"Our Hearts Were Young and Gay" by Cornelia Otis Skinner

The book Our Hearts Were Young and Gay is written and narrated in the first person by Cornelia Otis Skinner and co-written by her dear friend Emily Kimbrough. It tells the story of the young authors, two hilarious and enchanting American girls, on a European adventure together to claim their independence. In this extremely wild, witty and well written story, we follow them around on their continental voyage from their cramped room on the ship to an old English inn, from the spot where Joan of Arc was killed to the Ritz Hotel in Paris. It is enjoyable and full of humor and yet, if one looks deeper, it isn't light or frivolous but really quite profound. Some of the things the girls do are so crazy and unbelievable that they may at first seem too ridiculous and yet somehow that is really what makes the book feel more realistic than other books. In fact, I'd say what makes it so remarkable and celebrated is how true-to-life it really is. …