The Address

I enjoyed The Address, Fiona Davis' latest based loosely on the building and opening of The Dakota, the huge apartment building on Central Park West. The Dakota was thrust into the news when John Lennon was shot right outside. When the building was built in the 1880s, it was going to be the greatest apartment house anywhere. At the time, though, it was almost on the frontier of New York City, situated far enough north as to be almost rural. It's where the rich that didn't quite fit in with the mansions of Fifth Avenue ended up.

Mrs. Smythe was the head housekeeper at an upscale hotel in London when she happens to catch a small girl playing too close to an upper floor window. Mrs. Smythe, Sara, quickly runs in to save the day. She is then rewarded by the father, an architect, with the opportunity to move to New York and become the managerette of the not-yet-open Dakota. Seeing much more opportunity in New York City than in London, Sara takes advantage of the opportunity.

The novel alternates between the 1880s, when Sara first moves to New York City, and the 1980s, when the great granddaughter of the architect and some vaguely related "cousin" are working together to update the family apartment in the Dakota which has been passed down from generation to generation.

By now you must know that I enjoy books that are set in New York City. This was no different. I loved the history of the 1880s as well as the grittiness of NYC in the 1980s.

I was able to make connections to several other historical fiction novels that I've read recently. 

The Exiles because there were obviously more opportunities for women to change their station in life in Australia or in New York City

The Lions of Fifth Avenue because the settings were somewhat similar - famous landmark buildings in New York City

The Family Upstairs and These Tangled Vines because there was the inheritance of a home 

 

The novel had a bit of a mystery and a lot of history, although some of the history was twisted a little bit to fit the author's purpose.

I'd recommend The Address for those who like reading about earlier days in New York City.