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dayswithme's review
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kanejim57's review
4.0
Having read and reviewed Erika Robuck's first two works of fiction, Hemingway's Girl and Call Me Zelda, I looked forward to reading and reviewing her newest novel, to be published in March, Fallen Beauty featuring the American poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, her husband Eugen Jan Boissevain, the central character Laura Kelly - a scandalized single parent from the local village near Millay's upstate New York mountain top home Steepletop, and a cast of small town characters who add depth and dimension to the story.
I was more than pleasantly surprised. I was amazed (and at times, uncertain) at the mercurial narrative from start to finish that had my mind and emotions all over the map from start to finish. In my opinion, Robuck's narrative style, capturing the edgy and uncertain life of both Kelly and Millay (both of whom fit and illustrate the title Fallen Beauty) is one of the biggest pluses of this book.
Robuck also does an effective job of significantly contrasting the bohemian lifestyle of Millay with the restrained and conservative life of Kelly and the town she lives in. She does so by effectively using the backdrop of the late 1920's and the entire decade of the 1930's as well as the background of the two main characters - a well traveled and very open living poet and a small town conservative girl whose passionate night with an unnamed character results in a pregnancy she courageously choose to keep and raise. This is accomplished by alternating chapters between Laura and Millay telling what is going on around them and within them as the story unfolds. The ever growing tension both between them, within themselves, and with the other characters in the book is not fully resolved until late in the book and then in a dramatic way.
There are many themes running through this novel. I will leave other readers to determine the one to two themes which catch their attention. For me, one of the most important themes involves Kelly's daughter, aptly named... Grace.
In both a physical and a very symbolic way, especially as noted in Grace's observant thoughts about the developing sculpture of the Virgin Mary, Grace is who brings Millay and Kelly together through her honest and childlike ways, and, I think faith in them and in the larger context of what is often believed about grace. Robuck's insertion of her at various times into the story often, I think serves as a signal of hope and... well, grace in the midst of aging, financial hardship, loss of innocence, loss of love, shame, guilt, and finding meaning in life.
With good attention to detail of the time period such as in the description of a 1920's and 30's small town and the personalities, trends, and styles of that day, Robuck has created another wonderful piece of historical fiction which truly looks into the issues of life and, well... the issues, challenges, and possibilities of faith, hope, and love. I honestly admit that it took me a while to warm up to this story and I had some uncertainty as I read it. But when I finished it, I was glad that I did so. And since I finished it I have continued to ponder it.
I rate this book a "Great' read!
Note: I received an uncorrected proof of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a review of it. I was not required to write a positive review.
I was more than pleasantly surprised. I was amazed (and at times, uncertain) at the mercurial narrative from start to finish that had my mind and emotions all over the map from start to finish. In my opinion, Robuck's narrative style, capturing the edgy and uncertain life of both Kelly and Millay (both of whom fit and illustrate the title Fallen Beauty) is one of the biggest pluses of this book.
Robuck also does an effective job of significantly contrasting the bohemian lifestyle of Millay with the restrained and conservative life of Kelly and the town she lives in. She does so by effectively using the backdrop of the late 1920's and the entire decade of the 1930's as well as the background of the two main characters - a well traveled and very open living poet and a small town conservative girl whose passionate night with an unnamed character results in a pregnancy she courageously choose to keep and raise. This is accomplished by alternating chapters between Laura and Millay telling what is going on around them and within them as the story unfolds. The ever growing tension both between them, within themselves, and with the other characters in the book is not fully resolved until late in the book and then in a dramatic way.
There are many themes running through this novel. I will leave other readers to determine the one to two themes which catch their attention. For me, one of the most important themes involves Kelly's daughter, aptly named... Grace.
