Dolls of Our Lives

Why We Can't Quit American Girl

De: Mary Mahoney, Allison Horrocks

Narrado por: Allison Horrocks, Mary Mahoney

This program is read by the authors, hosts of the podcast Dolls of Our Lives.

Which American Girl are you?

Are you a Molly (a patriotic overachiever with a flair for drama)? Felicity (the original horse girl)? Kirsten (a cottagecore fan who seems immune to cholera), Samantha (a savior complex in a sailor suit), or Josefina (who dealt with grief by befriending a baby goat)? Have you ever wondered how Britney Spears or Michelle Kwan would answer that question? And why do we care so much which girl we are?

Combining history, travelogue, and memoir, Dolls of Our Lives follows Allison Horrocks and Mary Mahoney on an unforgettable journey to the past as they delve into the origins of this iconic brand. Continuing the conversations that began on their podcast, they set out to answer the lingering questions that keep them up at night. What did American Girl inventor Pleasant Rowland hope to say to children with these dolls? Was girl power something that could be ordered from a catalogue, described by a magazine, or modeled in the plot lines of books? And how—and why—did this brand shape an entire generation?

Through interviews with a legion of devoted doll lovers, a field trip to Colonial Williamsburg, a place that inspired Pleasant to create American Girl, and an exploration of their own (complicated) fandom, this is a deep dive into one of the 90s most coveted products - the American Girl doll.

A Macmillan Audio production from Feiwel & Friends.

©2023 Mary Mahoney and Allison Horrocks (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

I’m a Kirsten/Felicity/Molly!

A delightful book by delightful authors that begins to explain the connection many of my generation (Elder Millennial) have with American Girl dolls. I feel seen. As an AG Superfan, I do have to point out that there are a very few minor inaccuracies and a couple of shady facts, but over all, this book is excellent. I will (and already have) recommend it to others, both doll people and non-doll people that need to understand us better.

Thank you for this and all deep dives!

This was such fun to listen to, and relatable in every way (as a fellow OG AG). Well written, poignant, LOL funny, and informative - you have both inspired me to dust off my Girls (and attempt to restore their hair as best I can, RIP original braids), catalog all their gear, and display them in my home office / guest room. Thank you for validating our shared experience with this lifestyle brand!

sincerely, a Samantha Sun (Molly Rising)

Pop culture for days

The way I needed a historical, clever, heavy pop culture written book! Well done.
This book was funny, informative, nostalgic, and you’ll be able to understand it without listening to the podcast - but you should listen to the podcast. My new favorite book, will def re-read.

Written by people into gender study

Not for me. A dreary examination of the fun topic of dolls made into a sociology/gender studies examination.