Review
A lovely and intriguing coming-of-age story from the perspective of a Russian Jew, The Boston Girl is refreshing.
What I liked: Diamant described 20th century New York beautifully. I enjoyed reading about the wonderful relationships formed between Addie and her friends and how they developed into strong, unconventional women. I also love how this story is told in an oral history format. A grandmother telling her story to her granddaughter? How much better can it get? I love the solidarity between different nations and generations of women.
What would have improved the story for me: The end was abrupt. So much of the book was dedicated to Addie’s youth and so little was said about her middle and old age. I would like to have learned more about her later years, and the woman she became. For a feminist book (and it tried to be), it seemed that Addie's story stopped when she married and had children. I would like to have seen how Addie defied the normal conventions of her time. And I would like to have seen Addie interact more with the issues of child labor laws and lynching; for me, a more vigorous interaction would have made the story more interesting. That being written, I also understand the limitations of the time, particularly in the context of the traditional life she pursued.
Recommended.
What I liked: Diamant described 20th century New York beautifully. I enjoyed reading about the wonderful relationships formed between Addie and her friends and how they developed into strong, unconventional women. I also love how this story is told in an oral history format. A grandmother telling her story to her granddaughter? How much better can it get? I love the solidarity between different nations and generations of women.
What would have improved the story for me: The end was abrupt. So much of the book was dedicated to Addie’s youth and so little was said about her middle and old age. I would like to have learned more about her later years, and the woman she became. For a feminist book (and it tried to be), it seemed that Addie's story stopped when she married and had children. I would like to have seen how Addie defied the normal conventions of her time. And I would like to have seen Addie interact more with the issues of child labor laws and lynching; for me, a more vigorous interaction would have made the story more interesting. That being written, I also understand the limitations of the time, particularly in the context of the traditional life she pursued.
Recommended.
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