In both a physical and a very symbolic way, especially as noted in Grace's observant thoughts about the developing sculpture of the Virgin Mary, Grace is who brings Millay and Kelly together through her honest and childlike ways, and, I think faith in them and in the larger context of what is often believed about grace. Robuck's insertion of her at various times into the story often, I think serves as a signal of hope and... well, grace in the midst of aging, financial hardship, loss of innocence, loss of love, shame, guilt, and finding meaning in life.
With good attention to detail of the time period such as in the description of a 1920's and 30's small town and the personalities, trends, and styles of that day, Robuck has created another wonderful piece of historical fiction which truly looks into the issues of life and, well... the issues, challenges, and possibilities of faith, hope, and love. I honestly admit that it took me a while to warm up to this story and I had some uncertainty as I read it. But when I finished it, I was glad that I did so. And since I finished it I have continued to ponder it.
I rate this book a "Great' read!
Note: I received an uncorrected proof of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a review of it. I was not required to write a positive review.
kdurham2's review
4.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Two very different characters take turns moving this story along, one is the famous poet Edna St. Vincent Millay (goes by Vincent) and the other is a woman from the small town right near where Edna lives - Laura. Both took turns during each chapter telling their side of the story in the small town and how they both felt like outsiders in this close knit community.
I absolutely adored Laura's story from the very beginning - the fact that just one night changed her life and due to the time that she is living in, the consequences put her on the outside of society and threatened her career. Vincent on the other hand was hard to read, at one moment I had to look her up and read her wikipedia page just to make sure I was reading everything correctly, she was definitely on the artsy side and since I am not such a fan of poetry in general, it was not interesting to see how she gained her inspiration for her poetry - BUT I did enjoy her moments when she interact with Laura. SO even though I didn't love the character, it didn't keep me from enjoying the book.
Two very different characters take turns moving this story along, one is the famous poet Edna St. Vincent Millay (goes by Vincent) and the other is a woman from the small town right near where Edna lives - Laura. Both took turns during each chapter telling their side of the story in the small town and how they both felt like outsiders in this close knit community.
I absolutely adored Laura's story from the very beginning - the fact that just one night changed her life and due to the time that she is living in, the consequences put her on the outside of society and threatened her career. Vincent on the other hand was hard to read, at one moment I had to look her up and read her wikipedia page just to make sure I was reading everything correctly, she was definitely on the artsy side and since I am not such a fan of poetry in general, it was not interesting to see how she gained her inspiration for her poetry - BUT I did enjoy her moments when she interact with Laura. SO even though I didn't love the character, it didn't keep me from enjoying the book.
smderitis's review
4.0
Robuck does it again by taking a fictional character and weaving them into the story of a historical writer. This book was captivating and amplified the intricacies of Edna St. Vincent Millay's life, while providing a roller coaster of emotions through the story of the main character, Laura. With characters to root for, plot points that get under your skin, and a bit to think on after the final pages, Robuck has another great book on her hands.
gilmoreguide's review
4.0
Fallen Beauty is the story of a lovely young woman, Laura Kelley, who pays the price for one night of passion by becoming pregnant. It’s 1928 in upstate New York and her decision to keep her child, despite the father’s unwillingness to acknowledge her, changes the course of her life. Both her parents are dead and so, at age nineteen, she is left to run their dress shop alone after her sister leaves to get married. Her talents are prodigious but not enough to sway the opinions of the local women who shun her so she struggles to support herself and her daughter.
At the same time as these more mundane aspects of life unfold, there is an alternate universe operating in a remote mountain town nearby. The renowned poet Edna St. Vincent Millay lives on an estate with her husband and hosts parties known for their wildness and free love attitudes. All is in the name of Millay’s work and she draws inspiration from everything around her. There is no repression in her life or her work so when she hosts a party and Laura’s sister attends, wearing one of Laura’s creations, it brings Laura’s talent to Millay’s attention. The problem? Millay’s wild lifestyle and the fact that she slept with her sister’s husband means that despite the much needed income a wealthy patroness would bring her, Laura does not want to makes dresses for her. When circumstances force her to work with Millay she is less than impressed by the poet’s intensity and extreme behavior.
