The Social Graces by Ren?e Rosen (English) Paperback Book

Description: The Social Graces by Renée Rosen The author of Park Avenue Summer throws back the curtain on one of the most remarkable feuds in history- Alva Vanderbilt and Mrs. Astors notorious battle for control of New York society during the Gilded Age.TheUSA Today Bestseller!Named one of2021s Most Anticipated Historical Novels by Oprah DailySheReadsFrolic BookReporterand more...The author of Park Avenue Summer throws back the curtain on one of the most remarkable feuds in history- Alva Vanderbilt and theMrs. Astors notorious battle for control of New York society during the Gilded Age.1876. In the glittering world of Manhattans upper crust, women are valued by their pedigree, dowry, and, most importantly, connections. They have few rights and even less independence-what they do have is society. The more celebrated the hostess, the more powerful the woman. And none is more powerful than Caroline Astor-theMrs. Astor.But times are changing.Alva Vanderbilt has recently married into one of Americas richest families. But what good is dizzying wealth when society refuses to acknowledge you? Alva, who knows what it is to have nothing, will do whatever it takes to have everything.Sweeping three decades and based on true events, this is the mesmerizing story of two fascinating, complicated women going head to head, behaving badly, and discovering whats truly at stake. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Author Biography Renee Rosen is the bestselling author of Park Avenue Summer, Windy City Blues, White Collar Girl, What the Lady Wants and Dollface. She is also the author of Every Crooked Pot, a YA novel published in 2007. Renee lives in Chicago. Review "Rosen always writes whip-smart women, and I cant wait for her depiction of notorious social dragons Alva Vanderbilt and Mrs. Astor, who battle for control of New York society during the Gilded Age. Bridgertons Lady Whistledown and Lady Danbury have nothing on these two!"Parade"Witty and beautifully imagined…Rosen delights with breezy dialogue and keen insights into the era. Historical fans will love this."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)"[P]aints a vivid and ravishing picture…rcommended for fans of Rosens other works and readers who enjoy historical fiction and authors such as Kristin Hannah and Elizabeth Gilbert."—Library Journal (starred review)"Rosens novel opens with a sly wink to that grande dame of the Gilded Age, Edith Wharton, before she deftly spins a captivating tale of her own, based upon the legendary rivalry between Caroline Astor and Alva Vanderbilt. And what a rich story it is, full of opulent balls and monstrous mansions, yet firmly rooted in the parallel struggles of two very different heroines as they fight for their dignity and rights as wives, as mothers, and as women."—Fiona Davis, bestselling author of GMA Book Club Pick The Lions of Fifth Avenue "As ever, Rosen shines with impeccable research and eloquent prose. Readers will relish this peek behind the curtain of New Yorks most rich and famous families and follow with interest, amusement and even shock, the escapades of these strong and savvy women. Enjoy!"—Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Girls of Paris "Delightful! Prepare to be caught up in a high society feud between The Mrs. Astor and upstart Alva Vanderbilt in this wonderful novel of manners and social survival in a time before women could vote. The Social Graces is written with the talented Renee Rosens unique blend of heart and humor and I flew through the utterly charming pages, not always sure which of these majestic women I should be rooting for."—Stephanie Dray, New York Times Bestselling author of The Women of Chateau Lafayette"Both an intimate portrait of two intriguing women and a sweeping depiction of Gilded Age society. Rosens characters leap off the page with vivid description and poignant emotion. Richly detailed and meticulously researched—historical fiction readers will love The Social Graces!"—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Train to Key West "Meticulously researched and absolutely absorbing, The Social Graces chronicles the eye-popping extravagances and catty magnificence of the brassy nouveau riches who fought to seize control of high society during the Gilded Age. I cant remember the last book that made me gasp "Oh, no!" as many times at unexpected reversals. The pages all but turned themselves!"—Julia Claiborne Johnson bestselling author of Be Frank With Me"By turns tender and devastating, this beautifully written novel kept me in thrall to the end."—Kerri Maher, author of The Girl in White Gloves "Renée Rosen at her finest! Pulling back the curtain on the blood-sport world of Gilded Age high society, Rosens captivating story of rivals Alva Vanderbilt and Caroline Astor shows what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object."—Bryn Turnbull, author of The Woman Before Wallis"Renée Rosens The Social Graces is a fascinating look into the lives of women who created their own power in a world that granted them none. Rosen weaves a captivating story full of mounting rivalries, glittering balls, and social intrigue, but its also a tale of women striving to manage their own lives and legacies. Enthralling, thought provoking, and memorable, this is a must read!"—Kristin Beck, author of Courage My Love"…Rosen presents an engaging novel of 1870s high-society foibles that will please book clubs and fans of glittering frock flicks."—Booklist"Rosen once again brings history to life with vivid storytelling and impeccable research. Caroline Astor and Alva Vanderbilt are formidable opponents as old money clashes with new money in the battle to reign among New Yorks upper crust. Rosen shares the details of their infamous parties, the salaciousness of societys scandals as well the small, personal moments that show their humaneness and vulnerability. This is a must read for historical and/or womens fiction fans."