Tuesday, January 21, 2025

BLOG TOUR - Let’s Call Her Barbie

Title:   Let’s Call Her Barbie
Author:  Renée Rosen
Publisher:  Berkley
Genre:   Historical Fiction 
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   432
Date of Publication:   January 21, 2025
My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

She was only eleven-and-a-half inches tall, but she would change the world. Barbie is born in this bold new novel by USA Today bestselling author Renée Rosen.

When Ruth Handler walks into the boardroom of the toy company she co-founded and pitches her idea for a doll unlike any other, she knows what she’s setting in motion. It might just take the world a moment to catch up.

In 1956, the only dolls on the market for little girls let them pretend to be mothers. Ruth’s vision for a doll shaped like a grown woman and outfitted in an enviable wardrobe will let them dream they can be anything.

As Ruth assembles her team of creative rebels—head engineer Jack Ryan who hides his deepest secrets behind his genius and designers Charlotte Johnson and Stevie Klein, whose hopes and dreams rest on the success of Barbie’s fashion—she knows they’re working against a ticking clock to get this wild idea off the ground.

In the decades to come—through soaring heights and devastating personal lows, public scandals and private tensions— each of them will have to decide how tightly to hold on to their creation. Because Barbie has never been just a doll—she’s a legacy.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

In 1956, the toy industry was about to be revolutionized by Ruth Handler, the co-founder of Mattel. Driven by her determination to break into the market, Handler recognized the potential for a unique doll that would empower girls to express themselves freely. This vision led to the creation of Barbie, a fashion doll designed to resemble a woman.

Three years after her conception, Barbie made her debut in 1959, coinciding with Mattel’s meteoric rise in the toy industry. In fact, company will be celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2025.

The genesis of Barbie’s design can be traced back to a German doll called Bild Lilly. Handler had purchased Bild Lilly during her European travels, sparking the idea of a fashion doll. Recognizing the need for a more diverse play option beyond baby dolls, Handler and her husband, Elliott took the concept to new heights. They didn’t just manufacture prototypes; they also hired fashion design experts to create clothes, accessories, and more.

Interestingly, while Bild Lilly served as the inspiration for Barbie, Mattel acquired the rights to the doll, effectively eliminating competition for its flagship product.

As Mattel prepared to launch its fashion dolls to the public, they faced numerous challenges. Prototypes needed to be refined, and they collaborated with a Japanese factory that encountered translation issues. Additionally, the design underwent multiple modifications, and they encountered other obstacles along the way. 

Ruth’s personal and professional life was delved into, exploring her marriage and family, while at work, she also faced the challenges of misogyny. Despite these obstacles, Barbie was born and achieved the American dream, even landing on the moon four years before men did. The Barbie franchise experienced exponential growth and has since transcended the realm of fashion dolls, clothes, and accessories, encompassing video games, films, and more. Renée Rosen’s spectacular book offers a captivating exploration of the development and enduring popularity of one of the world’s most iconic toys. 

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Renee Rosen is a USA Today bestselling author. Her novels include Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl, The Social Graces, Park Avenue Summer, Windy City Blues, White Collar Girl, What the Lady Wants and Dollface as well as the young adult novel, Every Crooked Pot. She is currently working on a new novel about the Barbie doll creator, Ruth Handler, coming from Penguin Random House/Berkley in 2025.
Renee is a native of Akron, Ohio and a graduate of The American University in Washington DC. She now lives in Chicago.


No comments:

Post a Comment