Local Girls
Local Girls
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1999
Book Brief
197
Novel • Fiction
Long Island, New York • 1990s
1999
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Local Girls by Alice Hoffman is a 1999 collection of fifteen interconnected short stories that revolve around Gretel Samuelson and span ten pivotal years of her life in the small town of Franconia, Long Island. Narrated from different women's perspectives, these stories blend magical realism with the pains and experiences of coming-of-age as Gretel navigates friendships, familial relationships, and the wonders interspersed with the hardships of her everyday life.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
6,800 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Alice Hoffman's Local Girls balances enchantment and realism in a tale of a family enduring life's challenges. Critics praise her poetic prose and nuanced characters, offering deep emotional insights. Some feel the plot meanders and lacks cohesion, but Hoffman's vivid storytelling and evocative settings captivate many.
Who Should Read Local Girls?
Readers who cherish coming-of-age stories filled with magic realism will enjoy Alice Hoffman's Local Girls. Fans of J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye and Laura Esquivel's Like Water for Chocolate will appreciate the novel's lyrical prose, intriguing characters, and poignant exploration of family dynamics and personal growth.
6,800 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
197
Novel • Fiction
Long Island, New York • 1990s
1999
Adult
18+ years
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