 10-mile walk and brings us right along with her. While she encounters old acquaintances and makes new ones, she reminisces on her life, past and present. Observing the dramatic changes that have taken place in the city she has called home for more than 50 years, brings a certain level of nostalgia and sadness.
It wasn't until after I finished the novel that I realize that Kathleen Rooney's inspiration for this character was a real person. Like her fictional counterpart, Margaret Fishback was a poet and copywriter for R.H. Macys during the 1930's, becoming highly successful in both roles.
If poetry and advertisement sound to you like two incongruously ways to make a living, keep in mind that America in the 1930's & 40's is a different world, one in which there's a market for poetry. Lillian uses her light verse poems to tell stories that entice customers while at the same time promote what she calls her "Girl Poet" persona.
When we first meet Lillian, her son Johnny has been trying to convince her to come live in Maine, closer to him and her grand kids. He is concerned because New York is engulfed in a crime spree. In spite of this, she is determined to stay in the city she loves.
Kathleen Rooney - The Author (Photo: Joe Mazza/BraveLux)Lillian decries some of the changes society has been undergoing. Her complaints range from the fairly mundane (TV sets have now become staples in some of her favorite establishments), to the more consequential (the loss of civil discourse, what she sees as the lack of creativity in the advertising industry).
Criticisms notwithstanding, Lillian hasn't completely lost her ability to appreciate new cultural trends. In fact, she is fascinated by an emerging style of music called "Rap" . This actually makes total sense since there is a strong connection between the metric and rhyme schemes used by hip hop artists and poets, or as she remarks the rappers “joyful mastery of language, its sounds and its rhythms".
In alternating chapters, our protagonist recalls her highlights: the publication of her first book, meeting Max (the man she eventually marries), giving birth to her son. And her challenges: struggling to adjust to married life, . Throughout the novel, Rooney plants enough landmarks that help frame Lillian's memories within the proper historical context.
It seems to me that Lillian's secret to success had a lot to do with her ability to observe and read people well. I so appreciate how she makes a point of calling everyone she meets by their first name and takes time to really listen to what they have to say.
Watching a character grow old is so interesting because it underlines the fact that getting older doesn't erase the essence of who we are. That's why, experiencing Lillian's zest for life, her sense of curiosity and sharp mind, and seeing how consistent those traits remained throughout her life, was so very refreshing.
Rooney's writing is witty and illuminating and I admire her ability to write a novel so intimate that at times it almost reads like a memoir. Lillian Boxfish belongs in the canon of characters representing a generation of women so ahead of their times, they became feminist icons before that was even a thing.
Now, I must admit to possess a weak spot for charming old ladies, so perhaps I am bias here, but Lillian Boxfish, non-conformist, fiercely independent woman, scoffer of love, poet extraordinaire, it was splendid getting to know you, such a smart girl!!
***********************************************
Audio Book Review:
I became a fan of Xe Sans listening to her narration of Euphoria and The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty. Sands seem to have found a niche narrating strong female characters.
After you've been listening to audiobooks for a while, you can tell when a narrator has done her homework and prepared well to perform a story rather that just "read" it. I think Sans’s evocative, sultry voice was the perfect match for this novel. The conversation between the author and the narrator at the end of the audio, was a unexpected but wonderful bonus.
August 19, 2017
The first thing is, Kathleen Rooney wrote two of my favourite books, which are the excellently brainy Reading with Oprah and the intriguing memoir Live Nude Girl. The second thing is, Kathleen Rooney is a Goodreads author, so that means she might just possibly read this review. That has happened to me about six times now, an author suddenly commenting on one of my reviews of their books. It’s unnerving. It’s like you having a chat with your best friend about Miss So-and-so and when you glance in the mirror Miss So-and-so is right there! Kinda sidled right up behind you! So then you have to splutter and explain well, I didn’t actually mean literally that you were batshit crazy and that we’re all trying to figure out how to dump you from the group!
So given the embarrassing possibilities, I think the only way to proceed is to present a redacted review which hopefully will avoid any possibility of offence.
Lillian Boxfish, the grand dame of this ****** novel, is a character that makes you want to ****** your own ******, which would be a drawback for any novel but especially one so **** that you have to wonder ****** ***** the author ******* completely. The story is her life between the 30s and the 80s and okay, she’s a kind of proto-feminist, but it’s so proto that ****** ****** the men ***** the “girls” ***** and of course are still expected to ****** ****. Not long into this ***** novel I really wanted old Lilian to ****** herself ***** or maybe ****** in a street robbery. But that didn’t happen. Boy oh boy, pages and pages of **** and I remember **** and **** and **** and oh yes *****. Eventually, I ****** the *******, the ****** and the unceasing flow of ******** and I had to ****** otherwise I would have ********* all over. But don’t take my word for it. Other people disagree. Those other people must be a little ****** or have a higher tolerance of ***** but it’s a great big world. Like Mao said, let a thousand flowers **** their **** all over the place.
So given the embarrassing possibilities, I think the only way to proceed is to present a redacted review which hopefully will avoid any possibility of offence.
