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The Girl from the Savoy
Presenting a dazzling new historical novel … The Girl From The Savoy is as sparkling as champagne and as thrilling as the era itself.
Sometimes life gives you cotton stockings. Sometimes it gives you a Chanel gown …
Dolly Lane is a dreamer; a downtrodden maid who longs to dance on the London stage, but her life has been fractured by the Great War. Memories of the soldier she loved, of secret shame and profound loss, by turns pull her back and spur her on to make a better life.
When she finds employment as a chambermaid at London’s grandest hotel, The Savoy, Dolly takes a step closer to the glittering lives of the Bright Young Things who thrive on champagne, jazz and rebellion. Right now, she must exist on the fringes of power, wealth and glamor—she must remain invisible and unimportant.
But her fortunes take an unexpected turn when she responds to a struggling songwriter’s advertisement for a ‘muse’ and finds herself thrust into London’s exhilarating theatre scene and into the lives of celebrated actress, Loretta May, and her brother, Perry. Loretta and Perry may have the life Dolly aspires to, but they too are searching for something.
Now, at the precipice of the life she has and the one she longs for, the girl from The Savoy must make difficult choices: between two men; between two classes, between everything she knows and everything she dreams of. A brighter future is tantalizingly close—but can a girl like Dolly ever truly leave her past behind?
Sometimes life gives you cotton stockings. Sometimes it gives you a Chanel gown …
Dolly Lane is a dreamer; a downtrodden maid who longs to dance on the London stage, but her life has been fractured by the Great War. Memories of the soldier she loved, of secret shame and profound loss, by turns pull her back and spur her on to make a better life.
When she finds employment as a chambermaid at London’s grandest hotel, The Savoy, Dolly takes a step closer to the glittering lives of the Bright Young Things who thrive on champagne, jazz and rebellion. Right now, she must exist on the fringes of power, wealth and glamor—she must remain invisible and unimportant.
But her fortunes take an unexpected turn when she responds to a struggling songwriter’s advertisement for a ‘muse’ and finds herself thrust into London’s exhilarating theatre scene and into the lives of celebrated actress, Loretta May, and her brother, Perry. Loretta and Perry may have the life Dolly aspires to, but they too are searching for something.
Now, at the precipice of the life she has and the one she longs for, the girl from The Savoy must make difficult choices: between two men; between two classes, between everything she knows and everything she dreams of. A brighter future is tantalizingly close—but can a girl like Dolly ever truly leave her past behind?
419 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2016
About the author
Hazel Gaynor
19 books3,262 followersHazel Gaynor is an award-winning New York Times, USA Today, Globe and Mail and Irish Times bestselling author known for her deeply moving historical novels which explore the defining events of the 20th century.
Her Titanic inspired debut, The Girl Who Came Home, won the 2015 RNA Historical Novel award, and her work has since been shortlisted for the 2019 HWA Gold Crown and for the Irish Book Awards in 2017, 2020 and 2023.
Her latest novel, The Last Lifeboat, was included as a Times of London historical novel of the month pick in June 2023, was shortlisted for the 2023 Irish Book Awards, and received the 2024 Audie Award for Best Fiction Narrator.
Hazel’s co-written historical novels with Heather Webb have all been published to critical acclaim, winning or being shortlisted for several international awards. Their latest collaboration, Christmas With the Queen, will be published in November 2024.
Hazel’s work is translated into twenty languages and is published in twenty-seven territories to date. She lives in Ireland with her family.
For more information, visit www.hazelgaynor.com
where you can also sign up for her newsletter.
Her Titanic inspired debut, The Girl Who Came Home, won the 2015 RNA Historical Novel award, and her work has since been shortlisted for the 2019 HWA Gold Crown and for the Irish Book Awards in 2017, 2020 and 2023.
Her latest novel, The Last Lifeboat, was included as a Times of London historical novel of the month pick in June 2023, was shortlisted for the 2023 Irish Book Awards, and received the 2024 Audie Award for Best Fiction Narrator.
Hazel’s co-written historical novels with Heather Webb have all been published to critical acclaim, winning or being shortlisted for several international awards. Their latest collaboration, Christmas With the Queen, will be published in November 2024.
Hazel’s work is translated into twenty languages and is published in twenty-seven territories to date. She lives in Ireland with her family.
For more information, visit www.hazelgaynor.com
where you can also sign up for her newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 704 reviews
October 12, 2021
The Girl from the Savoy brings a story of two women from two different backgrounds, who are connected by the same career path, taking the leading role among the choir girls.
London, 1923. Dorothy Lane is a new chambermaid at the Savoy – one of the finest luxury hotels. As a maid she’s been reminded many times that she wasn’t good enough. But there are those close to her who see her becoming someone special. She finds respite in dancing once a week, but she wants more. She dreams of dancing on stage. And the Savoy is filled with people that excite her, who make her dream. She also answers an ad to be a muse to Perry, Loretta’s brother.
Loretta May is a daughter of an earl, who chose a life on stage over satisfying her parents and high society. She chose a dazzling stage life over carefully ordered life expected of a woman of her status.
Both protagonists have some secrets, which are revealed in layers, holding one’s interest. Both characters are well-developed and offer a glimpse into two different lives, and by being connected by the same career it also offers a glimpse into one trying to get to the top and the other already being there.
The place and what it meant to be working at the Savoy come alive. It feels as this is the strongest part of the story. The impressive Savoy with its famous guests buzzes with life, with jazz music, with intrigue, and with some secrets. As a maid you’re reminded what happens at the Savoy stays at the Savoy.
The time period is interestingly explored. After the war, women were forced to leave factory jobs and to go back into domestic service, which wasn’t necessarily their choice. Some of those working girls who loved dancing and dreamed of being on stage were lucky to be chosen to join the chorus girls and progress even beyond, taking the leading roles. This is based on fact; a life of a chorus girl was a path to freedom for some, leaving behind the life of domestic service. And this theme is explored through the character of Dorothy.
There is also another thing that stood out to a point of being questioned if it’s believable. It seems as whomever Dorothy meets sees something in her that she was meant for something more than just a maid. If so many strangers see it in Dorothy at the first glance, it doesn’t sound believable after a while. At times, it seems as some things fit too perfectly. The ending is a bit too romanticized, too perfect.
Overall, I enjoyed the story through its entirety. It has a good flow from the start to the end. There is something special about this author’s writing like there is some magic to her writing. It takes you away from where you are and transports you to a different place and time.
P.S. The first book I’ve read by this author was A Memory of Violets, which is one of the most memorable stories with the magical writing.
London, 1923. Dorothy Lane is a new chambermaid at the Savoy – one of the finest luxury hotels. As a maid she’s been reminded many times that she wasn’t good enough. But there are those close to her who see her becoming someone special. She finds respite in dancing once a week, but she wants more. She dreams of dancing on stage. And the Savoy is filled with people that excite her, who make her dream. She also answers an ad to be a muse to Perry, Loretta’s brother.
Loretta May is a daughter of an earl, who chose a life on stage over satisfying her parents and high society. She chose a dazzling stage life over carefully ordered life expected of a woman of her status.
Both protagonists have some secrets, which are revealed in layers, holding one’s interest. Both characters are well-developed and offer a glimpse into two different lives, and by being connected by the same career it also offers a glimpse into one trying to get to the top and the other already being there.
The place and what it meant to be working at the Savoy come alive. It feels as this is the strongest part of the story. The impressive Savoy with its famous guests buzzes with life, with jazz music, with intrigue, and with some secrets. As a maid you’re reminded what happens at the Savoy stays at the Savoy.
The time period is interestingly explored. After the war, women were forced to leave factory jobs and to go back into domestic service, which wasn’t necessarily their choice. Some of those working girls who loved dancing and dreamed of being on stage were lucky to be chosen to join the chorus girls and progress even beyond, taking the leading roles. This is based on fact; a life of a chorus girl was a path to freedom for some, leaving behind the life of domestic service. And this theme is explored through the character of Dorothy.
There is also another thing that stood out to a point of being questioned if it’s believable. It seems as whomever Dorothy meets sees something in her that she was meant for something more than just a maid. If so many strangers see it in Dorothy at the first glance, it doesn’t sound believable after a while. At times, it seems as some things fit too perfectly. The ending is a bit too romanticized, too perfect.
Overall, I enjoyed the story through its entirety. It has a good flow from the start to the end. There is something special about this author’s writing like there is some magic to her writing. It takes you away from where you are and transports you to a different place and time.
P.S. The first book I’ve read by this author was A Memory of Violets, which is one of the most memorable stories with the magical writing.
March 20, 2016
Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....
Hazel Gaynor is not a new author for me. I had the privilege of reading Hush, her contribution to Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War in December 2015 and was so impressed with the piece that I made up my mind to read at least one of her full length titles during 2016. I own a copy of The Girl Who Came Home, but it was The Girl from the Savoy that I ultimately picked up. I wish I could say something intelligent about the subject matter piquing my interest and/or imagination, but the shameful reality is that I am cover slut and the volume has an absolutely gorgeous jacket.
Generally speaking, I liked the premise of Gaynor’s book, but the structure and format confused me. I felt protagonist Dorothy 'Dolly' Lane an intriguing young woman and I liked how her experience paralleled that of fellow narrator Loretta May. I felt their ties a little coincidental, but when push comes to shove fiction is chock full of such twists and there was nothing overtly annoying in the connection these women shared. I’d have been quite happy if the novel had centered on Dorothy and Loretta alone, but the inclusion of third narrator Teddy Cooper left me scratching my head. The character had enormous potential, but his role carries little weight alongside Gaynor’s leading ladies and while I enjoyed his scenes and the ideas they inspired, I couldn’t help feeling his perspective superfluous to the story at hand.
I felt Gaynor’s descriptions of life at the Savoy brilliantly imagined, but the hotel is not a character in and of itself. The comparison to Downtown Abbey is inevitable given the time period, Goodreads reviewer Sheena Lambert actually made it in her review, but I feel the television series only emphasizes what the novel lacks. The house is an integral part of the show and most of the drama is tied to the mansion, what it represents, and the lives lived within its walls. Gaynor’s Savoy is colorful, but it does not factor in the story the same way. It is one of many backdrops on which Dorothy’s story unfolds, but it is not fundamental to the drama of her experience which I found disappointing in light of the novel’s description.
In terms of pacing, I felt Gaynor spent too much time laying her groundwork. There are many inspired moments in the first two thirds of novel, but the narrative took so long to find its feet that I was bored by the time I really took interest in what was happening. The concept of life after loss, especially during the Great War held a lot of appeal for me and I thought the diversity of Gaynor’s illustration intensely creative, but its delayed delivery left me frustrated and only partially satisfied.
Would I recommend the novel? As usual, that answer depends on the reader. The Girl from the Savoy is an emotional piece and I think it touches on a lot of intense and deeply compelling themes, but I found it difficult to appreciate the style and tone of the narrative and offer caution to those readers who require instant gratification from their fictional experience.
Hazel Gaynor is not a new author for me. I had the privilege of reading Hush, her contribution to Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War in December 2015 and was so impressed with the piece that I made up my mind to read at least one of her full length titles during 2016. I own a copy of The Girl Who Came Home, but it was The Girl from the Savoy that I ultimately picked up. I wish I could say something intelligent about the subject matter piquing my interest and/or imagination, but the shameful reality is that I am cover slut and the volume has an absolutely gorgeous jacket.
Generally speaking, I liked the premise of Gaynor’s book, but the structure and format confused me. I felt protagonist Dorothy 'Dolly' Lane an intriguing young woman and I liked how her experience paralleled that of fellow narrator Loretta May. I felt their ties a little coincidental, but when push comes to shove fiction is chock full of such twists and there was nothing overtly annoying in the connection these women shared. I’d have been quite happy if the novel had centered on Dorothy and Loretta alone, but the inclusion of third narrator Teddy Cooper left me scratching my head. The character had enormous potential, but his role carries little weight alongside Gaynor’s leading ladies and while I enjoyed his scenes and the ideas they inspired, I couldn’t help feeling his perspective superfluous to the story at hand.
I felt Gaynor’s descriptions of life at the Savoy brilliantly imagined, but the hotel is not a character in and of itself. The comparison to Downtown Abbey is inevitable given the time period, Goodreads reviewer Sheena Lambert actually made it in her review, but I feel the television series only emphasizes what the novel lacks. The house is an integral part of the show and most of the drama is tied to the mansion, what it represents, and the lives lived within its walls. Gaynor’s Savoy is colorful, but it does not factor in the story the same way. It is one of many backdrops on which Dorothy’s story unfolds, but it is not fundamental to the drama of her experience which I found disappointing in light of the novel’s description.
In terms of pacing, I felt Gaynor spent too much time laying her groundwork. There are many inspired moments in the first two thirds of novel, but the narrative took so long to find its feet that I was bored by the time I really took interest in what was happening. The concept of life after loss, especially during the Great War held a lot of appeal for me and I thought the diversity of Gaynor’s illustration intensely creative, but its delayed delivery left me frustrated and only partially satisfied.
Would I recommend the novel? As usual, that answer depends on the reader. The Girl from the Savoy is an emotional piece and I think it touches on a lot of intense and deeply compelling themes, but I found it difficult to appreciate the style and tone of the narrative and offer caution to those readers who require instant gratification from their fictional experience.
July 16, 2016
2.5 stars
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I loved The Memory of Violets so I had high hopes for this one. It just didn't live up to my expectations.
It's set in the 1920's after WWI. A young maid, Dolly, leaves her home for London. She's going to be a star. Stop me if you've heard this story before now. She finds a job as a maid in the famed Savoy hotel. It's quite interesting to see the hotel's operations from behind the scenes and compare it to the image presented to the world. I did find that they treated their employees well for the times.
There are several storylines that could have been developed better and would have caught my attention more. There is talk of the shell shocked men returning home from the War including a fiancée. I find it interesting that you hear of more cases of shell shock from WWI than from WWII. Is it just my perception? There is an unwanted pregnancy and how it was dealt with. The ending to that story line was extremely unrealistic.
