Elizabeth Gilbert is rightly considered one of the main American authors of our days. At one time, her novel "Eating, praying, loving" has become a world bestseller, and the name of the writer learned everyone who follows the literary life. Since then, she has not only strengthened its fame, but also was able to become a truly respected author, and not just the creator of a single bestseller, which, incidentally, many villains disdainfully attributed to the "easy reading".
The main character in Gilbert's new novel is Vivian Morris. We meet her when the lady is already at an advanced age - she is 95 years old. One day she receives a letter from the daughter of her old lover, in which she is interested: what did her father mean in the life of Morris? Trying to answer this question, the woman begins to remember her life. And she has something to remember! Her youth was in the 1940s. Then she was expelled from a prestigious school, and her parents sent her to Aunt Peg. However, Peg was not as simple as his father and mother would have liked - she kept his theater, which included a spicy show in the spirit of burlesque. Vivian began sewing costumes for these shows, became friends with the local actress, who taught her to live the whole life.
In the late 1930s - early 1940s New York City shone with bright colors. The First World War died out long ago, has already managed to grow up a generation that has not caught her, and in the Second World War, the United States has not yet joined, and it seemed something distant and uninteresting. It was at this time that Vivian Morris arrived in New York, as she herself told Angela, daughter of a man with whom she had a long relationship. At the time, Angela, the trains were much more luxurious than today's. However, I promise not to say through the word, "it was better these days. I remember when I was a young man, I couldn't stand this kind of old-fashioned complaining. (Nobody cares! Nobody cares about your whining about the "golden age", you old ruins!) Besides, I can assure you, I realize that not everything was better in the 1940s. Free from parental care, Vivian tastes the city quickly, meeting the burlesque artists who perform in her aunt's theater and soaking up their bohemian way of life. But it won't be possible to have fun forever, the country is about to enter the war, but for now Vivian may not ignore it, having fun with new friends (very realistically, in real life, not every one of us notices important events in time, and especially not everyone is present during their performance). I like how different the young Vivian is from the old one. The beginning of the book and its end are like two different works, connected only by answering Angela's question, which loops the book. When she was young, Vivian was looking for idols (first Celia and then Edna) to worship and copy their style, life, and thoughts. The following years fly fast, but the beginning of the 1940s is told in detail. In the rest of her life, Vivian no longer creates idols, but her life can still be divided into periods of certain people who play an important role in her life (Marjorie and Angela's father). And in the end, the whole life has been lived. With ups and downs, with fun and sadness. But Vivian does not want to condemn, despite all her mistakes, do not want to feel sorry or sympathy for her. She has lived a full and interesting life and has definitely become an interesting person.
Although Gilbert, in her own words, wanted to write a novel pleasant as a "glass of champagne", she managed to do much more. Yes, the book is easy to read, but the writer has not forgotten about the content. The whole text is based on one simple but important thought: a woman can - and should - be happy the way she wants it, and do not pay attention to stereotypes. It is not by chance that at the age of 95 Morris regrets that she did not have enough lovers! By the way, for Gilbert, this idea about happiness is a deeply personal topic. She herself repeatedly went against social stereotypes - for example, when she broke up with her husband for the sake of living with her girlfriend.