Lillian Boxfish, the grand dame of this ****** novel, is a character that makes you want to ****** your own ******, which would be a drawback for any novel but especially one so **** that you have to wonder ****** ***** the author ******* completely. The story is her life between the 30s and the 80s and okay, she’s a kind of proto-feminist, but it’s so proto that ****** ****** the men ***** the “girls” ***** and of course are still expected to ****** ****. Not long into this ***** novel I really wanted old Lilian to ****** herself ***** or maybe ****** in a street robbery. But that didn’t happen. Boy oh boy, pages and pages of **** and I remember **** and **** and **** and oh yes *****. Eventually, I ****** the *******, the ****** and the unceasing flow of ******** and I had to ****** otherwise I would have ********* all over. But don’t take my word for it. Other people disagree. Those other people must be a little ****** or have a higher tolerance of ***** but it’s a great big world. Like Mao said, let a thousand flowers **** their **** all over the place.
Read
February 14, 2017The Hook - Overwhelming praise from my GoodReads friend Elyse sent me quickly to Netgalley to request the e-galley of Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk. You may read Elyse’s Review here.
I cannot thank the author, Kathleen Rooney or St. Martin’s Press enough for granting my early access to this book, which publishes January 17, 2017.
The Line - Per the publisher’s request no part of the text may be quoted until the book is published. Paraphrasing a sentence that gave me pause for thought is one that states that you surely will lose what you love most when you are not ready to give it up.
The Sinker - Eighty-five year Lillian Boxfish takes a walk and quite the walk it is. As 1984 gets ready to roll over to 1985, Lillian’s walk starts as a tour through familiar territory in her Manhattan neighborhood but quickly becomes something more as her steps take her on a journey of remembrance of career, life, love, family and friends. Kathleen Rooney has written a breath-taking novel that blends the prose and poetry of real life ad woman Margaret Fishback who worked for R.H. Macy’s with the spirited, elderly Boxfish. Beautifully rendered u> Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk is the perfect way to start the New Year out with hope.
I cannot thank the author, Kathleen Rooney or St. Martin’s Press enough for granting my early access to this book, which publishes January 17, 2017.
The Line - Per the publisher’s request no part of the text may be quoted until the book is published. Paraphrasing a sentence that gave me pause for thought is one that states that you surely will lose what you love most when you are not ready to give it up.
The Sinker - Eighty-five year Lillian Boxfish takes a walk and quite the walk it is. As 1984 gets ready to roll over to 1985, Lillian’s walk starts as a tour through familiar territory in her Manhattan neighborhood but quickly becomes something more as her steps take her on a journey of remembrance of career, life, love, family and friends. Kathleen Rooney has written a breath-taking novel that blends the prose and poetry of real life ad woman Margaret Fishback who worked for R.H. Macy’s with the spirited, elderly Boxfish. Beautifully rendered u> Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk is the perfect way to start the New Year out with hope.
May 29, 2021
I love books about old people. I even have a shelf on my TBR labeled “elderly characters.” Old people have wisdom and, well, maturity. Like many readers, I like to learn things from my pleasure reading, and I’ve found I can learn a lot from elderly characters. Some of my favorites include Mildred Gutermann from “Have You Seen Luis Velez?”, Elizabeth and Joyce from “The Thursday Murder Club”, and Arthur Truluv from “The Story of Arthur Truluv”, just to name a few. I can now add Lillian Boxfish to that list.
I wasn’t expecting this story. I thought I was getting a book more on the lines of Have You Seen Luis Velez. But no, this one is completely different. Lillian isn’t one to sit at home drinking tea and doling out sage advice to young ‘uns who have yet to find their way. Lillian, despite being 85, is still unmellow for the most part and still very much out in the world. I wasn’t sure what to think of her early on and was not as engaged as I could have been, but by the end I loved Lillian.
Lillian narrates all the way. We flip back and forth between her earlier heady years when she is the highest paid woman in advertising in the country while working for R.H. Macys in the early 1930s, and the mid 1980s after Lillian has long been off the job. We also see her through additional times, including the 1950s when she suffers a long siege of major depression. The present in this book is the evening of December 31, 1984, when we travel along with Lillian on a very long walk through New York City while the world awaits the ball to drop. My favorite scene of the book occurs that night—her conversation with Keith, Darrell, and Winston. Priceless.
I’m not sure there is a plot here. It’s mostly a journey where we gather pieces of information that puts together the persona of this singular individual. Of interest, the story is loosely based on the life of Margaret Fishback, the true bearer of the title of highest paid woman in advertising at R.H. Macys in the 1930s. Lillian writes humorous ads, mainly in verse, and, interestingly, what we see in the book are the real verses written by Ms. Fishback.
The story was a journey for me as I went from neutral feelings towards Lillian to loving her. She is a one-of-a-kind woman--funny, generous, self-sufficient yet at times very vulnerable, and true to herself. The ending is perfect. I highly recommend this novel for all looking for a story featuring a fresh, unique character.
I wasn’t expecting this story. I thought I was getting a book more on the lines of Have You Seen Luis Velez. But no, this one is completely different. Lillian isn’t one to sit at home drinking tea and doling out sage advice to young ‘uns who have yet to find their way. Lillian, despite being 85, is still unmellow for the most part and still very much out in the world. I wasn’t sure what to think of her early on and was not as engaged as I could have been, but by the end I loved Lillian.
