(book review)

‘City of Girls’ is a new bestseller by Elizabeth Gilbert, who conquered the world with her novels ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ and ‘The Nature of All Things.’ This is an intriguing novel about female sexuality and freedom, about the courage to be yourself and the right to live the way you want. And a story of a very unusual love, which was overshadowed by the war, and a true friendship that is not easy to find, understand and appreciate, especially in such a difficult and changeable city as New York.

The novel ‘City of Girls’ began in 1940, when nineteen-year-old Vivian Morris was expelled from a prestigious college. The parents sent their daughter to Manhattan to her aunt, the owner of a small but very eccentric theater. Unexpectedly for herself, Vivian found herself in a real whirlpool of pre-war bohemian life. Acquaintances with the stars, unusual theatrical performances, unrestrained sex, rivers of alcohol and a feeling of complete freedom,the first enchant and the first seduce, and then the dramatic knock the earth out from under her feet. And this was just the beginning of Vivian’s life-long journey that must be passed …

A young girl who fell into a free life sprinkled with the stereotypes of New York enjoys life, her youth and beauty to the fullest, without seeing the permitted shores and boundaries. And you can only rejoice for her, because everyone dreams of remembering the bright pictures of his or her life on the slope of the days. However, don’t pour songs forever. When walking on a slippery path, it is easy to turn wrong.

Having received a slap in the face of life, what will you do? Is it the right conclusion to hide your resentment and anger at the unjust world? The novel is not just the story of one woman. These are the stories of many women, with different destinies, views, preferences, who suffered flights and trials, joys and catastrophes, love and friendship. And they are all so different, but similar in one, they are strong and worthy individuals. You don’t have to be like everyone else; you have to be yourself, know and accept your shortcomings as well as your strengths. After all, this is the only way to become an interesting person. My rating is 10 out of 10.