Quiet, lovely little story

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of "The Boston Girl". It's not a thriller, or a mystery, or anything that will turn your world inside out. It is simply a quiet, lovely story of a life well lived. Anita Diamont's superb writing is perfectly paired with Linda Lavin's engaging performance. You will laugh and cry and cheer and no doubt see a piece of yourself in at least one of the characters that inhabit this book.

64 people found this helpful

Interesting story!

The Boston Girl is an interesting story of a Jewish girl, her two sisters and the girls who became her lifelong friends. Woven within the stories, are sad losses and how they affected the family for the rest of their lives, normal everyday activities of a Jewish family, and the joyous moments we can all relate to (finding and keeping love). Also, it paints a picture of the effects of the ravages of war and the depression. It made you think.
Thank you Anita Diamant for writing this story and Linda Lavin for narrating it. Thank you Audible for providing and supporting your app which makes it possible for anyone to hear a story (especially the visually impaired)!

Sincerely,

Lauren Lesko

56 people found this helpful

Harlequin Romance for today

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Those who are looking for Strong Women for validation purposes.

What could Anita Diamant have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Maybe - have a reason for writing it?

Did Linda Lavin do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Liked her narration.

Any additional comments?

This is a genre book - a book written for women who like to enter a dream world where all women are strong, independent, compassionate, loving, supportive, and men exist as props for the stories of the women. The female characters almost all demonstrate all the positive "female" qualities. There are only two flawed women: one dies early, and the other, the stereotypical Jewish mother, merely serves to show how noble our heroine really is by suffering silently. The rest are unanimously noble, creative, nurturing, etc etc etc. The men are paper cutouts. They are either Bad and pathetic - primarily because they don't demonstrate those "feminine" qualities - or they are Good because they devote their lives to adoring their women, children and the oppressed. All business people are bad, except the one who operates his business by giving his product away for free. Perhaps the most telling scene in the book is where the protagonist recalls her wedding and, while able to describe in detail all her female relative and friends who attend, is unable to recall the names of two the four men who held the chuppah.Apart from the blatant misandry that dominates the book, what really bothered me is that, to steal from Gertrude Stein, there's no there there. I kept waiting to find out why the book was written. What did this person do that was worthy of preserving in print? At the end of the day, nothing. A pedestrian life of little accomplishment who has lots of friends, all of whom are teachers, givers, creators - Ideal Women. She never met a normal human, so far as I can tell.This is a Harlequin romance in evening wear.

50 people found this helpful

One of her best

This was a great book to listen to because it was as if you are listening to the tapes of the grandmother being interviewed. I have read all of Anita Diamants books and this is one of her best.

47 people found this helpful

Boring....

The ONLY redeeming quality about this book was Linda Lavin. Otherwise, the story read like Young Adult fiction. The character "Addie" just blathers on and on and on as if she's reading you every entry from her diary. At 80+ years old, she sounds like a self-centered 14 year old.

37 people found this helpful

A story that brings up no emotions

It was pleasant enough to listen to but if I skipped it it would not be missed. Nothing interesting or funny or heart wrenching. Blah.

23 people found this helpful

Understanding how was Boston

I lived in Boston for 2 years, and this book helps me to understand the city in a different way. The history of someone that grew up there, and how the world is changing, especially for women.
I enjoy the performance, but I would have like a stronger Bostonian accent.

21 people found this helpful

Sweet, Nostalgic

I thought the narrator, Linda Lavin, did an excellent job. Her voice was very fitting.

It was a fascinating look through the life of an eighty-five year old Jewish grandmother describing her history, her world to her granddaughter. I could relate on many levels. This is a lovely, sentimental tale if not a little dull at times. It's not an exciting read/listen but it is interesting. I learned a lot and wished that my grandmother had sat down and told me everything about her life before she died. Perhaps I'll get this chance with my own granddaughter someday.

19 people found this helpful

Delightful

The narration was just right and made me feel as if I were sitting with my favorite aunt...listening to her life story. Cultural and generational insights galore. Well done!

13 people found this helpful

A gem

I’ve listened to it multiple times. It’s like having a conversation with an old friend.

13 people found this helpful