City of Girls, by Elizabeth Gilbert

Writing a memoir for Angela, the daughter of a man once in her life, Vivian Morris looks back to herself at 19 and her arrival in 1940s New York. After bombing out of college Vivian’s straight-laced parents send her to her aunt Peg, who runs a seedy theatre. A talented seamstress, Vivian finds her niche creating theatrical costumes. She makes friends, discovers sex and alcohol and generally has a ball until it all comes crashing down when she makes a very bad mistake. Occasional reminders that this is all a story told to the mysterious Angela are deliberately inserted into the narrative at various points, although the answers she wants are a long time coming. Two-thirds of the book is devoted to the roaring 40s, Vivian’s awakening and maturing during the war years. There is little hint throughout this section of the answer to Angela’s question – who were you to my father? Nor indeed is it indicated who he is, despite Vivian’s promise to tell what he was to her. This makes the device of Angela as audience rather a long tease. Vivian fast-forwards through the next 20 years of her life and we finally learn the identity of Angela’s father towards the end of the book. It is not a total surprise, but the nature of their relationship is. Gilbert’s writing is clear, warm and engaging, her characters lively and appealing. The novel is ultimately a testament to friendship, celebrating all kinds of love and the benefits of finding your tribe and creating the family you need.