Lillian narrates all the way. We flip back and forth between her earlier heady years when she is the highest paid woman in advertising in the country while working for R.H. Macys in the early 1930s, and the mid 1980s after Lillian has long been off the job. We also see her through additional times, including the 1950s when she suffers a long siege of major depression. The present in this book is the evening of December 31, 1984, when we travel along with Lillian on a very long walk through New York City while the world awaits the ball to drop. My favorite scene of the book occurs that night—her conversation with Keith, Darrell, and Winston. Priceless.
I’m not sure there is a plot here. It’s mostly a journey where we gather pieces of information that puts together the persona of this singular individual. Of interest, the story is loosely based on the life of Margaret Fishback, the true bearer of the title of highest paid woman in advertising at R.H. Macys in the 1930s. Lillian writes humorous ads, mainly in verse, and, interestingly, what we see in the book are the real verses written by Ms. Fishback.
The story was a journey for me as I went from neutral feelings towards Lillian to loving her. She is a one-of-a-kind woman--funny, generous, self-sufficient yet at times very vulnerable, and true to herself. The ending is perfect. I highly recommend this novel for all looking for a story featuring a fresh, unique character.
August 24, 2017
Charming.
Kathleen Rooney’s 2017 novel about, literally, Lillian Boxfish taking a walk is enchanting mainly because of her creation of the wonderfully charismatic character Lillian Boxfish.
In an Author’s note at the end, Rooney describes how Lillian was inspired by the real life Margaret Fishback, a successful advertising copyright in the 19302, but how beyond the inspiration Lillian Boxfish is her fictional creation.
Born in 1899 (but lying about her age for decades and saying she was born in 1900) Lillian’s walk through New York on New Year’s Eve 1984 is also a vehicle where Lillian can look back on a long and full life mainly in her beloved New York. As she walks along the sidewalks on her way to dinner and a party, Lillian recounts her first days in New York and how she as a young woman first took a job at Macy’s and how her talent for poetry and word play led her to a successful career and how for a time she was the highest paid woman in advertising.
Rooney also describes a journey through New York and America in the twentieth century. Through Lillian’s life we see how the staid Victorian age gave way to the roaring twenties, Prohibition, Depression, World War II and the 50s. Lillian’s ascendency as an efficacious businesswoman is also a story about the struggles and opportunities for women during this time.
The great accomplishment in this book, though, remains Lillian Boxfish herself. Never meeting a stranger, Ms. Boxfish is a wholly likeable protagonist and narrator, someone a reader will like instantly and want to follow. To her credit, Rooney describes Lillian in humanistic terms, with flaws and failings, but these realistic elements only serve to heighten her portrayal.
Recommended.
*** A free copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review
Kathleen Rooney’s 2017 novel about, literally, Lillian Boxfish taking a walk is enchanting mainly because of her creation of the wonderfully charismatic character Lillian Boxfish.
In an Author’s note at the end, Rooney describes how Lillian was inspired by the real life Margaret Fishback, a successful advertising copyright in the 19302, but how beyond the inspiration Lillian Boxfish is her fictional creation.
Born in 1899 (but lying about her age for decades and saying she was born in 1900) Lillian’s walk through New York on New Year’s Eve 1984 is also a vehicle where Lillian can look back on a long and full life mainly in her beloved New York. As she walks along the sidewalks on her way to dinner and a party, Lillian recounts her first days in New York and how she as a young woman first took a job at Macy’s and how her talent for poetry and word play led her to a successful career and how for a time she was the highest paid woman in advertising.
Rooney also describes a journey through New York and America in the twentieth century. Through Lillian’s life we see how the staid Victorian age gave way to the roaring twenties, Prohibition, Depression, World War II and the 50s. Lillian’s ascendency as an efficacious businesswoman is also a story about the struggles and opportunities for women during this time.
The great accomplishment in this book, though, remains Lillian Boxfish herself. Never meeting a stranger, Ms. Boxfish is a wholly likeable protagonist and narrator, someone a reader will like instantly and want to follow. To her credit, Rooney describes Lillian in humanistic terms, with flaws and failings, but these realistic elements only serve to heighten her portrayal.
Recommended.
*** A free copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review
November 19, 2016
WHAT'S IN THE NAME?
Before I knew that this book was inspired by the true story of Margaret Fishback, I was wondering how the last name 'Boxfish'(and even Fishback for that matter) came about. It reminded me of the joke names chosen in the previous centuries when people were forced to choose a surname and many of them did it under great protest.
Names such as Obadiah Cockswinger and Chastity Goodtime resulted from it. Others were chosen for a different purpose and could easily be changed. For instance, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, was originally named Sutton; when they acquired the Dudley lands and title, most family members began using Dudley as their surname.
Sometimes, if there were several Jeremys in the area and one was especially tall, short, red-haired, disabled, etc., or came originally from elsewhere, he might be called Jeremy Little, Jeremy Red, or Jeremy Bristol.
The sources from which names are derived are almost endless: nicknames, physical attributes, counties, trades, heraldic charges, and almost every object known to mankind. Tracing a family tree in practice involves looking at lists of these names - this is how we recognise our ancestors when we find them.
