When head curator Tildy Barrows discovers a secret room in the beautiful Belva Curtis LeFarge Archival Library in San Francisco, she knows she's found just the thing to save the struggling establishment: two exquisite never-before-seen dollhouses.
Tildy sets out to decipher the histories of the dollhouses after finding clues hidden within the miniatures. Her search sends her to the worlds of Belle Époque Paris, a group of wounded World War I veterans in the English countryside, and Walt Disney's Burbank studios in the 1950s. As the mystery unravels, she finds not only inspiring, hidden history, but also a family revelation, and a future for herself.
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I am enjoying all the stories that are being written about overlooked women in world history, whether real or fictional. Elise Hooper's The Library of Lost Dollhouses is another strong addition to this category, and her Author's Note at the end explains the people who inspired her characters.
The story spans a century and is told by two women, one, head curator Tildy Barrows who is passionate about saving the Belva Curtis LeFarge Library in San Francisco. As she described it, I wished I could go there and wander through all the rooms-- marvelous! The second is Cora Hale, extraordinary artist and creator of the most exquisite dollhouses I've ever read about. (I love the Thorne Rooms in the Phoenix Art Museum and have visited them many times, so this is a subject that's interested me for a long time.) I love how Cora was able to incorporate women's secrets into the houses she created for them.
Another strong point in this book was the descriptions of how difficult it is to keep a place like the LeFarge Library afloat, especially after the pandemic. As the book traveled from one place to the next, from Tildy's life and then back to Cora's, I couldn't wait until all was revealed. All in all, this is a heart-warming read that's well worth your time.
The Library of Lost Dollhouses by Elise Hooper
eISBN: 9780063382152
William Morrow © 2025
eBook, 315 pages
Fiction, Dual Timeline
Rating: B
Source: Net Galley
I do so like stories about women, some who went un noticed by all who made a difference.
ReplyDeleteI do, too, Mystica.
DeleteThis does sound really interesting, Cathy. It's got a historical element, which I always like, and I do like stories about strong women. It's always nice when those 'untold stories' are told.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's well past time that we should learn of these stories.
DeleteThis sounds amazing! And one I definitely want to read. I'm so intrigued by those dollhouses and the idea of their secret histories. :D
ReplyDeleteI think that was my favorite part of the book. The creator was ingenious in figuring out ways to include her clients' secrets.
DeleteI've had this one on my list for a while. Good to know what you thought about it. :-)
ReplyDeleteI thought this might intrigue you, Kay. :-)
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