One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of One Fifth Avenue
Book Review: A great read
Summary: 5 Stars
An exciting look into the lives of the residents in a Manhattan building with a storied past. Read as the lives of the "haves" and the "want to haves" clash in unexpected twists and turns.Book Review: A total waste of paper and ink.
Summary: 1 Stars
In 1967 I applied to sub-let an apartment at One Fifth Avenue. It was unique, there was a sofa in the kitchen, a fireplace in the bedroom, a maze of isolated rooms and halls. And it was affordable. But, since nobody in their right mind would sub-let to an eighteen year old, I was disappointed...but I never forgot that apartment.
So, when I saw the title of the book, advertised in Vanity Fair, I just had to read it. I was especially excited, because I absolutely loved every single second of every single episode of "Sex and the City."
So, I paid full retail at an airport book store. But my flight offered more stimulating reading material in the pocket of the seat in front of me. Yes, that in flight rag-mag was better written.
But, having shelled out $28.00, I was determined to plow through the whole book, hoping for one single laugh, one tidbit of entertainment, one glimpse of the mind that created Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and the darling Charlotte. But it never happened. I hated every character in the book. They were all one dimensional stereo-types, with no redeeming qualities.
But...several of the characters did have one interesting characteristic: they had twenty foot long expanda-arms. They could press the button on the elevator while walking across the lobby. Like so many high school sophomores, Miss Bushnell, seems to think that dangling participles makes her writing sound more creative.
Usually, I loan out my books until they don't come back. This one went straight to the recycling bin....after I defaced the "authors" photo.
What a shameful waste of paper and ink.
Book Review: Antics in NYC - Bushnell does it again!
Summary: 5 Stars
Sex in the City author Candace Bushnell has hit the proverbial "nail on the head" with One Fifth Avenue. If Manhattan is a gem, then this novel incorporates all the facets that go along with such a piece.
One Fifth Avenue is the address of a Greenwich Village condo, which in a former life was a hotel. The description of the characters and the apartments they occupy gives the reader a strong sense of who is in charge in this story.
There's Mrs. Louise Houghton's, THE Queen of NYC society, who starts all the action, by dying in her grand apartment, which then gets sold. Enter Annalisa and Paul Rice, the buyers. Annalisa begins to make her own way in NYC society, while Paul starts his own personal "wealth race" as a hedge fund manager. When he doesn't get his way with the board, he threatens to buy everyone out of the place or even move altogether. Annalisa just won't hear of it.
Billy Litchfield is the dear who be-friended Annalisa to help her navigate NY society. He has his own issues with family and the price of NY real estate, but keeps a tight lid on all matters of a personal nature. When the invite to Houghton's funeral arrives, he knows then that New York has eaten them all up. The characterization of Billy is a bit Willy Loman, but the essence carries through of a man who lived, and lived well, in New York's society circles.
Oh, and one could not have this cast of characters and their conflicts without Mindy and James Gooch. Mindy is the president of the board of One Fifth Avenue and tries so hard to be "one of them" but she is so miserable and feels cheated by what life promised her 20 years ago. In the end, she finds her freedom in more ways than one, and you have to applaud her for hanging in there, being inventive, and surviving this race of humanity. James, on the other hand, is a tortured soul and seems to get himself into more trouble as the story comes together.
The saving grace of these two is their teenage son, Sam. Sam is "the" computer guy of the building, and he drives a good deal. While he charges an hourly fee with residents who require his computer expertise, he extends this service for free to the doormen because he knows what a cheap tipper his parents are at the holidays, especially his mother.
The list of characters goes on with gossip columnist Enid, her nephew & screenwriter du jour, Philip, a top actress, Schiffer, with whom Philip once had a relationship, and Lola, who tries desperately to get ahead with the best (only?) way that she knows how...sex.
The antics of these distinctive personalities pull the reader in with such a force that once started, it is really difficult to put down. Bushnell has again created characters and situations that one can't help but to feel like a voyeur. It's like a bad accident. You don't want to look. You can't help but to look.
Book Review: Bad Timing
Summary: 1 Stars
This is the best book ever. The characters have that Tina Fey-Amy Poehler sauciness that I really enjoy. Each one is like a slice of the Big Apple!Book Review: Be a Fly on the Wall..
Summary: 3 Stars
Every so often, I need to have the guilty pleasure of reading fashionista/high society lit. (a sub-genre of chick lit, I suppose) Candace Bushnell's books tend to fall in this category. Her latest offering, ONE FIFTH AVENUE, was an amusing quick read. In this novel, Bushnell focuses on the residents of a classic upscale residence in New York City at One Fifth Avenue. These individuals run the gamut from a gossip columnist, award-winning novelist turned scriptwriter, new money hedge-fund math wiz and movie star.
I found this particular book a bit meatier than Bushnell's previous offerings. As Bushnell gets older, her characters have grown more mature and have a greater depth. It felt like being a fly on the wall within the building, watching the loves, successes, downfalls and frustrations of the residents. Even though Bushnell can be almost merciless with some of the characters, she finds sympathy for most residents...even a self-absorbed Sex and the City wannabe. She limits her skewering to the hedge fund guy who is focused on money to the exclusion of everything else. It gives insight into what Bushnell values these days.
ONE FIFTH AVENUE is a quick, entertaining read for those looking for light, uncomplicated fare.