Publication
G.P. Putnam Sons
Collection
Call number
Fiction W
Status
Available
Call number
Description
"Helen Wilcox has one desire: to successfully launch her daughters into society. From the upper crust herself, Helen's unconventional--if happy--marriage has made the girls' social position precarious. Then her husband gambles the family fortunes on an elevated railroad that he claims will transform the face of the city and the way the people of New York live, but will it ruin the Wilcoxes first? As daughters Jemima and Alice navigate the rise and fall of their family--each is forced to re-examine who she is, and even who she is meant to love."--Page 4 of cover.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Cats57
Sadly, I am one of the very few that just did not adore this novel. I felt that it was slow and repetitive, dreary and depressing. But, yes, it did show the mores of the times...at least for the rich. This book did show what it was like to lose one's fortunes during this time period...if you were
I can see that this book will be a success for those who like to read dishy gossipy books (think the Vanderbilts and the Astor's), and I usually love them also. However, there was just something about this book that didn't stick that specific something with me. It was a fascinating 'coming of age' novel, and I did like the fact that these women broke a lot of molds.
I liked this book; I just didn't adore it.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Penguin Random House, the author, and Edelweiss/ATTL.
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rich.I can see that this book will be a success for those who like to read dishy gossipy books (think the Vanderbilts and the Astor's), and I usually love them also. However, there was just something about this book that didn't stick that specific something with me. It was a fascinating 'coming of age' novel, and I did like the fact that these women broke a lot of molds.
I liked this book; I just didn't adore it.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Penguin Random House, the author, and Edelweiss/ATTL.
Show Less
LibraryThing member rmarcin
1870s NYC and Helen and Joshua Wilcox are in love - but Helen's mother thinks Joshua is just marrying Helen for her money. Joshua plans to build The Elevated - a train track to connect downtown to upper NYC for speedy travel, and that takes capital. Helen and Joshua Wilcox have 2 daughters, Jemima
The Wilcoxes lose their fortune and then regain it. The girls don't wish to follow norms for meeting their beaus, and have other ideas, yet Helen is adamant about introducing them to society properly.
However, instead of a boring presentation, Helen upends NYC society but planning the party of the year.
This is an entertaining look at high society, plus the jealousy between socialites. Enjoyable but more fluff and excessive wealth. A peek into the gilded age.
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and Alice, and a son, Nick. They plan to present Jemima and Alice to society. The Wilcoxes lose their fortune and then regain it. The girls don't wish to follow norms for meeting their beaus, and have other ideas, yet Helen is adamant about introducing them to society properly.
However, instead of a boring presentation, Helen upends NYC society but planning the party of the year.
This is an entertaining look at high society, plus the jealousy between socialites. Enjoyable but more fluff and excessive wealth. A peek into the gilded age.
Show Less
LibraryThing member JanaRose1
As Helen is preparing to launch her daughters into society, her husband loses the family fortune through investments in an elevated railroad. Forced to move in with her mother, Helen and her family are shunned by high society.
This was a fairly predictable book. It seemed to be based loosely on the
This was a fairly predictable book. It seemed to be based loosely on the
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Astor and Vanderbilt families. The book utilized multiple points of view, but tended to shift without warning. This made the book feel jarring. Overall, a bust. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
9780525540021