—Lauren Margolin, The Good Book Fairy Review Quote "Rosens novel opens with a sly wink to that grande dame of the Gilded Age, Edith Wharton, before she deftly spins a captivating tale of her own, based upon the legendary rivalry between Caroline Astor and Alva Vanderbilt. And what a rich story it is, full of opulent balls and monstrous mansions, yet firmly rooted in the parallel struggles of two very different heroines as they fight for their dignity and rights as wives, as mothers, and as women."-- Fiona Davis , bestselling author of GMA Book Club Pick The Lions of Fifth Avenue "Meticulously researched and absolutely absorbing, The Social Graces chronicles the eye-popping extravagances and catty magnificence of the brassy nouveau riches who fought to seize control of high society during the Gilded Age. I cant remember the last book that made me gasp "Oh, no!" as many times at unexpected reversals. The pages all but turned themselves!"-- Julia Claiborne Johnson bestselling author of Be Frank With Me "Rosen once again brings history to life with vivid storytelling and impeccable research. Caroline Astor and Alva Vanderbilt are formidable opponents as old money clashes with new money in the battle to reign among New Yorks upper crust. Rosen shares the details of their infamous parties, the salaciousness of societys scandals as well the small, personal moments that show their humaneness and vulnerability. This is a must read for historical and/or womens fiction fans."--Lauren Margolin, The Good Book Fairy Promotional "Headline" A peek behind the curtain at one of the most remarkable feuds in history- Mrs. Vanderbilt and Mrs. Astors notorious battle for control of New York society during the Gilded Age, from the bestselling author of Park Avenue Summer Excerpt from Book Chapter One Caroline Newport Caroline let the news sink in, though it didnt have far to travel. A headache was already forming behind her left eye, gathering strength as the pain spread to her chest. Or, more accurately, her heart. She looked at Augustas handwriting again: Your husband was seen with . . . Her sister-in-law probably thought she was doing the Christian thing. It shouldnt have come as a surprise. And truly it didnt. Carolines husband did as he pleased, with whom he pleased, while she went mute, tolerating, enduring. What other choice was there? Caroline tore the letter in half and then quarters and eighths and so on until she had reduced Williams infidelity to confetti. Abandoning the scraps, she went out on her bedroom terrace overlooking the cliffs and the Atlantic. Fingers resting atop the marble balustrade, she was bathed in sunlight. Giant swells from the ocean rushed the beach, breaking against the cliffs as blankets of sea foam, left in their wake, were dragged back to the surf. High tide was approaching, and just as the waves gained momentum, rising to full strength, Caroline, too, felt a surge within herself. Not that long ago, Williams dalliances had crushed her, sending her into a spiral of self-pity, unable to leave her bed for days on end. But here she was, still standing. Yes, her head throbbed, and her heart ached, but she wasnt crumbling. Shed been here before with him. Shed be here again. Wisdom was the only benefit of growing older, the trade-off for the faint lines around her eyes and mouth. Like a wave that rises, peaks and breaks, at forty-five Caroline Astor was at the midpoint of her life, having spent all those years harnessing her energy until now, at last, her boldness was cresting. How long could she sustain this before it all collapsed? She couldnt say. She didnt want to think about that, about what came next, when she was no longer vital, no longer so important. It was inevitable. It happened to everyone, sooner or later. The elders, who should have been revered, sought out for their knowledge and experience, instead were pushed into corners, forgotten and invisible to those whose time had come. But for now, surely Caroline was at her peak. No longer riddled with self-doubt, apologizing for who and what she was. She wished she could stop time, stay in this spot forever. Yes, William had a reputation, and if Augusta knew about his latest lapse, others were already talking. If there was one thing Caroline detested, it was gossip. She imagined the matrons strolling down Bellevue Avenue saying, If it werent for her pedigree, he never would have married her. William Backhouse Astor Jr. was still a handsome man. Though slightly balding now, he had large brown eyes and that lovely horseshoe mustache that called attention to his cleft chin. Caroline knew she was no beauty, having inherited her grandfathers square jaw and prominent nose, but what those society ladies didnt know was that no matter how many women caught Williams eye, no matter how many hed take up with, she would be the one hed come back to. Every time. Always. She heard footsteps and turned to see Emily standing in her bedroom. She seemed tentative, even skittish. A random noise in the hallway had just made her jump, and that made Caroline forget about her headache and all that had caused it. "What is it? Whats wrong?" "Nothing," said Emily, her fingers reaching for her necklace, touching each peridot, every emerald. Knowing Emily, she was adding up the number of gemstones in her head. Some people related to the world in terms of words or colors, maybe sounds or music. For Emily it was math. Shed look at a wheel and focus on the number of spokes. A bouquet translated into the number of flowers, sometimes down to the number of petals. Before her second birthday she had learned to count to five-holding up one finger at a time. Numbers never lied, never changed. Their absoluteness had always reassured her. "Id like to talk to you about the clambake," Emily said, her shoulders rising with a deep inhale as if conjuring some inner courage. "I would very much like to extend an invitation to Mr. James Van Alen." "I see." The headache was back. Caroline paused before