Jamie offered to buy me a book the other day. I chose this one because I recently have been watching the TV series Downton Abbey, and this book takes place in roughly the same time period. The author Daisy Goodwin studied history at Trinity College, Cambridge. In a short piece at the end of the book she talks about the research she did before writing the novel, and explains how several of the activities the American upper class participated in or talk about during the book, are actual happenings that went on during the time when rich families like the Vanderbilts were the closest thing to royalty in America. For example, in the book Cora talks about $100 bills being used to roll cigarettes for party guests, diamonds being sewn into corsets, and gold laced on wedding gowns.
I enjoyed this book, but if you are not a fan of Jane Austen novels or shows like Downton Abbey, this probably isn't the read for you. Because I liked the book, I appreciated the fact that Daisy Goodwin also includes a lists of books by authors that others might consider reading if they liked The American Heiress.
For some reason I have no desire to read this, but I liked your review. -Jamie
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