Secondary Story

January Book of the Month

The Address

By Fiona Davis

Dutton, 2017

354 p.

It is the 1880s and the 1980s, and onenever knows the way life will go. From head housekeeper of a posh hotel in Londonto female manager of the iconic apartment building, The Dakota, in New York City, Sara felt the world was full of opportunity.  100 years later, Bailey, just out of rehab, homeless and unemployed is offered the job to oversee the renovation of the apartment at the Dakota where its architect, Theodore Camden resided until his murder. This is her opportunityfor a good life.

As you follow both women struggling to find themselves, the story is interspersed with alluring historic details of life in New York in the Gilded Age of the 1880s and 1985.  The reader feels the excitement of the opening of the Dakota, is present at the delivery of the Statue of Liberty, attends a lavish Golden Age party, enjoys a visit from Nellie Blyand visits the more modern night life of New York City.

Davis has told a captivating historical novel that encompasses the relevant topics of the eras.

Reviewed by
Candy Graulich
Library Director
Hustisford Community Library

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