Monday, March 21, 2011

Review of Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen

Book:  Bright Young Things
Author:  Anna Godbersen
Published by:  HarperCollins 
Pages:  389

From GoodreadsThe year is 1929. New York is ruled by the Bright Young Things: flappers and socialites seeking thrills and chasing dreams in the anything-goes era of the Roaring Twenties. Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey escaped their small Midwestern town for New York's glittering metropolis. All Letty wants is to see her name in lights, but she quickly discovers Manhattan is filled with pretty girls who will do anything to be a star… Cordelia is searching for the father she's never known, a man as infamous for his wild parties as he is for his shadowy schemes. Overnight, she enters a world more thrilling and glamorous than she ever could have imagined—and more dangerous. It's a life anyone would kill for . . . and someone will. The only person Cordelia can trust is Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all: money, looks, and the love of Cordelia's brother, Charlie. But Astrid's perfect veneer hides a score of family secrets. 

I have this fantasy about going back in time and living in the 1920s and becoming a flapper.  I think it is the most exciting lifestyle I can think of.  The prohibition, dancing and the gangsters make it an exhilarating era that I think I would really enjoy.  That being said, I was super excited to read this novel.

The novel starts out with Cordelia and Letty escaping their small town life for a go at becoming famous in the big apple. I really enjoyed the characters of Cordelia and Letty.  I felt they were very realistic and their characters seemed timeless.  How many small town individuals still dream of escaping to New York or California and becoming famous?  I'm sure I did at some point growing up.  

Next we meet Astrid who is Cordelia's brother's girlfriend.  I didn't enjoy Astrid's character as much.  I wish that she was stronger-willed and would stand up for herself.  She lived a hard life with her mother on her fourth marriage, but at the same time lived a life of extravagance.  Hopefully in the next book she turns out to be more independent.   

As for love there are many different kinds shown in this novel, but my favorite would have to be Cordelia and her man.  It was a very Romeo and Juliet type love story with a bit of the mob thrown in.  

If your looking for a good historical fiction novel here is one for you.  I'd give this ★★★★

2 comments:

  1. I almost bought this one a few days ago .. =)
    I can't wait to have it and start readng it !!
    Great review ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I nearly bought this last night, but I prefer paperback, so I have to wait.
    Now that I've read a review, though, I'm even more excited! There aren't too many YA historical fiction books out there.

    ReplyDelete

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