The Dollhouse

The Dollhouse follows two parallel storylines set in New York City's historic Barbizon Hotel for Women. In 1952, secretarial student Darby McLaughlin arrives at the Barbizon, navigating its social hierarchy among models, actresses and career girls. In 2016, journalist Rose Lewin lives in the now-converted Barbizon condo building and becomes intrigued by the elderly residents who never left. Her investigation centers on Darby and a mysterious incident from 1952 that changed multiple lives at the Barbizon. The narrative alternates between Darby's experiences in the post-war era and Rose's modern-day pursuit of the truth. Both women's stories intersect through the Barbizon's walls, its secrets, and its longtime residents. The novel explores female ambition, friendship, and identity across generations, contrasting women's options and social expectations in mid-century Manhattan with contemporary New York. Through its dual timeline, the story examines how the past continues to influence the present.

Readers found the dual timeline structure engaging, with strong historical details about 1950s New York City and the Barbizon Hotel for Women. Many highlighted the authentic portrayal of career-minded young women in post-war Manhattan. Likes: - Rich descriptions of fashion, social norms, and city life - Connection between past/present storylines - Historical research and accuracy - Strong sense of time and place - Female friendships and career ambitions Dislikes: - Modern timeline less compelling than historical - Some found the ending rushed or unsatisfying - Character development felt uneven - Mystery element predictable Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (71,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (2,800+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 Reader quote: "The 1950s sections transported me completely - I could smell the perfume counter and hear the clickety-clack of heels in the lobby." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers noted they preferred Davis's other historical novels but still found this an entertaining read.

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🏢 The Barbizon Hotel for Women, which inspired the book's setting, was a real Manhattan landmark that housed aspiring models, actresses, and career women from 1927 until the early 2000s. 👗 Notable real-life residents of the Barbizon included Grace Kelly, Sylvia Plath, Joan Crawford, and Lauren Bacall. ✍️ Author Fiona Davis worked as an actress and journalist before becoming a novelist, giving her unique insight into both the theatrical and reporting aspects portrayed in the book. 🎭 The Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School, featured prominently in the novel, was a prestigious real institution that operated from 1911 to 2011 and trained thousands of women for business careers. 🏛️ In 2005, the Barbizon Hotel was converted to luxury condominiums, but a few longtime residents were allowed to keep their rent-controlled rooms, similar to a plot point in the novel.