Title: Beauty and Attention
Author: Liz Rosenberg
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Genre: Historical / Literary Fiction
The riveting story of one brave young woman’s struggle to free herself from a web of deceit.
For misfit Libby Archer, social expectations for young women in Rochester, New York, in the mid-1950s don’t work. Her father has died, leaving her without parents, and her well-meaning friends are pressuring her to do what any sensible single girl must do: marry a passionate, persistent hometown suitor with a promising future. Yet Libby boldly defies conventional wisdom and plans to delay marriage—to anyone—by departing for her uncle’s Belfast estate. In Ireland, Libby seeks not only the comfort of family but also greater opportunities than seem possible during the stifling McCarthy era at home.
Across the Atlantic, Libby finds common ground with her brilliant, invalid cousin, Lazarus, then puts her trust in a sophisticated older woman who seems to be everything she hopes to become. Fraught with betrayal and long-kept secrets, as well as sudden wealth and unexpected love, Libby’s journey toward independence takes turns she never could have predicted—and calls on courage and strength she never knew she had.
For misfit Libby Archer, social expectations for young women in Rochester, New York, in the mid-1950s don’t work. Her father has died, leaving her without parents, and her well-meaning friends are pressuring her to do what any sensible single girl must do: marry a passionate, persistent hometown suitor with a promising future. Yet Libby boldly defies conventional wisdom and plans to delay marriage—to anyone—by departing for her uncle’s Belfast estate. In Ireland, Libby seeks not only the comfort of family but also greater opportunities than seem possible during the stifling McCarthy era at home.
Across the Atlantic, Libby finds common ground with her brilliant, invalid cousin, Lazarus, then puts her trust in a sophisticated older woman who seems to be everything she hopes to become. Fraught with betrayal and long-kept secrets, as well as sudden wealth and unexpected love, Libby’s journey toward independence takes turns she never could have predicted—and calls on courage and strength she never knew she had.
Loosely based on Henry James' The Portrait of a Lady, Liz Rosenberg's Beauty and Attention does get the readers attention. I see the parallels, but one shouldn't compare the two. The story itself moves fairly quickly, yet there are parts where it's fairly disjointed, which comes into play with some stilted dialogues as well. I can see the intrigue of this story about a young woman struggling to find her place in the world, independently and valiantly. The setting of the 1950s doesn't seem to play a huge factor, or rather I wasn't able to immerse myself in the timeline. Libby should be the type of character I love, yet she falls short, mainly because there's nothing about her that stands out to the reason why the attention. And maybe it was intentional to give readers the idea that a person doesn't need to possess undeniable attraction to garner interest by others, be it romantically or otherwise. Other characters? Doesn't even stand out, including the cruel Osmond or the eccentric Henry. Despite all that, I was still able to finish this in one sitting and find the plot interesting enough.
For my clean readers, there are some profanity but not excessive.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
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The author of more than thirty books for adults and young readers, Liz Rosenberg has published three bestselling novels, including The Laws of Gravityand The Moonlight Palace. She has also written five books of poems, among them 2008’s Demon Love, which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, and After Great Grief, forthcoming from the Provincetown Arts Press. Her poems have been heard on NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion. Rosenberg’s books for young readers have won numerous awards and honors and have been featured on the PBS television show Reading Rainbow. A former Fulbright Fellowship recipient, Rosenberg teaches English at the State University of New York at Binghamton, where she earned the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. She lives in Binghamton with her daughter, Lily, and a shih tzu named Sophie. Although she has homes in New York and North Chatham, Massachusetts, her heart is still in Ireland.
I haven't read any of this author's books yet. I love fiction of all kinds. Makes for a great escape, at least for a little while.
ReplyDeleteyep. i agree. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything by Liz Rosenberg, but this sounds like an amazing read. I enjoy reading contemporary fiction and I like to read new to me authors.
ReplyDeleteThis is a new author for me, but I love literary fiction. The cover really caught my attention, too.
ReplyDeleteDianna
Sounds like a really interesting read. I've not heard of this one, so I love that I discover new books on blogs like yours! Thanks so much for the introduction and review. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of her books yet. I like to read Christian fiction.
ReplyDeleteI've never read this author's books before. I like literary fiction.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts on this book for the tour.
ReplyDeleteI have not read any books by this author. I would like to though.
ReplyDeleteMs. Rosenberg is a new author for me. The cover is sigh worthy.
ReplyDeleteI have not read any of Liz Rosenberg's books, but I do enjoy literary fiction.
ReplyDeleteThis is a new to me author. The cover really caught my eye first then I read a summary of the story. Sounds really good and I love literary fiction.
ReplyDelete