Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: A Critical Edition

Lorelei's New York City

Lorelei’s New York in Blondes may feel expansive to new readers unfamiliar with the specific 1920s locations mentioned in her diaries. With all of her dining out, shopping, and other excursions she could appear to be running all over Manhattan. However, the New York map of locations in the novel shows Lorelei’s New York is very limited: nearly all of the locations she actually visits are in Midtown Manhattan and Central Park, with the exception of stops on Long Island during the course of her multi-day debut party. The few other locations outside of Midtown are all references. There is one location, Harlem, where Lorelei considers attending a party, but she ultimately decides to stay home when a suitor disapproves of her attendance with another man.

The text of the book edition of Blondes added one New York location not featured in the magazine, the dress shop owned by Madame Frances that Lorelei's suitor Gerry doesn't want her to go to, and that she then goes to when he is out of town and she is bored.

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