Beauty & Attention by Liz Rosenberg (Book Review #11)

 

Summary

“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.” – by Liz Rosenberg

Review

Nothing can prevent you from enjoying this beautifully well-written book about a girl, Libby Archer. She has experienced loss and is enforced with behaving in a way that is approved by social norm.

Just like any other human being, once you refuse to be subdued, such amount of pressure and expectations sometimes causes a person to make the wrong decisions or to be vulnerable towards prey. With not many people around her to guide her through this harsh path of reality, Libby has to make important decisions all by herself.

I want to congratulate this author for possessing excellent knowledge of vocabulary. The art of writing and correct references to geographical and historical places was truly admirable. Along the side of other accurately referenced landmarks in this book, the author made no mistakes in mentioning ‘Persian Gulf’ in its correct name.

“He acted like the sun; he could not help shining, and he wasn’t responsible if others naturally orbited around him, soaking in his warmth.”

“Just remember, if you have been hated, you have also been loved. Deeply loved, Libby…loved like fire. Blood and bone.”

These are just a glimpse of what this beautiful book offers to the reader.

My favorite character was Lazarus. He was funny, incredibly kind and his situation made you really warm up to him. If I had magical powers, I believe I would have made his life much easier and his future, more delightful.

I believe the author wished to express the nature of how it is nice to choose rather than, to be chosen in life. The message was very clear that life is what you make of it and every choice made has its rewards and consequences.

 Written by: Jeyran Main

I was given this book by the Author & Lake Union Publishing for a review.

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