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46 pages 1 hour read

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2017

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Book Brief

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Kathleen Rooney

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2017
Book Details
Pages

287

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York City • 1980s

Publication Year

2017

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney is a reflective, picaresque novel that spans a single night on New Year's Eve 1984. It follows 85-year-old Lillian Boxfish as she takes a walk through Manhattan, encounters various inhabitants, and reminisces about her vibrant life and career. Loosely inspired by the life of American writer Margaret Fishback, the story delves into the history of New York City and the evolving role of women in society. The novel discusses pregnancy loss, racism, alcohol use disorder, suicide, mental health conditions, and anti-LGBTQ+ biases in connection with the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s.

Contemplative

Nostalgic

Adventurous

Bittersweet

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

4.0

36,529 ratings

70%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Kathleen Rooney's Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk is lauded for its charming protagonist, rich historical detail, and poignant reflections on aging and urban life. Readers appreciated its witty and sharp writing, although some found the plot meandering. Overall, it offers a nostalgic and insightful literary journey through 20th-century New York.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk?

Readers who enjoy Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney will likely appreciate introspective and character-driven narratives, especially those set in urban environments. Fans of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn will find the book's blend of historical fiction and personal reflection engaging.

4.0

36,529 ratings

70%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

287

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York City • 1980s

Publication Year

2017

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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