For more than half a century, the red leather diary languished inside a steamer trunk. Rescued from a Dumpster on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, it found its way to Lily Koppel, a young writer, who opened its tarnished brass lock and journeyed into an enthralling past. The diary painted a breathtaking portrait of a bygone New York—of glamorous nights at El Morocco and elegant teas at Schrafft’s during the 1920s and ’30s—and of the headstrong, endearing teenager who filled its pages with her hopes, heartaches, and vivid recollections. Intrigued, Koppel followed her only clue, a frontispiece inscription, to its now ninety-year-old owner, Florence Wolfson, and was enchanted as Florence, reunited with her diary, rediscovered a lost younger self burning with artistic fervor.
Joining intimate interviews with original diary entries, The Red Leather Diary re-creates the romance and promise of a remarkable era and brings to life the true story of a daring, precocious young dreamer.
I first learned of The Red Leather Diary a few weeks ago when I read this guest post on Book Club Girl,written by the author, Lily Koppel. As a lover of social history, I was captivated by the story of the discovery of the diary and its glimpse into a by-gone time. Even more amazing is the connection Koppel made with the diary’s author, Florence Wolfson, completing the circle and following up on the stories within the pages of the diary.The paperback was released just a few weeks ago by Harper Perennial. It is chock-full of original diary entries, annotated by Koppel’s research including extensive interviews. The exclusive Harper Perennial P.S. Sectionincludes more information about Koppel’s research techniques, her work as a journalist, and recent entries from Wolfson’s current diary. Check out The Red Leather Diary’s website, which features the material from the P. S Section, reading group guide, and this lovely video:
I haven’t yet read my copy cover-to-cover, but I have leafed through every page to look at the numerous captioned photos. Wow, this is a book for anyone who is interested in family history, Depression-era Manhattan, or women’s lives. I expect to see this book passed between mother and daughter, and at many book groups this spring!
I’ve teamed up with the publisher to offer FIVE COPIES of The Red Leather Diary to readers of my blog. To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment below, indicating whose diary you would be thrilled to discover. Giveaway is open to US and Canada residents only, no P. O. Boxes, please. Enter by midnight on February 16; winners will be chosen in a random drawing and announced on February 17.
Thanks for the contest.
Choosing a diary is tough. It wouldn’t have to be anyone famous in particular, because I think ordinary people can be interesting to read as well. Maybe someone living in France during the Napoleonic era, or mid 1800s England.
Famous people would include poor Jane Grey, and maybe Catherine the Great. Don’t know too much about her.
This book and your question has me thinking about my favorite authors. I’d like to know more about the ones who inspire me and the ones who make me laugh. But I’m going with one who never disappoints and always tells about people I swear are alive: Nora Roberts. I’d love to know what makes her tick.
I’d love to discover Gold Meir’s diary since she had such an interesting life, especially being the first female Prime Minister of Israel. Thanks for the great giveaway!!
This sounds like a wonderful book! I would love to find the diary of my paternal grandmother. She rarely talked about herself and usually felt embarrassed when she did. I think she thought others’ lives were more interesting. All of us who knew her knew that wasn’t true.
I would like to read my grandmother’s diary and my mother’s and my twin sister’s as well. We are close as a family and all of us are strong women.
I’d like to find Jackie Kennedy’s diary. But I enjoy getting inside anyone’s life and seeing how they really lived.
rsgrandinetti(at)yahoo(dot)com
Oh – I’d love to enter your giveaway – this is the second review I’ve read, and I am really interested in reading this story!
If I could read anyone’s diary, I think it would be Ruth, the Moab priestess who married a Jewish man and followed his Mother to her homeland when he died. I love the story, and would like to have known more about her life!
wbarker at hotmail.com
I think I’d like to find the diary or a diary of Margaret Trudeau the former wife of Peirre Trudeau!
Thanks
anne_c_taylor@hotmail.com
I’d love to find my mom’s childhood diary!
Thanks!
I’d love to find a diary written by a Victorian woman who is more progressive than others in that time period. Can you imagine the insight she could provide to women today?
I would be thrilled to discover my great-aunt Amy’s diary. I have her ‘schoolbook’ notes and she was quite the active one
But there are no notes about her feelings and aspirations – just notes about events.
Please enter me in this contest. I think it be interesting if I found JD Salenger’s diary.
I’ve always dreamed of finding a vintage diary to transcribe and publish — they are just so fascinating!
Diaries were going out of style. Wonder if blogs will be preserved and become the diaries of the future? thanks for the interesting review – I’d love to read this book.