Helpful Score: 5
This one from Candace Bushnell was a struggle to get through. Her writing tends to be uneven, some books are really good and some just fail to capture your interest like this one. There aren't any characters I really cared about and none had any real depth. Billy left me scratching my head as I couldn't figure out his motives. I had a tough time finishing this (and I love a good chick lit novel!).
Helpful Score: 1
Set in a fictional building on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, this novel chronicles the lives of its various inhabitants, from the resident dowager, Mrs. Houghton, to the upstart nouveaux riches Annalisa and Paul Rice. The book starts rather slowly, but the intrigue of the various characters pulls you in. The book has a good insight into the zeitgeist of life in New York among the rich and not-so-famous.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoy all of Candace Bushnell's books and this one was no exception. It is on the LONG side so it took some heavy-duty reading sessions to get it done, but I was highly entertained as usual.
Helpful Score: 1
Loved it! Juicy and great.
Candace Bushnell writes in such detail about her New Yorkers you feel that they are living next door. Her story line is interesting and intertwines the characters in ways that you don't suspect going into the novel. A great read!
Like most Candace Bushnell books for me, it took me a while to get into this story. Too many characters were introduced all at once and it was hard to keep track.
But, once I got into the book, I couldn't put it down! I ended up really enjoying it!
So, slow in the beginning, but almost half-way through it gets really interesting.
But, once I got into the book, I couldn't put it down! I ended up really enjoying it!
So, slow in the beginning, but almost half-way through it gets really interesting.
The best escapest beach/summer/vacation book read ever. A quick fun read, with enough excitment to keep you in to it. But never to much to get to deep. A light frothy non-intelectual read in the most wonderfull relaxing, let your cares go kind of way!
Kept my attention, good character development..of both men and women. A look at N.Y. high society, but confronts issues we all deal with.
I really enjoyed this book - All the characters were unique and interesting, and the way the author associated them all together was amazing -
Unbelievably boring. I always have to finish a book (I may have to rethink this policy!). Reading this book was like standing in high heels and watching paint dry in 90% humidity! (Painful and deadly boring!)
This book was boring. (It bears repeating!)
This book was boring. (It bears repeating!)
Bushnell lost control of the story and especially of her characters about half way through the book. Don't expect a lot and I will only recommend this book if you are stuck on a boat for nine days like I was. It's average at the best.
One of her better reads.
While have always been unimpressed with Candace Bushnell's stories, I have always loved her characters. One Fifth Avenue continues to provide intriguing characters who you love, admire, loathe, and pity all at the same time. Unlike some of here previous efforts, I found this book captivating and I read it in 30 hours. Perfect for those who are enjoy character building rather than a strong plot.
I could hardly put this book down. I enjoyed the escapism of the story. The characters were well written and I could imagine knowing them. I loved the harsh realness and the sappy love story aspects of lives of the residents of One Fifth.
I would recommend this for anyone who loves New York, or just loves to peak into the lives of New Yorkers. I think this is the best book by Candace Bushnell so far and now I am looking forward to her next book.
I would recommend this for anyone who loves New York, or just loves to peak into the lives of New Yorkers. I think this is the best book by Candace Bushnell so far and now I am looking forward to her next book.
This is not my normal genre, but I picked up the book at a used book sale and thought what the heck. It wasn't bad, it does have some graphic and unnecesary sexual description, it may be considered the norm in this genre, but for me it felt unnecessary, the story was good and the insight into the ultra rich was interesting. Overall I gave it a three, but that could just be me. If this is your thing it probably is a good book.
I was disappointed with this book. There were too many characters to keep track of and they weren't that interesting. Had a hard time finishing it as I was expecting more from Candace Bushnell
I had never read a Candace Bushnell novel before this and never seen a complete episode of Sex and the City, though I had heard of it. On previewing an excerpt of One Fifth in Vogue, I was intrigued by the profoundly shallow character of Lola Fabrikant, a fabricated girl with a name to match. Now on reading the book, I am genuinely impressed. Candace Bushnell is a true storyteller, and that's no small praise. She's written a page turner, crafted memorable characters with individuality and personality, and given them the most luscious lines to speak. Her subject is not sex despite what you may think. Bushnell's real subject is the pursuit of status and success in New York City at the present moment. Many have tried this subject before, but the Jayne Krentzes and Rona Jaffes of the past were hacks compared to Bushnell. She's not an artist, but she is very clever and even wise. And she spins a darn good story, which is what a novel, to me, should be about. Almost every character in One Fifth Avenue is lacking his heart's desire, is deeply dissatisfied, and these frustrated desires, which conflict with those of their neighbors, drive the plot lines of the novel. The greatest desire of all is not for love, but for real estate, in the form of a penthouse triplex at One Fifth Avenue, up for sale after the death of its centenarian socialite owner, felled on her own terrace in a driving rainstorm. A crowning irony is that this aged doyenne who possesses the acme of desire, the immense apartment atop Manhattan's coveted address, dies of pneumonia because her servants can't locate her in time in the 7,000 square foot apartment. Such is the futility of possession.
I like Candace Bushnell, but not this one as much. It could have been better, and probably other people will enjoy it, but I found it too slow. I started scimming the pages because I did not find a character to latch on to and find interesting enough to continue with any real passion. Also, the POV changes sometimes within the same chapter.
Great easy read!
