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    Dollbaby: A Novel
    Dollbaby: A Novel
    Dollbaby: A Novel
    Audiobook11 hours

    Dollbaby: A Novel

    Written by Laura Lane McNeal

    Narrated by January LaVoy

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    A big-hearted coming-of-age debut set in civil rights-era New Orleans—a novel of Southern eccentricity and secrets
     
    When Ibby Bell’s father dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1964, her mother unceremoniously deposits Ibby with her eccentric grandmother Fannie and throws in her father’s urn for good measure. Fannie’s New Orleans house is like no place Ibby has ever been—and Fannie, who has a tendency to end up in the local asylum—is like no one she has ever met. Fortunately, Fannie’s black cook, Queenie, and her smart-mouthed daughter, Dollbaby, take it upon themselves to initiate Ibby into the ways of the South, both its grand traditions and its darkest secrets.
     
    For Fannie’s own family history is fraught with tragedy, hidden behind the closed rooms in her ornate Uptown mansion. It will take Ibby’s arrival to begin to unlock the mysteries there. And it will take Queenie and Dollbaby’s hard-won wisdom to show Ibby that family can sometimes be found in the least expected places.
     
    For fans of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt and The Help, Dollbaby brings to life the charm and unrest of 1960s New Orleans through the eyes of a young girl learning to understand race for the first time.
     
    By turns uplifting and funny, poignant and full of verve, Dollbaby is a novel readers will take to their hearts.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Audio
    Release dateJul 3, 2014
    ISBN9780698171565
    Author

    Laura Lane McNeal

    Laura Lane McNeal grew up in New Orleans, where she lives today with her husband and two sons. She graduated from Southern Methodist University. She also has an MBA from Tulane and ran her own marketing consulting firm in New Orleans. This is her first novel.

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    Reviews for Dollbaby

    4/5

    177 ratings31 reviews

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    • 4/5

      Apr 13, 2024

      This was such a chill and comforting book. I enjoyed reading about the characters day to day lives. It was heartwarming and humorous, while also not shrinking away from the gritty reality of being black in the South during the 1960s.
    • 5/5

      Nov 21, 2023

      If you'd like to be planted in New Orleans (a place I need to visit!) and experience the sights, scents, feel of the 1960's-early 70's, this is the book to read! I loved the ties between the owner of the home, Fannie, her granddaughter, Ibby, and the "help" - Queenie and Dollbaby, who were really brought to life in these pages. Loved their sense of humor, their heart, and the care they had for everyone.

      The only thing I didn't like was my initial idea that Frannie was "old" in the first pages, and then to realize she was younger than me! ;) Okay, I'm over that I guess!
    • 5/5

      Mar 31, 2023

      Not what I expected, it was much, much better.
      You aren’t preached to and forced to learn a lesson, you get a small taste of what life was like in New Orleans in the 60’s, but that isn’t the main point of the story.
      This is a funny, tender story about a 12 year old girl dumped at her very eccentric grandmother’s house and what her life was like being raised by said grandmother and her black help.
      There are even a few surprises in the book.
    • 4/5

      Oct 9, 2022

      It is 1964 in New Orleans, Ibby Bell's dad has died after a fall. Her mother brings her to her grandmother's, Fannie's, house to live, along with his ashes in an urn. This starts Ibby and Frannie's life together. Queenie, the maid, along with her daughter, Dollbaby take Ibby under their wing. The civil rights act gets signed by LBJ and there is some racial tension in the community, which is portrayed in the novel.
      Frannie has seen a lot of tragedy in her life, and her story is told to Ibby by Queenie and Dollbaby. As her story is revealed over the years, Ibby understands Frannie's connection to Queenie, Dollbaby, and well as to others in the town. Ibby learns so much about her grandmother's past and how she touched so many.
      A beautifully told story of a tumultuous time in our history.
    • 3/5

      Jul 3, 2021

      reviewed from galley (thanks to penguin debut authors club)

