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The New York Doll
The New York Doll
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2014
About the author
Ellie Midwood
45 books1,023 followersEllie Midwood is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning historical fiction author, whose works have been translated into 20 languages. She owes her interest in the history of the Second World War to her grandfather, Junior Sergeant in the 2nd Guards Tank Army of the First Belorussian Front, who began telling her about his experiences on the frontline when she was a young girl. Growing up, her interest in history only deepened and transformed from reading about the war to writing about it. After obtaining her BA in Linguistics, Ellie decided to make writing her full-time career and began working on her first full-length historical novel, "The Girl from Berlin." Ellie is continuously enriching her library with new research material and feeds her passion for WWII and Holocaust history by collecting rare memorabilia and documents.
In her free time, Ellie is a health-obsessed yoga enthusiast, neat freak, adventurer, Nazi Germany history expert, polyglot, philosopher, a proud Jew, and a doggie mama. Ellie lives in New York with her husband and their three dogs.
In her free time, Ellie is a health-obsessed yoga enthusiast, neat freak, adventurer, Nazi Germany history expert, polyglot, philosopher, a proud Jew, and a doggie mama. Ellie lives in New York with her husband and their three dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 15, 2015
Wow! This story is provocative, brutally honest, and compelling! I was drawn into her world and couldn't stop reading! This is the true story of a 25-year-old immigrant from Russia who comes to New York with big dreams, high hopes, and a fierce love for America. I loved her perspective on what it was like to come to this country; it was amazing to see it through her eyes! This story is not all rainbows and sunshine however...She struggles financially and finds herself lured into the sometimes glamorous world of exotic dancing. This is where the story gets REALLY interesting, because the writer bares her soul...confiding the true behind-the-scenes story of her dancing career. She struggles with heartbreak, depression, toxic family relationships, and even a natural disaster. But through it all, she is a survivor and does whatever it takes to gain her own financial and emotional independence. I recommend this story. It's got grit, but there's so much heart in it too, and once you start reading you won't want to stop!
March 17, 2015
“The New York Doll” tells an honest an intimate story of one woman’s experiences as an exotic dancer. Mila, a young Russian immigrant, recounts her journey to America and how she ended up on stage as an adult entertainer in New York and New Jersey. This book is not erotica and does not heavily focus on the sexual side of the adult industry. This is a memoir that discounts the preconceived notions many of us have about strippers. Mila is not your stereotypical stripper and this book stands as a testament that the widespread stereotypes of women who entertain as exotic dancers for a living simply aren’t true. After reading this book you will see that there is no “typical” stripper and perhaps will have a greater respect and understanding of the women who choose to enter this line of work.
From an early age it was clear that Mila was a smart, resourceful and determined young woman. Her dream was to move from Russia to New York and she made that dream a reality. Though highly intelligent and talented her status as a NON US citizen prevented her from finding work to cover her basic necessities and education. Stripping wasn’t Mila’s dream job, but it certainly helped her fulfil her dreams. Mila proves that women can work as strippers and better their life simultaneously. Very enlightening and entertaining read.
From an early age it was clear that Mila was a smart, resourceful and determined young woman. Her dream was to move from Russia to New York and she made that dream a reality. Though highly intelligent and talented her status as a NON US citizen prevented her from finding work to cover her basic necessities and education. Stripping wasn’t Mila’s dream job, but it certainly helped her fulfil her dreams. Mila proves that women can work as strippers and better their life simultaneously. Very enlightening and entertaining read.
September 13, 2014
Written with erudition and in a sparky, accessible style, 'The New York Doll' is a great read that blows the lid off the life of the exotic dancer.
I much enjoyed Ms. Midwood's 'voice' and the way her protagonist engages with the reader: we see New York though the eyes of a Russian woman, travelling in hope but soon realising the Barbie-Disney world of her childhood does not exist in reality.
At times funny, at times serious, but always entertaining, this is a compelling first novel.
I much enjoyed Ms. Midwood's 'voice' and the way her protagonist engages with the reader: we see New York though the eyes of a Russian woman, travelling in hope but soon realising the Barbie-Disney world of her childhood does not exist in reality.
At times funny, at times serious, but always entertaining, this is a compelling first novel.
March 16, 2015
This book is filled with very real emotion and heartbreak. We meet Mila and travel with her on her journey of self discovery and learn behind the scenes of being an exotic dancer. But nothing was more real than her love of New York, no matter what was thrown her way.
Thank you for letting us see the struggles and that there's always a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dim.
I was hooked from the first chapter! I can't wait to read more of her books.
August 2, 2018
Author Ellie Midwood brings us the tale of a young Russian woman named Mila. Who after a hard life and going through depression growing up in Russia that she wants to move to New York to live and go to school. Along the way we meet her despicable aunt who charges her for every little thing and her cousin whom she fell in love with but turned against her. That brings us to the point where her cousin asks if she's ever danced and then introduces her to to the life of a go go dancer that escalates as she finds out how much money she can make and eventually becomes a stripper a a club where she meet's the man of her dreams. That man frees her from that life giving her the chance to write the book. I highly recommend this little slice of life and everything else that Ellie has written too.
September 5, 2015
I was drawn straight away into Mila's, the main character, world. The story is told with such simplicity, honesty and heart that it touched me and made me want to stay with her all the way through her adventures. Mila is so determined to live her New York dream life that she does what she has to do to be able to stay, no matter what difficulties she faces - but always with integrity, remaining true to herself and to her values. I was fascinated to get a glimpse of the inside world of the Gentlemen's bars you often hear about, but only from the outside. I always thought they were much seedier than that and I'm happy that she's shed the light on it for me. It's nice to see the real women behind the dancers and to know that most of them are intelligent women who have plans and goals in their lives and know exactly why they are there and what they are doing. I love the way the main character starts off so unsure of herself in the clubs and in the end becomes so confident and taking the power. I really admired her courage because she was so often faced with difficulties and heartache, and she was so far from home and her loved ones, yet she never gave up - it's an amazing life lesson for everyone who reads it. I can't wait to read Ellie Midwood's next book!
April 21, 2017
I must admit I enjoyed reading this book :-) The story flows nicely, and there is never a dull moment. Experiencing the life of a 'New York Doll', the twists and turns, the desires and disappointment connected to the lifestyle was very insightful and entertaining. Thankful to Ellie for sharing her work with me :-)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews