Published in 1958.
First lime:
"You see them every morning at a quarter to nine, rushing out of the maw of the subway tunnel, filing out of Grand Central Station, crossing Lexington and Park and Madison and Fifth avenues, the hundreds and hundreds of girls."
The Best of Everything was an impulse purchase. It has such a beautiful, intriguing cover with a newly popular matte finish. I wanted to read it as soon as I got my hands on it. I wanted to be seen in public reading this book. It turned out to be my favourite February read.
It is a classy, sophisticated story set in 1950s corporate America. If you are a fan of Mad Men, you'll love this book. Judging by the sticker on the cover, it was even mentioned somewhere in the series.
This is the story of four young women working as typists or secretaries in a publishing house in 1950s. It is the time before the introduction of anti-harassment laws, so it's obvious what some of the issues of the story are, however there are so many themes covered here. The dreams of these five women, their desire to build a career and even greater desire to find love and fulfillment. I think some super feminist readers may have issues with some of the attitudes demonstrated in the story, but one should remember that it was written in 1950s and it reflects working women's reality at the time.
According to the back cover, 'The Best of Everything, Rona Jaffe's frank, scandalous 1958 novel, follows them as they negotiate office romances, workplace politics, broken engagements, tiny apartments, lecherous bossed, heartbreak and lasting friendship.'
I loved this book. It surprised me how much I liked it, hugging the book and sighing once the last page was turned. Beautifully written, realistic, gripping story. A perfect book for a present.
'A classic of its kind. The dialogue is real, the people are real. Most career girls, part or present, will respond with the shock of authenticity' Saturday Review
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