There are just too absurd coincidences that spoiled my enjoyment of the book. She becomes the protégé of a world famous actress. She meets famous people left and right by literally running into them. And I just hated that everyone said you could Dolly was going to be someone someday. She just had that look about her. Please. Dolly also dreamed about how silk stockings and fancy dresses would feel on her. Apparently the maids spent a lot of time in trying on the guest's clothes.
The writing is a little overblown too. Dolly remembers the famous actress' words to her, "Gin is an acquired taste, and once acquired, it is rarely lost." Here's Dolly's talking, "I have walked into my very own dream and I am wonderfully awake."
What I did like about this book is there is no Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet and ensure her success. Dolly stands alone. I also liked the sense of time that was captured well. Overall though, I was just disappointed.
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I loved The Memory of Violets so I had high hopes for this one. It just didn't live up to my expectations.
It's set in the 1920's after WWI. A young maid, Dolly, leaves her home for London. She's going to be a star. Stop me if you've heard this story before now. She finds a job as a maid in the famed Savoy hotel. It's quite interesting to see the hotel's operations from behind the scenes and compare it to the image presented to the world. I did find that they treated their employees well for the times.
There are several storylines that could have been developed better and would have caught my attention more. There is talk of the shell shocked men returning home from the War including a fiancée. I find it interesting that you hear of more cases of shell shock from WWI than from WWII. Is it just my perception? There is an unwanted pregnancy and how it was dealt with. The ending to that story line was extremely unrealistic.
There are just too absurd coincidences that spoiled my enjoyment of the book. She becomes the protégé of a world famous actress. She meets famous people left and right by literally running into them. And I just hated that everyone said you could Dolly was going to be someone someday. She just had that look about her. Please. Dolly also dreamed about how silk stockings and fancy dresses would feel on her. Apparently the maids spent a lot of time in trying on the guest's clothes.
The writing is a little overblown too. Dolly remembers the famous actress' words to her, "Gin is an acquired taste, and once acquired, it is rarely lost." Here's Dolly's talking, "I have walked into my very own dream and I am wonderfully awake."
What I did like about this book is there is no Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet and ensure her success. Dolly stands alone. I also liked the sense of time that was captured well. Overall though, I was just disappointed.
August 16, 2019
Historical fiction set in the 1920’s, this book tells the story of Dolly Lane, a girl from the English countryside, who has found employment at The Savoy, an iconic hotel and focal point of London’s social scene. While working as a maid and cleaning the rooms of the stars, Dolly dreams of an adventurous life on the stage. When she literally runs into Perry Clements, a musician with a famous sister, her life takes an unexpected turn. Each of the four main characters has been impacted by the aftermath of WWI and each is harboring a secret.
The author excels at period descriptions. Gaynor’s rhythmic prose is punctuated with pithy sayings (e.g., “Wonderful adventures await for those who dare to find them.”) Her descriptions of the manner of dress, speech, and conduct ring true to the era. It is light-hearted and optimistic in tone, though it contains elements of sadness, mental and physical health issues, and ongoing recovery from the Great War. Gaynor inserts elements that show this period as a time when the lives of women were changing dramatically from the lives of their mothers and grandmothers. The storyline alternates among three of the four main characters, and each is told from first person perspective in present tense. The narrative includes a long build-up to get to the point at which the main characters interact, there are a few too many convenient coincidences, and I thought the epilogue unnecessary. It filled the bill for an entertaining and light read after a couple of intense experiences.
The author excels at period descriptions. Gaynor’s rhythmic prose is punctuated with pithy sayings (e.g., “Wonderful adventures await for those who dare to find them.”) Her descriptions of the manner of dress, speech, and conduct ring true to the era. It is light-hearted and optimistic in tone, though it contains elements of sadness, mental and physical health issues, and ongoing recovery from the Great War. Gaynor inserts elements that show this period as a time when the lives of women were changing dramatically from the lives of their mothers and grandmothers. The storyline alternates among three of the four main characters, and each is told from first person perspective in present tense. The narrative includes a long build-up to get to the point at which the main characters interact, there are a few too many convenient coincidences, and I thought the epilogue unnecessary. It filled the bill for an entertaining and light read after a couple of intense experiences.
August 16, 2021
This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was just okay for me. I have previously read another book by this author which I really enjoyed, A Memory of Violets, so I expected that the same would hold true for this book. I didn’t dislike the book but it never really hooked me so I always found it easy to set aside. I have had this book on my tbr for ages so I am glad that I finally took the time to give it a try.
This book is told from three points of view. Dolly Lane tells most of the story. She starts working as a maid at the Savoy as the book opens. She has dreams of finding success on the stage and will work hard to make it happen. She has had a painful past which is slowly revealed throughout the story. Loretta May is the second point of view. She has found fame and enjoys being in the spotlight but something in her life has her re-evaluating things. We occasionally see things from Teddy’s perspective. He is the man that Dolly loved who has come back from war a changed man.
I felt like this book took a very long time to set up the story. Things didn’t get moving until the midpoint of the book. I found the characters to be likable enough but I don’t feel like I was ever completely related to them. There were times that I felt like the book was overly long and dragged a bit. In some situations, things seemed a little too convenient. Ultimately, I felt like the book meandered a little too much for my taste and I was less than satisfied by how everything worked out. I loved the descriptions of the time period and liked the scenes that dealt with the more difficult topics the most.
The three narrators did a wonderful job in bringing this story to life. I really liked how distinctive each voice was so that the change in point of view always flowed smoothly. I thought that they all added the right amount of emotion to the story and handled character dialogue well. I do believe that their narration added to my enjoyment of the story.
I think that most readers will enjoy this one a bit more than I did. It was a good book but it wasn’t perfect. Unfortunately, the story never completely clicked for me. I wouldn’t hesitate to read more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of the book from William Morrow Paperbacks via Edelweiss and borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library.
Initial Thoughts
I liked this book but I had some issues with it. It took a very long time for things to really get set up in the story. I felt like things moved very slowly for much of the book. At times, things were just a little too convenient for my tastes. The characters were likable and the time period was described in wonderful detail. Unfortunately, I just wanted to move on to something else by the time this book drew to a close. The narration of the audiobook was incredibly well done.
This was just okay for me. I have previously read another book by this author which I really enjoyed, A Memory of Violets, so I expected that the same would hold true for this book. I didn’t dislike the book but it never really hooked me so I always found it easy to set aside. I have had this book on my tbr for ages so I am glad that I finally took the time to give it a try.
This book is told from three points of view. Dolly Lane tells most of the story. She starts working as a maid at the Savoy as the book opens. She has dreams of finding success on the stage and will work hard to make it happen. She has had a painful past which is slowly revealed throughout the story. Loretta May is the second point of view. She has found fame and enjoys being in the spotlight but something in her life has her re-evaluating things. We occasionally see things from Teddy’s perspective. He is the man that Dolly loved who has come back from war a changed man.
I felt like this book took a very long time to set up the story. Things didn’t get moving until the midpoint of the book. I found the characters to be likable enough but I don’t feel like I was ever completely related to them. There were times that I felt like the book was overly long and dragged a bit. In some situations, things seemed a little too convenient. Ultimately, I felt like the book meandered a little too much for my taste and I was less than satisfied by how everything worked out. I loved the descriptions of the time period and liked the scenes that dealt with the more difficult topics the most.
The three narrators did a wonderful job in bringing this story to life. I really liked how distinctive each voice was so that the change in point of view always flowed smoothly. I thought that they all added the right amount of emotion to the story and handled character dialogue well. I do believe that their narration added to my enjoyment of the story.
I think that most readers will enjoy this one a bit more than I did. It was a good book but it wasn’t perfect. Unfortunately, the story never completely clicked for me. I wouldn’t hesitate to read more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of the book from William Morrow Paperbacks via Edelweiss and borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library.
Initial Thoughts
I liked this book but I had some issues with it. It took a very long time for things to really get set up in the story. I felt like things moved very slowly for much of the book. At times, things were just a little too convenient for my tastes. The characters were likable and the time period was described in wonderful detail. Unfortunately, I just wanted to move on to something else by the time this book drew to a close. The narration of the audiobook was incredibly well done.
February 2, 2018
I decided to listen to the audio version of this book and I'm glad to say that I spend some happy hours working and listening to The Girl from the Savoy. I've wanted for a while to read it and I'm pleased to say that the book made the hours fly by...
There are two points of views in this book that of Dolly, who dreams of becoming a star on stage and Loretta May, who is a star, but whose dreams were destroyed in the war. I found both women's stories fascinating and tragic. Both have gone through much and I enjoyed their interaction (when they finally met).
One thing I really liked was that the blurb states that Dolly has to choose between two men, but that is to simplify the story quite a lot. Yes, there are two men in Dolly's life, Teddy who she loved, but came home a shell of a man after the war and Perry that quite literary fell into her life. However, this is not an ordinary triangle drama with Dolly not being able to choose between Teddy and Perry, there is so much more to the story than that, which you will discover if you read the book.
As for Loretta, she may be a star, but she is one classy woman and I really liked her. I liked that she is the one that sees potentials in Dolly. Also, her past in the war is so heartbreaking.
The Girl from the Savoy is a great novel, there are sad moments in the book, but also joyous ones. And I loved that the book did not have the tradition HEA ending. Although I wish to know what happened to the other man in the book...
There are two points of views in this book that of Dolly, who dreams of becoming a star on stage and Loretta May, who is a star, but whose dreams were destroyed in the war. I found both women's stories fascinating and tragic. Both have gone through much and I enjoyed their interaction (when they finally met).
One thing I really liked was that the blurb states that Dolly has to choose between two men, but that is to simplify the story quite a lot. Yes, there are two men in Dolly's life, Teddy who she loved, but came home a shell of a man after the war and Perry that quite literary fell into her life. However, this is not an ordinary triangle drama with Dolly not being able to choose between Teddy and Perry, there is so much more to the story than that, which you will discover if you read the book.
As for Loretta, she may be a star, but she is one classy woman and I really liked her. I liked that she is the one that sees potentials in Dolly. Also, her past in the war is so heartbreaking.
The Girl from the Savoy is a great novel, there are sad moments in the book, but also joyous ones. And I loved that the book did not have the tradition HEA ending. Although I wish to know what happened to the other man in the book...
September 21, 2017
3.5 stars rounded up. This is a very enjoyable, light read.
Dolly Lane is a chambermaid at the celebrated Savoy Hotel in London after the Great War, but she has ambitions to be a star of the stage just like her idol, Loretta May. Loretta seems to have everything that life could offer, except one thing. Fate brings these two women together and their lives will never be the same.
The character portrayal in this book is very well done. You really get to know each character very well, even the minor characters. Dolly has a "never say die" quality about her that sees her through a lot of difficulties. Loretta seems fragile on the outside, but is made of steel on the inside, at least in terms of her willpower. The two main male characters, Teddy and Perry are fragile yet strong in their own ways.
The descriptions in this book are extraordinary. You feel the chill of the autumn winds, you hear the audience applauding, you feel the weight of the beaded dresses. There some places where it is just beautifully written.
Does this book have faults? Yes. You can see some plot twists coming well in advance. It is very predictable in places. But it is a very light read, so I suppose this is to be expected. I wasn't looking to be challenged.
If you are looking for a fun, easy to read historical fiction, then this book is for you.
Dolly Lane is a chambermaid at the celebrated Savoy Hotel in London after the Great War, but she has ambitions to be a star of the stage just like her idol, Loretta May. Loretta seems to have everything that life could offer, except one thing. Fate brings these two women together and their lives will never be the same.
The character portrayal in this book is very well done. You really get to know each character very well, even the minor characters. Dolly has a "never say die" quality about her that sees her through a lot of difficulties. Loretta seems fragile on the outside, but is made of steel on the inside, at least in terms of her willpower. The two main male characters, Teddy and Perry are fragile yet strong in their own ways.
The descriptions in this book are extraordinary. You feel the chill of the autumn winds, you hear the audience applauding, you feel the weight of the beaded dresses. There some places where it is just beautifully written.
Does this book have faults? Yes. You can see some plot twists coming well in advance. It is very predictable in places. But it is a very light read, so I suppose this is to be expected. I wasn't looking to be challenged.
If you are looking for a fun, easy to read historical fiction, then this book is for you.
July 30, 2020
Four and a half stars.
The book starts with a prologue set in 1916 where Dolly is watching the young man she has loved since childhood go off to war. Will she ever see him again? Then it switches to 1923 and Dolly is off to seek employment as a maid at the Savoy Hotel. But Dolly also has dreams. Dreams of being on the stage. Will her dream ever be realised? Dolly’s life take a turn when she meets Perry Clements. Perry is a struggling composer looking for his next hit and despairing of ever being able to write anything worthwhile again. Perry’s sister who is famous under the stage name Loretta May is everything Dolly would like to be. Loretta May is a huge star of the theatre who attracts attention wherever she goes. Both Dolly and Loretta May have secrets that weigh them down and sadness that haunts them. And then there are several chapters from Teddy’s point of view. The less said about them the better. Not because they are not good or relevant but better to read them without knowing too much about Teddy. As the chapters move between Dolly, Loretta and Teddy’s points of view, the reader gets an in depth picture of all of them and their situations and feelings. Will Dolly achieve her dreams? Will she ever be able to put the past behind her? Will Loretta May be able to divulge her secret and what affect will it have on those who love and admire her?
I loved this story from the first page to the last. Yes, looking back after having read it, I concede there are some coincidences that stretch credibility but somehow while reading it didn’t matter a bit as I was too caught up in the story and the characters. This is a charming story firmly centred around the First World War and the years that followed. I loved all the details about the theatre and music of the times that comes through. I really liked all the main characters and disliked those I was meant to dislike.
