The Red Leather Diary: Reclaiming a Life Through the Pages of a Lost Journal
Oct 2009 · Harper Collins
3.2star
11 reviewsreport
Ebook
354
Pages
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About this ebook
“A world straight from the pages of an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel . . . An extraordinary story about coming of age . . . and discovering who you are.” —Parade
Rescued from a Dumpster on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, a discarded diary brings to life the glamorous, forgotten world of an extraordinary young woman . . .
Opening the tarnished brass lock of a red leather diary found in the basement of a New York City apartment building, New York Times writer Lily Koppel embarked on a journey into the past. Compelled by the hopes and heartaches captured in the pages, Koppel set out to find the diary’s owner, a 90-year old woman named Florence. Eventually reunited with her diary, Florence ventured back to the girl she once was, rediscovering a lost self that burned with artistic fervor.
Joining intimate interviews with original diary entries, The Red Leather Diary is an evocative and entrancing work that recreates the romance and glitter, sophistication and promise, of 1930s New York, bringing to life the true story of a precocious young woman who dared to follow her dreams.
“Melds three life-affirming subjects—Florence Wolfson’s journal of life in 1930s Manhattan, Koppel’s discovery of it in a Dumpster decades later, and the meeting of the two women—into one enchanting memoir.” —Elle
“[An] amazing story . . . A highbrow fairy tale . . . Much of the book’s emotional power derives from the drama of an old woman reclaiming a past that was almost lost to her . . . Koppel writes with flair.” —Chicago Tribune
Rescued from a Dumpster on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, a discarded diary brings to life the glamorous, forgotten world of an extraordinary young woman . . .
Opening the tarnished brass lock of a red leather diary found in the basement of a New York City apartment building, New York Times writer Lily Koppel embarked on a journey into the past. Compelled by the hopes and heartaches captured in the pages, Koppel set out to find the diary’s owner, a 90-year old woman named Florence. Eventually reunited with her diary, Florence ventured back to the girl she once was, rediscovering a lost self that burned with artistic fervor.
Joining intimate interviews with original diary entries, The Red Leather Diary is an evocative and entrancing work that recreates the romance and glitter, sophistication and promise, of 1930s New York, bringing to life the true story of a precocious young woman who dared to follow her dreams.
“Melds three life-affirming subjects—Florence Wolfson’s journal of life in 1930s Manhattan, Koppel’s discovery of it in a Dumpster decades later, and the meeting of the two women—into one enchanting memoir.” —Elle
“[An] amazing story . . . A highbrow fairy tale . . . Much of the book’s emotional power derives from the drama of an old woman reclaiming a past that was almost lost to her . . . Koppel writes with flair.” —Chicago Tribune
Ratings and reviews
3.2
11 reviews
A Google user
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February 23, 2011
Leave it to a gossip reporter to build a story up to be a monumental coming of age story and then reduce it to sex and fashion. I had to deal with enough rich brats with mommy and daddy issues in high school, thank you.
janis akers
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August 10, 2016
Good book. Started off a bit slow for my tastes but greatly improved the more I read. Good historical accounting of life during that time period.
About the author
Lily Koppel writes for the New York Times and other publications. She lives in New York City.
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