This book was very slow at first, and I had to start reading it on my phone, which didn’t really encourage me to keep picking it up. But then I got a Kindle, and that was much better! Also, at around the 40% mark, things started picking up, and I really did enjoy the Mattel universe that Rosen created/was inspired by. While this book is a novel, it felt like nonfiction sometimes. So I think people who struggle with reading nonfiction might actually really enjoy this! A story inspired by mostly real-life people. Now I want to watch the movie again (for what seems like the thousandth time already) after finishing this book.

Ruth Handler is my hero!
Ruth wasn't sitting on her butt reading about successful women who didn't take any crap (hi, that's me) - she was that woman. She shattered ceilings and created something so special and legendary.

I loved this book in every way. I loved the humor, I loved Ruth, I loved learning Barbie's story. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

An interesting view into the inner workings of Mattel Toys and the wonderful world of Barbie.

As a fan of Renee Rosen's books I was looking forward to reading Let's Call Her Barbie.

As with all of her books, the characters are vibrant, contained many emotions and help the exceptional quality of realism.

The store line was interesting and the ups and downs of creating a toy were interesting.

As with all of her books, you can tell a vast amount of research was done to complete this novel.

This book was magical! It was so fun to read about the history of Barbie and all the real-life people who made Barbie come to life.

This was a completely fascinating portrait of a woman in business and the hurdles she faced along with the changing culture of the times. After the buyers turned away from the Barbie Doll at Toy Fair, for example, citing that she was 'too sexy,' the ads on TV appealed to girls at home who begged their mothers to buy them the dolls! The rest is history.

I enjoyed this once it got going, but the start was rather slow. The very short chapters and third person present tense POV gave this a fast paced feel but also made it jumpy and less immersive. I think Jack Ryan’s story was the most compelling and sensationalist, I’d read a biography about him, but the rest was very business focussed and didn’t really dive deeply into Ruth Handler and who she was as a person.
I could see this adapted into a Netflix series though and I think it would be a great format for that as it was very episodic and cinematic. Also the descriptions of all the design elements and setting was vivid enough that it played as a tv show in my head.

This is a great read for any Barbie fans who want more history on the brand and its creators but don’t like reading non fiction.

Let’s Call Her Barbie is an entertaining and thought-provoking read, offering a fresh take on identity, societal expectations, and the pressures of perfection. The characters are vibrant and relatable, especially the protagonist, who navigates both humorous and serious moments with grace. The plot keeps readers engaged with its mix of wit and emotional depth, though at times it could feel a bit predictable. Still, the story’s themes of self-discovery and breaking free from stereotypes are handled well. Overall, it’s a smart, fun novel with just the right balance of heart and humor, making it an enjoyable read.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for the Digital ARC.

I couldn't put this down. As a forever Mattel AND Barbie fan, a background told through narrative was so engrossing and had me hooked. Jack makes me sooooo sad, and his relationship with Ruth breaks my heart. That being said, this is one of my fav reads of the year.

So grateful to Berkley and #berkleybesties for an early digital copy of Let’s Call Her Barbie. I was thrilled to read this before its January release!

Growing up, I adored my Barbies. I had a bag or two full of them. Clothing, accessories, shoes, play sets …I also remember my mom sharing her Barbies with me. She had the original one-chevron swimsuit and all.

“Ruth Handler is Mattel.” She is also the woman that imagined and helped create THE doll that showed girls that they could aspire to be anything (and with great clothing and accessories:)) Rosen weaved together the work and personal lives of Ruth, Jack Ryan and other Barbie creators into a fascinating and nostalgic novel. 💕

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Books for letting me have an early look at this fascinating historical fiction detailing the creation of and the inspiration behind everyones most beloved doll. We get to look behind the scenes with Ruth Handler, creator of Barbie, her husband Elliott and the entire design team as they struggle to bring Ruth's vision to life. Its a compelling read that bogs down a bit in the middle but remains so fascinating due to the period detail and the compelling portrayal of Ruth Handler, a corporate executive and entrepeneur at a time when women just didn't do those things. Hearing Ruth's aspirations for Barbie and her desire to give little girls something else to aspire to aside from being a wife and mother made me admire Barbie all the more and respect her creator for overcoming so many roadblocks and prejudices. The author is not always kind to Ruth or the Barbie team. This is no whitewash of events but rather an examination of the emergence of a cultural phenomenon created by a group of flawed and dedicated individuals. It's a great story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The novel explores not only the highs of Barbie’s success but also the personal struggles and societal challenges that accompany it. Rosen deftly captures the complexity of each character’s journey, providing a profound reflection on identity, ambition, and the pursuit of dreams in a male-dominated industry. I was deeply moved by the emotional depth of this story, which highlights the importance of legacy and the impact of one woman’s determination to change the narrative for future generations. Barbie is a must-read for anyone interested in the transformative power of creativity and the indomitable spirit of women throughout history.