I have read two other books by this author and loved both, which is why I felt sure this would be no different. I was not disappointed. An entertaining read with just a slight fanciful feel, it was not without moments that tugged at the emotions. And yes, I admit to a few tears as well as many happy moments. A great chance of pace and feel from my previous book, this was a delight to read. Highly recommend to anyone who likes and engaging historical tale with plenty of heart. A jpy to read particularly in the current pandemic situation.
The book starts with a prologue set in 1916 where Dolly is watching the young man she has loved since childhood go off to war. Will she ever see him again? Then it switches to 1923 and Dolly is off to seek employment as a maid at the Savoy Hotel. But Dolly also has dreams. Dreams of being on the stage. Will her dream ever be realised? Dolly’s life take a turn when she meets Perry Clements. Perry is a struggling composer looking for his next hit and despairing of ever being able to write anything worthwhile again. Perry’s sister who is famous under the stage name Loretta May is everything Dolly would like to be. Loretta May is a huge star of the theatre who attracts attention wherever she goes. Both Dolly and Loretta May have secrets that weigh them down and sadness that haunts them. And then there are several chapters from Teddy’s point of view. The less said about them the better. Not because they are not good or relevant but better to read them without knowing too much about Teddy. As the chapters move between Dolly, Loretta and Teddy’s points of view, the reader gets an in depth picture of all of them and their situations and feelings. Will Dolly achieve her dreams? Will she ever be able to put the past behind her? Will Loretta May be able to divulge her secret and what affect will it have on those who love and admire her?
I loved this story from the first page to the last. Yes, looking back after having read it, I concede there are some coincidences that stretch credibility but somehow while reading it didn’t matter a bit as I was too caught up in the story and the characters. This is a charming story firmly centred around the First World War and the years that followed. I loved all the details about the theatre and music of the times that comes through. I really liked all the main characters and disliked those I was meant to dislike.
I have read two other books by this author and loved both, which is why I felt sure this would be no different. I was not disappointed. An entertaining read with just a slight fanciful feel, it was not without moments that tugged at the emotions. And yes, I admit to a few tears as well as many happy moments. A great chance of pace and feel from my previous book, this was a delight to read. Highly recommend to anyone who likes and engaging historical tale with plenty of heart. A jpy to read particularly in the current pandemic situation.
December 6, 2016
I really enjoyed this book...until the end. There were parts that were too descriptive but for the most part I liked the book and that didn't bother me much. However, I felt the ending was very sad and disappointing. What the author did to Dolly and Teddy was totally unnecessary. After everything they'd gone through, they deserved the happiness of one another. The author wrote it as if they were all ok and fine, but I wasn't at all. So, that's my upset.
It's a good book if you consider how emotionally involved I was to get so upset about the end. It's not that I think the author wrote a bad book, but I strenuously object to that ending, thus my lower rating.
It's a good book if you consider how emotionally involved I was to get so upset about the end. It's not that I think the author wrote a bad book, but I strenuously object to that ending, thus my lower rating.
September 26, 2016
This is the second novel I've read by this author. I read A Memory of Violets: A Novel of London's Flower Sellers and gave it three stars. This one also is in that same ballpark. The author does a wonderful job in describing English living in the given eras in both books. This one takes place after WWI.
The story was pleasant in a neat and tidy way. But overall, it was a little too unbelievable and there were quite a few coincidences. It was just too perfect and too pretty. It lacked tension and therefore, didn't have a real pull for me. There were many opportunities for contrast but instead, everything was kept nice and glossy and had no grit.
Some passages were quite beautiful. The author must have thought so too because she reused the exact words again, even when it was from different POVs. I don't know how entirely different characters could use the exact phrases, word for word, as the others,especially when they were just thoughts.
Overall, this was a sweet story. So 2 or 3 stars...that is the question.
The story was pleasant in a neat and tidy way. But overall, it was a little too unbelievable and there were quite a few coincidences. It was just too perfect and too pretty. It lacked tension and therefore, didn't have a real pull for me. There were many opportunities for contrast but instead, everything was kept nice and glossy and had no grit.
Some passages were quite beautiful. The author must have thought so too because she reused the exact words again, even when it was from different POVs. I don't know how entirely different characters could use the exact phrases, word for word, as the others,especially when they were just thoughts.
Overall, this was a sweet story. So 2 or 3 stars...that is the question.
May 6, 2019
Absolutely delightful. A wonderful escapist read: set largely within London's Savoy around and after WW1. Beautifully written and unputdownable.
July 4, 2018
4.5 stars. This one hit all the high notes for me. I just loved it. Something about it. The setting, the writing, the characters, and the character of it. I love this age. (Historical Fiction Set in the Jazz Age). I'm not going to describe it, but I will say it captured a feeling. It was a beautiful book. The stage and the lights and the beautiful hotel and the tea rooms and music halls. And the relationships contained within, and how hard it is after the war, when each of the characters are feeling its effects. There is loss, and love, and beauty, and stardom, and hopes and dreams, and a whole host of other things going on within its pages. This book will remain in my heart.
Listopia List four, about book four or five- Historical Fiction Set in the Jazz Age. I actually think I am going to end up completing four of my five lists this year. When you love a topic and it speaks to you, its not hard to do.
Sorry to review the book so late. Personally I hate not to do it on the spot or within a day.
Listopia List four, about book four or five- Historical Fiction Set in the Jazz Age. I actually think I am going to end up completing four of my five lists this year. When you love a topic and it speaks to you, its not hard to do.
Sorry to review the book so late. Personally I hate not to do it on the spot or within a day.
June 11, 2016
I read The Girl Who Came Home and really thoroughly enjoyed it, however this book I could not stop reading from this author. I kept seeing this one make its way around the web a lot of times and each time I wanted to read it that much more. I finally got the chance to read this book. It far exceeded my expectations. I was instantly transported into the 1920's, the Savoy Hotel, and the grueling world of Broadway productions.
Until some books where one or two main character's voices are strong, in this book I loved all of the voices from Dolly, Loretta, Teddy, and Perry. Each one had a story to tell that was lovely. Although I was very drawn to Loretta, then Dolly, Teddy and Perry equally. The Girl from the Savoy is a must read.
Until some books where one or two main character's voices are strong, in this book I loved all of the voices from Dolly, Loretta, Teddy, and Perry. Each one had a story to tell that was lovely. Although I was very drawn to Loretta, then Dolly, Teddy and Perry equally. The Girl from the Savoy is a must read.
October 1, 2016
3.5 stars
June 16, 2016
"Sometimes she is a Daffodil. Sometimes she is a butterfly. And, always, always she is surrounded by hope and love and adventure."
Wonderful novel... truly exceptional writing! A story of loss, love, hope and adventures. Of letting go and moving forward and chasing your dreams no matter how out of reach they may be. I loved the imagery of the butterfly throughout. I am quite fond of the butterfly and all that it represents so this story truly wrapped around my heart from page one and didn't let go.
It is told from the POV of three people... Dolly, Teddy and Loretta. It is a moving story that takes you on a journey of slowly discovering the fate of the characters as they all face a future that was forever changed by war. They all dealt with loss very differently but it forever changed them and altered the path of their lives. The amazing web of details that are slowly revealed as the story progresses comes together beautifully in the end and left me feeling warm and happy. There are some truly powerful scenes throughout this book that brought on a few tears.
I loved Dolly and her desire to follow her dreams and her adventures. Her love for Teddy, her desire to be something more.
"Wonderful adventures await for those who dare to find them."
"Fly my little butterfly. Spread your wings and soar."
I don't know what else to say really except this book really made an impact on me. I have a total book hangover from reading this non-stop since I started it yesterday afternoon. Each page offered it's own poetry on life and how precious and valuable it is. My favorite line in the book:
"It's curious Miss Lane, how things are often at their most beautiful when they are at the end of their life. Shooting stars, autumn leaves. Nobody notices the leaves when they're all green and lush in the summer-only when they turn crimson and golden in the autumn. Perhaps we all become more colorful, more fascinating as we reach our autumn months."
It's true isn't it. Life becomes more visible and more beautiful when we find that there is less of it ahead of us. We begin to notice the things that matter the most. Our most valuable possessions are suddenly quite visible and treasured.
A wonderful story that will stay with me for a long time. :)
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher William Morrow
For more reviews visit my blog:
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Wonderful novel... truly exceptional writing! A story of loss, love, hope and adventures. Of letting go and moving forward and chasing your dreams no matter how out of reach they may be. I loved the imagery of the butterfly throughout. I am quite fond of the butterfly and all that it represents so this story truly wrapped around my heart from page one and didn't let go.
It is told from the POV of three people... Dolly, Teddy and Loretta. It is a moving story that takes you on a journey of slowly discovering the fate of the characters as they all face a future that was forever changed by war. They all dealt with loss very differently but it forever changed them and altered the path of their lives. The amazing web of details that are slowly revealed as the story progresses comes together beautifully in the end and left me feeling warm and happy. There are some truly powerful scenes throughout this book that brought on a few tears.
I loved Dolly and her desire to follow her dreams and her adventures. Her love for Teddy, her desire to be something more.
"Wonderful adventures await for those who dare to find them."
"Fly my little butterfly. Spread your wings and soar."
I don't know what else to say really except this book really made an impact on me. I have a total book hangover from reading this non-stop since I started it yesterday afternoon. Each page offered it's own poetry on life and how precious and valuable it is. My favorite line in the book:
"It's curious Miss Lane, how things are often at their most beautiful when they are at the end of their life. Shooting stars, autumn leaves. Nobody notices the leaves when they're all green and lush in the summer-only when they turn crimson and golden in the autumn. Perhaps we all become more colorful, more fascinating as we reach our autumn months."
It's true isn't it. Life becomes more visible and more beautiful when we find that there is less of it ahead of us. We begin to notice the things that matter the most. Our most valuable possessions are suddenly quite visible and treasured.
A wonderful story that will stay with me for a long time. :)
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher William Morrow
For more reviews visit my blog:
KT Book Reviews
Become a K&T Book Babbbler!
Book Babblers
September 8, 2016
When I find out that a book is set in 1920s London, I'm the first in the queue to read it. The 20s is one of my favourite eras to read about, and London thrills me,always.
The short prologue is set in Lancashire in 1916 and Dolly is at the station, waving her sweetheart Teddy off to war. Teddy is convinced that he will be home safely in no time, and that he and Dolly will marry and live happily ever after. Dolly is not so sure, she has a feeling that things will not turn out like that.
Fast forward seven years and the reader finds Dolly in London, alone. She's been working as a housemaid but has secured herself a job at the Savoy;one of London's very best hotels. She's late, it's raining and she collides with a young gentleman. Perry Clements. There's a definite spark between them despite their different circumstances. They part company, not realising that this chance encounter is only the beginning of their story.
The reader accompanies Dolly as she begins her job at the Savoy. Hazel Gaynor has an incredible eye for detail and her description of the luxury and grandeur of this iconic place are really excellent. Dolly is mesmerised by the beauty and style, not just of the building, but of the guests and visitors that she encounters.
Dolly is a 'gallery girl'. She dreams of fame and celebrity, and wants nothing more than to be on the stage. She spends her saved pennies for the cheap seats at the theatre, along with lots of other working class girls who were recovering from the horrors of war and wanted glitz and glamour.
The Girl from the Savoy is Dolly's story of survival. It is also Loretta's story. Loretta is already a star, but fading, she's also Perry Clements' sister and these three characters come together and create this wonderfully detailed story of life in the theatre. Also, interwoven throughout, is the voice of Teddy, Dolly's sweetheart. His story is heartbreaking and raw, exposing the true horror of the trenches and the after-effects for some of the men and boys who fought so bravely for their country.
At 500 pages, The Girl From The Savoy is not a short read, but I seemed to race through it. The story flows so well and the characters are so interesting that the pages just fly by so quickly.
It's a detailed and very absorbing story, I enjoyed it very much
http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox...
The short prologue is set in Lancashire in 1916 and Dolly is at the station, waving her sweetheart Teddy off to war. Teddy is convinced that he will be home safely in no time, and that he and Dolly will marry and live happily ever after. Dolly is not so sure, she has a feeling that things will not turn out like that.
Fast forward seven years and the reader finds Dolly in London, alone. She's been working as a housemaid but has secured herself a job at the Savoy;one of London's very best hotels. She's late, it's raining and she collides with a young gentleman. Perry Clements. There's a definite spark between them despite their different circumstances. They part company, not realising that this chance encounter is only the beginning of their story.
The reader accompanies Dolly as she begins her job at the Savoy. Hazel Gaynor has an incredible eye for detail and her description of the luxury and grandeur of this iconic place are really excellent. Dolly is mesmerised by the beauty and style, not just of the building, but of the guests and visitors that she encounters.
Dolly is a 'gallery girl'. She dreams of fame and celebrity, and wants nothing more than to be on the stage. She spends her saved pennies for the cheap seats at the theatre, along with lots of other working class girls who were recovering from the horrors of war and wanted glitz and glamour.
The Girl from the Savoy is Dolly's story of survival. It is also Loretta's story. Loretta is already a star, but fading, she's also Perry Clements' sister and these three characters come together and create this wonderfully detailed story of life in the theatre. Also, interwoven throughout, is the voice of Teddy, Dolly's sweetheart. His story is heartbreaking and raw, exposing the true horror of the trenches and the after-effects for some of the men and boys who fought so bravely for their country.
At 500 pages, The Girl From The Savoy is not a short read, but I seemed to race through it. The story flows so well and the characters are so interesting that the pages just fly by so quickly.
It's a detailed and very absorbing story, I enjoyed it very much
http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox...
July 12, 2022
Kirkus didn't like the book, but I LOVED it.