It was in the this context that I smiled at the last name Boxfish and Fishback. Smile is actually not accurate. I was first dumbfounded, then amazed, then laughing and then curious beyond belief! I could not imagine that someone with a name like that can become famous, but that's what Lily did and did so with aplomb. She effortlessly defied her mother and the world by turning the tables on the establishment.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Lily Boxfish, an eighty-five-year old grande dame of the New York advertising world started a love affair with her newly adopted city, as a young unmarried woman, which lasted till the end of her days. By walking wherever she wanted to go, she embraced her 'new family' and home, as she regarded the city and its people. On New Years Eve of 1984, she donned her priced mink and riding boots and set off on a walk down memory lane, recalling her life in the city. She meets people on her way, visiting old haunts, and attended a party of young people, describing the city's old and changed ambiance.
This is not a biography. It is a novel in biographical form. I can't remember when was the last time I wanted to jump up and down with excitement while making my way through the prose of a book. It happened from the very first words I encountered on my way through this tale. Apart from meeting a fiercely independent woman, a poet and ads-writer for Macy's, who made her way in a male-dominated society, often using creative ways to do so, it was also the love affair with a city that brought smiles and tears to my eyes. Her loyalty was unwavering; her love nonnegotiable; her humor original.
Like the city, she went through the good and bad times of a New York, where the inhabitants were much like the pigeons: dirty and murmuring, greedy and abundant, flocking in a corpus of such shit and weight that one's feathers they may permanently deface or crush whatever they congregate on. Her lunch poetry was her elegant way of screaming. Yet, so Lily believed, there was always this underbelly of brightness, hope and romance that played out everywhere, depending if you were willing to look for it. She was known as the Girl Poet made flesh; ... the cool and composed sweetheart of the smart set.
Lily was a scoffer at convention, cheery and bright when people during the Depression found repose in her prose. But then, when she ended up alone and recovering from a breakdown, she had her own demons to address. Her failed marriage; her relationship with her son; her husband's new wife, Julia, who was everything Lily did not aspire to, yet had to admit was doing the right things for her former husband, the only man she always loved. Her message to the world was undercut by all the things she wanted, all the people she had been. On this walk through New York on the last day of 1984, Lily was forced to take a ringside seat watching her own life and believes playing itself out down in the arena. And what a stack of memories waited in all the familiar places she visited that night!
Like Lily, her New York was everything but perfect, her slip was hanging out. But like Lily, her city had a sweetness, a grace and elegance which could never be passed by, or be forgotten, or ignored. Lily, and her deeply-admired abode, were larger than life itself.
I immediately compared this experience of New York in Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk to a less digestible one in Rise and Shine written by Anna Quindlen, and closed Kathleen Rooney's book, due for publication in January 2017, with a dance in my step, a song in my heart. It was just that good!
Perfect in this genre. Historical fiction combined with biographical details. Just an amazing experience. I walked away a totally new person. My love for New York just became a genetic suspicion, and my status as a human pigeon completely, and happily, confirmed! A joie de vivre bubbled over in my soul.
My heartfelt thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to accompany Lily on her walk on New Year's Eve 1984. It was a true privilege. Congratulations also to Kathleen Rooney for presenting Lily Boxfish through this eloquent tale to the world. It was done brilliantly.
December 1, 2016
3.5 stars. I liked a lot of things about Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk, but I didn't love it. Lillian is 84 years old in 1984. It's New Year's Eve, and she's walking across Manhattan reminiscing about her life. In her prime, she was the highest paid female advertising copy writer and she was a poet. She had a failed marriage, a son she adores and a stint with serious mental health issues. Alternating chapters take us on different parts of her New Year's Eve walk and through her earlier years. Oddly, I enjoyed the late night walk through Manhattan most of all. Perhaps unrealistic, but it was fun to see Lillian speak so fearlessly to all the people she met on her walk, and to see Manhattan in the mid 1980s. Lillian's recollections of her earlier life were interesting, but felt a bit disjointed and incomplete. 84 year Lillian came into focus more sharply than the younger Lillian. Still, this makes for a good read and I expect many people will really enjoy it. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.
January 22, 2019
Update: Audio is great. At the end, the narrator interviews the author. So worth a listen, brings the book alive.
Ordered my hardcopy today. (Got to have the map!) Can't wait until my next trip to NYC so I can follow in Lillian's footsteps!
Profound. Utterly inspiring. This is an exceptional book. Lillian plans to walk to dinner on New Year's Eve, 1984, but she ends up walking miles through NYC, and through the decades of her life, both glamorous, tough, and back. Lillian herself is exceptional. She's 85 years old now, but still walking, as if she were still that famous ad-woman, working at Macy's in 1930s at top dollar.
Don't miss the this book. Enjoy.
Let me just tell everyone, that this is not a "cutesy" book just for women. Certainly, women might enjoy it a bit more, but this story is about life. Yes, Lillian was a well paid, ad-woman in the 1930's for a famous NY department store, but it's so much more than that. So much more.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank
you. Netgalley and St. Martin's Press.
**Kathleen Rooney, waiting for your next book!!! **
Ordered my hardcopy today. (Got to have the map!) Can't wait until my next trip to NYC so I can follow in Lillian's footsteps!