      It's hard to read a book set in the 1960s South without comparing to The Help, but if I try to be objective I'd say that "gentle" is pretty accurate. I enjoyed it but would not call it a standout.
    • 4/5

      Nov 30, 2020

      One of the best books I've read this year. I loved the strong characters and their interactions with each other. It wasn't until the very end of the book that I realized why the book was titled such. I really loved this story.
    • 5/5

      May 22, 2018

      It's a very rare occurrence that I give a book a five-star rating. But when you close the cover for the last time, feeling as though you are saying goodbye to a friend, you know the book you've just read is a true gem. I know these characters will stay with me for a long while and there are lessons to be learned from the indomitable Miss Fannie and her faithful tribe of amazing women. I would recommend this book to anyone and thought more than once that I truly hope it's optioned for a movie, as McNeal's writing made it so incredibly easy to picture it in my imagination as I read each page. This book deserves to be loved by many.
    • 3/5

      May 22, 2018

      Cute and enjoyable... This was a cute and pleasurable novel. I knocked off a star because at times it just seemed a little too far fetched for me. It was a pleasurable and interesting read. There were several laugh out loud moments and some touching moments. Fannie was an interesting character and there was a bit of a twist at the end that I was not expecting. However, the ending had me like "Is that it?", which is why I knocked off another half star. Maybe I need to reread the ending.
    • 4/5

      Nov 24, 2017

      After her father’s death, Liberty “Ibby” Bell’s mother deposits her on the doorstep of her grandmother, the occasionally crazy Miss Fannie. Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal is a story of a few quirky characters living in Civil Rights-era New Orleans. McNeal’s story is filled with eccentric characters, southern charm, and the battle to de-segregate, but it seems like she’s trying to do too much. Too many characters have too many secrets. Too many coincidental tragedies drive the plot until it all starts to collapse under its own weight. A lot of people liked this one a lot, but it wasn’t a big hit for me.
    • 4/5

      Oct 22, 2016

      After Ibby's father dies, her mom unceremoniously leaves her with her paternal grandmother, Fanny, in her large New Orleans home. Fanny is attended by African-American maids Queenie and her daughter Dollbaby. This wonderful cast of characters comes together around Fanny, who is emotionally fragile. It takes the book to find out why, and it's a wonderful story. The 1960s in New Orleans is a time of difficult change, as the Civil Rights Act is implemented and people see the possibilities of their lives differently.

      I loved the characters, and the uniqueness of each of their voices. The novel was paced a bit slow in places, but for the most part the story kept me interested and kept moving. Not everything seemed realistic to me, but that didn't really impact my enjoyment. (Although why do people in novels seem to always have piles of money?) Good read, enjoyable and detailed -- love the depiction of the details of 1960s New Orleans life.
    • 4/5

      Jun 26, 2016

      An rich and atmospheric tale of a young girl left to live with her grandmother in 1960s New Orleans. Ibby struggles to understand the strictly stratified world she has entered, in which black and white people are kept separate, but the black servants in her grandmother's house also behave as much like family as servants. I really enjoyed this book and appreciated how well it invoked the atmosphere and culture of New Orleans, but also how it portrayed both black and white characters with a range of personalities and motivations.
    • 4/5

      Apr 20, 2016

      I enjoyed the story and atmosphere immensely. I love stories that take place in big, old houses with lots of mysteries and family secrets. I would have given it five stars, except for some odd uses of language and ideas that did not ring true to the time period and pulled me out of the story. For example, two boys playing in the 1940s called each other "retards," which I have never heard used as a derogatory term until the last ten years or so.
    • 3/5

      Mar 21, 2016

      Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal is a recommended family saga - maybe highly recommended, at least what I read, but more on that later.

      Liberty Bell, known as Ibby, was unceremoniously dropped off at her grandmother Fannie's house in New Orleans, along with the urn containing her father's ashes, by her mother just a couple weeks after her father died. Having grown up in Olympia, Washington, Ibby is new to the ways of the South. Fannies cook, Queenie, her daughter, Babydoll, are there to help Ibby negotiate her way with her grandmother, who just wants to be called Fannie, as well as Southern society during some years when big transitions are happening.