Every character appealed to me
Dolly - has much history; works as a maid at the Savoy; aspires to act/dance; is successful
Perry - wants to write excellent music lyrics; thinks he is failing; employs Dolly as a 'muse'; becomes extremely successful
Loretta - Perry's sister; Beautiful with a capital B; loves her brother; extremely successful as an actress; mentors Dolly
Teddy- Dolly's fiancee; suffers from amnesia from affects of the war; he has a voice too
Each has secrets and attractions
Hazel Gaynor is an excellent writer... I love her similes. (I am always looking for realistic and picturesque similes). Many abound in this book.
Two of my favorites:
-Dear Clover. As dependable as sunrise.
-but her words drift over me like passing clouds.
Each chapter starts with a quote from within the chapter. Never saw that treatment before. Loved that too.
The ending was not predictable. Maybe Kirkus likes only the expected.
Great historical fiction
5 stars
Every character appealed to me
Dolly - has much history; works as a maid at the Savoy; aspires to act/dance; is successful
Perry - wants to write excellent music lyrics; thinks he is failing; employs Dolly as a 'muse'; becomes extremely successful
Loretta - Perry's sister; Beautiful with a capital B; loves her brother; extremely successful as an actress; mentors Dolly
Teddy- Dolly's fiancee; suffers from amnesia from affects of the war; he has a voice too
Each has secrets and attractions
Hazel Gaynor is an excellent writer... I love her similes. (I am always looking for realistic and picturesque similes). Many abound in this book.
Two of my favorites:
-Dear Clover. As dependable as sunrise.
-but her words drift over me like passing clouds.
Each chapter starts with a quote from within the chapter. Never saw that treatment before. Loved that too.
The ending was not predictable. Maybe Kirkus likes only the expected.
Great historical fiction
5 stars
June 15, 2016
Hazel Gaynor is one of my new fave authors. She never disappoints.
London, 1923, people are still dealing with the aftermath of WWI.
Loretta is a famous revue actress and Dolly is a wannabe. They meet up together and hatch a plan to give them both what they want. In the meantime there are lost loves and sad memories. Everyone has their own heartache and way of dealing with it. The characters are sympathetic and easy to like. It's a long book but didn't feel like it. I enjoyed every minute.
London, 1923, people are still dealing with the aftermath of WWI.
Loretta is a famous revue actress and Dolly is a wannabe. They meet up together and hatch a plan to give them both what they want. In the meantime there are lost loves and sad memories. Everyone has their own heartache and way of dealing with it. The characters are sympathetic and easy to like. It's a long book but didn't feel like it. I enjoyed every minute.
August 15, 2021
Hazel Gaynor’s books are typically slow to suck me in. This one unusually slow. At the halfway mark she sucked me in. It left me with the warm and fuzzy feelings. If you want it badly enough, don’t give up, it will be yours!
February 10, 2017
This review was originally posted on [Between My Lines]
Are you looking for a historical fiction that is well researched, offers you an opportunity to fly back to a distant era and feel every emotion as if it were actually you living that life? Well that's exactly how The Girl from The Savoy by Hazel Gaynor felt for me.
First Line of The Girl from The Savoy by Hazel Gaynor:
My Thoughts on The Girl from The Savoy by Hazel Gaynor:
I love when a historical fiction is well researched and gives you a colourful, accurate depiction of that era without sacrificing the emotion. And that is the strong point of this author's writing for me. She creates vivacious characters and then envelopes you in feels for them.
Elegant and Glamorous Setting
The setting of the London Savoy Hotel felt luxurious and added an elegant, glamorous backdrop. I have a fondness for hotels (in books and real life) and I think they make a fab setting. Especially in this book as we get an Upstairs/Downstairs insight.
We see both sides of a spectrum via : -
Dolly who works as a maid at the hotel.
But while her days are spent scrubbing and polishing, her imagination soars and she dreams of another life. And she doesn't just dream, she chases and pursues that vision.
Loretta who is a celebrated West End theatre star.
She is living Dolly's dream but is battling her own demons that none of her audience know anything about.
Both women know the value of working hard, chasing dreams and valuing the people in their life that they love. The war years have altered both of their lives and they have both lost men that they loved. And both are guarding secrets. This backdrop of heartache along with their determination to live life fully despite the sadness that overshadows them just inspires me so much.
Bittersweet romances
There is romantic storyline which I enjoyed. However the strong point of the book for me was the characters and their growth. The bittersweet direction that the book took was believable and heart wrenching. Actually now that I think about it, heart wrenching is the theme for all of this authors books. My strings were well and truly tugged but when writing is this uplifting, I can forgive her.
Who should read The Girl from The Savoy by Hazel Gaynor?
I'd recommend this to you if you like historical fiction, lavish hotel settings and genuine characters that melt your heart. Fans of previous books - The Girl Who Came Home and A Memory of Violets should also enjoy. As should fans of authors such as JoJo Moyes, Sheila O'Flanagan and Kristin Hannah.
Thanks to Harper Collins Publishers for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Are you looking for a historical fiction that is well researched, offers you an opportunity to fly back to a distant era and feel every emotion as if it were actually you living that life? Well that's exactly how The Girl from The Savoy by Hazel Gaynor felt for me.
First Line of The Girl from The Savoy by Hazel Gaynor:
"In my heart, I always knew he would go; that they all would go, in the end."
My Thoughts on The Girl from The Savoy by Hazel Gaynor:
I love when a historical fiction is well researched and gives you a colourful, accurate depiction of that era without sacrificing the emotion. And that is the strong point of this author's writing for me. She creates vivacious characters and then envelopes you in feels for them.
Elegant and Glamorous Setting
The setting of the London Savoy Hotel felt luxurious and added an elegant, glamorous backdrop. I have a fondness for hotels (in books and real life) and I think they make a fab setting. Especially in this book as we get an Upstairs/Downstairs insight.
We see both sides of a spectrum via : -
Dolly who works as a maid at the hotel.
But while her days are spent scrubbing and polishing, her imagination soars and she dreams of another life. And she doesn't just dream, she chases and pursues that vision.
"I feel like a stuck gramophone record, going round and round, playing the same notes of the same song over and over. I want to dance to a different tune."
Loretta who is a celebrated West End theatre star.
She is living Dolly's dream but is battling her own demons that none of her audience know anything about.
"Hope is a dangerous thing, darling. It is usually followed by disappointment and too much gin."
Both women know the value of working hard, chasing dreams and valuing the people in their life that they love. The war years have altered both of their lives and they have both lost men that they loved. And both are guarding secrets. This backdrop of heartache along with their determination to live life fully despite the sadness that overshadows them just inspires me so much.
Bittersweet romances
There is romantic storyline which I enjoyed. However the strong point of the book for me was the characters and their growth. The bittersweet direction that the book took was believable and heart wrenching. Actually now that I think about it, heart wrenching is the theme for all of this authors books. My strings were well and truly tugged but when writing is this uplifting, I can forgive her.
Who should read The Girl from The Savoy by Hazel Gaynor?
I'd recommend this to you if you like historical fiction, lavish hotel settings and genuine characters that melt your heart. Fans of previous books - The Girl Who Came Home and A Memory of Violets should also enjoy. As should fans of authors such as JoJo Moyes, Sheila O'Flanagan and Kristin Hannah.
Thanks to Harper Collins Publishers for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2016
3.5 stars. "The Girl from The Savoy" is a historical fiction by Hazel Gaynor, who is a new-to-me author. It's set in the 1920s in London and is told from the perspective of three characters. It is the story of Dolly, a young woman who dreams about being on stage singing and dancing. For right now, she is a maid at one of the nicest hotels in London, The Savoy. There is also Loretta May, a woman who is already famous on the stage. The third narrator is Teddy, Dolly's first great love. This is a story of love and making a life for one's self under the constant shadow of war.
Oh, the 1920s in one of my favorite cities of the world - this book drew me in from the beginning. There are so many parallels between Dolly and Loretta. Dolly is striving to be a singer. Loretta already has made it. Both of them have been greatly affected by the war. Although Teddy is Dolly's boyfriend, I was a bit confused by his part in the story. Dolly and Loretta have so much in common and Teddy's narrative was vastly different. It was a bit jarring to go from Dolly or Loretta to his narrative.
I loved the setting! The 1920s in London are so exciting. I thought the author did a really good job of showing the glitz and glamour of the decade set against the shadow of war that still is affecting the characters even though the war is over. It was interesting to see what London was like during that time period.
Overall, this was a great introduction to Gaynor and I would really like to read more from her going forward. She has a great way with creating characters and evoking a very vivid time and place!
Oh, the 1920s in one of my favorite cities of the world - this book drew me in from the beginning. There are so many parallels between Dolly and Loretta. Dolly is striving to be a singer. Loretta already has made it. Both of them have been greatly affected by the war. Although Teddy is Dolly's boyfriend, I was a bit confused by his part in the story. Dolly and Loretta have so much in common and Teddy's narrative was vastly different. It was a bit jarring to go from Dolly or Loretta to his narrative.
I loved the setting! The 1920s in London are so exciting. I thought the author did a really good job of showing the glitz and glamour of the decade set against the shadow of war that still is affecting the characters even though the war is over. It was interesting to see what London was like during that time period.
Overall, this was a great introduction to Gaynor and I would really like to read more from her going forward. She has a great way with creating characters and evoking a very vivid time and place!
January 2, 2020
Teddy spunea cândva că viața este la fel de fragilă precum aripa unui fluture și că trebuie să ne purtăm cu grijă cu ea. Uneori stă de bună voie în mâinile noastre, alteori zboară pe lângă noi, dar în cele din urmă - indiferent de distanță și de complicațiile care se ivesc - lucrurile pe care le iubim cu adevărat se vor întoarce întotdeauna.
O carte minunată și mă bucur că am avut ocazia să o citesc; o încheiere frumoasă a lui 2019 literar. Recenzia, aici.
O carte minunată și mă bucur că am avut ocazia să o citesc; o încheiere frumoasă a lui 2019 literar. Recenzia, aici.
September 17, 2016
Definitely my favourite of Hazel Gaynor's novels to date, this story of two women in 1920s London is evocative of a Downton Abbey era, albeit set for the most part in the city of London. The description of the upstairs/downstairs life in the Savoy Hotel, and the wonderful characters drawn by the author made this one of my favourite reads so far this year. It might be only January, but I'm guessing I'll be remembering Dolly and Loretta and life in the Savoy long into 2016. Highly recommend.
Read
February 7, 2016'The Girl From the Savoy' is narrated from three different points of view; Dorothy Lane's, Teddy Cooper's and Loretta May's. The beginning of the novel pulled me into the story and initially I found the protagonist, Dorothy Lane likeable and sympathetic. The Prologue shows us Dorothy, "Dolly" saying a difficult goodbye to her beau, Teddy, as he heads off to war. Subsequent chapters follow with us getting to know Dolly after the war is over, she tells us about her ambitions for a better life. She's taken a new job as a maid at the fancy Savoy Hotel, where movie stars from Hollywood often stay. Dorothy would like to see her name in lights and keeps her eyes open for a way to achieve her dreams. Loretta May, has already achieved Dolly's dream of becoming a famous actress and gives a glimpse into what it's like to live life as a star. Teddy's story is narrated from the year 1919.
I made it just about half way through 'The Girl From the Savoy' before calling Uncle. I read a lot of fiction and I finish somewhere between seventy-five and a hundred books a year. I don't finish every book I pick up anymore, I believe life's too short to read books for pleasure that you don't find pleasurable. I always have high hopes for every book I pick up and start reading and I usually give books one hundred pages to win me over and if they don't, I feel I've at least given them a fair chance. There are far too many books out there waiting to be read, for me to spend my time reading ones I don't like.
My problem with this book was that I didn't grow to like the characters, they all felt flat and two dimensional to me. Another issue I had was much of the background for the story was repeated multiple times which stalled any forward momentum the story had. If a novel doesn't have me rooting for at least one character by the time I've waded two hundred pages into it, it seems clear to me that it's not a book I'm going to enjoy. At the middle point I considered skipping to the end of the book to see how the story is resolved but I realized that I wasn't invested enough in the characters to even do that.
The great thing about books is that tastes and perceptions vary widely, what I like you might not and vice versa. The other reviews I read on-line were all very favorable and I'm likely to be in the minority with my less than favorable opinion, I usually am. So, I wouldn't let my experience turn you away from this book if you've been looking forward to reading it. But as I've already said it wasn't for me.
Thank you to the Amazon Vine Program and William Morrow for the advance reader copy.
I made it just about half way through 'The Girl From the Savoy' before calling Uncle. I read a lot of fiction and I finish somewhere between seventy-five and a hundred books a year. I don't finish every book I pick up anymore, I believe life's too short to read books for pleasure that you don't find pleasurable. I always have high hopes for every book I pick up and start reading and I usually give books one hundred pages to win me over and if they don't, I feel I've at least given them a fair chance. There are far too many books out there waiting to be read, for me to spend my time reading ones I don't like.
My problem with this book was that I didn't grow to like the characters, they all felt flat and two dimensional to me. Another issue I had was much of the background for the story was repeated multiple times which stalled any forward momentum the story had. If a novel doesn't have me rooting for at least one character by the time I've waded two hundred pages into it, it seems clear to me that it's not a book I'm going to enjoy. At the middle point I considered skipping to the end of the book to see how the story is resolved but I realized that I wasn't invested enough in the characters to even do that.
The great thing about books is that tastes and perceptions vary widely, what I like you might not and vice versa. The other reviews I read on-line were all very favorable and I'm likely to be in the minority with my less than favorable opinion, I usually am. So, I wouldn't let my experience turn you away from this book if you've been looking forward to reading it. But as I've already said it wasn't for me.
Thank you to the Amazon Vine Program and William Morrow for the advance reader copy.
February 9, 2017
Well, this is it really, my last book of 2016. It just came in a couple of days ago, a wonderfully crafted story, accompanied by a gorgeous looking cover and a lovely tale to immerse myself into and welcome the new 2017 - really happy I had the chance to read it, it was well worth it because the prose was truly masterfully crafted.
