Discovering a Diary from 1930s New York
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
New York Times writer Lily Koppel happened to discover a discarded diary in a dumpster on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in 2004. The Red Leather Diary: Reclaiming a Life through the Pages of a Lost Journal weaves original diary entries and interviews with the diary's 90-year-old owner to paint a picture of glamorous, bygone 1930s New York.
Guests:
Lily Koppel
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Comments [6]
Ms Koppel, I love everything about the book. I got it from the Library but now have my own copy. Hurry and make a movie. I can't wait!!
I'm a retired zookeeper and without four cranky elephants to keep me busy I have a lot of time to read. So glad I found your book.
Best to you and Ms Howitt.
John O'Faolain
As a proud graduate of Hunter College, I LOVED Florence-glad she chose Hunter!!
Can't wait to read the book! Thank you Lilly!
Don't post this, but yes, thank you, that's much better. :-)
I agree, it sounds as if the diarist enjoyed the best of two different paths in life.
You have a classical-era idea of virtue, Alex.
But this sounds like a wonderful book. The finder of the diary, Lily Koppel is a hoot! She's still in her twenties, but her voice and accent makes it sound like she's in her fifties. I wonder where she grew up? I can't wait to find the book.
There is a sad in current in Mr. Lopate's and Ms. Koppel's discussion. That is the recurring notion that any person who has chosen or ended up in a life course that isn't famously creative or profitable. How many people have struggled like Florence but are now forgotten? Does Lily Koppel really mean to diminish such people? Or to diminish so many others who have "modest" ambitions?
Why do we equate grand ambition or grand profit with virtue?
Those interested in 'The Red Leather Diary' should read the first chapter at the NYT.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/books/chapters/first-chapter-red-leather-diary.html?ref=review
It really is exquisitely written.
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