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| Credit: Julie Kaplan Photography |
We're thrilled to have Renée Rosen at CLC again today. I love her historical fiction novels and her latest, Let's Call Her Barbie, is no exception. In fact, it's her best one yet! (See my review.) Renée is lovely both online and on Zoom calls (for book clubs). I hope to meet her in person one of these days. She's here today to talk about her latest novel and about Barbie. Thanks to Berkley, we have one copy of Let's Call Her Barbie to share with a lucky reader!
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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. (Courtesy of Amazon.)
What is one thing you'd tell the debut novelist version of yourself?
If Let's Call Her Barbie was made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles and what songs would be on the soundtrack?
I’m so bad at questions like these, but here goes… I think a younger Robert Downey Jr. would be a perfect Jack Ryan and I can see Jennifer Lawrence as Charlotte Johnson. I think Tom Hiddleston could be a great Elliot Handler. As for Ruth, that’s trickier to cast, there’s a few possibilities—Sandra Bullock, Sigourney Weaver or Zooey Deschanel.
The soundtrack would be everything from Elvis and Little Richard in the 1950s to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones (the whole British invasion) along with protest songs in the 1960s and 1970s. The book references quite a few songs that I hope people will remember or Google!
Which was your favorite Barbie when you were growing up?
I had a Bubble Cut Barbie that once belonged to a relative and I cherished her. I still have her along with my original Ken, Midge, and Julia dolls.
In one sentence, what are your thoughts on the Barbie movie from 2023?
I didn’t know what to expect when I went into the theater that day and I have to say, I was very charmed and very pleasantly surprised.
If you could come up with a new Barbie for the 21st century, how would she dress and what objects would she come with? Bonus: What would you call her?
I don’t know! That’s impossible to say, especially knowing what goes into creating a new doll. I suppose I would come up with a spiritual Barbie who is all about embracing the present moment since that’s all we ever really have. Her accessories could include a yoga mat, a candle, a copy of Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now, and Rhonda Bryn’s The Great Secret. I’d call her Enlightened Barbie.
Renée 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 a native of Akron, Ohio, and a graduate of American University in Washington, D.C. She now lives in Chicago and is at work on a new novel. (Bio courtesy of Renée's website.)
Visit Renée online:
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Synopsis:
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.
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. (Courtesy of Amazon.)
"Renée Rosen's research and deft writing bring Barbie - and those who brought her into the world - to vivid pink life and make Let's Call Her Barbie a riveting read for anyone who loves historical fiction, strong women (real and otherwise), Barbie the doll, Barbie the movie, or stories about the American dream. The first must-read of 2025! It's DOLL-ing!"
—Viola Shipman, USA Today bestselling author of The Page Turner
"Impossible to put down, this is a riveting portrayal of a flawed yet awe-inspiring visionary. I thought I knew Barbie’s story, but Rosen’s unflinching portrayal of the doll’s meteoric rise, and the players behind it, proves there’s much more to this tale. An absolute must-read."
—Karma Brown, #1 international bestselling author of What Wild Women Do
“A fresh and fun take on Barbie lore…clever and satisfying.”
—Shelby Van Pelt, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures
What is one thing you'd tell the debut novelist version of yourself?
Don’t take yourself or life so seriously. Lighten up and enjoy the experience because it all goes by so quickly.
What is something new you learned while doing research for Let's Call Her Barbie?
I don’t even know where to begin. I learned so much about what went into the creation of the world’s most iconic doll. First of all and most surprising was that Barbie was based on a German prostitute gag doll for men. Secondly, Ruth Handler, the Mother of Barbie, never played with dolls as a little girl. Thirdly, Barbie was a big flop when they first introduced her at Toy Fair on March 9, 1959. Those are just a few things that come to mind, but there are many, many more. Barbie has often been criticized for her body but people will be surprised to learn that Barbie’s extreme measurements were all driven by her wardrobe and not some misogynistic fantasy.
I don’t even know where to begin. I learned so much about what went into the creation of the world’s most iconic doll. First of all and most surprising was that Barbie was based on a German prostitute gag doll for men. Secondly, Ruth Handler, the Mother of Barbie, never played with dolls as a little girl. Thirdly, Barbie was a big flop when they first introduced her at Toy Fair on March 9, 1959. Those are just a few things that come to mind, but there are many, many more. Barbie has often been criticized for her body but people will be surprised to learn that Barbie’s extreme measurements were all driven by her wardrobe and not some misogynistic fantasy.
If Let's Call Her Barbie was made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles and what songs would be on the soundtrack?
I’m so bad at questions like these, but here goes… I think a younger Robert Downey Jr. would be a perfect Jack Ryan and I can see Jennifer Lawrence as Charlotte Johnson. I think Tom Hiddleston could be a great Elliot Handler. As for Ruth, that’s trickier to cast, there’s a few possibilities—Sandra Bullock, Sigourney Weaver or Zooey Deschanel.
The soundtrack would be everything from Elvis and Little Richard in the 1950s to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones (the whole British invasion) along with protest songs in the 1960s and 1970s. The book references quite a few songs that I hope people will remember or Google!
Which was your favorite Barbie when you were growing up?
I had a Bubble Cut Barbie that once belonged to a relative and I cherished her. I still have her along with my original Ken, Midge, and Julia dolls.
In one sentence, what are your thoughts on the Barbie movie from 2023?
I didn’t know what to expect when I went into the theater that day and I have to say, I was very charmed and very pleasantly surprised.
If you could come up with a new Barbie for the 21st century, how would she dress and what objects would she come with? Bonus: What would you call her?
I don’t know! That’s impossible to say, especially knowing what goes into creating a new doll. I suppose I would come up with a spiritual Barbie who is all about embracing the present moment since that’s all we ever really have. Her accessories could include a yoga mat, a candle, a copy of Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now, and Rhonda Bryn’s The Great Secret. I’d call her Enlightened Barbie.
Thanks to Renée for chatting with us and to Berkley for sharing her book with our readers!
How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.
Giveaway ends January 26th at midnight EST.
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7 comments:
This novel sounds captivating. I never did own a Barbie doll.
I never had a Barbie. I bought them for my daughter and I'm buying them for my granddaughter.
I never owned a Barbie doll.
I never had a Barbie doll, so no favorite.
I loved Barbie's and played for hours!!! My favorite was Music Lovin' or the Tropical Barbie!!!
Brunette Twist-n-turn Barbie & Quick Curl Barbie
I had the first Barbie when she came out in 1959. She has always been my favorite.
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