Can't remember novel about NY preppies
August 2, 2012 8:24 PM Subscribe
Trying-to-remember-book-read-long-ago Filter:
I read a book, no more recently than the 80s, but written maybe in the 60s? It was an American novel, maybe a Young Adult novel. It took place in Manhattan and was about some prep school kids, maybe in the 40s or 50s or 60s, on their Christmas break. Lots of parties. The protagonist was a teenage prep school girl. Her beloved older brother and his best friend, also preppies, were in a phase where they had read Oblamov and were obsessed with the character. As an early besotted lover of Catcher in the Rye, I loved this book too as it conjured up that same rarified Upper East Side world. That's all I can remember. Anyone?
I read a book, no more recently than the 80s, but written maybe in the 60s? It was an American novel, maybe a Young Adult novel. It took place in Manhattan and was about some prep school kids, maybe in the 40s or 50s or 60s, on their Christmas break. Lots of parties. The protagonist was a teenage prep school girl. Her beloved older brother and his best friend, also preppies, were in a phase where they had read Oblamov and were obsessed with the character. As an early besotted lover of Catcher in the Rye, I loved this book too as it conjured up that same rarified Upper East Side world. That's all I can remember. Anyone?
Response by poster: Thanks, iconomy, but that's not it. The kids are older, maybe 16 to 18. They go to glamorous parties where there is alcohol. I think their schools are outside of NYC, like in New England. And I believe the entire novel takes place while they are home in Manhattan during Christmas break, but I'm not sure. But thanks anyway!
posted by primate moon at 9:03 PM on August 2, 2012
posted by primate moon at 9:03 PM on August 2, 2012
Sounds somewhat L'Engle-y to me, though I can't place it. The Young Unicorns, maybe? Camilla Dickenson?
posted by ourobouros at 9:04 PM on August 2, 2012
posted by ourobouros at 9:04 PM on August 2, 2012
Mod note: Final update from the OP:
iconomy, after all this time, I looked into your suggestion, and you were absolutely right! The book I was remembering was "Because of Madeline," by Mary Stolz. I just found an old, used copy and I'm reliving my youth when I read it so many times. Thanks so much!posted by cortex (staff) at 4:47 PM on October 4, 2014
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posted by iconomy at 8:40 PM on August 2, 2012