Profound. Utterly inspiring. This is an exceptional book. Lillian plans to walk to dinner on New Year's Eve, 1984, but she ends up walking miles through NYC, and through the decades of her life, both glamorous, tough, and back. Lillian herself is exceptional. She's 85 years old now, but still walking, as if she were still that famous ad-woman, working at Macy's in 1930s at top dollar.
Don't miss the this book. Enjoy.
Let me just tell everyone, that this is not a "cutesy" book just for women. Certainly, women might enjoy it a bit more, but this story is about life. Yes, Lillian was a well paid, ad-woman in the 1930's for a famous NY department store, but it's so much more than that. So much more.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank
you. Netgalley and St. Martin's Press.
**Kathleen Rooney, waiting for your next book!!! **
February 12, 2017
This novel is a one woman show, with Lillian Boxfish front and center. From her arrival in New York City at the age of 25, until her New Years Eve walk on the last day of 1984, we get the story of her life and all the things that matter to her. Yes, there is a husband and a son, friends, a satisfying career, all the trappings of a life well lived, along with regrets and set-backs, but we are in Lillian's head on this journey, and I thought it was a wonderful place to be.
Let me tell you a few of the things I loved about her:
That she was a successful advertising icon in the 1920's and 30's.
That she was single and loved being that way, looking at marriage with a cynical eye.
That when she fell in love and got married, she ate a lot of crow, but did it gladly.
That when she reluctantly had a child, she instantly fell in love with him too, but realized that he could never be her whole world.
That she believed civilization was built upon civility, but could be vicious when circumstances called for it.
That she was funny, and smart, and brave.
That she loved to walk everywhere she went.
And that, even at the age of 85, she could still be open to the world and the people she met.
This novel is based on the life of a real person, Margaret Fishback, who, at the pinnacle of her career at R.H. Macy's, was the highest paid woman in advertising. We also get to know NYC between 1925 and 1985, and realize why Lillian, and so many others, love the city so much. And it made me wish, just for a little while, that I were one of them.
This was a rich and rewarding walk through the streets of New York, and through the paths of Lillian's mind.
Let me tell you a few of the things I loved about her:
That she was a successful advertising icon in the 1920's and 30's.
That she was single and loved being that way, looking at marriage with a cynical eye.
That when she fell in love and got married, she ate a lot of crow, but did it gladly.
That when she reluctantly had a child, she instantly fell in love with him too, but realized that he could never be her whole world.
That she believed civilization was built upon civility, but could be vicious when circumstances called for it.
That she was funny, and smart, and brave.
That she loved to walk everywhere she went.
And that, even at the age of 85, she could still be open to the world and the people she met.
This novel is based on the life of a real person, Margaret Fishback, who, at the pinnacle of her career at R.H. Macy's, was the highest paid woman in advertising. We also get to know NYC between 1925 and 1985, and realize why Lillian, and so many others, love the city so much. And it made me wish, just for a little while, that I were one of them.
This was a rich and rewarding walk through the streets of New York, and through the paths of Lillian's mind.
June 20, 2017
This is somewhere between a 3.5 - 4 stars for me, but I'll round up because that ending was fantastic. I could tell the author was also a poet for most of the novel, but the way she was able to succinctly and powerfully tie up the whole thing was definitely poetic. Lillian Boxfish is a great character, based on the real-life Margaret Fishback. I loved the historical aspect of this, especially as the book takes place on the last evening of 1984 while Lillian takes a walk around NYC and remembers the last 80 years of her life. It had a sort of nostalgia to it, but the kind that you recognize as its happening and vow to hold on to in the future. I really enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone who is looking for a touching, funny, and sweet read.
June 8, 2019
This turned out to be an absolutely ideal audiobook to listen to as I walked my dog each morning. Admittedly I was walking in the suburbs of Sydney and Lillian was in the middle of New York but we were both walking and it seemed apt. It also meant I read the book a little each day which worked well for me.
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk is a slow burn of a story, beautifully written and worth absorbing properly. It is based on the life of a real person and all the events and the settings rang true. I must admit to not liking Lillian very much. She was a little too smart, her wit a bit too caustic - a person who would make me feel uncomfortable in real life. However she was admirable in the way she tackled life and the way she coped with some major traumas along the way.
The whole book was very nicely put together as it meandered back and forth between Lillian's life story and the current events of New Year's Eve 1984. I enjoyed it very much.
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk is a slow burn of a story, beautifully written and worth absorbing properly. It is based on the life of a real person and all the events and the settings rang true. I must admit to not liking Lillian very much. She was a little too smart, her wit a bit too caustic - a person who would make me feel uncomfortable in real life. However she was admirable in the way she tackled life and the way she coped with some major traumas along the way.
The whole book was very nicely put together as it meandered back and forth between Lillian's life story and the current events of New Year's Eve 1984. I enjoyed it very much.
February 16, 2017
"...I got my idea to combine my love of (Margaret) Fishback with my love of cities and flaniêre; I resolved to write a novel that would bring these two affinities together." Kathleen Rooney, author of Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk.
And so, we are introduced to Lillian, a fictional representative of the once esteemed and highly paid advertising copy writer for R.H. Macy, New York for two decades beginning in the 1930s. Like Dorothy Parker who followed Fishback, snappy wit gave her recognition, as well as her poetry which was gently irreverent about marriage.