April 3, 2018
I'm a sucker for a 1920s book and this one is such a fun romp through London. A maid who aspires to become a chorus girl. I love a story with a satisfying ending (not necessarily the one all wrapped up in a bow) and this one delivered.
June 15, 2016
Why on earth did I leave it so long to read a book by Hazel Gaynor even if said book was utterly fantastic? I'll admit I have Hazel's two previous releases The Girl Who Came Home and A Memory of Violets waiting patiently in my huge T.B.R but it was this third release The Girl from the Savoy which really sparked my interest and made me want to read my first Hazel Gaynor. Thankfully I wasn't one bit disappointed and anyone else I know reading this book feels the exactly same way. The author has such an incredible way of sucking you into the story and time period that you find this book extremely hard to put down. Yes it is quite hefty at over 500 pages but it doesn't drag in any way as you are so absorbed in the story of the irrepressible young girl Dolly Lane with big dreams and ambitions who only wants to see herself on the stage doing what she loves best. Although the cover for the UK edition of this book is nice for once I fell totally in love with the US cover and normally it is always the opposite way around for me. But the cover is only one minor aspect even if it is what catches people's eyes in a bookshop it's what's inside that counts and here the plot,characters and setting jump out at you from the pages as the reader is made to feel they are transported back in time to the roaring twenties the era of The Bright Young Things.
The book is set in the early 1920's when the shadows of World War One still hang over the world, men and women are struggling to come to terms with all they have witnessed and endured. It is hard to pick up the pieces after witnessing such horrors and devastation but a chink of light is appearing. The upper classes are enjoying wild raucous parties full of dances and merriment. The theatres are full to capacity and maybe there is hope for the future. War altered people in so many ways and now change and movement needs to happen in all aspects of life. Women are determined to fight for their liberties and independence. As Hazel says 'The past is a vibrant colourful world in which people fell in and out of love, fought for their beliefs, faced poverty and fear about their families. Not so very different to modern life at all'. That is is so very true but the people living in the 1920's would be delighted at just how far we have come in under 100 years even if not every aspect of today's society are not all positive. Our heroine Dolly wants to be at the centre of everything in this bright new creative world but there is alot to experience before her hopes can come true.
The prologue opens in 1916 in a Lancashire town as Dolly waves goodbye to her true love Teddy Cooper. Conscription has played a part in their forced separation and Dolly despite her optimism of believing he will be back before people knows he has gone, deep down she understands life will change but can they claw back some sense of normality once everything has been dealt with. Fast forward 7 years later and Dolly is now in London alone and working as a maid for the upper classes which is not what she wanted for her life but needs must. Dolly has always been put down and made to feel like she cannot achieve anything but this girl is a person of character and strength and the reader can see a spark deep within Dolly waiting to burst forth. She is someone who knows what she wants and will achieve it not by ruthless means but through sheer hard work and determination. She will get there eventually but when faced with this comment you do wonder is it all worth it? 'You, Dorothy Lane, are a prime example of someone who will never get on in life. You will never become anything'. As Dolly is rushing for an interview in the famous Savoy hotel in London she literally bumps into Perry Clements a struggling musician returned from the war. This chance meeting will instigate a series of events which will have a profound effect on Dolly. Dolly is accepted for the job in the Savoy and here is where the book begins to shine as the authors writing comes alive. Her descriptive abilities make the hotel feel like a character itself and it was fascinating to read about a world where quite often only the privileged few get access too. Viewing the hotel and the world of The Bright Young Things from Dolly's eyes was fascinating and full of such rich and interesting detail. 'The Savoy is much more than a hotel Dorothy. It has a personality all of its own.It casts a sort of spell on people the moment they walk through the door and step into the front hall'. I can say I felt the exact same about this book as it cast a spell on me so much that I read it in two sittings and was sad to turn the last page.
The story is told from three perspectives that of Dolly, Teddy and Loretta. Teddy's chapters are heart breaking, moving and so incredibly raw and honest. Told so simply yet everything the author wanted to convey was there and as you reach the conclusion of his storyline you find yourself letting out a sigh and realising the beauty of what Hazel had written. That a character had never given up hope but in the end had to make an unbearable decision to move on through tears and hurt through no ones creation except external world events. Loretta is a star at the end of a glistening career struggling with internal emotions and happenings. Her reluctance to give in and accept the inevitable future will tear you apart but her relationship with Dolly and her goal to see a brighter future for the young girl is to be cherished and applauded. Loretta is tormented by the past, holding in too many secrets and turning a blind eye to the inevitable. She is a strong woman but I understood how she was reluctant to let go without making sure she had done her best with everything in the present whilst preparing for the future. The connections between Perry, Dolly and Loretta once established flow naturally throughout the storyline and do make you believe' wonderful adventures await those who dare to find them'. Dolly herself is comparable to Loretta not in terms of background, social standing or wealth but how she has also suffered and an event is hanging over her tearing her apart.She needs some resolution before she can fully embrace her true destiny. 'By the time war was over, my heart was broken my dreams were shattered, my hopes were bruised.Without ever stepping onto a battlefield, I too was wounded'. This story tells Dolly's journey to peace and happiness incredibly well and highlights just what a special, gifted storyteller Hazel Gaynor truly is. She brings the past to life in such a scintillating, dazzling way that that you will be sorry to leave the characters behind.
What sets this book apart from other historical fiction that may be out there at the moment is the attention to detail and the simply sublime writing. There were so many sentences where I felt the need to stop and take stock for a moment and normally I race through a book where as here I wanted to savour every moment. Hazel has done impeccable research and clearly enjoyed the entire process of writing this book as the characters, plot and setting are all covered to perfection. I found myself equally enamoured with both Dolly and the glamorous movie star Loretta May even though they are poles apart in terms of backgrounds and careers the author established how in the end we are all the same. We have aspirations for ourselves some are achievable some or not. We have challenges and difficulties. Some are rich some are poor but beneath it all we are all made of the same stuff and a common bond/friendship/trust/love can be created and can see us through the good and bad times. People can sense Dolly is unique and destined for great things and so too can Loretta as she wants to harbour Dolly's talents and know that in addition to her career she has left a legacy and helped someone see their goals come true.
What I did enjoy was that yes in a way this was a rags to riches story but yet it wasn't too in your face. I wouldn't have liked it if the story became too seedy and Dolly was hurt or experienced the nasty side of the world she inhabited. Instead it was so tastefully written and I grew to love Dolly and Loretta in equal measure even if Loretta's story pulled at the heartstrings. Her willingness to help others and hide her own suffering was admirable to say the least. At the beginning of each chapter there was a quote which I soon came to learn would be features somewhere within the chapter, I found myself eager to see how said quote would fit in with the development of the story in that chapter and a contented smile would come to my face when I discovered how Hazel had weaved it in to the story. I've not seen this done before and thought it was very clever.
Hazel Gaynor really makes you feel like you have travelled back in time you believe in the characters and their stories that they actually did exist at the time where anything was achievable with some courage and strength. The Girl from the Savoy will make you want to take a trip to London and stay in the Savoy and just sit there in contemplation imagining Dolly working there behind the scenes cleaning the rooms, trying on a dress or shoe belonging to a rich lady or movie star when she thought no one was looking. But deep down Dolly knew she was destined for greater things and despite sadness in her past with an event that haunts her (which I might add was brilliantly handled towards the end and it was such a nice touch that the usual clichés didn't apply. I liked that Hazel went against the norm as it allowed the story to feel even more real and not every strand of a story has to conform to convention), she was going to reach the top and Loretta could see that in Dolly and wanted the best for her. 'The longing for something has never left me. I felt it like a fluttering of wings in my heart'.
This book will make you want to cut your hair into the flapper style and to throw a 1920's themed evening with dancing and cocktails galore. The Girl from The Savoy proved to be an exhilarating journey into the past full of vibrancy, depth, honesty and emotion which provided an insightful view into a time of dazzling theatre shows and fascinating characters all seen through the eyes of a young woman who grows and develops wonderfully throughout the novel. Yes we read of other characters viewpoints but it truly was Dolly who was the star of this book and the one who will remain with you for quite some time. So if you find yourself looking for an intelligent, detailed, absorbing, brilliantly written story this summer this book is the one for you and I'm sure Hazel will earn plenty of new fans with this release (me included). I'm excited to discover what era Hazel will take us to next.
The book is set in the early 1920's when the shadows of World War One still hang over the world, men and women are struggling to come to terms with all they have witnessed and endured. It is hard to pick up the pieces after witnessing such horrors and devastation but a chink of light is appearing. The upper classes are enjoying wild raucous parties full of dances and merriment. The theatres are full to capacity and maybe there is hope for the future. War altered people in so many ways and now change and movement needs to happen in all aspects of life. Women are determined to fight for their liberties and independence. As Hazel says 'The past is a vibrant colourful world in which people fell in and out of love, fought for their beliefs, faced poverty and fear about their families. Not so very different to modern life at all'. That is is so very true but the people living in the 1920's would be delighted at just how far we have come in under 100 years even if not every aspect of today's society are not all positive. Our heroine Dolly wants to be at the centre of everything in this bright new creative world but there is alot to experience before her hopes can come true.
The prologue opens in 1916 in a Lancashire town as Dolly waves goodbye to her true love Teddy Cooper. Conscription has played a part in their forced separation and Dolly despite her optimism of believing he will be back before people knows he has gone, deep down she understands life will change but can they claw back some sense of normality once everything has been dealt with. Fast forward 7 years later and Dolly is now in London alone and working as a maid for the upper classes which is not what she wanted for her life but needs must. Dolly has always been put down and made to feel like she cannot achieve anything but this girl is a person of character and strength and the reader can see a spark deep within Dolly waiting to burst forth. She is someone who knows what she wants and will achieve it not by ruthless means but through sheer hard work and determination. She will get there eventually but when faced with this comment you do wonder is it all worth it? 'You, Dorothy Lane, are a prime example of someone who will never get on in life. You will never become anything'. As Dolly is rushing for an interview in the famous Savoy hotel in London she literally bumps into Perry Clements a struggling musician returned from the war. This chance meeting will instigate a series of events which will have a profound effect on Dolly. Dolly is accepted for the job in the Savoy and here is where the book begins to shine as the authors writing comes alive. Her descriptive abilities make the hotel feel like a character itself and it was fascinating to read about a world where quite often only the privileged few get access too. Viewing the hotel and the world of The Bright Young Things from Dolly's eyes was fascinating and full of such rich and interesting detail. 'The Savoy is much more than a hotel Dorothy. It has a personality all of its own.It casts a sort of spell on people the moment they walk through the door and step into the front hall'. I can say I felt the exact same about this book as it cast a spell on me so much that I read it in two sittings and was sad to turn the last page.
The story is told from three perspectives that of Dolly, Teddy and Loretta. Teddy's chapters are heart breaking, moving and so incredibly raw and honest. Told so simply yet everything the author wanted to convey was there and as you reach the conclusion of his storyline you find yourself letting out a sigh and realising the beauty of what Hazel had written. That a character had never given up hope but in the end had to make an unbearable decision to move on through tears and hurt through no ones creation except external world events. Loretta is a star at the end of a glistening career struggling with internal emotions and happenings. Her reluctance to give in and accept the inevitable future will tear you apart but her relationship with Dolly and her goal to see a brighter future for the young girl is to be cherished and applauded. Loretta is tormented by the past, holding in too many secrets and turning a blind eye to the inevitable. She is a strong woman but I understood how she was reluctant to let go without making sure she had done her best with everything in the present whilst preparing for the future. The connections between Perry, Dolly and Loretta once established flow naturally throughout the storyline and do make you believe' wonderful adventures await those who dare to find them'. Dolly herself is comparable to Loretta not in terms of background, social standing or wealth but how she has also suffered and an event is hanging over her tearing her apart.She needs some resolution before she can fully embrace her true destiny. 'By the time war was over, my heart was broken my dreams were shattered, my hopes were bruised.Without ever stepping onto a battlefield, I too was wounded'. This story tells Dolly's journey to peace and happiness incredibly well and highlights just what a special, gifted storyteller Hazel Gaynor truly is. She brings the past to life in such a scintillating, dazzling way that that you will be sorry to leave the characters behind.
What sets this book apart from other historical fiction that may be out there at the moment is the attention to detail and the simply sublime writing. There were so many sentences where I felt the need to stop and take stock for a moment and normally I race through a book where as here I wanted to savour every moment. Hazel has done impeccable research and clearly enjoyed the entire process of writing this book as the characters, plot and setting are all covered to perfection. I found myself equally enamoured with both Dolly and the glamorous movie star Loretta May even though they are poles apart in terms of backgrounds and careers the author established how in the end we are all the same. We have aspirations for ourselves some are achievable some or not. We have challenges and difficulties. Some are rich some are poor but beneath it all we are all made of the same stuff and a common bond/friendship/trust/love can be created and can see us through the good and bad times. People can sense Dolly is unique and destined for great things and so too can Loretta as she wants to harbour Dolly's talents and know that in addition to her career she has left a legacy and helped someone see their goals come true.
What I did enjoy was that yes in a way this was a rags to riches story but yet it wasn't too in your face. I wouldn't have liked it if the story became too seedy and Dolly was hurt or experienced the nasty side of the world she inhabited. Instead it was so tastefully written and I grew to love Dolly and Loretta in equal measure even if Loretta's story pulled at the heartstrings. Her willingness to help others and hide her own suffering was admirable to say the least. At the beginning of each chapter there was a quote which I soon came to learn would be features somewhere within the chapter, I found myself eager to see how said quote would fit in with the development of the story in that chapter and a contented smile would come to my face when I discovered how Hazel had weaved it in to the story. I've not seen this done before and thought it was very clever.
