This isn't a story about Barbie, despite what the title's implications. This is, instead, a tale about the people who were instrumental in creating both the doll and her mystique. Often, people will refer to Ruth Handler but this book also covers her husband, Elliot and her children as well as coworkers Jack Ryan (enineer), and Charlotte Johnson and Stevie Klein (fashion designers.)
The story revolves around each, a third person narrator who flips past each person, letting us know what each is thinking and feeling as the idea of an adult doll sparks, then builds, feels like failure, and then skyrockets. Then, as the partnerships start to fall apart.
This is very much a fiction story but reads like narrative nonfiction. An interesting look at the history of all of these people with a lot of research put into it.
Four stars
This book came out January 21, 2025
Borrowed as audiobook from Libby
Opinions are my own
