Title: Astor Place Vintage
Author: Stephanie Lehmann
First published June 1, 2013
416 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781451682052 (ISBN10: 1451682050)
Rating: 3.69
Overview
In Astor Place Vintage, Stephanie Lehmann delivers a captivating New York tale that weaves together two time periods. Amanda Rosenbloom, owner of a vintage clothing store, is struggling to keep her business afloat amidst the city’s rising rents and a difficult economy.
But when she stumbles upon a journal from 1907 sewn into a fur muff, her world is turned upside down. The journal belongs to Olive Westcott, a young woman living in a world of repressive Victorian ideas, who dreams of a more modern future.
But as Olive faces financial ruin and social pressures, Amanda finds herself drawn into her world, discovering secrets that could save her own future. Through the revelations of Olive’s final entries, Amanda learns to take control of her own destiny and stop dwelling in the past.
With Astor Place Vintage, Lehmann delivers a timeless story of hope, resilience, and the enduring allure of the past.
About the Author
I’ve written a few novels that might pique your interest: The Art of Undressing, Thoughts While Having Sex, Are you in the Mood?, and You Could Do Better. While the titles might suggest a steamy read, they’re not quite as racy as they sound.
But hey, that could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on what you’re after.
My latest project is a novel called Astor Place Vintage, which is set to be published by Simon and Schuster in 2013. It tells the story of a department store worker in Manhattan during 1907 and a vintage clothing store owner in the Lower East Side in 2007.
If you’re curious about the historical context of the novel, I’m currently working on a website that will feature lots of photographs and information that I couldn’t fit into the book but found fascinating to learn about.
Editoral Review
Stephanie Lehmann’s 2013 novel, Astor Place Vintage, is a delightful and intricate work that masterfully blends the genre of historical fiction with contemporary themes. A captivating tale that takes place in two different time periods, the book skillfully interweaves the narratives of two women: 1907’s Amanda Rosenbloom, the owner of a vintage clothing store in New York City, and 2007’s Olive Westcott, who has left her Ivy League studies to work at Amanda’s store.
Lehmann’s writing style is polished and exquisite, and she paints a vivid picture of life in the early 20th century. Her attention to detail brings the historical setting to life, immersing the reader in the world of Amanda Rosenbloom and her vintage clothing store, “Astor Place Vintage.”
The novel’s main characters are both strong and memorable.
Amanda Rosenbloom, a dedicated and independent businesswoman, is fiercely devoted to her store and the vintage clothing that populates its racks. Olive Westcott, a young and naive college student, finds solace in the store’s atmosphere and becomes entangled in a web of secrets and hidden stories.
The book’s themes range from the struggles of women in male-dominated industries to the search for identity and self-discovery, as Olive begins to unravel the puzzle of the store’s hidden history. Lehmann also explores issues of materialism and consumerism, and the value of objects as a manifestation of personal and cultural significance.
The author’s historical research is evident within the pages of the novel, as she accurately portrays significant events and landmarks of the early 20th century. Through the lens of Astor Place Vintage, Lehmann reveals the gradual evolution of American society over time, demonstrating how past struggles and triumphs continue to resonate in the present.
Lehmann’s prose is engaging and superbly crafted, and the pacing of the novel is impeccable. With twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end, Astor Place Vintage is a masterful example of historical fiction.
If there are any criticisms to be leveled at the book, it is that some of the secondary characters could have been further developed to add greater depth to the story. Nevertheless, this is a minor flaw in an otherwise excellent piece of fiction.
Overall, Astor Place Vintage is an engaging and captivating novel that is sure to leave readers eager for more from the talented Stephanie Lehmann. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, Astor Place Vintage is a superbly written and meticulously researched work of art.
Rating: 4.5/5.