      The novel opens in 1964 and then proceeds to the 70's. Obviously these were turbulent times in the country, but especially the South. Fannie has secrets she is hiding too about which Ibby hears hints and insinuations.

      From what I read this is a well written novel that does an excellent job establishing character development and the setting. I was enjoying it immensely when my advanced digital reading copy, provided courtesy of the Penguin First to Read Program, expired today, July 3. I was planning to finish the book and post the review today. I understand that Penguin wanted reviews done in a timely manner, but this "by July third" apparently meant before July third because that was when your digital copy would no longer be available. It's difficult to give an accurate rating on a book that I haven't read the ending of due to the publisher's ill-conceived rule.
    • 5/5

      Feb 4, 2016

      Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal starts with the amazing journey through the life of Ibby who moves in with her grandmother after the death of her father and being abandoned by her mother. More importantly, Dollbaby is the story of the women who touch Izzy’s life and their own personal journeys.

      The character development was remarkable and I came to love these women, Ibby; her grandmother Fannie; and Fannie’s two maids, Queenie and Dollbaby. These women could not be any different than they are, yet, they love one another in a profound way.

      Fannie suffers from moments of dark depression, and it is the cause of that depression that slowly unfolds. While secrets are uncovered, we see how each woman has played different, but equally important roles in harboring the truth. I love how their individual stories are so intermingled with one another.

      The entire story takes place in civil rights era, New Orleans, adding real life drama to the story and with the woman spanning three generations, we get genuine insight to how the movement effected everyone so very differently.

      It was the ending…that final secret uncovered, that really made this beautiful story worth reading. I was shocked at the ending, full of emotion and so glad that I was fortunate enough to have read Dollbaby. This is the rare book that I would wholeheartedly consider reading again.
    • 4/5

      Aug 3, 2015

      An interesting look at what family means in the midst of the civil rights movement in New Orleans.
    • 4/5

      Jun 5, 2015

      great story!
    • 4/5

      May 20, 2015

      Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeil is a 2014 Viking Adult publication.

      This highly praised novel has oft been compared to “The Help”, and to a lesser extent “The Secret Life of Bees”. However, I would advise you to avoid going into this book with that type of preconceived notion. This book is nothing at all like “The Help” with the exception of it being set in the south in the 1960's, and featuring strong black women, but the similarity ends there.

      When Liberty's ( Ibby) father dies suddenly, her mother abruptly drops her off at her paternal grandmothers' home without Ibby ever having met the woman, and with no indication when her mother might return for her.

      Fannie is nothing like Ibby thought she would be, and with Queenie and Dollbaby on hand, Ibby settles into a new life in New Orleans with these three special women who raise her into adulthood, while Ibby slowly unlocks the dark family secrets Fannie has hidden in the old house for all these years.

      The hot, humid backdrop of New Orleans in the sixties where race tensions were high provided a
      uneasy backdrop to this engrossing coming of age story. Queenie and Dollbaby are the real caretakers of Ibby, although Fannie makes most of the big decisions about her granddaughter's future, such as attending a prestigious Catholic school, despite the fact they weren't Catholic, as an example.

      Queenie and Dollbaby know most of Fannie's secrets and moods, and slowly reveal them to Ibby until she finally has clearer picture of who Fannie is and what is at the root of her instability. You will most likely begin to piece together the truth about Ibby's family as time passes on, but ultimately this is a story of friendship, love, and family.

      The writing could have been a lot more cohesive and the outline needed some work. However, at the core, the story is solid, it just lacks a smoothness to it, and could use a little more shine and polish. However, the story itself overrode any writing issues. I had some mixed emotions about some parts of the story, but the south had it's own way of handling things back in the day and Fannie and Queenie, especially Queenie, took an unorthodox approach in what was most certainly a no win situation. I still wondered at some of the ramifications of Fannie's story, but can't really dissect it in this review without giving too much away.

