Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen
Release Date: October 12, 2010
Publisher: HarperCollins
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 400
Source: Publisher
Interest: Summary/Author
Challenge: None
Buy the Book: Amazon
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The year is 1929. New York is ruled by the Bright Young Things: flappers and socialites seeking thrills and chasing dreams in the anything-goes era of the Roaring Twenties.
Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey escaped their small Midwestern town for New York's glittering metropolis. All Letty wants is to see her name in lights, but she quickly discovers Manhattan is filled with pretty girls who will do anything to be a star. . . .
Cordelia is searching for the father she's never known, a man as infamous for his wild parties as he is for his shadowy schemes. Overnight, she enters a world more thrilling and glamorous than she ever could have imagined—and more dangerous. It's a life anyone would kill for . . . and someone will.
The only person Cordelia can trust is Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all: money, looks, and the love of Cordelia's brother, Charlie. But Astrid's perfect veneer hides a score of family secrets.
Across the vast lawns of Long Island, in the illicit speakeasies of Manhattan, and on the blindingly lit stages of Broadway, the three girls' fortunes will rise and fall—together and apart. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Luxe comes an epic new series set in the dizzying last summer of the Jazz Age.
Summary from Amazon.com
I've been anticipating this novel, since I first heard the rumors of it's existence. Bright Young Things did not disappoint! I'm a huge fan of Godbersen's Luxe series, but Bright Young Things now tops it.
The story revolves around three young girls. Letty, Cordelia and Astrid. You will love them! One of the things that I loved most about this novel was how very well written each character was. They all had very distinct qualities. Qualities that led them down very differing paths! I would even go as far as saying that this novel really is about Letty, Cordelia & Astrid and not really about the era at all. (And that PROLOGUE!! GAH! It definitely has me intrigued... I might have it figured out, but I really hope I'm wrong)
Historical fiction isn't for everyone... but I think that despite being set in the 1920's the themes in this novel are universal, and are still very relevant to what teen girls go through today. This would be an awesome "starter" historical fiction for someone that's wanting to try out the genre!
As far as plot goes, it was fast. There really never was a dull moment. One thing that did bother me, was how Letty and Cordelia split up... the girls have essentially grown up as best friends, yet at the first little spat they have in New York, they end up going their separate ways... and they don't really worry too much about how the other is faring...? That bothered me. BUT at the same time... since they did split up and go their separate ways, we get to experience two totally different aspects of the 1920's... which I won't say much more about.
I don't really want to go into the storyline, because I hate when people give things away, and this is one of those times that you want to discover those fun and unexpected things for yourself... but I will say... Oh Thom... I'm heartbroken, I really am!
And those last few chapters! Oh, my goodness! I need book two, like yesterday!
Believe me Doll, you need this book! It's the Bee's Knees!