OVERVIEW
This is the first book I have read by Elise Hooper, and I have one word to describe it: LOVELY!! What a perfect book to start out my May reading journey!
As much as I would like to avoid it, this book mentions (not the entire plot) of WWI and WWII. The parts included were needed and added so much to the depth of the storyline.
One of the best parts of this lovely book is that strong, intelligent, and artistic women are the primary focus. Amazing!
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.
Writing: 5.0 stars
Elise is an amazing author. She writes beautifully, descriptively, and emotionally. It is the writing that I seek out and most enjoy in the historical fiction genre.
Character development: 5.0 stars
This was a dual timeline story with 1910-1974 (long) and 2024 (short) storylines. The character development was exceptional! The main character of the long storyline is Cora (a gifted artist), and the main character of the short storyline is Tildy (a head library curator). Once Tildy discovers a secret room in the private library where she works, her and Cora's lives intersect and implode.
The secondary characters are Belva (long story; a wealthy woman), Hugh (long story; soldier), and Ben (short story; Cora's relative).
The tertiary characters are the coworkers at the library, WWII soldiers, wealthy individuals, library patrons and contributors, and the family and friends of the main and secondary characters. Of course, the dollhouses are also beautiful characters, each in their own right.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The long storyline is about Cora escaping her life to Paris to start an art career, but WWI and life get in the way. She escapes and lives in England, and then WWII breaks out, forcing her to remain. Cut to the short storyline when Tildy discovers the dollhouses. It was so well done to tie these disparate storylines together like a gorgeous piece of silk.
The locations were: New York City, Paris, rural England, rural New Hampshire, Los Angeles, and finally, San Francisco.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
I knew nothing about these beautiful dollhouses, miniatures, and the artistic/engineering skills needed to make them. I am gob-smacked by the talent utilized for all of them. Now, I have something new and different to add to my bucket list!!
Book cover: 4.5 stars
Lovely!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Excellent!
HIGHLY recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: ebook
The Library of Lost Dollhouses by Elise Hooper (ebook)
320 pages
William Morrow
FUTURE release date: 4/1/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNING: War, sexual situations, mild cursing, classism, pregnancy, death, death of a parent, medical content, domestic violence, violence
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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