a curio cabinet and rearranged her bronze garnitures while considering her response. Emily, now twenty-two, was her eldest, and Caroline was eager for her to marry, just so long as she didnt marry James Van Alen. "Id like to invite him," Emily repeated. "Well." Caroline set the figurine down. If she said no, she feared shed only drive Emily further into Van Alens arms. "I suppose we could have one more guest." "And-" "And?" "I-I would like Mr. James Van Alen to be seated at our table." She nodded-There, I said it-and reached down, touching her necklace once again. Caroline laughed though she didnt find it funny. "Oh, Im afraid that would be most inappropriate. Seating Mr. Van Alen at our table would send the wrong message. Everyone will assume youre already spoken for." "But I am spoken for, Mother. I am." "Oh, please dont let your grandmother hear you say that. Youll give her heart failure." Carolines own heart clenched at the thought. James Van Alen was altogether wrong for Emily just as Horace Wellsby had been wrong for Caroline when she was a young girl. Back then, Carolines mother had forbidden her to see him, and that was that. No protest, no questions asked. Going against her mothers wishes would have been akin to breaking the law. But Emily wasnt quite as dutiful, and Caroline could picture her sneaking off to meet Van Alen, secretly writing him love letters. Caroline didnt want to put Emily in a position to have to lie. She didnt want Emily tempted by Van Alen in the first place. "Oh, Emily," Caroline sighed. James Van Alen was a widower. He should have been mourning his wife, who had passed less than a year ago, rather than courting another woman. She wanted to say that James Van Alen did not come from good stock. That despite his father being a brigadier general, James Van Alen Sr. had invested heavily in the Illinois Central Railroad and had taken advantage of his workers. She wanted to say that James Van Alen Jr. was a laughingstock, that after attending Oxford for a year, he had returned to the States with a phony British accent and a fake monocle. She wanted to say all that and more, but instead she took Emilys hand and coaxed her to the side of the bed and sat beside her. "My darling girl, dont be in such a rush. James Van Alen is only one man. There are others, I assure you." "Oh, but hes wonderful. Hes handsome and intelligent and kind." "Dont underestimate yourself, Emily. You have beauty and breeding. You can have your pick of eligible gentlemen." "But hes the one I want." "I know you think that now, but there are several fine bachelors coming to the clambake. I invited them specifically for you." "Cant you introduce them to Helen and Charlotte instead?" "Ive invited other gentlemen for your sisters." "What about Carrie? Shes fifteen. Shes old enough for a beau." Caroline stood up and reached for Emilys chin, tilting her face until their eyes met. "Right now, Im more concerned about you. Now Ill agree to invite your Mr. Van Alen to the clambake, provided you dont allow him to monopolize all your time." Emily was about to say something else when Carolines butler, Hade, interrupted, announcing that Mr. Ward McAllister was there to see her. "Mother, can we finish talking about this after you meet with Mr. McAllister?" "Im sorry, Emily, but having James Van Alen at our table is out of the question." Emilys brow crinkled; her lips trembled ever so slightly. She was on the verge of tears, which she knew better than to shed in front of Caroline. Just as her own mother had done, Caroline raised her daughters to be strong, disapproving of any show of weakness. Emily brushed past Caroline, muttering, "You dont understand . . ." Caroline smoothed the front of her gown. She would deal with her own heartache and her daughters disappointment later. She could do that-push unpleasantness aside whenever needed. Some mistook that trait of hers for being cold and callous when really it was all about efficiency and the ordering of ones thoughts. And so, for now, she was Mrs. Astor and society awaited. She followed Hade down the grand staircase, moving in her usual slow manner, as if she carried the weight of her Dutch ancestors on her back. Ward McAllister was in the sitting room, a short and stout man with a noticeable paunch and a slightly unkempt goatee. Despite his elfin appearance, he had somehow become the leading authority on style and etiquette, the expert on wine, food and entertaining. Together, Ward and Caroline had organized society and ran it in much the same way the Astor men ran their real estate empire. Caroline had met Ward years ago when he was a lawyer. And not a particularly successful one. He had recently returned from England and France, eager to put what hed learned about etiquette and all things fashionable to work in America. Caroline had been at a lawn party in Newport when shed spotted a young Ward pouring his drink into the hostesss flower bed. "Do you disapprove of the champagne, or are you merely assisting the gardener?" shed asked. "Actually, the former. One should never scrimp when it comes to champagne," he said with mock horror that had made her laugh. "Might I remind you," she said, knowing that he himself could not have afforded much better, "not everyone has the means not to scrimp." "Then one should acquire the mean Details ISBN198480281X Language English Year 2021 ISBN-10 198480281X ISBN-13 9781984802811 Format Paperback Pages 416 Country of Publication United States UK Release Date 2021-04-20 US Release Date 2021-04-20 Narrator Barack Obama Translator Bradley Schmidt Birth 1939 Affiliation University of Illinois Position Toshiba Professor of Media, Arts, and Sciences Qualifications OBE Author Renée Rosen Publication Date 2021-04-20 DEWEY 813.6 Audience General NZ Release Date 2021-05-03 AU Release Date 2021-05-03 Publisher Penguin Adult Imprint Pamela Dorman Books We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:131871684;

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