Kathleen Rooney was the first nonarchivist to delve into
the papers of Margaret Fishback, the highest-paid female advertising
writer in the world in the 1930s. Fascination with the pioneering
copywriter, poet, and feminist inspired Rooney to imagine Fishback as
an old woman alone in New York City in the 1980s. Renamed Lillian
Boxfish for the novel, she has retained her spunk, intelligence, and
wit into her 80s.
On the last night of 1984, Lillian takes a walk of more than 10 miles
from her apartment in Murray Hill to lower Manhattan and back via
Macy’s, her old workplace. Walking in New York is a favorite pastime,
and she ignores warnings that it’s not safe for an old woman to be
walking in the city alone at night. She has many encounters along the
way, the riskiest of which, with three muggers, turns out to be
hilarious due to Lillian’s pluck. When not meeting people, Lillian
recollects her past as female trailblazer, premier ad writer, published
poet, wife, and mother, and then the not-so-happy time of her divorce
and depressive breakdown.
Both Lillian’s engaging personality and the description of a changing
Manhattan make Lillian Boxfish Talks
a Walk a charming read.
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