City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
Expected Publication: June 4th 2019
Page Count: 432
Genres: YA Fantasy
Goodreads // Wordery // Book Depository
Beloved author Elizabeth Gilbert returns to fiction with a unique love story set in the New York City theater world during the 1940s. Told from the perspective of an older woman as she looks back on her youth with both pleasure and regret (but mostly pleasure), City of Girls explores themes of female sexuality and promiscuity, as well as the idiosyncrasies of true love.
In 1940, nineteen-year-old Vivian Morris has just been kicked out of Vassar College, owing to her lackluster freshman-year performance. Her affluent parents send her to Manhattan to live with her Aunt Peg, who owns a flamboyant, crumbling midtown theater called the Lily Playhouse. There Vivian is introduced to an entire cosmos of unconventional and charismatic characters, from the fun-chasing showgirls to a sexy male actor, a grand-dame actress, a lady-killer writer, and no-nonsense stage manager. But when Vivian makes a personal mistake that results in professional scandal, it turns her new world upside down in ways that it will take her years to fully understand. Ultimately, though, it leads her to a new understanding of the kind of life she craves-and the kind of freedom it takes to pursue it. It will also lead to the love of her life, a love that stands out from all the rest.
Now ninety-five years old and telling her story at last, Vivian recalls how the events of those years altered the course of her life – and the gusto and autonomy with which she approached it. At some point in a woman’s life, she just gets tired of being ashamed all the time, she muses. After that, she is free to become whoever she truly is. Written with a powerful wisdom about human desire and connection, City of Girls is a love story like no other.
REASONS I’M EXCITED FOR CITY OF GIRLS
Teal and purple are my favourite colours. I love the way they look together on this cover, especially with the feather effect.
Ageing star shares life story. This gives my major Evelyn Hugo vibes. That was an unexpected all-time-favourite for me, so I’m looking forward to trying this one out.
“a flamboyant, crumbling midtown theater called the Lily Playhouse”. I imagine this is going to have a vivid setting and cast full of quirky characters.
WWW WEDNESDAYS
What are you currently reading?
ebook: Last Bus to Everland by Sophie Cameron
audiobook: Witches Abroad (Discworld, #12) by Terry Pratchett
What did you recently finish reading? The Disasters by M.K. England and A Crafter Hooks a Killer by Holly Quinn
What do you think you’ll read next? Middlegame by Seanan McGuire
I love the sound of the unique characters as well!
“After that, she is free to become who she truly is.” That line make me think this could be really good.
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You’ve sold City of Girls to me! Might have to add it to my TBR 😊
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Job done! 😂😊
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Purple is also one of my favourite colours. This sounds interesting-ish and I haven’t read an Elizabeth Gilbert since Eat, Pray, Love.
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When I see the words “New York” and “theater,” I am drawn right in! This sounds like it is going to be fantastic. I hope that you love it! 🙂
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Thank you! ❤
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I’m looking forward to this too because I absolutely love Elizabeth Gilbert!
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Vivian sounds brilliant — her story is bound to be utterly compelling!
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I really hope so! 😊
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Middlegame is just everywhere these days. I hope to see your review on it, so far everyone is happy with it.
Here is my WWW
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Im loving it so far but i hope to get a review up soon. 😊
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I am actually pretty excited for this one too- even though it’s not my typical genre. I think it’s the time period that sucks me in.
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How are you liking Witches Abroad so far? And how’s the audiobook? Haven’t listened to a Pratchett audiobook before. City of Girls sounds like it’ll be interesting.
Here’s my WWW Wednesday post.
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I love it, but this is a reread for me so I knew I would 😊 The audio books are really good. The narrators change a couple of times through the series but they all handle the big casts really well.
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Ooh you must have read my mind, I was looking for books in the 1940s era!
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Awesome!
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This sounds like a great read. I don’t believe I’ve read many books from the 1940s, if any. Great Pick!
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Thanks! It’s a period I don’t usually read about either.
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The setting for this sounds great. I’ll have to add this one to my list.
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I love the premise of her looking back on her life, like you said kind of like Evelyn Hugo!
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I haven’t heard of this one until now but it sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian
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You’re very welcome 💜
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Love the cover! I still need to read Evelyn Hugo but I’m excited to do so soon! I hope you’ll enjoy this one!
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