      I think the story is though provoking, atmospheric, sad, yet ultimately the truth, as harsh as may have been, really showed that love transcends all manner of obstacles, especially with family. Forgiveness, acceptance, and peace often comes at a high price and all the women in the story made sacrifices in order to do what they felt was right or for the best. We may not agree with all their choices, but I did find them to be strong and inspirational, in the face of much tragedy and difficult times.

      Overall, I still feel somewhat conflicted by this book, but any story that keeps me thinking about it long after I have turned the last page, means it left an impression. I have struggled with how I wanted to rate the book, especially with some of the writing issues I mentioned, but I think the story is about average- so this one gets 4 stars.
    • 5/5

      Nov 27, 2014

      A special thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Viking, Pamela Dorman Books, and NetGalley for an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

      Update Audio Book 2015:
      Almost a year has passed since the launch of award-winning DOLLBABY, a favorite among southern fans. Being an Audible member, I enjoy going back to some of my "all time favorites reads" from the previous year, and re-reading by listening to them via audio. What a pleasure experiencing once again an extraordinary and heartwarming story by Laura Lane McNeal, performed by January Lavoy, delivering an outstanding performance! (A perfect match). Highly recommend any version; however, the audio most definitely captures the essence of time and place, as well as the intense emotions of the turbulent sixties.

      Move over Southern writers, this newfound author is here to stay! THIS GIRL IS ON FIRE! Laura Lane McNeal, where have you been? Hands down, DOLLBABY, The Best Debut Novel of 2014! A predicted bestseller chart topper.

      From the exquisite and stunning front cover, beautiful fonts, and the intricate filigree throughout the book—resonating the elegant New Orleans style of southern charm and sophistication, worthy of this much loved historical setting—matched with a beautifully- written, impressive debut novel, from the first page to the last.

      A heartwarming and poignant story of strong women, facing many obstacles, tragedies, and challenges in a time of racial tension during the 60’s and 70’s. From Civil Rights, Vietnam, family secrets, and lies, to the days of Woolworth’s, President Johnson, Black and white TVs to color---in the exciting and beautiful southern backdrop, where architecture, jazz, music, dance, southern creole and Cajun food feed your soul.

      What a storyteller---this inspiring, uplifting and funny novel, full of flawed and lovable characters, will keep crying and laughing, as they win reader’s hearts.

      It was 1964 and Liberty Alice Bell (Ibby) 12 yr.-old, born on July 4th, from Washington, has just lost her dad, due to a biking accident (they were on their father-daughter outing). Ibby’s mom, Vidrine, (not a very caring mom), dumps her daughter, (with no explanation), along with her dad’s ashes and an urn---on her eccentric grandmother, Fannie’s doorstep, in the historical area of New Orleans. Of course, Vidrine does not care for her mother-in-law, and the feeling is most definitely, mutual.

      Ibby is not aware she has a grandmother prior to this date, nor is she knowledgeable of her southern roots, her dad’s family, or anything about this foreign culture. She is grief stricken, and now left alone with a grandmother she does not even know, in a strange town.

      Boy, is she in for a treat of her life, when she is greeted by Fannie’s black, smart and wise housekeeper, and cook-- Queenie, who seems to run the household. Queenie came with the house, and has been with Miss Fannie since she was eighteen. She has seen and heard it all, and well equipped for the job!

      Queenie’s daughter Dollbaby (Doll) -- (23 yrs. old), a talented seamstress and manager for Miss Fannie, runs the household as well, keeping everyone in line. One of her main duties is ensuring Miss Fannie, the lady of the house stays calm.

      This group loves hiding things, and keeping secrets to protect their owner. (And let me tell you, this family has plenty of dark, hidden secrets), keeping you engrossed from beginning to end! Doll’s daughter, Birdelia (sassy and fun), also Ibby’s age, so an immediate family and friendship. (If only Annabelle could be so easy to win over).

