maybe a 3.5. Not a bad book....just a bit long; got a bit tired of the sexual exploits; didn't really like the character of Viviene until about 2/3 through.
was looking for the point of the book - - but the point was really the character of Viviene i think.

I haven’t like any of her other books , but decided to try this one. It was fun from the start - as a young nonconformlng woman is sent to NYC to live. She experiences life in all manners of people and accepts them as they accept her. It is written in fun but then does get into the seriousness of what we want in life and what we want to be as a person and friend.

A poor little rich girl breaks away from her parents and their expectations for her life. Set in New York in the ‘40s, Vivian Morris is shipped off to her Aunt Pegs, owner of a shabby NYC theater, where she becomes the costume manager and constant party girl after the evening performances end. Her life of drinking, sex and unconventional behavior end in a disgraceful return to her parents, a short stint of being a good girl, but ultimately a return to Aunt Peg. With many twists and turns, Vivian finds redemption in her later years, loving a man without having a physical relationship and discovering the depth of human caring.

So fun! Loved the era and the adventure of being a young gal and discovering her sexuality.

Gilbert takes us on a page turning journey of NYC and the dancing/theatre era of the 1940-50's. Story of how survival, sex, friends and love all intertwine. Good read!!

Lilac Girls was truly inspiring. The book told three different stories from three very different perspectives during WWII. Knowing that two of the characters were real people made the book even that more addictive.

We all loved it!

From the moment that I began to read, I found that if i put the book down, I couldn't wait to return. Told through the main character, Vivian, I was vividly drawn into her life and the lives of those who she knew and loved. Feathers, martinis, sex, friendship, love! A heartfelt ending and a reminder that the world isn't straight and that loving your life and not being afraid to be yourself are paramount.

Enjoyed the book. Good perspective of life in NYC during the war. Several very interesting characters to read about. Nice story.

I enjoyed the NYC history and the Sasson was of the various women. It’s a little racy so not for every Book Club. Quick read with lots of interesting characters.

It’s ok. But I have some big issues with it which stopped me from liking it overall. Loved the first part. Young and careless in New York.
Then it just sort of fizzled out. And I was left disappointed. Just over half the book building up our interested and our love for the characters. And then we barely hear about any of them. It’s not until just less than a quarter left and we finally find out who Angela’s father is the and the reason for the whole tale. But my care factor about Frank Greco is zero!! I want to hear about Celia and Peg and Olive and Billy and Anthony and Edna and Roland and Benjamin and Mr Herbert......

I didn’t like Vivian. Got sick of hearing about her sexual exploits and how pretty she thought she was. She was actually quite a bore. I only tolerated her to hear about the other characters and then once they were out of the picture I didn’t really care about hearing more about bloody vivien.

And I now know that I really really really don’t like Elizabeth Gilbert. Hated eat prey love. Did not think much of her in a recent interview with Richard Fiedler and now this!!!
Big problem with the book....... how did she ever think this was reasonable as a letter to Angela??? It just doesn’t make sense. And would she have really needed to go into so much detail about herself to this person to explain a simple friendship? Makes me dislike the Vivian character even more. Totally self indulgent to think that someone’s daughter writing to ask about her father wants to actually hear her life story?? She would be wanting to learn more about her father .... not about Vivian?? It just doesn’t work.

Interesting insightful and informative. The writing style was pleasant. I loved how we didnt know who vivian was writing about until later.

Loved this book but couldn't get into it at the beginning. Very slow and could cut some of the pages out but once they got into the play and then meeting Frank,.....it got a lot better. Hang in there if you are reading it!