The rest of this review is available at The Gilmore Guide to Books: http://gilmoreguidetobooks.com/2014/03/fallen-beauty/
At the same time as these more mundane aspects of life unfold, there is an alternate universe operating in a remote mountain town nearby. The renowned poet Edna St. Vincent Millay lives on an estate with her husband and hosts parties known for their wildness and free love attitudes. All is in the name of Millay’s work and she draws inspiration from everything around her. There is no repression in her life or her work so when she hosts a party and Laura’s sister attends, wearing one of Laura’s creations, it brings Laura’s talent to Millay’s attention. The problem? Millay’s wild lifestyle and the fact that she slept with her sister’s husband means that despite the much needed income a wealthy patroness would bring her, Laura does not want to makes dresses for her. When circumstances force her to work with Millay she is less than impressed by the poet’s intensity and extreme behavior.
The rest of this review is available at The Gilmore Guide to Books: http://gilmoreguidetobooks.com/2014/03/fallen-beauty/
impassionskin's review
4.0
I loved this book, but there are two reasons I rated it four stars instead of five:
1) I wanted more from Laura's story. I wanted her relationships with the townspeople and events prior to the ones written to be explored more in depth.
2) I found Edna intriguing at first, but quickly found her parts to be slow-moving filler. I'm sure I would enjoy her real life work, but her place in this work of fiction dragged it down.
With that said, I am interested in reading more by Robuck.
1) I wanted more from Laura's story. I wanted her relationships with the townspeople and events prior to the ones written to be explored more in depth.
2) I found Edna intriguing at first, but quickly found her parts to be slow-moving filler. I'm sure I would enjoy her real life work, but her place in this work of fiction dragged it down.
With that said, I am interested in reading more by Robuck.
jasmyn9's review
5.0
When I first started Fallen Beauty I thought the story was going to be about heart break, but I was so wrong. Taking me back in time to the late twenties, where times were changing quickly (but not quick enough for some), I was captivated by everything and everyone. Laura is a character that we can all latch on to for different reasons, and as she grows into a such a wonderful person I was constantly amazed, but at the same time she remains incredible, beautifully flawed.
Vincent Millay is her perfect foil. Living life hard, fast, and rough, she is addicted to the rush of something new. Laura is at first just a pretty new shiny toy for the famous poet, but something about her changes even the most wild thoughs in Vincent's head. They become friends of a sort and I never would have imagined the life lessons they manage to learn from each other.
Fallen Beauty was not about a broken heart. It was about the power to mend hearts and minds and learn to live with others (no matter how different they may be).
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/03/review-fallen-beauty-by-erika-robuck.html#sthash.0TUpQcif.dpuf
Vincent Millay is her perfect foil. Living life hard, fast, and rough, she is addicted to the rush of something new. Laura is at first just a pretty new shiny toy for the famous poet, but something about her changes even the most wild thoughs in Vincent's head. They become friends of a sort and I never would have imagined the life lessons they manage to learn from each other.
Fallen Beauty was not about a broken heart. It was about the power to mend hearts and minds and learn to live with others (no matter how different they may be).
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/03/review-fallen-beauty-by-erika-robuck.html#sthash.0TUpQcif.dpuf
notaleaf's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
A cast of somewhat complex characters and parallel storylines, I’m pleasantly surprised for liking this since I don’t always enjoy historical fictions! Did anyone else feel like it was like Evelyn Hugo?? So thankful my friend loaned me this book! 3.5/5 - would recommend
bleucaldwell's review
4.0
This was an interesting look into the life of Edna St. Vincent Millay, as well as a portrait of what it was like to be a woman in 1930's rural America. I found the story of the seamstress enjoyable if a little too pat, but the portrait of Millay was fascinating -- I didn't really know anything about her, but now I'd like to learn more.