      Miss Fannie has had a tough life after her husband, and two son’s death. She has a colorful past, yet is the foundation of the town, and knows everyone. Fannie is rich, street smart, has guts, tough, funny, and well respected. (Even though she does like to drink now and then, and go a little nuts). Her main family is Queenie and Dollbaby, and of course, their immediate family. Fannie will do anything to protect them, as they her. Even though Fannie is strange in many ways---she has a wonderful and giving heart and takes Ibby under her wing. However she wants to protect her in the event her mom comes back for her.

      The funniest is Fannie’s love of betting – tennis, golf, football, race horses, etc…..she is sharp, has a thumb on the winners, and a town of followers, ready to follow her lead. She begins to teach Ibby, the ways of the south from-- the way you dress, entertain, manners, and how to win at life! (The white gloves and pearls, a trademark of the South)—yes I am a southerner!

      Queenie and Doll informs Ibby the rules of the house from their point of view:
      Rule #1: Don’t ever go asking Fannie about her past (gets her all emotional)
      Rule #2: Fannie talks about her past, let her talk, but don’t go asking no questions.
      Rule #3 You see her hand start twitching, you better change the subject or she gone have one of her spells
      Rule # 4 You got something you want to know you come ask one of us
      Rule #5 I will tell you what you need to know, but don’t never let on to Miss Fannie that I said nothing.
      Rule #6 Keep Miss Ibby away from Miss Annabelle

      "Just remember those rules and we won’t have no troubles!"

      As Ibby searches for a family and her own identify, she finally comes to know her real grandmother, with all her secrets and flaws; and love of the other powerful women in the house on Prytania Street, who irrevocably shaped and nurtured her grandmother, past the ghosts she left behind.

      From the flash backs to the fifties to the present time of sixties through the seventies – what a ride, from loss and love, to forgiveness and redemption.

      Loved these quotes: “You can’t choose the day or time when you will fully bloom. It happens on its own time, when you least expect it. “Whenever there’s a loss, there’s bound to be a gain somewhere else. You just have to know where to look for it.”


      Fans of Dorothea Benton Frank, Beth Hoffman, Karen White, Susan Rebecca White, Fannie Flagg, Joshilyn Jackson, Wiley Cash, Charles Martin, Kathryn Stockett, Sue Monk Kidd, Sarah Addison Allen, Julie Kibler, and Diane Chamberlain (just to name a few of my favorites), will welcome Laura Lane McNeal’s DOLLBABY, and assured to enjoy her unique style and authentic first-hand knowledge of the south, its characters, and dialect.

      This bighearted, coming-of-age debut novel, is the type of book, you cannot put down. A page-turner, keeping you wanting to know the next secret and fate; yet at you come to the close, you do not want it to end as you want to savor each word. (Missing Commander’s Palace–and my favorite seat in the garden patio). Please, let’s hope for a sequel, as these characters are too good, to end. You have to love New Orleans and this house!

      Would love to continue to hear more about future adventures of Ibby, Doll, Birdelia, and T-Bone. Fans will definitely root for a movie –as can you image the cast?

      A powerful, thought-provoking, inspiring, and satisfying read. I highly recommend! A talented author you will want to follow for years to come-can’t wait to see what comes next!
    • 4/5

      Oct 28, 2014

      There is nothing better than a Southern story set in New Orleans that spans decades. Liberty Bell (Ibby) has been dropped off at her grandmother's house after the death of her father. Abandoned by her mother, she is raised by her grandmother Fannie and Fannie's maids Queenie and Doll. As Ibby grows up, we learn about the secrets that have been buried in the past. I really loved this novel. For fans of The Help, this is one you need to pick up!