Hazel Gaynor really makes you feel like you have travelled back in time you believe in the characters and their stories that they actually did exist at the time where anything was achievable with some courage and strength. The Girl from the Savoy will make you want to take a trip to London and stay in the Savoy and just sit there in contemplation imagining Dolly working there behind the scenes cleaning the rooms, trying on a dress or shoe belonging to a rich lady or movie star when she thought no one was looking. But deep down Dolly knew she was destined for greater things and despite sadness in her past with an event that haunts her (which I might add was brilliantly handled towards the end and it was such a nice touch that the usual clichés didn't apply. I liked that Hazel went against the norm as it allowed the story to feel even more real and not every strand of a story has to conform to convention), she was going to reach the top and Loretta could see that in Dolly and wanted the best for her. 'The longing for something has never left me. I felt it like a fluttering of wings in my heart'.
This book will make you want to cut your hair into the flapper style and to throw a 1920's themed evening with dancing and cocktails galore. The Girl from The Savoy proved to be an exhilarating journey into the past full of vibrancy, depth, honesty and emotion which provided an insightful view into a time of dazzling theatre shows and fascinating characters all seen through the eyes of a young woman who grows and develops wonderfully throughout the novel. Yes we read of other characters viewpoints but it truly was Dolly who was the star of this book and the one who will remain with you for quite some time. So if you find yourself looking for an intelligent, detailed, absorbing, brilliantly written story this summer this book is the one for you and I'm sure Hazel will earn plenty of new fans with this release (me included). I'm excited to discover what era Hazel will take us to next.
June 12, 2023
A special thank you to HarperCollins and LibraryThing Early Reviewers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Glamorous Cover.
Talented Hazel Gaynor returns following A Memory of Violets (2015) and The Girl Who Came Home (2014) with her latest, THE GIRL FROM THE SAVOY —Impressive, evocative, and captivating— rich in history, culture, art, and charm.
. . “Men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
A young woman working as a chambermaid in a luxury historical hotel in London, dreaming of a dazzling career on stage, a chorus girl, a flapper, an actress, and beyond—from difficult choices, life altering changes, and devastating aftermath of soldiers, and the women left behind, during the war and post war.
From London stage -entertainment, allure, and glamour of the stars and the roaring 1920s!
Set in the years just after the Great War, when social boundaries were changing and women especially were fighting for greater independence. Told from three POV and narrators: Dolly, Loretta, and Teddy.
“That’s the beauty of a life on the stage. One can be whomever one chooses to be.”
The novel opens with a Prologue, Lancashire, England, March 1916—Teddy is going off to war, leaving Dorothy (Dolly) behind. Hope. Love. Adventure is their motto. Teddy was always her inspiration to be better. To strive for something far beyond her reach.
Then a brief chance meeting. An intriguing man. A composer.
“It is only by trying and failing, by losing something we really love, that we discover how much we want it.”
Flash forward to London 1923 with Dolly. She was a nicknamed “Dolly Daydreamer” from the other maids. She is delighted to begin a new position as a maid at The Savoy Hotel London. Where she can be surrounded by the rich and famous. A maid with ambition.
An opulent hotel with an impressive guest list, Hollywood stars, privileged American heiresses, and the darlings of London society. A place where the utmost discretion is required at all times. She will share a room with three other maids. Dolly gets a glimpse of the magic-from the dresses, shoes, glamour, and glitter of those around her. She longs to dance on the London stage. She wants an audition.
Her life takes a turn when she responds to a songwriter’s ad for a “muse” and becomes immersed into London’s theater scene. Will she ever be good enough? She was told fortune favors the brave. Nobody made it in this business by being coy and demure.
We also meet iconic star of the stage, the darling of the West End, Loretta May and her brother Perry. Dolly is now a part of this world and Loretta has everything Dolly wants and desires. Loretta is the darling of London society. The rebellious society, dressed, photographed, and painted and written by the best names in the world.
She was the reason everyone saved their money for their wages to buy ticket to her performance, and stand for hours to get a glimpse. They swoon over the star. However, Loretta’s life in crumbling yet all her fans are unaware of her pain. With secrets of her own. Loretta and Dolly may have more in common than they may think.
Dolly wonders if Teddy hears music. If he remembers how they used to love dancing. She wonders if he thinks of her all. A butterfly. Will the butterfly spread its wings in search for adventures? Life dances on.
Two men. Teddy and Perry. They mingle and change and she can’t stop dancing. When she closes her eyes, Dolly sees Perry. When she rests her check against the pillows, it is Teddy’s cheek she rests against.
If only the past could be locked away in the darkness and forgotten.
With flashes and heartbreaking letters to Teddy at war from Dolly, now in a hospital. Someone reading the letters to Teddy (perhaps a nurse, he thinks). From conditions they do not understand from the war, treating with hypnosis, electric shock, and warm baths. The guns are silent and yet he is still fighting his war.
He has his memories of Dolly, if he can remember. The War, the nurse reading the letters, and the butterfly in the window. Teddy always said she would be special. Teddy was always chasing butterflies. He never kept them. He liked to admire and let them go. A love so strong.
The highs, lows, and intensity of the time. From emotions, the damage, brokenness, friendships, shame, loss, loyalty, the aftermath of the war, romance, and aspirations and dreams of women of this era. From dazzle, scandal, love, music, success, and glamour. All intriguing to an ordinary girl like Dolly.
How does war change people and lives?
Gaynor poignantly captures the difficulties and impacts of war on the young men who survived during this time with the characters of Perry and Teddy. The burdens of war—a part of our history and the realities of war. I liked the contrast between the different social classes, and the two women, as well as time and place. Three distinct voices: the (Teddy) war, (Dolly) a maid, and a (Loretta) star.
“Get a job in a shop. Marry a nice young chap. Leave the dancing to someone else.”
Impeccably researched, Gaynor’s vivid and dazzling descriptions makes you feel as though you were re-living the era and the characters come alive on each page. I enjoyed the creative format of the novel with each chapter clearly defined by its voice and characters, and a lead in quote intro, setting the stage, broken out in Acts One (Hope), Two (Love) and Three (Adventure). The stages of life. Many metaphors and lovely quotes.
From a broken solider; shell shock (psychological disturbance caused by prolonged exposure to active warfare, especially being under bombardment.) what we call today PTSD. Gaynor offers vast references and additional reading regarding women and men in the 1920s as well as a wealth of historical and insightful information, and as an added plus, an entire playlist of music from the era.
With Loretta’s character, the author captures the essence of these amazing women, and the private life of a woman behind the spotlight. Dolly’s character is based on The Gaiety Girls and Cochran’s Young Ladies —working-class girls’ dreams. Where young girls flocked to the theater night after night, known as gallery girls. Where they watched their favorite stars perform, to forget their troubles at home. The wanted to laugh, sing, dance, and dazzle.
Music: Adore listening to music from this era with the jazz bands such as the Savoy Orpheans, the resident band at the sumptuous Savoy during the period in which the novel is set. Gaynor provides a playlist, and enjoyed watching/listening to all of her recommended songs, via YouTube.
I love the 1920s! As always, love reading of the "inspiration" (behind the scenes). A blending of fact and fiction, infusing lost stories and forgotten voices from the past. Gaynor breathes new life into her characters, with her imagination and powerful prose. (Definitely agree with her about the hats).
Fascinating additional reading of Rupert D'Oyly Carte (1876 –1948) an English hotelier, theatre owner and impresario, best known as proprietor of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company and Savoy Hotel.
Highly recommend! For fans of Beatriz Williams, Kathleen Tessaro, Susan Meissner, and Karen White. Have also pre-ordered the audio, narrated by Jennifer Jones, Lucy Rayner, and Paul Fox. As mentioned previously, I am quickly becoming a fan of historical fiction, drawing me away from my typical mystery suspense thrillers. Have not read Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War, quickly added to my TBR list.
* * * * *
On a personal note: In reference to a previous Tweet, I cannot help but think about this era, the characters, the novel (especially Dolly) and the Hotel Savoy London, and the American Bar--when I look out my window at legendary 5-star oceanfront Palm Beach, FL Breakers Resort.
The music from the HMF is a prime example of this era. Named for The Breakers’ founding father, Henry Morrison Flagler this thrillingly glamorous retreat is an ode to golden era Palm Beach, with all of its high style, and unapologetic decadence. At HMF they take the social rituals of cocktail culture as the perfect antidote to the incivility of modern life. Reminiscent of a bygone era. (Our own Savoy) When stepping into room, the ambiance, the mood, takes you back: Listen to the Music It awakens your spirit, and resonates the glamour and sophistication of the exciting and dazzling 1920's. (all of these selections are on my personal playlist).
Talented Hazel Gaynor returns following A Memory of Violets (2015) and The Girl Who Came Home (2014) with her latest, THE GIRL FROM THE SAVOY —Impressive, evocative, and captivating— rich in history, culture, art, and charm.
. . “Men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
A young woman working as a chambermaid in a luxury historical hotel in London, dreaming of a dazzling career on stage, a chorus girl, a flapper, an actress, and beyond—from difficult choices, life altering changes, and devastating aftermath of soldiers, and the women left behind, during the war and post war.
From London stage -entertainment, allure, and glamour of the stars and the roaring 1920s!
Set in the years just after the Great War, when social boundaries were changing and women especially were fighting for greater independence. Told from three POV and narrators: Dolly, Loretta, and Teddy.
“That’s the beauty of a life on the stage. One can be whomever one chooses to be.”
The novel opens with a Prologue, Lancashire, England, March 1916—Teddy is going off to war, leaving Dorothy (Dolly) behind. Hope. Love. Adventure is their motto. Teddy was always her inspiration to be better. To strive for something far beyond her reach.
Then a brief chance meeting. An intriguing man. A composer.
“It is only by trying and failing, by losing something we really love, that we discover how much we want it.”
Flash forward to London 1923 with Dolly. She was a nicknamed “Dolly Daydreamer” from the other maids. She is delighted to begin a new position as a maid at The Savoy Hotel London. Where she can be surrounded by the rich and famous. A maid with ambition.
An opulent hotel with an impressive guest list, Hollywood stars, privileged American heiresses, and the darlings of London society. A place where the utmost discretion is required at all times. She will share a room with three other maids. Dolly gets a glimpse of the magic-from the dresses, shoes, glamour, and glitter of those around her. She longs to dance on the London stage. She wants an audition.
Her life takes a turn when she responds to a songwriter’s ad for a “muse” and becomes immersed into London’s theater scene. Will she ever be good enough? She was told fortune favors the brave. Nobody made it in this business by being coy and demure.
We also meet iconic star of the stage, the darling of the West End, Loretta May and her brother Perry. Dolly is now a part of this world and Loretta has everything Dolly wants and desires. Loretta is the darling of London society. The rebellious society, dressed, photographed, and painted and written by the best names in the world.
She was the reason everyone saved their money for their wages to buy ticket to her performance, and stand for hours to get a glimpse. They swoon over the star. However, Loretta’s life in crumbling yet all her fans are unaware of her pain. With secrets of her own. Loretta and Dolly may have more in common than they may think.
Dolly wonders if Teddy hears music. If he remembers how they used to love dancing. She wonders if he thinks of her all. A butterfly. Will the butterfly spread its wings in search for adventures? Life dances on.
Two men. Teddy and Perry. They mingle and change and she can’t stop dancing. When she closes her eyes, Dolly sees Perry. When she rests her check against the pillows, it is Teddy’s cheek she rests against.
If only the past could be locked away in the darkness and forgotten.
With flashes and heartbreaking letters to Teddy at war from Dolly, now in a hospital. Someone reading the letters to Teddy (perhaps a nurse, he thinks). From conditions they do not understand from the war, treating with hypnosis, electric shock, and warm baths. The guns are silent and yet he is still fighting his war.
He has his memories of Dolly, if he can remember. The War, the nurse reading the letters, and the butterfly in the window. Teddy always said she would be special. Teddy was always chasing butterflies. He never kept them. He liked to admire and let them go. A love so strong.
The highs, lows, and intensity of the time. From emotions, the damage, brokenness, friendships, shame, loss, loyalty, the aftermath of the war, romance, and aspirations and dreams of women of this era. From dazzle, scandal, love, music, success, and glamour. All intriguing to an ordinary girl like Dolly.
How does war change people and lives?
Gaynor poignantly captures the difficulties and impacts of war on the young men who survived during this time with the characters of Perry and Teddy. The burdens of war—a part of our history and the realities of war. I liked the contrast between the different social classes, and the two women, as well as time and place. Three distinct voices: the (Teddy) war, (Dolly) a maid, and a (Loretta) star.
“Get a job in a shop. Marry a nice young chap. Leave the dancing to someone else.”
Impeccably researched, Gaynor’s vivid and dazzling descriptions makes you feel as though you were re-living the era and the characters come alive on each page. I enjoyed the creative format of the novel with each chapter clearly defined by its voice and characters, and a lead in quote intro, setting the stage, broken out in Acts One (Hope), Two (Love) and Three (Adventure). The stages of life. Many metaphors and lovely quotes.
From a broken solider; shell shock (psychological disturbance caused by prolonged exposure to active warfare, especially being under bombardment.) what we call today PTSD. Gaynor offers vast references and additional reading regarding women and men in the 1920s as well as a wealth of historical and insightful information, and as an added plus, an entire playlist of music from the era.
With Loretta’s character, the author captures the essence of these amazing women, and the private life of a woman behind the spotlight. Dolly’s character is based on The Gaiety Girls and Cochran’s Young Ladies —working-class girls’ dreams. Where young girls flocked to the theater night after night, known as gallery girls. Where they watched their favorite stars perform, to forget their troubles at home. The wanted to laugh, sing, dance, and dazzle.
Music: Adore listening to music from this era with the jazz bands such as the Savoy Orpheans, the resident band at the sumptuous Savoy during the period in which the novel is set. Gaynor provides a playlist, and enjoyed watching/listening to all of her recommended songs, via YouTube.
