Back of the book blurb: 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.
She is Too Fond of Books’ review: The Red Leather Diary will appeal to those who enjoy personal memoir, history, women’s studies, and all things Manhattan. The book had my attention from the outset; as an amateur genealogist who loves sleuthing through old archives and microfiche, the premise of finding a diary – in a Dumpster of all places! – was too good to resist. Add some detective work to track down the author more than 50 years later, snippets of New York history from the period, photos, and a series of interviews … you’ve got a very interesting book.
Lily Koppel, author of The Red Leather Diary, found the diary in one of dozens of trunks that had been stored in the basement of her apartment building for decades. The building was finally being cleared for updating, and the trunks were unceremoniously dumped into a rolling container to be hauled away. Koppel was a society reporter for the New York Times and was on her way to work one morning when the contents of the Dumpster caught her eye. After pulling a few trunks and exploring the contents – there was a lot of “junk”, but also treasure like books, designers clothes and handbags, and personal mementos - she called her office and told them not to expect her in at all that day.
The diarist, Florence Wolfson, was 14 when she was given the diary as a birthday gift. Allowing one line per day for five years, Wolfson was diligent about her daily commitment to her journal. What emerges is a portrait of a precocious, intelligent young woman. She was wise beyond her years, curious about all the city had to offer, arts, and her own sexuality:
… Florence’s dark peach taffeta hat sat on her golden blond head at a provocative angle. Sunlight playing off limestone and marble appeared to radiate from her. She wore her new black velvet coat on which Mother had sewn a big silver fox collar, creating a fuzzy heart around her high-cheekboned face and bright mouth. Manhattan was her world. Arrogant steel towers rose to the sky. Bridges straddled the rivers throbbing with barges, tugs, and ocean liners. The streets of the Lower East Side and Chinatown were filled with pushcart peddlers. Midtown was a stream of working girls and businessmen. Florence strode along, clutching her envelope purse in her pale gray six-button gloves. Men and women shot her admiring glances. At fourteen, Florence looked like a grown women.
My only small gripe with the book is that Lily Koppel tries too hard to connect her own life path with Florence Wofson’s. Wolfson tells Koppel that they are similar, and they she feels Koppel is a younger version of herself. This is quite flattering, as Wolfson as lived a very interesting life! Koppel returns to this statement more often than necessary, making it more of a thesis to be proven than simply a postive observation.
Overall, The Red Leather Diary is a satisfying and cohesive collection of original diary entries, supplemental material Koppel wrote after meeting with and interviewing Florence Wolfson, photos from Wolfson’s personal collection and historic photos of New York. Lily Koppel will be part of the Authors on Air series with Book Club Girl on Tuesday April 7, 2009.
This sounds really interesting! Thanks for the review!
Everyone really seems to like this one. I just love the concept so I hope to pick it up at the library before too much longer.
I really want to read this one. Thanks for the review!
I loved this book! The premise alone was enough to make me want to read it and, once I started, I was immediately pulled in. Great review!
Okay, I admit it – I’m a memoir junkie. I loved this book and found Florence fascinating.
Just added The Red Leather Diary to my list of books to read. Looking forward to picking up my copy.
The idea of finding something like a diary in the trash, and sleuthing through historical archives to find our more about the author is very appealing! I’m putting it on my list!
To all – yes, Florence Wolfson is a fascinating woman! She has said in recent interviews that Lily has given “herself” back to her by discovering the diary and caring enough to find Florence and get to know her. Florence lived a very unusual life … this isn’t a look at a typical NYer from that period -she is brilliant, curious, and gifted.
I’ve done a lot of genealogical research, which includes uncovering the Civil War Pension file of one of my ancestors. It reads like a soap opera with he-said she-said and accusations all around. I’m challenging myself to write a short story based on it and other historical artifacts I’ve pulled. Just a short story, but it will be an accomplishment for me (heck! Even outlining it will be an accomplishment
)
Finding something like a diary is a gold mine to a historian!
Bermudaonion -yes, you know personal memoir is one of my favorites, too.
So happy to see a positive review of this, because I thought it looked so intriguing. Sounds like a fun summer read.
This sounds like an excellent book. How lucky to find a diary of an interesting person and then find that person. I like your idea of writing a story based on your genealogical findings. My father-in-law did that with what he found on some of the ancestors. It makes it fun looking at all those people as people.
I won this book so I will be reading it soon. Thanks for the review.
I read this one in 2008 and rated it 4/5. Thought it was preety good. I enjoyed your review.
This is the book I won from you. I am currently reading it now and so is my new book club. It was my choice and this was the first one. I wish I had found all that old stuff! I’ll let you know what I think.
priscilla – Florence is a fascinating woman, and I enjoyed seeing NY in the 30s thru more privileged eyes.
Margot – that’s where I am with all my research. I have lots of names, dates and places, but I’d like to now research what a place like at a certain time and put these ancestors in their roles as PEOPLE.
Ti – I’ll look forward to reading your thoughts on it.
Diane – Thanks; I’ll look back at your review if I’ve missed it!
jennygirl – oh, I hope you and your book group have a great discussion – I’ll check your blog for an update!
I’ve seen this book getting some great reviews. Sounds like a great read. Its on my TBR list.
This one looks like one I’d love. I’m putting it on my list. Great review, thanks!
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Serena and zibilee – I think you two both enjoy memoir as well. Florence Wolfson is a very unusual woman and it it fascinating to look at NY thru her eyes.
Sounds interesting! unfortunately I’ve not read this book
I really want to read it.