Today I’m sharing my review of The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis. This is another great historical fiction book and it’s included in my Fall/Winter Reading Guide.
Synopsis
In nationally bestselling author Fiona Davis’s latest historical novel, a series of book thefts roils the iconic New York Public Library, leaving two generations of strong-willed women to pick up the pieces.
It’s 1913, and on the surface, Laura Lyons couldn’t ask for more out of life–her husband is the superintendent of the New York Public Library, allowing their family to live in an apartment within the grand building, and they are blessed with two children. But headstrong, passionate Laura wants more, and when she takes a leap of faith and applies to the Columbia Journalism School, her world is cracked wide open. As her studies take her all over the city, she finds herself drawn to Greenwich Village’s new bohemia, where she discovers the Heterodoxy Club–a radical, all-female group in which women are encouraged to loudly share their opinions on suffrage, birth control, and women’s rights. Soon, Laura finds herself questioning her traditional role as wife and mother. But when valuable books are stolen back at the library, threatening the home and institution she loves, she’s forced to confront her shifting priorities head on . . . and may just lose everything in the process.
Eighty years later, in 1993, Sadie Donovan struggles with the legacy of her grandmother, the famous essayist Laura Lyons, especially after she’s wrangled her dream job as a curator at the New York Public Library. But the job quickly becomes a nightmare when rare manuscripts, notes, and books for the exhibit Sadie’s running begin disappearing from the library’s famous Berg Collection. Determined to save both the exhibit and her career, the typically risk-adverse Sadie teams up with a private security expert to uncover the culprit. However, things unexpectedly become personal when the investigation leads Sadie to some unwelcome truths about her own family heritage–truths that shed new light on the biggest tragedy in the library’s history.
Why I Decided to Read this Book
This was GMA Book Club Pick a few months ago and I really enjoy their selections. I was in the mood for historical fiction since Fall is great for that genre.
Rating
4 Stars (An Excellent Book!)
My Thoughts
This is a great historical fiction and it is different from the usual books in that genre. The story features two strong female protagonists and you can’t help but root for them. I really enjoyed the dual timelines/point of views and the mystery elements included in the story.
The setting of the New York Public Library was amazing, it made me want to learn more about the library and I hope to one day visit. I felt like the building itself was a character full of history, memories and mysteries. I couldn’t get enough of it.
The protagonists Laura Lyons and her granddaughter Sadie Donovan are both incredible, strong, independent women. I enjoyed their stories and their passion for books!
I listened to the audibook version of this book and I really enjoyed that format. The narrator was great and I really felt like I was at the New York Library. I the audiobook format for this book!
Content Warnings
Suicide, death of a parent, homelessness
Who I recommend this book to
I recommend this to Historical Fiction fans. If you are looking for a great setting and a different take on historical fiction this is for you. Also, if you are a book lover you’ll enjoy all the book references in this book.
Get the book!
Did this review of The Lions of Fifth Avenue convince you to read it? You can get the book from Bookshop.org here. Please consider ordering it from a Black owned independent bookstore. This list of Black owned independent bookstores accepts online ordering.