I love the 1920s! As always, love reading of the "inspiration" (behind the scenes). A blending of fact and fiction, infusing lost stories and forgotten voices from the past. Gaynor breathes new life into her characters, with her imagination and powerful prose. (Definitely agree with her about the hats).
Fascinating additional reading of Rupert D'Oyly Carte (1876 –1948) an English hotelier, theatre owner and impresario, best known as proprietor of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company and Savoy Hotel.
Highly recommend! For fans of Beatriz Williams, Kathleen Tessaro, Susan Meissner, and Karen White. Have also pre-ordered the audio, narrated by Jennifer Jones, Lucy Rayner, and Paul Fox. As mentioned previously, I am quickly becoming a fan of historical fiction, drawing me away from my typical mystery suspense thrillers. Have not read Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War, quickly added to my TBR list.
* * * * *
On a personal note: In reference to a previous Tweet, I cannot help but think about this era, the characters, the novel (especially Dolly) and the Hotel Savoy London, and the American Bar--when I look out my window at legendary 5-star oceanfront Palm Beach, FL Breakers Resort.
The music from the HMF is a prime example of this era. Named for The Breakers’ founding father, Henry Morrison Flagler this thrillingly glamorous retreat is an ode to golden era Palm Beach, with all of its high style, and unapologetic decadence. At HMF they take the social rituals of cocktail culture as the perfect antidote to the incivility of modern life. Reminiscent of a bygone era. (Our own Savoy) When stepping into room, the ambiance, the mood, takes you back: Listen to the Music It awakens your spirit, and resonates the glamour and sophistication of the exciting and dazzling 1920's. (all of these selections are on my personal playlist).
September 15, 2016
I received this free copy for exchange of an honest review
The 1920’s give me goosebumps. I love that era. The color and smells are unique and will never come back. There’s a certain allure to it and I believe few can resist it. Hazel Gaynor’s new book is set primarily in the 20s but travels through time up until the 70s and the one thing I am sure about is that it will seduce many many readers.
Our story begins in the 1910’s when Dolly has to say goodbye to Teddy. The narrative has two points of views, Dolly’s and Loretta’s. Dolly is a maid at the Savoy Hotel and Loretta is a famous actress, daughter of an English aristocratic family. Dolly wishes to one day become an actress while Loretta wishes she was younger again and not famous, to have some peace and quiet. They both hide a terrible secret. They both lead a quite adventurous love life. Teddy is caught up in a never-ending labyrinth as he has lost his memories and struggles to remember whose letters he reads every day [Dolly’s of course]. Dolly meets Perry -Loretta’s brother who’s a composer and becomes his muse. When the two women meet the story starts to unfold.
Before “The girl from the Savoy” Hazel Gaynor was unknown to me. Now she has been listed and marked as one of the authors I will definitely keep following. “The girl from the Savoy” has me enchanted and thus, I need to know what Hazel is up to. I tend to tag authors with a personal kind of categorization. For me, Hazel Gaynor is a time-traveler author. Her books are time machines that take you up on a journey throughout the whole 20th century. It’s a great talent to have and Hazel possesses it mightily. She makes you feel the silk on the skin of your legs, the fabric on your body. She even manages to make you believe you can smell the tobacco and whiskey in Perry’s presence. You walk on the autumn leaves on the streets of London, you see the lights from the stage, as Loretta does. You even struggle alongside Teddy to remember the most you can from his past.
The author’s writing style is a great fit for this kind of novel. It’s something between Downton Abbey and a classic, vintage read. If you didn’t see the new jacket and only the text was given to you, there will be no clue to make you guess that this book is written in 2016 and is not contemporary to the story. Hazel Gaynor’s language use and word manipulation remind me of a cat playing with a mouse. She will toy with her characters, making them change directions, create obstacles and block their way, only to lead them to her claws, while she whimsically smiles behind her whiskers, and -judging from the result- she should be. It’s a game to her and she is winning it with flying colors.
It’s obvious she loves her characters. But she’s not spoiling them. Not when they’re surrounded by lights and glamor, not even when they are in hard situations -situations I don’t know if I would ever be able to handle-. And her characters pay the favor back. They’re interesting, impressive and you genuinely feel for them. You find yourself empathizing with them that you can’t explain as it happens. Not only do they grow on to you as you read, but they stay with you even after you’ve finished the book. And at the same time, even if you know they suffer, you wouldn’t have it any other way. You know Dolly’s dreamy eyes and you can tell Loretta’s melancholy from her gaze. You even dare to give them a face for the big screen.
I believe in «The girl from the Savoy». It’s a book that will not be forgotten easily. It will not be bypassed. It’s a book that will stay in the readers’ mind and will be talked about. I’d love it to be translated into Greek so more people have the chance to read it. I secretly hope that I will have the chance to watch the movie someday. It’s a classic novel, but with the capabilities offered today, it can reach the stars. And both Dolly and Loretta would not accept anything less.
***
Η εποχή είναι αυτή που με τράβηξε. Δεκαετία του 1920, μεσοπόλεμος και άρωμα μιας εποχής που είναι αδύνατο να αντισταθείς στη γοητεία της. Το νέο βιβλίο της Hazel Gaynor είμαι σίγουρη ότι θα ρίξει πολλούς αναγνώστες στον ποδόγυρό του.
Η ιστορία μας μπορεί να ξεκινά λίγο πριν τη δεκαετία του ’20 στην Αγγλία αλλά φτάνει μέχρι τη δεκαετία του ’70. Χωρισμένη -κυρίως- σε δύο μέρη, στην ιστορία της Λορέττα και της Ντόλυ, ξαναζωντανεύει μπροστά στα μάτια μας ένας ολόκληρος κόσμος που είναι ξεχασμένος. Η Ντόλυ είναι καμαριέρα στο Σαβόι και θέλει να γίνει διάσημη ηθοποιός. Η Λορέττα είναι ήδη διάσημη ηθοποιός και ονειρεύεται την ησυχία που θα είχε αν ήταν νεότερη και άσημη. Στο μεταξύ παρακολουθούμε και την ιστορία του Τέντι και του Πέρι. Η Ντόλυ αποχαιρετά τον Τέντι για τον πόλεμο. Έπειτα τον χάνει. Εκείνος είναι με αμνησία, δε θυμάται ποια είναι, διαβάζει ξανά και ξανά τα γράμματά της. Η Ντόλυ από την άλλη, γνωρίζει τυχαία τον Πέρι, που είναι μουσικός και γίνεται η μούσα του. Εκείνος θα την φέρει σε επαφή με την Λορέττα και εκεί θα αρχίσουν σιγά σιγά να ξεδιπλώνονται τα μυστικά που έχουν οι δύο γυναίκες.
Η Hazel Gaynor δεν ήταν συγγραφέας που γνώριζα. Η πρώτη μου επαφή ήρθε με αυτό το μυθιστόρημα και ομολογώ ότι μπήκε στη λίστα των συγγραφέων που με ενδιαφέρει να παρακολουθώ. Ανήκει δε σε μία κατηγορία [που είναι καθαρά δικής μου εφεύρεσης] τους συγγραφείς-time travelers. Κι αν είσαι ένας από αυτούς, δεν μπορείς παρά να παράγεις ένα βιβλίο-χρονομηχανή. Η συγγραφέας του συγκεκριμένου μυθιστορήματος όχι μόνο καταφέρνει να σε ταξιδέψει σε όλον τον 20ο αιώνα, αλλά σε εμφυτεύει μέσα του, δίπλα στη Ντόλυ με το βαμβακερό της καλσόν -το αισθάνεσαι στο δέρμα σου. Σε κάνει να μυρίζεις τα φθινοπω��ινά φύλλα του Λονδίνου και τον καπνό του Πέρι. Πρόκειται για ένα χάρισμα που δεν έχουν την τύχη να έχουν πολλοί, οπότε όταν πετυχαίνεις το αστεράκι Hazel Gaynor, το φυλάς προσεκτικά.
Η γραφή της είναι αυτή που πρέπει∙ σου δίνει την αίσθηση μεταξύ Downton Abbey και ενός κλασικού βίνταζ μυθιστορήματος της δεκαετίας. Τίποτα δε σου προδίδει ότι είναι γραμμένο εν έτη 2016. Η συγγραφέας χειρίζεται τη γλώσσα με μαεστρία και την πλοκή με σχεδόν παιχνιδιάρικη διάθεση. Γνωρίζει [σαφώς] τι μέλλει και τι κρύβουν οι χαρακτήρες της και τους βάζει σε ένα παιχνίδι, όπως η γάτα πριν πιάσει στα χέρια της το ποντίκι. Θα του βάλει εμπόδια, θα το κόψει το δρόμο, θα το αναγκάσει να αλλάξει πορεία και στο τέλος να πέσει στα νύχια της. Η Hazel Gaynor στην προκείμενη περίπτωση λειτουργεί σα γάτα και απολαμβάνει το παιχνίδι που έχει βάλει να παίξουν οι χαρακτήρες της.
Κι έχει κάθε δίκιο. Έχει γκλάμουρ και φώτα και δόξα όλο αυτό το παιχνίδι που επιλέγουν η Λορέττα και η Ντόλυ. Έχει και σκληρές καταστάσεις και πραγματικές. Είναι η περιπέτεια της ζωής που ονειρεύεσαι να έχεις. Έχει χλιδή τη μια στιγμή και την άλλη είσαι στα τάρταρα. Τα σκαμπανεβάσματα είναι τέτοια που η συγγραφέας χαίρεται να τα έχει εργαλεία. Τη βοηθάνε βέβαια, και οι χαρακτήρες της. Είναι τέτοιοι που δεν θες εσύ ο ίδιος, ούτε σαν αναγνώστης, ούτε σα συγγραφέας να τους αφήσεις ήσυχους. Οραματίζεσαι τις σκηνές με την Ντόλυ να στρώνει το κρεβάτι του υπερπολυτελούς ξενοδοχείου, την Λορέττα να χαζεύει από απόσταση τα κορίτσια του θιάσου. Αναρωτιέσαι ποια θα ενσάρκωνε το ονειρικό βλέμμα της μίας και ποια το μελαγχολικό βλέμμα της άλλης.
Πιστεύω στο «The girl from the Savoy». Πιστεύω ότι είναι ένα βιβλίο που έχει έρθει για να μείνει και πρόκειται να συζητηθεί πολύ. Περιμένω σχεδόν, τρώγομαι για το πότε θα αρχίσει το σούσουρο. Ακόμα είναι διακριτικό. Αλλά η ιστορία των δύο κοριτσιών δεν είναι για να μένει μόνο μέσα σε ένα βιβλίο. Είναι ιστορία ταξιδιάρικη, αποπλανητική. Ανυπομονώ να μεταφραστεί στα ελληνικά και κρυφά μέσα μου εύχομαι να έχουμε την τύχη να το δούμε στη μεγάλη οθόνη. Γιατί είναι ένα κλασικό ανάγνωσμα με σημερινές, σύγχρονες δυνατότητες να πιάσει σημεία άπιαστα. Και οι ηρωίδες του διψάνε γι’ αυτό.
The 1920’s give me goosebumps. I love that era. The color and smells are unique and will never come back. There’s a certain allure to it and I believe few can resist it. Hazel Gaynor’s new book is set primarily in the 20s but travels through time up until the 70s and the one thing I am sure about is that it will seduce many many readers.
Our story begins in the 1910’s when Dolly has to say goodbye to Teddy. The narrative has two points of views, Dolly’s and Loretta’s. Dolly is a maid at the Savoy Hotel and Loretta is a famous actress, daughter of an English aristocratic family. Dolly wishes to one day become an actress while Loretta wishes she was younger again and not famous, to have some peace and quiet. They both hide a terrible secret. They both lead a quite adventurous love life. Teddy is caught up in a never-ending labyrinth as he has lost his memories and struggles to remember whose letters he reads every day [Dolly’s of course]. Dolly meets Perry -Loretta’s brother who’s a composer and becomes his muse. When the two women meet the story starts to unfold.
Before “The girl from the Savoy” Hazel Gaynor was unknown to me. Now she has been listed and marked as one of the authors I will definitely keep following. “The girl from the Savoy” has me enchanted and thus, I need to know what Hazel is up to. I tend to tag authors with a personal kind of categorization. For me, Hazel Gaynor is a time-traveler author. Her books are time machines that take you up on a journey throughout the whole 20th century. It’s a great talent to have and Hazel possesses it mightily. She makes you feel the silk on the skin of your legs, the fabric on your body. She even manages to make you believe you can smell the tobacco and whiskey in Perry’s presence. You walk on the autumn leaves on the streets of London, you see the lights from the stage, as Loretta does. You even struggle alongside Teddy to remember the most you can from his past.
The author’s writing style is a great fit for this kind of novel. It’s something between Downton Abbey and a classic, vintage read. If you didn’t see the new jacket and only the text was given to you, there will be no clue to make you guess that this book is written in 2016 and is not contemporary to the story. Hazel Gaynor’s language use and word manipulation remind me of a cat playing with a mouse. She will toy with her characters, making them change directions, create obstacles and block their way, only to lead them to her claws, while she whimsically smiles behind her whiskers, and -judging from the result- she should be. It’s a game to her and she is winning it with flying colors.
It’s obvious she loves her characters. But she’s not spoiling them. Not when they’re surrounded by lights and glamor, not even when they are in hard situations -situations I don’t know if I would ever be able to handle-. And her characters pay the favor back. They’re interesting, impressive and you genuinely feel for them. You find yourself empathizing with them that you can’t explain as it happens. Not only do they grow on to you as you read, but they stay with you even after you’ve finished the book. And at the same time, even if you know they suffer, you wouldn’t have it any other way. You know Dolly’s dreamy eyes and you can tell Loretta’s melancholy from her gaze. You even dare to give them a face for the big screen.
