Summer at Tiffany: A Memoir
Marjorie Hart Recalls 1940s New York Glamour
Everyone wants to have that perfect summer – and Marjorie Hart experienced it. Summer at Tiffany is Hart’s memoir about the summer of 1945 that, despite the presence of World War II, remains the ideal of bliss and excitement. Hart, now 82, recounts how she and her best friend, Marty, traveled from their homes and college in Iowa to New York City, planning to get jobs at Lord & Taylor. But since every other young woman had the same idea, they were turned away, and instead found jobs as pages at Tiffany.
They were the first female pages ever – there was a lack of young men due to the war. The two young women wore teal blue “uniforms”, dresses from Bonqit Teller. Hart describes the thrill of being at Tiffany, not just for the abundance of gorgeous jewels, dishware and gift items, but because of the variety of customers. Throughout her time at Tiffany, Hart sees old-money New Yorkers, plus celebrities such as Judy Garland and, to her surprise, a gangster.
But the summer isn’t just about work. Hart and her friends (Marty, plus sorority sisters also in the city for the summer) explore the city, the beach, the midshipmen. Though the differences between small-town Iowa and New York City are compelling, sometimes Hart’s naiveté and complete awe become tedious. There are a bit too many “oh my gosh” remarks. It would’ve been nice for Hart to add a bit more perspective to her memories; for example, during an early interview, she misunderstands one man’s sarcastic (though good-natured) remark regarding his wife and his job. Obviously Hart later understands her error, but it is surprising she doesn’t elaborate further. The reader keeps expecting a statement such as, “I can’t believe I said that…” but it never really arrives.
Hart does weave in real-life “how will it turn out?” story lines, especially regarding her dates with a midshipman and continuing her music studies. Near the end of her summer, Hart makes a big decision regarding the future of her music career… and though she claims she never regretted her decision, it’s hard not to imagine what would’ve happened had she chosen the other way.
The best part about the book is the historical aspect. It leaves one with furher questions about some of the history of Tiffany and other popular New York attractions of the 1940s. Summer at Tiffany is a fairly short and quick read. There is room for another fifty to one hundred pages with further history and perhaps some perspective from Marty (who seems, in their college years, more worldly than Hart).
Summer at Tiffany is a great book to read on the beach or airplane, for evcn with its faults, it’ll keep you turning the page.
