Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk, Kathleen Rooney

This is a remarkable, well-written, unusual story about one day in the life of a quirky eighty-four-year-old (or maybe eight-five, if she were being honest) New Yorker. But, I should note, I tend to gravitate to a unique story or the way one uniquely tells a tale; Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk fills both these requirements for me.

I was more than surprised to learn that author Kathleen Rooney was neither old by any stretch, thirty-something young, nor she did write this novel based on her own grandmother's or any other elderly female's perspective within Ms. Rooney's life; she just made it up. Brava!

It's New Year's Eve, and Ms. Boxfish takes a walk, in the literal sense of the word. That's it. But she narrates as she travels through New York City, and we learn snippets of her life; where she worked, who she loved, her child, her ups, and her most significant downs. As the once most highly paid advertising female, Ms. Boxfish is quick, witty, well-mannered, and biting; my kind of gal. During her walk, she also tells of the people she encounters along the way, a security guard, a store clerk, a chauffeur, three would-be muggers, and each adds to her story as she seemingly adds to theirs. It's simply delightful.

If you are looking for an adventurous book, an earth-shattering ending, or ah-ha revelation, you will not find it here - what you will find is a proficient, unique, and charming story. After reading this, I aspire to be like Lillian Boxfish in thirty years.