The Vanderbilts were ‘new money’ and found it hard to gain acceptance in the top tier of New York society. Life wasn’t all smooth sailing (both literally and figuratively) for Alva after her marriage. She set her sights on William Kissam Vanderbilt, and won, entering into a world of wealth and privilege that defies comprehension. After the American Civil War her family was left in dire financial straits, and to avoid abject poverty Alva needed to marry well (or more to the point, she needed to marry wealthy). The riches to rags to obscene-riches tale of Alva Vanderbilt (nee Smith, later Belmont) is the focus of Fowler’s novel. For me, the sign of a good historical fiction book is one that sends me searching for more information, and A Well-Behaved Woman certainly fits the bill.
Probably 60-70% of my adult library is historical fiction, with another 15% historical biography. Hello, my name is Rachel, and I am addicted to historical fiction.
0 kommentar(er)
