Hi everyone and welcome back to my blog! It has been a few weeks since I’ve written here, so I’m super excited to get back in the swing of things, because writing for this blog truly does bring me so much joy. Today’s book review is focused on my most recent read: Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney.
Plain and simple, this novel is a literary gem. The story follows the remarkable life of Lillian Boxfish, a once-prominent advertising executive in New York city who, on New Year’s Eve in 1984, embarks on a solitary stroll through the city. As she walks, she reflects on her past, her career, and the ever-evolving city around her. The alternating timeline narrative that Rooney employs is a masterstroke, seamlessly intertwining Lillian’s vibrant past with her contemplative present.
What truly struck me about this novel is how it tackles feminism and female empowerment. Lillian, as a trailblazing woman in the male-dominated advertising industry of the mid-20th century, serves as an inspiring and relatable figure. Her unwavering determination and resilience in the face of societal expectations are a testament to the strength of the female spirit. The novel beautifully underscores the importance of self-worth, ambition, and the pursuit of one’s dreams, regardless of gender.
In addition, the novel artfully comments on the acceptance of our lack of freedom in the face of time. Lillian, in her encounters with her changing identity and the changing cityscape, embraces the shifts and transitions of time with grace. She demonstrates that while the world around us may transform, our ability to adapt and find beauty in those changes is what truly defines our character. This struck me hard as a senior in high school. The prospect of college next year brings to mind images of lost Dance Moms marathons with my sister and foregone Sunday Chinese food feasts with my grandparents. Yet, Lillian reminds me that I have the power to find my sense of home in even the most unfamiliar of places.
To top it all off, the prose of this book is exquisite. Rooney’s writing is elegant and lyrical and every sentence is a work of art. I truly felt that I was in the world that Lillian inhabits, walking the journey that Lillian takes.
I, one-hundred-and-ten percent, recommend this book. It is a celebration of a resilient and trailblazing woman amidst a captivating plot and an equally engaging writing style. I thoroughly enjoyed my adventures in Rooney’s work, and I’m incredibly excited to continue them in further reads.