The novel follows Lillian's "flaniêre" or promenade through the old city of New York, on New Year's Eve in 1985. The city is showing wear, crime an issue at this point in time and its citizens have gradually moved out to the suburbs. Lillian is 85, a New York devotee and determined to remain in the place which identifies her and is her home. She doing her best to be fashionably dressed and maintain her long daily walks, but she is conscious that she too is showing wear and that her once large social circle has dwindled from death or departure, leaving her isolated.
As she walks, she notes the architectural landmarks of her life, and with them, the significant events which shaped her. Kathleen Rooney is eloquent with the language of Lillian's inner self, drifting from the lyrically poetic to the caustically precise, creating an intensely dynamic character.
I loved Lillian as she entered mid-life, developing empathy, maturity even though it was caused by deep personal pain. THAT Lillian suddenly had context to the elderly woman, wise and contemplative on her grand promenade.
"...it's still not comprehensible that such an estrangement of affection could cause a person to completely break down. Make them unable to pack a suitcase...". Dealing with the complete collapse of her marriage, her adored husband's involvement with his secretary, Lillian falls apart and spends time in a facility healing. After the divorce, Lillian's son lives with her and she continues to work as a freelancer.
As Lillian walked, I was touched by her efforts to interact with the community which she was on the point of losing altogether. In a way, I recognized her actions; dealing with a chronic illness myself, work colleagues and active friendships fall away leaving one with an altered sense of identity. A chat with the waitstaff, the barman, the limo driver, the pregnant lady, the corner store vendor - gave Lillian a bit of a chance to recall the substance of actively "being". Lillian wasn't about to give up. She would make her life her own, whatever came.
Four stars, because I loved the last half of the book and because the writing is exquisite.
And so, we are introduced to Lillian, a fictional representative of the once esteemed and highly paid advertising copy writer for R.H. Macy, New York for two decades beginning in the 1930s. Like Dorothy Parker who followed Fishback, snappy wit gave her recognition, as well as her poetry which was gently irreverent about marriage.
The novel follows Lillian's "flaniêre" or promenade through the old city of New York, on New Year's Eve in 1985. The city is showing wear, crime an issue at this point in time and its citizens have gradually moved out to the suburbs. Lillian is 85, a New York devotee and determined to remain in the place which identifies her and is her home. She doing her best to be fashionably dressed and maintain her long daily walks, but she is conscious that she too is showing wear and that her once large social circle has dwindled from death or departure, leaving her isolated.
As she walks, she notes the architectural landmarks of her life, and with them, the significant events which shaped her. Kathleen Rooney is eloquent with the language of Lillian's inner self, drifting from the lyrically poetic to the caustically precise, creating an intensely dynamic character.
I loved Lillian as she entered mid-life, developing empathy, maturity even though it was caused by deep personal pain. THAT Lillian suddenly had context to the elderly woman, wise and contemplative on her grand promenade.
"...it's still not comprehensible that such an estrangement of affection could cause a person to completely break down. Make them unable to pack a suitcase...". Dealing with the complete collapse of her marriage, her adored husband's involvement with his secretary, Lillian falls apart and spends time in a facility healing. After the divorce, Lillian's son lives with her and she continues to work as a freelancer.
As Lillian walked, I was touched by her efforts to interact with the community which she was on the point of losing altogether. In a way, I recognized her actions; dealing with a chronic illness myself, work colleagues and active friendships fall away leaving one with an altered sense of identity. A chat with the waitstaff, the barman, the limo driver, the pregnant lady, the corner store vendor - gave Lillian a bit of a chance to recall the substance of actively "being". Lillian wasn't about to give up. She would make her life her own, whatever came.
Four stars, because I loved the last half of the book and because the writing is exquisite.
December 15, 2024
For centuries poets have used walking as a conduit to meditate, drive inspiration and find a path to enlightenment.
For 85 year-old Lillian Boxfish, the zany, clever protagonist of this novel, her years as a walking poet might be behind her, but she's still someone who has the energy to enjoy a good walk.
Watching a character grow old is so interesting because it underlines the fact that getting older doesn't erase the essence of who we are.
That's why, experiencing Lillian's zest for life, her sense of curiosity and sharp mind, and seeing how consistent those traits remained throughout her life, was so very refreshing.
According to the author, Lillian Boxfish (you got to love this name) “is inspired, in part, by the life and work of the poet and ad woman Margaret Fishback, herself the real highest-paid female advertising copywriter in the world during the 1930s, thanks to her brilliant work for R.H. Macy’s” department store.
I was immediately drawn to the book cover – creatively artistic.
Reading about Lillian Boxfish's trip down memory lane was an enjoyable experience that will stay with me for a while.
For a debut author, I found Kathleen Rooney's writing to be witty and illuminating.
Lillian Boxfish belongs in the canon of characters representing a generation of women so ahead of their times, they became feminist icons before that was even a thing.
Now, I must admit to possess a weak spot for charming older women, so perhaps I am biased here, but Lillian Boxfish, non-conformist, fiercely independent woman, scoffer of love, poet extraordinaire, it was splendid getting to know you!!
