City of Girls

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Beloved author Elizabeth Gilbert returns to fiction with a unique love story set in the New York City theater world of the 1940s. Through the perspective of an older woman reflecting on her youth, the narrative explores themes of female sexuality, promiscuity, and the nuances of true love. Nineteen-year-old Vivian Morris is sent to Manhattan after being expelled from Vassar College due to her lackluster performance. She moves in with her Aunt Peg, who owns the flamboyant, crumbling Lily Playhouse. There, Vivian encounters a vibrant array of characters, including fun-loving showgirls, a charming male actor, a grand-dame actress, a seductive writer, and a pragmatic stage manager. A personal misstep leads to a professional scandal, turning her world upside down and prompting years of introspection. Ultimately, this tumultuous journey guides her toward a deeper understanding of her desires and the freedom needed to pursue them. It also leads her to the love of her life, a relationship that stands apart from all others. Now eighty-nine, Vivian reflects on how these formative experiences shaped her life, revealing a powerful truth: at some point, a woman can shed the burden of shame and embrace her true self. Written with profound insight into human desire and connection, this is a love story like no other.