      This was an ARC from Netgalley.
    • 4/5

      Oct 26, 2014

      In this coming-of-age story set in the Civil Rights era, Ibby is dropped off at the home of her eccentric grandmother in New Orleans after the death of her beloved father. Filled with colorful characters, family secrets and lots of New Orleans tidbits, this book will appeal to fans of Saving Ceecee Honeycutt.
    • 5/5

      Oct 16, 2014

      A first novel by Laura Lane McNeal and I will watch for her to write more, and hopefully soon! I love reading any thing set in the South, about New Orleans, and quirky southern family members. Little Ibby is well taken care of after being dropped at her grandmothers to live. Good book.
    • 5/5

      Sep 12, 2014

      Warning: You will fall in love with the characters in this book.

      This book made me laugh and made me cry. 11 year old Ibby’s (Liberty) father has died and her mother (can I put quotes around mother to let you know what I think of her) drops her off at her grandmother Fannie’s house the problem is Ibby and Miss Fannie have never met, and this so called mother doesn’t even walk her to the door to introduce them just drops her off in the street and drives away. If you can’t tell by this paragraph I don’t think very highly of Vidrine’s so called motherly love. Especially the “gift” she wants Ibby to give to her grandmother, Vidrine is just a spiteful woman.

      Luckily for Ibby she is going into a house full of women that will love her and take care of her, the first person she meets is Dollbaby and her momma Queenie who work for her grandmother Fannie and Ibby doesn’t realize her grandmother is just as scared as she is that they won’t like each other, but Miss Fannie is a character and luckily they do hit it off even if it is strained for a little while. Miss Fannie is an interesting character strong yet fragile I laughed when she was helping the bookie then cried when she had her spell on Ibby’s birthday she was such an interesting character that has been through some awful things and when we learn how Queenie came to work for her and how she got her nickname it really gives insight into both of these women.

      The book starts out in 1964, 3 days before Ibby’s 12th birthday and continues on till she is in college. Now, you know what race relations were like at this time in our country and even though this is New Orleans there is still certain things that can’t be done, even though Ibby is friends with Doll & Queenie’s family when she is out alone with any of them things are said and done that will make you cringe and hope that in this day and age things like that don’t happen anymore.

      There is one other character that I did not like and that was neighbor girl Annabelle what a little brat who grew up to be a spoiled rotten brat (ok not the b-word I was going to use but you get my drift) but karma oh wonderful karma with a little push from Miss Fannie and Miss Ibby she does get her comeuppance and that made me laugh and cheer!

      I truly loved the characters in this book Doll and Queenie are great ladies and I loved how loyal and loving they were towards both Miss Fannie and Ibby even from the first time meeting them. This is a story about family and acceptance and is a truly wonderful read.

      Narrator January LaVoy did a fantastic job of bringing these characters to life I loved how she voiced Ibby at age 11 sounding like a little girl and voiced her differently as she got older but yet you knew it was Ibby talking, everyone had their own unique voice, LaVoy’s narration truly added to my experience of this book.

      If you are a fan of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt or Secret Life of Bees or just southern fiction in general give this one a try.

      5 Stars
    • 5/5

      Aug 12, 2014

      This is Laura Lane McNeal's first novel and she is off to a great start. I look forward to reading her future books. Dollbaby is a coming of age novel that takes place in New Orleans in the late 60s. Ibby is dropped off at her grandmother's house by her mother, after her father dies. She had never met her grandmother and is terrified. She is met and immediately accepted by the maids, Dollbaby and Queenie who are very important people in the novel, along with her grandmother Fannie. The book is full of mystery and fun and all the obstacles that Ibby faces as she grows up. Its a great book for people who enjoy Southern fiction and for people who just want to read a great novel.
    • 4/5

      Jul 17, 2014

      Many thanks to Netgalley.com for providing an advanced digital copy of Dollbaby by Laura L. McNeal in exchange for my honest review.