For 85 year-old Lillian Boxfish, the zany, clever protagonist of this novel, her years as a walking poet might be behind her, but she's still someone who has the energy to enjoy a good walk.
Watching a character grow old is so interesting because it underlines the fact that getting older doesn't erase the essence of who we are.
That's why, experiencing Lillian's zest for life, her sense of curiosity and sharp mind, and seeing how consistent those traits remained throughout her life, was so very refreshing.
According to the author, Lillian Boxfish (you got to love this name) “is inspired, in part, by the life and work of the poet and ad woman Margaret Fishback, herself the real highest-paid female advertising copywriter in the world during the 1930s, thanks to her brilliant work for R.H. Macy’s” department store.
I was immediately drawn to the book cover – creatively artistic.
Reading about Lillian Boxfish's trip down memory lane was an enjoyable experience that will stay with me for a while.
For a debut author, I found Kathleen Rooney's writing to be witty and illuminating.
Lillian Boxfish belongs in the canon of characters representing a generation of women so ahead of their times, they became feminist icons before that was even a thing.
Now, I must admit to possess a weak spot for charming older women, so perhaps I am biased here, but Lillian Boxfish, non-conformist, fiercely independent woman, scoffer of love, poet extraordinaire, it was splendid getting to know you!!
February 23, 2020
I am an outlier in this one. 3 stars in the end because I did warm up to the book as I read. The beginning of the book had me wondering what I was missing. I enjoyed Lillian's reminiscing of the past more than her present day walk. I would be open to reading more by this author.
October 18, 2021
ON SALE FOR $2.99 KINDLE EDITION HERE!
I have nothing important to add to the conversation about this book except to say that I loved Lillian enough to re-read this book (a thing I consciously avoid doing, too old to waste the eyeblinks when there are literally dozens of new books every week that I want to read). I am living the "ancient Chinese curse" (that's nothing of the sort) often translated as "May you live in interesting times," among other formulations. I was old enough to have my dinner ruined by Vietnam War body counts intoned gravely by Uncle Walter on the CBS Evening News. The inner-city uprisings in Newark, Detroit, Oakland, Watts..."Hey Hey LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?"...and now the next skirmish in the unfinished US Civil War as my last full decade on Earth unfolds.
I needed Lillian's mentions of The Strand and her gentleman callers and R. H. Macy's and how much she hated admitting when her mother was right. I needed her to walk for me down streets I once loved so immoderately, wearing her deeply unfashionable top-quality mink as a slew of men I loved were dying in St. Vincent's (I was probably in one of their rooms at the time she was walking!), and to feel the full weight of memory. Sometimes it's death by crushing, sometimes a warm comforter on a cold, windy night.
So thank you, Author Rooney. I needed this story to help me see that the only way out is through, to face the storm like Lillian always did, and feel the lovely ache of days gone by but never disappeared.
I have nothing important to add to the conversation about this book except to say that I loved Lillian enough to re-read this book (a thing I consciously avoid doing, too old to waste the eyeblinks when there are literally dozens of new books every week that I want to read). I am living the "ancient Chinese curse" (that's nothing of the sort) often translated as "May you live in interesting times," among other formulations. I was old enough to have my dinner ruined by Vietnam War body counts intoned gravely by Uncle Walter on the CBS Evening News. The inner-city uprisings in Newark, Detroit, Oakland, Watts..."Hey Hey LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?"...and now the next skirmish in the unfinished US Civil War as my last full decade on Earth unfolds.
I needed Lillian's mentions of The Strand and her gentleman callers and R. H. Macy's and how much she hated admitting when her mother was right. I needed her to walk for me down streets I once loved so immoderately, wearing her deeply unfashionable top-quality mink as a slew of men I loved were dying in St. Vincent's (I was probably in one of their rooms at the time she was walking!), and to feel the full weight of memory. Sometimes it's death by crushing, sometimes a warm comforter on a cold, windy night.
So thank you, Author Rooney. I needed this story to help me see that the only way out is through, to face the storm like Lillian always did, and feel the lovely ache of days gone by but never disappeared.
February 10, 2017
Charming! This fine novel was inspired by the life of Margaret Fishback, the highest-paid advertising woman in the country in the 1930’s. Ms Fishback became an author and poet, publishing many novels. Author Kathleen Rooney cleverly dreams up this touching novel using real benchmarks of Ms Fishback’s life, and filling in the rest with Rooney’s own imagination. Result: perfection.
Narrated by the protagonist, Lillian Boxfish, it’s New Year’s Eve, 1984 and Lillian, now 85, intends to keep her previous New Year’s Eve plan of dinning at her favorite Italian Restaurant, Grimaldi’s. The reader is treated with the inner musings of Lillian as she embarks on her walk, which goes beyond her original plan. As she walks, she reminisces on her life. Within 10 pages of the novel, I looked at the author’s back cover picture to see how old she is. It is extraordinary that a young Rooney voiced Lillian in true parlance of Lillian’s time. (I kept picturing Rosalind Russell as Lillian.) Lillian remembers her career, and the reader learns of the struggles of the career woman in pre-Gloria Steinem times.