I believe in «The girl from the Savoy». It’s a book that will not be forgotten easily. It will not be bypassed. It’s a book that will stay in the readers’ mind and will be talked about. I’d love it to be translated into Greek so more people have the chance to read it. I secretly hope that I will have the chance to watch the movie someday. It’s a classic novel, but with the capabilities offered today, it can reach the stars. And both Dolly and Loretta would not accept anything less.
***
Η εποχή είναι αυτή που με τράβηξε. Δεκαετία του 1920, μεσοπόλεμος και άρωμα μιας εποχής που είναι αδύνατο να αντισταθείς στη γοητεία της. Το νέο βιβλίο της Hazel Gaynor είμαι σίγουρη ότι θα ρίξει πολλούς αναγνώστες στον ποδόγυρό του.
Η ιστορία μας μπορεί να ξεκινά λίγο πριν τη δεκαετία του ’20 στην Αγγλία αλλά φτάνει μέχρι τη δεκαετία του ’70. Χωρισμένη -κυρίως- σε δύο μέρη, στην ιστορία της Λορέττα και της Ντόλυ, ξαναζωντανεύει μπροστά στα μάτια μας ένας ολόκληρος κόσμος που είναι ξεχασμένος. Η Ντόλυ είναι καμαριέρα στο Σαβόι και θέλει να γίνει διάσημη ηθοποιός. Η Λορέττα είναι ήδη διάσημη ηθοποιός και ονειρεύεται την ησυχία που θα είχε αν ήταν νεότερη και άσημη. Στο μεταξύ παρακολουθούμε και την ιστορία του Τέντι και του Πέρι. Η Ντόλυ αποχαιρετά τον Τέντι για τον πόλεμο. Έπειτα τον χάνει. Εκείνος είναι με αμνησία, δε θυμάται ποια είναι, διαβάζει ξανά και ξανά τα γράμματά της. Η Ντόλυ από την άλλη, γνωρίζει τυχαία τον Πέρι, που είναι μουσικός και γίνεται η μούσα του. Εκείνος θα την φέρει σε επαφή με την Λορέττα και εκεί θα αρχίσουν σιγά σιγά να ξεδιπλώνονται τα μυστικά που έχουν οι δύο γυναίκες.
Η Hazel Gaynor δεν ήταν συγγραφέας που γνώριζα. Η πρώτη μου επαφή ήρθε με αυτό το μυθιστόρημα και ομολογώ ότι μπήκε στη λίστα των συγγραφέων που με ενδιαφέρει να παρακολουθώ. Ανήκει δε σε μία κατηγορία [που είναι καθαρά δικής μου εφεύρεσης] τους συγγραφείς-time travelers. Κι αν είσαι ένας από αυτούς, δεν μπορείς παρά να παράγεις ένα βιβλίο-χρονομηχανή. Η συγγραφέας του συγκεκριμένου μυθιστορήματος όχι μόνο καταφέρνει να σε ταξιδέψει σε όλον τον 20ο αιώνα, αλλά σε εμφυτεύει μέσα του, δίπλα στη Ντόλυ με το βαμβακερό της καλσόν -το αισθάνεσαι στο δέρμα σου. Σε κάνει να μυρίζεις τα φθινοπω��ινά φύλλα του Λονδίνου και τον καπνό του Πέρι. Πρόκειται για ένα χάρισμα που δεν έχουν την τύχη να έχουν πολλοί, οπότε όταν πετυχαίνεις το αστεράκι Hazel Gaynor, το φυλάς προσεκτικά.
Η γραφή της είναι αυτή που πρέπει∙ σου δίνει την αίσθηση μεταξύ Downton Abbey και ενός κλασικού βίνταζ μυθιστορήματος της δεκαετίας. Τίποτα δε σου προδίδει ότι είναι γραμμένο εν έτη 2016. Η συγγραφέας χειρίζεται τη γλώσσα με μαεστρία και την πλοκή με σχεδόν παιχνιδιάρικη διάθεση. Γνωρίζει [σαφώς] τι μέλλει και τι κρύβουν οι χαρακτήρες της και τους βάζει σε ένα παιχνίδι, όπως η γάτα πριν πιάσει στα χέρια της το ποντίκι. Θα του βάλει εμπόδια, θα το κόψει το δρόμο, θα το αναγκάσει να αλλάξει πορεία και στο τέλος να πέσει στα νύχια της. Η Hazel Gaynor στην προκείμενη περίπτωση λειτουργεί σα γάτα και απολαμβάνει το παιχνίδι που έχει βάλει να παίξουν οι χαρακτήρες της.
Κι έχει κάθε δίκιο. Έχει γκλάμουρ και φώτα και δόξα όλο αυτό το παιχνίδι που επιλέγουν η Λορέττα και η Ντόλυ. Έχει και σκληρές καταστάσεις και πραγματικές. Είναι η περιπέτεια της ζωής που ονειρεύεσαι να έχεις. Έχει χλιδή τη μια στιγμή και την άλλη είσαι στα τάρταρα. Τα σκαμπανεβάσματα είναι τέτοια που η συγγραφέας χαίρεται να τα έχει εργαλεία. Τη βοηθάνε βέβαια, και οι χαρακτήρες της. Είναι τέτοιοι που δεν θες εσύ ο ίδιος, ούτε σαν αναγνώστης, ούτε σα συγγραφέας να τους αφήσεις ήσυχους. Οραματίζεσαι τις σκηνές με την Ντόλυ να στρώνει το κρεβάτι του υπερπολυτελούς ξενοδοχείου, την Λορέττα να χαζεύει από απόσταση τα κορίτσια του θιάσου. Αναρωτιέσαι ποια θα ενσάρκωνε το ονειρικό βλέμμα της μίας και ποια το μελαγχολικό βλέμμα της άλλης.
Πιστεύω στο «The girl from the Savoy». Πιστεύω ότι είναι ένα βιβλίο που έχει έρθει για να μείνει και πρόκειται να συζητηθεί πολύ. Περιμένω σχεδόν, τρώγομαι για το πότε θα αρχίσει το σούσουρο. Ακόμα είναι διακριτικό. Αλλά η ιστορία των δύο κοριτσιών δεν είναι για να μένει μόνο μέσα σε ένα βιβλίο. Είναι ιστορία ταξιδιάρικη, αποπλανητική. Ανυπομονώ να μεταφραστεί στα ελληνικά και κρυφά μέσα μου εύχομαι να έχουμε την τύχη να το δούμε στη μεγάλη οθόνη. Γιατί είναι ένα κλασικό ανάγνωσμα με σημερινές, σύγχρονες δυνατότητες να πιάσει σημεία άπιαστα. Και οι ηρωίδες του διψάνε γι’ αυτό.
September 10, 2018
Review originally posted on my blog, Musings of a Bookish Kitty:
https://www.literaryfeline.com/2018/0...
The Girl From the Savoy by Hazel Gaynor
William Morrow, 2016
Fiction (Historical); 419 pgs
The Girl From the Savoy is the first historical fiction novel I have read solely written by Hazel Gaynor. I adored her and Heather Webb’s The Last Christmas in Paris and knew I wanted to read more by both authors. While I enjoy historical fiction quite a bit, I often skip over the ones featuring characters trying to break into show business. Maybe because I live too close to Hollywood and stories like that are a dime a dozen. But this was Hazel Gaynor. And sometimes a story like that actually does catch my eye like this one did, especially when it is tied to a World War or tackles a subject I am particularly interested in.
Dolly Lane has long dreamed of a life dancing on stage, and hopes taking a job at one of the most prestigious hotels in London will bring her closer to making that dream come true. She is immediately taken in by the glamour and vitality of the environment she finds herself in, serving the wealthy, powerful and famous. On impulse, Dolly responds to an advertisement of a songwriter looking for a muse, not quite sure what to expect. Suddenly, she is rubbing elbows with the likes of the famous actress Loretta Mae and her brother, Perry. They have the life she wants and aspires to, and it is impossible not to be swept up in their world.
Below that surface, however, is a past Dolly cannot quite let go of: the boyfriend she loved with all her heart whose war experience has left him broken, and a her own secrets which carries and is trying to run from. Then there is Perry and his growing affection for Dolly, which is hampered by his love for the woman who got away and his time and memories of the Great War. He came back a different man, pained by things he had done, unable to forgive himself. Loretta Mae, too, has her own secrets—that of illness and long lost love. And then there is Teddy, Dolly’s former love who struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (obviously not called that in the 1920’s). There is one scene in the novel that particularly had me in tears and still gets me teary-eyed when I think about it. It is in the final scene in the hospital as Teddy regains his memories. All these tragedies have shaped the characters into who they became, and I could not help but fall in love with each one of them, wanting for them all to have their happy endings even when that was not possible. The stories of the minor characters are just as compelling, especially the women who work with Dolly at the Savoy. The Savoy itself is a character. What it must have been like during that time! Dolly, Loretta Mae, and Teddy are given a voice in the novel, the chapters alternating between each of the characters, and it is through their eyes we learn about their pasts and present. There is a nice juxtaposition between Loretta Mae and Dolly’s stories—how similar and different they are.
I took my time reading The Girl From the Savoy, immersing myself in the writing and the lives of the characters. Every time I settled in to read the novel, I was immediately swept up into the world Gaynor created. It is rich in detail and complexity. There is much more to the novel that what may at first it may appear to be on the surface. From the discussions about the war experience, something that is not glossed over, and in fact is laid bare as to its impact on those who lived through it, as well classism between the working class and the wealthy. Gaynor does not shy away from taking on gender roles either, including entitlement of men over women, especially those with less advantage. We see this both between maid and employer as well as in the show business realm when a person of influence has all the power to make or break dreams of a young girl. This is also a novel about death, grieving--both life and what was or could have been--and forgiving oneself and others. As someone who has mixed feelings about love triangles—this novel has two—I tend to base my opinion on how it all turns out in the end more often than not. Not exactly objective, I know. I felt that in both cases the love triangles played out well and fit with the characters, although I admit to wishing things could have been a bit different for a couple of the characters. Kudos to the author though for staying true to her characters!
I came away from The Girl From the Savoy in awe of Hazel Gaynor’s ability to draw me in so completely to the world she’s created and the lives of her characters. There was the occasional moment of things falling a little too easily into place for Dolly and at times the pacing of the novel seemed a bit slower than I might have liked. Those are minor complaints on my part though and rather subjective. Ultimately, I found The Girl From the Savoy to be an enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading more by the author.
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The Girl From the Savoy by Hazel Gaynor
William Morrow, 2016
Fiction (Historical); 419 pgs
The Girl From the Savoy is the first historical fiction novel I have read solely written by Hazel Gaynor. I adored her and Heather Webb’s The Last Christmas in Paris and knew I wanted to read more by both authors. While I enjoy historical fiction quite a bit, I often skip over the ones featuring characters trying to break into show business. Maybe because I live too close to Hollywood and stories like that are a dime a dozen. But this was Hazel Gaynor. And sometimes a story like that actually does catch my eye like this one did, especially when it is tied to a World War or tackles a subject I am particularly interested in.
Dolly Lane has long dreamed of a life dancing on stage, and hopes taking a job at one of the most prestigious hotels in London will bring her closer to making that dream come true. She is immediately taken in by the glamour and vitality of the environment she finds herself in, serving the wealthy, powerful and famous. On impulse, Dolly responds to an advertisement of a songwriter looking for a muse, not quite sure what to expect. Suddenly, she is rubbing elbows with the likes of the famous actress Loretta Mae and her brother, Perry. They have the life she wants and aspires to, and it is impossible not to be swept up in their world.
Below that surface, however, is a past Dolly cannot quite let go of: the boyfriend she loved with all her heart whose war experience has left him broken, and a her own secrets which carries and is trying to run from. Then there is Perry and his growing affection for Dolly, which is hampered by his love for the woman who got away and his time and memories of the Great War. He came back a different man, pained by things he had done, unable to forgive himself. Loretta Mae, too, has her own secrets—that of illness and long lost love. And then there is Teddy, Dolly’s former love who struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (obviously not called that in the 1920’s). There is one scene in the novel that particularly had me in tears and still gets me teary-eyed when I think about it. It is in the final scene in the hospital as Teddy regains his memories. All these tragedies have shaped the characters into who they became, and I could not help but fall in love with each one of them, wanting for them all to have their happy endings even when that was not possible. The stories of the minor characters are just as compelling, especially the women who work with Dolly at the Savoy. The Savoy itself is a character. What it must have been like during that time! Dolly, Loretta Mae, and Teddy are given a voice in the novel, the chapters alternating between each of the characters, and it is through their eyes we learn about their pasts and present. There is a nice juxtaposition between Loretta Mae and Dolly’s stories—how similar and different they are.
I took my time reading The Girl From the Savoy, immersing myself in the writing and the lives of the characters. Every time I settled in to read the novel, I was immediately swept up into the world Gaynor created. It is rich in detail and complexity. There is much more to the novel that what may at first it may appear to be on the surface. From the discussions about the war experience, something that is not glossed over, and in fact is laid bare as to its impact on those who lived through it, as well classism between the working class and the wealthy. Gaynor does not shy away from taking on gender roles either, including entitlement of men over women, especially those with less advantage. We see this both between maid and employer as well as in the show business realm when a person of influence has all the power to make or break dreams of a young girl. This is also a novel about death, grieving--both life and what was or could have been--and forgiving oneself and others. As someone who has mixed feelings about love triangles—this novel has two—I tend to base my opinion on how it all turns out in the end more often than not. Not exactly objective, I know. I felt that in both cases the love triangles played out well and fit with the characters, although I admit to wishing things could have been a bit different for a couple of the characters. Kudos to the author though for staying true to her characters!
I came away from The Girl From the Savoy in awe of Hazel Gaynor’s ability to draw me in so completely to the world she’s created and the lives of her characters. There was the occasional moment of things falling a little too easily into place for Dolly and at times the pacing of the novel seemed a bit slower than I might have liked. Those are minor complaints on my part though and rather subjective. Ultimately, I found The Girl From the Savoy to be an enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading more by the author.
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