Reviews

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney

tibbarasden's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective slow-paced

4.0

Very slow and rambly, especially at first. That said, I really found myself overall enjoying this. I loved the viewpoint from an octogenarian and the timeline from the 1930s to the 1980s. I enjoyed the reflections and memories as she walked through NYC on New Years Eve. The different people she encounters along the way and the people in her own life throughout the years were all interesting. Very much character driven, but I love the strong female lead and how she bucks tradition in regards to gender roles and age expectations.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Alcoholism, and Suicide attempt

nearly_empty_nesting's review against another edition

3.0

I loved the concept, But it felt a little too much at times.

dhall58's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

katemoxie's review against another edition

Didn't like it.

threegoodrats's review against another edition

4.0

My review is here.

occuprop's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

extremely disappointed in the tropes/stereotype used at the end

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Self harm, and Suicide

Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Toxic relationship

trin's review against another edition

3.0

This is what I wanted [b:Lillian on Life|20783867|Lillian on Life|Alison Jean Lester|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1415585696l/20783867._SY75_.jpg|42897264] (another odd naming coincidence!) to be, but it wasn't. Lillian Boxfish is a much wittier, more feminist take on the "old woman remembering her life" genre. (Is this a genre? I'm going to call it a genre. Why not.)

This is also another "wandering New York" narrative, in a year that has been all about those for me. The parallels between Lillian (and her real life inspiration, Margaret Fishback) and my 2016 idol, [a:Maeve Brennan|172661|Maeve Brennan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1417923313p2/172661.jpg], are striking, although I'm glad this book didn't end as bleakly as Maeve's life did. (I wonder if Margaret and Maeve's paths ever crossed?)

It seems I will simply continue reading New York flânerie until I'm able to walk those streets myself.

eleanora0901's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

shelbymarie516's review against another edition

4.0

3.75 Having worked for Macy's I picked this book because the main character works for R.H. Macy. It was pretty good but not my favorite.

samanthakw's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0