“Meet Me by the Fountain: An Inside History of the Mall” takes the reader on a journey through the development and impacts, both structurally and socially, of the shopping mall. The author admits to having a penchant for architecture, so much of the early part of the book focuses on that aspect of malls. As the author expands upon the cultural transformation of malls, it grasps a larger audience of readers — unless you really like architecture, then you’re hooked from the beginning.
The author highlights the cyclical nature of malls’ popularity and decline over the years as society and its needs evolve. It’s particularly interesting to see the cycle play out presently, with the impacts of COVID-19 (which the author also addresses). Is the mall really dead or will there be a resurgence? This book dives into that complex question with historical context, leaving the reader to continue pondering the question; which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Three words that describe this book: Architectural, Cultural, Nostalgic
You might want to pick this book up if: You enjoy architectural history, nostalgia, and exploring the societal significance of popular places.
-Anonymous
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading 2022. We will continue to share these throughout the year.