      I have mixed feelings about Dollbaby by Laura L. McNeal. I expected to love it, but there was something missing for me. It is confusing because I found the story to be interesting with well-developed characters, but there was too much telling and not enough of a gradual revelation by the reader. Allowing the reader to discover the truth on his/her own provides much more impact than being told what to think and what to feel, Historical events can unfold without having the meaning explicitly spelled out for the reader. It seemed more like a Young Adult novel than adult fiction, but my opinion is clearly in the minority as this book comes highly recommended and reviewed.
    • 5/5

      Jul 16, 2014

      (Warning: This does contain spoilers.) I loved this book! I was hooked from the beginning. I was drawn to Ibby, Fannie, Quennie, and Dollbaby. McNeal paints a nostaligic portrait of 1960's New Orleans from 1964-1972. There were a couple of characters whose actions I did not understand. I don't really understand why Graham was sent to boarding school.(I know the reason, but would Fannie and Norwood really do that?) I couldn't understand why Norwood would abandon Fannie after what happened with Muddy. (Not if he loved her the way he seemed to love her.) And I can't understand Fannie's actions in the end. Even though she did suffer from mental illness, I would think her life with Ibby would keep her from doing that. That being said, I did truly love this book and could not put it down. I look forward to MnNeal's next book. In response to those reviewers who felt it was too much like The Help, Secret Life of Bees, Etc., I disagree. Although they are all southern novels that deal with racial issues, Dollbaby stands on it's own. I highly recommend this book!

      Read this book if:
      *you love southern fiction
      *you love coming of age novels
      *you love stories that take place in New Orleans
      *you love stories that take place in the 1960's
    • 4/5

      Jul 5, 2014

      I received an advance uncorrected proof via a First Reads giveaway on Goodreads. Thank you to Paula Dorman Books for the opportunity. Following is my honest opinion of this book.

      I understand this is the first book by author Laura Lane McNeal, and I'm thinking she's off to a great start on her writing career! I would be very interested in reading more by this author.

      I enjoyed this book very much, and was intrigued by the characters. The plot twists and turns kept me fascinated and dying to know what would happen next.

      The book was recommended to those who liked The Help, and I agree with that. But I found the dialogue in Dollbaby much each easier to read and understand.

      Thanks again to the publisher. And to the author, keep 'em coming!
    • 5/5

      Jul 3, 2014

      I loved this book. Fannie was an amazing character, Every few chapters you learned something new about her. By the end you got her full story, which was heartbreaking. Fannie started with nothing, had a few bumps along the way but in the end she had a loving family that included Queenie, Doll, and Ibby. It wasn't all sad, there were many humorous moments, especially when the fallen tree traps Fannie on the couch. While reading it, I kept thinking this would make a great movie. I enjoyed the style of writing and look forward to reading more from the author.
    • 4/5

      Jun 29, 2014

      3.5 A coming of age story set in New Orleans during the era of Civil Rights. A story that is gently and atmospherically told, filled with secrets, family and tragedies from the past that have a strong hold on the present.

      It is, however, the characters that make this novel so special. Ibby I 12 hers old, her father recently dead, when she is dropped at her grandmothers house, by her mother. A grandmother she had never met and had been told by her mother many bad things. There she meets two wonderfully drawn black women named Queenie, the other Queenie's daughter who they call Dollbaby. Her grandmother is a generous, often overwhelmed woman, whose life holds many personal struggles and secrets. The rich characterizations of these characters is amazing.

      We get little bit of the music scene, a visit to the black community and their church when President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act, and a Vietnam War protest a Tulane. We watch Ibby grow and as secrets are revealed, her struggle to understand the woman who is her grandmother.

      A wonderfully written Southern novel, full of the atmosphere that is still found in New Orleans today.