I know little of the background of Barbie. I had Barbies as a child but never looked into the story behind her development. This book will give you great detail into how Barbie came about and the on going challenges Mattel faced through the years.
I found the first half of the book very engaging and interesting. Ruth was ahead of her time it appears and stuck with her beliefs in a time where that was uncommon in the world. It seems sad that she is not better known for her contributions to Barbie and bringing her to the world.
I kind of bogged down near the middle of the book and found it a bit of struggle to get to the end. I know it was all necessary to understand Barbie's whole story (and Ruth's too) but I did not especially enjoy the breakdown of the "team" and Ruth ultimately being removed of her power. It was nice to see her come back in a totally different area and different way in the end. It was also nice that the author include a tiny bit about what happened to the real people that were part of this story.
Overall an enjoyable read although a bit long. Pick this one up in January of 2025.

The perfect combination of compelling story and fascinating history! I learned a lot about Mattel, Barbie, and Ruth Handler while being as invested in the story, characters, and plot as any terrific work of fiction. Though I found the work as a whole to be a tad long, I enjoyed it very much. 4 Stars.

I tried several times to get into this book. I liked the premise of telling Ruth’s story and the history behind Barbie and Mattel. However, I wasn’t able to get into this book and had to throw up the white flag at 20%.

Diving into the book without any preconceptions, I was uncertain about the boundary between fact and fiction. It was a revelation to discover, in the author's notes, that much of the narrative was rooted in history. The fact that Mattel, now synonymous with toys, originated as a picture frame company under the Handlers was just one of the many surprises. This book offers historical fiction aficionados a fascinating glimpse into the life of a formidable woman at the helm of Mattel, and an exploration of Barbie's evolution against the backdrop of the women's liberation movement.

Like so many others, having grown up with Barbie piqued my interest in wanting to read this book about her creator. This behind the scenes book drew me in with the vast assortment of characters involved in Barbie's inception. It takes you through the changing decades of the 50's, 60s and 70's.
I like that Ruth wanted to create a image for young girls showing them that they can become anything as opposed to just taking care of baby dolls and playing mommy. She also had to face the backlash of the feminist movement and challenges regarding the perfect body type and weight of 110 pounds.
As explained at the end of her book, Ms. Rosen had the idea for this book prior to the Barbie movie and there is no connection to it.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
#LetsCallHerBarbie #NetGalley

Let's Call Her Barbie was an interesting read, but I felt a bit of a disconnect. As someone who grew up loving Barbies, I was super excited to dive into this book, but the fact that it was fiction instead of narrative non-fiction threw me off. I kept wondering why it wasn’t written as a more factual account, because the story of Barbie’s creation—and Ruth Handler’s role in it—seemed perfect for a non-fiction narrative.

While I enjoyed the nostalgic references to Barbie’s fashions and the behind-the-scenes look at Mattel, I didn’t feel an emotional connection with the characters. I really wanted to feel more of the weight of Ruth's challenges and triumphs, but the characters stayed flat for me, which was a little disappointing. That being said, it was still a cute read and worth it for fans of Barbie who are curious about her origins.

Overall, it was a light, fun read, but I was left wishing for more depth and a bit more heart. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had been a deeper dive into the real history.

Renee Rosen's "Let's Call Her Barbie" offers a very readable exploration of the iconic doll's creation and the extraordinary woman behind it, Ruth Handler. I was one of the first generation of little girls that wanted and played with the original Barbie. That period of time came and went quickly in my life, and I moved on. I related to many of the female characters, especially Stevie. Who was young and just beginning to question many of the cultural norms of that time.
Strengths:
Engaging Character Development: Rosen's portrayal of Ruth Handler is particularly impressive. She captures Handler's fierce determination, entrepreneurial spirit, and unwavering belief in her vision. The supporting characters, such as the doll's designers and engineers, are also well-developed, adding depth to the story.
Historical Context: The novel effectively weaves in the social and cultural climate of the mid-20th century, providing a rich backdrop for Barbie's introduction and subsequent evolution. Rosen skillfully explores the changing roles of women and the impact of consumer culture on society.
Fast-paced Narrative: The story moves at a brisk pace, keeping readers engaged from beginning to end. The plot is filled with intriguing twists and turns, making it difficult to put the book down.
Weaknesses:
Some Historical Inaccuracies: While Rosen conducted extensive research, the author explains from the very beginning that this book is a work of fiction. It will not only contain fictional characters but also timelines and other important events have been changed. It is important for readers to be aware of these discrepancies and to consult additional sources for a more comprehensive understanding of Barbie's history.
Overall, "Let's Call Her Barbie" is a well-crafted novel that offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of toy manufacturing and the life of a pioneering businesswoman. While it may not delve as deeply into certain aspects of Barbie's cultural significance as some readers might desire, it is a compelling read that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and biographical dramas. This book will be great for book club discussions!
Michele Roberts
Written with the help of AI

I have to say, I was initially drawn to this book after watching the Barbie movie. The cover really drew me in. But what made me love the book was Rosen's writing. Rosen was so articulate with the history of Barbie, and I felt that I was introduced to a side of Barbie that I'd never seen or heard of before. This book was absolutely phenomenal.

I wanted to love this so much more than I did.

This historical parts of the story were very interesting. I liked this mix of fact and imagining for the most part.

Unfortunately, though, our characters never stepped beyond historical footnotes to become living, breathing people for me. They all seemed so very thin.

Ultimately, I found that I would rather have read a non-fiction account of the same events.

I think others will love this, but it just wasn’t quite right for me.

• ARC via publisher