The book cover calls this “A love letter to city Life” and I agree. It’s also a love letter to the workingwoman, especially the workingwomen of that time. Plus, author Rooney supplies fun historical bits and pieces of NYC. Helpfully, Rooney provides a map of Lillian’s journey, which makes the read fun. Thank you GR friend Carol for bringing this to my attention. Great novel!!
Narrated by the protagonist, Lillian Boxfish, it’s New Year’s Eve, 1984 and Lillian, now 85, intends to keep her previous New Year’s Eve plan of dinning at her favorite Italian Restaurant, Grimaldi’s. The reader is treated with the inner musings of Lillian as she embarks on her walk, which goes beyond her original plan. As she walks, she reminisces on her life. Within 10 pages of the novel, I looked at the author’s back cover picture to see how old she is. It is extraordinary that a young Rooney voiced Lillian in true parlance of Lillian’s time. (I kept picturing Rosalind Russell as Lillian.) Lillian remembers her career, and the reader learns of the struggles of the career woman in pre-Gloria Steinem times.
The book cover calls this “A love letter to city Life” and I agree. It’s also a love letter to the workingwoman, especially the workingwomen of that time. Plus, author Rooney supplies fun historical bits and pieces of NYC. Helpfully, Rooney provides a map of Lillian’s journey, which makes the read fun. Thank you GR friend Carol for bringing this to my attention. Great novel!!
Shelved as 'dnf'
February 23, 2018I'm DNF'ing this one after listening to over half the book. I just can't imagine spending another four hours of my life listening. The narrator has done a fine job. I think I would have DNF'd before now had I been reading. I like Lillian well enough. I love the setting. The issue is that I'm finding the story to be boring. Much of it just drags on and on. I don't feel like I have any sense of where it's going. It feels no further along now than it did at the beginning of the book. I'll have a little FOMO but really feel I'd regret investing another four hours.
November 27, 2018
I enjoyed Lillian so much. I loved her. The pace of this book was a little slow, but I think it was worth reading.
Mini review posted to Litsy: 3.5 Stars - I finished #LillianBoxfish this evening. I admired and respected Lillian. I found her to be very real, flawed, and interesting. The pace of the book was a little slow. The ending fell a little flat for me, but I enjoyed the author’s writing style. I am looking forward to our final discussion Sunday, and I am excited to find out more about the real, inspiring feminist, Margaret Fishback. #LitsyBuddyRead
Mini review posted to Litsy: 3.5 Stars - I finished #LillianBoxfish this evening. I admired and respected Lillian. I found her to be very real, flawed, and interesting. The pace of the book was a little slow. The ending fell a little flat for me, but I enjoyed the author’s writing style. I am looking forward to our final discussion Sunday, and I am excited to find out more about the real, inspiring feminist, Margaret Fishback. #LitsyBuddyRead
October 30, 2017
It's the last day of 1984 and the octogenarian Lillian Boxfish is walking around New York, as she'd done for six decades. You see, Lillian is a walker. Walking has saved her life.
While going from place to place, Lillian retraces many of her life's milestones: moving to New York, in search of adventure and to escape her parents; her much loved job at Macy's, writing copy; her marriage and motherhood; her subsequent divorce; losing her job because of impending motherhood, and a major nervous breakdown.
It's impossible not to love Lillian Boxfish, who was vivacious, loquacious, intelligent, creative and hard-working. She was ahead of her time and didn't care for conventions, while still fitting in and making a successful living as the highest paid female in advertising.
Because it was told in the first person, this novel had the feel of an autobiography. At times it got a bit dull, but then, life can be dull, and it seems to get more and more so as we age. What can one do? "The point of living in the world is just to stay interested." If only it were that easy. One can be interested in the world, but it's painful as hell when the world is no longer interested in us. I wonder if men feel this as acutely as women do?
While I liked this novel a lot, I would have liked to get to know more intimately some of the people who played an important role in Lillian's life. Even when it came to her relationship with her husband, Max, I never quite felt the love, although Lillian told us how much she loved him and that he was the love of her life.
Nevertheless, despite some minor quibbles, I thoroughly enjoyed traveling alongside Lillian. If anything, it was a great reminder to walk more often.
While going from place to place, Lillian retraces many of her life's milestones: moving to New York, in search of adventure and to escape her parents; her much loved job at Macy's, writing copy; her marriage and motherhood; her subsequent divorce; losing her job because of impending motherhood, and a major nervous breakdown.
It's impossible not to love Lillian Boxfish, who was vivacious, loquacious, intelligent, creative and hard-working. She was ahead of her time and didn't care for conventions, while still fitting in and making a successful living as the highest paid female in advertising.
Because it was told in the first person, this novel had the feel of an autobiography. At times it got a bit dull, but then, life can be dull, and it seems to get more and more so as we age. What can one do? "The point of living in the world is just to stay interested." If only it were that easy. One can be interested in the world, but it's painful as hell when the world is no longer interested in us. I wonder if men feel this as acutely as women do?
While I liked this novel a lot, I would have liked to get to know more intimately some of the people who played an important role in Lillian's life. Even when it came to her relationship with her husband, Max, I never quite felt the love, although Lillian told us how much she loved him and that he was the love of her life.
Nevertheless, despite some minor quibbles, I thoroughly enjoyed traveling alongside Lillian. If anything, it was a great reminder to walk more often.
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