The Dollhouse

A Novel

By: Fiona Davis

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Enter the lush world of 1950s New York City, where a generation of aspiring models, secretaries, and editors live side by side in the glamorous Barbizon Hotel for Women while attempting to claw their way to fairy-tale success in this debut novel from the New York Times best-selling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue.

When she arrives at the famed Barbizon Hotel in 1952, secretarial school enrollment in hand, Darby McLaughlin is everything her modeling agency hall mates aren't: Plain, self-conscious, homesick, and utterly convinced she doesn't belong - a notion the models do nothing to disabuse. Yet when Darby befriends Esme, a Barbizon maid, she's introduced to an entirely new side of New York City: Seedy downtown jazz clubs where the music is as addictive as the heroin that's used there, the startling sounds of bebop, and even the possibility of romance.

Over half a century later, the Barbizon's gone condo and most of its long-ago guests are forgotten. But rumors of Darby's involvement in a deadly skirmish with a hotel maid back in 1952 haunt the halls of the building as surely as the melancholy music that floats from the elderly woman's rent-controlled apartment. It's a combination too intoxicating for journalist Rose Lewin, Darby's upstairs neighbor, to resist - not to mention the perfect distraction from her own imploding personal life. Yet as Rose's obsession deepens, the ethics of her investigation become increasingly murky, and neither woman will remain unchanged when the shocking truth is finally revealed.

©2016 Fiona Davis (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Rich both in twists and period detail, this tale of big-city ambition is impossible to put down.” (People)

“Davis paints a scene of Darby’s 1950s glamour for her audience that’s a smart juxtaposition to Rose’s modern-age New York, jumping between time periods clearly with often elegant prose.... Davis’ descriptive words are transporting.... [A] poignant beach read.” (New York Daily News)

“The Dollhouse is a thrilling peek through a window into another world - one that readers will savor for a long time.”(Associated Press)

Stories from the Past Come Back to Haunt

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would and I have. I love the stories from the past and the lives of older people. The things they have seen and done. This is a very dramatic story from the 50s that was discovered by a young lady from 2016 living her own drama. Switching from 1950s to 2016 from Darby's life to Rose's life just added to the book.

What other book might you compare The Dollhouse to and why?

Cannot think of a book similar to this one.

What does Tavia Gilbert bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Really great accents.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. But at the same time I wanted to linger and draw this out. Read and then think about it.

interesting story and great telling!

very interesting story and great storytelling. I love the two timelines, keeps things interesting and moving at a good pace. this is the second book that I have read by Fiona Davis and I have enjoyed both of them. highly recommend.

The twist.

Excellent narrator. Good story. End happened too quickly for the story length. Overall worth it and well enjoyed.

1950’s NYC lifestyle, scandal, jazz clubs, love.....

I love how this book looks at life in 1950’s New York City at the Barbizon Hotel for Women and the Gibbs Secretarial School as week as 2016 NYC where the hotel has been renovated and women are much more accepted and diversified in their careers. As we all know, it has been a major change! I enjoyed the author’s writing and vivid descriptions. She (and the narrator) made 1950’s NYC and the characters come alive in my mind! I’ll be checking out Fiona Davis’ other book.

A must read or listen to!

Once again Fiona Davis comes through with an amazing story. I love the story as much as I’ve loved all of her other books. The way she weaves recent history into her stories is amazing. You won’t be disappointed.

"Page" Turner

Couldn't stop listening. Fiona Davis paints vivid images of NYC and people throughout the last 70 years. Great performance by the narrator as well.

Not bad, but not her best

I love Fiona Davis. Fell in love with her after reading The Magnolia Palace and I’ve been making it a point to read all of her books. While the story was not bad in this one, I feel like the narrator was more suited to the 1950s storyline with their more stilted “proper” accents and a more modern reader would have been better for the parts in 2016. I do love a dual, interconnecting storyline which is a hallmark of Davis’ though. Still worth a listen!

Fast moving.

The ending was unexpected. I felt it was an accurate story in the 5O’s then in 2016. Avery good read.

interesting spin on a very historical NY icon

Before reading this book I looked up the history of the Barbizon Hotel and it really help

A joy to listen to

The story was amazing a great blend of past and present. The reader did a phenomenal job at making all of the characters individual and distinct in their own way. I recommend to all.