It's been a few weeks since I finished this one, but when people ask me for book recommendations, this one is still fresh in my mind.
I love historical fiction books - and more specifically, I love historical books about women in history that I haven't known about previously.
I was not a girl who played with Barbies (my sister did have quite a collection, though), but as an adult I've always been a little intrigued by Barbie and what made her such a popular toy.
Renee Rosen's book is a fictionalized account of Ruth Handler's rise to the top of Mattel and the idea and development of the Barbie doll. Girls had always played with baby dolls, but a doll that looks like an adult woman was a new concept. And while some women found Barbie to be too suggestive, little girls were curious about her and wanted to play with Barbie themselves.
Rosen shares the other players in this story - from Jack Ryan, the head engineer with his own demons to wrestle, to the women who designed Barbie's clothes, as well as Ruth Handler's children and husband, I found this story to be incredible.
This novel did what all good historical fiction books do: pique my interest so that I want to learn more.
This nonfiction book is now on my radar so I can fill in any of the blank spaces I still have about the actual events that occurred in Barbie's creation.
1 comment:
I saw a review of this book on another blog and have been curious about it. I did have a couple of Barbies and a Barbie sportscar. Will see if my library is going to get it. Thanks!
Post a Comment