      ARC from publisher.
    • 5/5

      Jun 25, 2014

      I receive quite a few ARCs and always have a neat selection to choose from. I was genuinely happy that I picked this one to read. Let me first say this, I was/AM a major fan of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman. How I loved that book!! Now I have a new favorite coming-of-age story called Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal. Loved it!! It gave me such a home-y feel as I read. I always know when I am going to like a book and that feeling comes when I can visualize myself hanging out with the characters in the story. What made this book even more imaginable for me was the familiarity of the books setting of New Orleans. Amongst the old homes and oaks on Prytania or the mere mention of St. Charles Avenue, I could picture Ibby and Birdelia, (me tagging along) walking down the beautiful sidewalks and waiting for the streetcars or going for a shaved ice snowball. I could smell the delicious aromas of French-Creole cuisine coming from the tables and kitchen at Antoine's as Ibby and her grandmother, Fannie, dined for Ibby's birthday. The setting of Dollbaby was enchanting. I spent many years in New Orleans and had quite the love affair with this beautiful city and like Fannie, I also grew up "from around Mamou" (Opelousas) and even Ville Platte got a mention. The story that unfolds here is one that will remain a cherished book on my shelf. It does help that McNeal grew up in NOLA. That doesn't mean that I automatically loved this because it's written about my home state. Knowing the book was set in Louisiana IS what initially brought me to the title. The great writing and wonderful, creative, always-surprising storyline was the STICKING POINT. McNeal really captured the imagination of this reader but it was Ibby, Dollbaby, Queenie, Birdelia, and Fannie who stole my heart!! These are great southern fiction women personified. Liberty Bell, AKA Ibby, eventually grows into her southern roots.

      The story begins in mid-1960's New Orleans. Liberty Bell is carelessly ditched at the doorstep of a paternal grandmother she has never met by a mother who is selfish, unkind, and partially blames Ibby for the unexpected death of Ibby's beloved father. Ibby is a 12-year old girl transplanted from Olympia, Washington to NOLA and a southern way of life that she has no clue about. Greeting her at the door is Dollbaby, or Doll, the 23-yr. old housemaid/sewer for Fannie, the eccentric grandmother Ibby is introduced to. Queenie is Doll's mother and the cook and I suspect that Queenie has always run the show in this house. There is no doubt that Queenie is in charge. Eventually we meet Birdelia, who is Doll's young, sassy daughter. Each will play a pivotal role in Ibby's life as she grows from a scared, unsure, lonely girl to a woman who will find her true home in the world, uncovering long buried family secrets along the way.

      "Whenever there's a loss, there's bound to be a gain somewhere else.You just have
      to know where to look for it."

      Lovely!!
    • 4/5

      Jun 22, 2014

      I received this from the publishers via Netgalley.

      This novel is set in New Orleans, near the french quarter in 1960 and spans over the course of 12 years. Ibby's father has just tragically passed away and 11 year-old Ibby is being thrust into a new state and a new home of her grandmother Frannie's, whom she didn't even know existed until a few days before her father passed away. Ibby's mom says she just needs time away and although she's never said a nice word about Frannie, she leaves Ibby to stay with her. Ibby is terrified and immediately receives a culture shock. She's never talked to a black person and Frannie's housekeepers are mom and daughter, Queenie and Dollbaby. They are out-spoken and kind, and they have their hands filled with keeping Frannie in a right state. They run over the rules with Ibby, explaining that Frannie is a unique woman and you should never ask her about her past or she's liable to go into a frantic state. Ibby soon learns that Frannie has bouts of where she needs to "go away for a while to rest" at a local mental institution and Queenie and Doll just explain that sometimes the sadness gets too much for dear Fannie. Ibby meets and befriends Doll's young daughter Birdelia, and Dollbaby, Queenie, and Frannie all make Ibby feel comfortable at home. Slowly but surely Ibby discovers that there are many secrets among the women of the household and that not everything is exactly as it seems. Ibby learns that family comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors and that you can't prevent things from happening but you learn to roll with the punches. The ending was awesome. At times this book was slow for me, but it would pick up slowly but surely. The story was just beautiful and I finished it with a full understanding of where everyone was coming from. I can't get the southern twang out of my mouth though, I could picture Queenie talking as the words flowed onto the page. I really loved all the characters and had an emotional attachment to each of them!