The New York Times and USA Today bestseller The riveting novel of iron-willed Alva Vanderbilt and her illustrious family as they rule Gilded-Age New York, written by Therese Anne Fowler, a New York Times bestselling author of Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald. Alva Smith, her southern family destitute after the Civil War, married into one of America’s great Gilded Age dynasties: the newly wealthy … War, married into one of America’s great Gilded Age dynasties: the newly wealthy but socially shunned Vanderbilts. Ignored by New York’s old-money circles and determined to win respect, she designed and built nine mansions, hosted grand balls, and arranged for her daughter to marry a duke. But Alva also defied convention for women of her time, asserting power within her marriage and becoming a leader in the women’s suffrage movement.
With a nod to Jane Austen and Edith Wharton, in A Well-Behaved Woman Therese Anne Fowler paints a glittering world of enormous wealth contrasted against desperate poverty, of social ambition and social scorn, of friendship and betrayal, and an unforgettable story of a remarkable woman. Meet Alva Smith Vanderbilt Belmont, living proof that history is made by those who know the rules–and how to break them.
more
Well written and very readable and entertaining
This novel takes place during a time of great wealth. The Gilded Age was a time like no other and Alva Vanderbilt is a woman like no other. All the material wealth that could ever be imaged. Beautiful, huge, homes, clothing, jewelry, staff. Could you imagine all your monetary dreams coming true? It’s still easy to imagine that money would lead to happiness or giving everything you never had to your children would lead to happiness…but of course it never does. Vanderbilt was a strong woman and she did amazing things for those less fortunate. Such an amazing time to read about with fascinating people.
I recommend this book!
A fascinating story so well told! Alva was whip smart, determined, conscientious, an amazing problem solver, and ahead of her time in so many ways – and the times she lived in were constraining and complicated. She figured it out. Therese Fowler gives us a wondrously clear and compelling picture of this amazing, and not-always-“well-behaved” woman!
I thoroughly enjoyed the development of Alva Smith Vanderbuilt. She pursued her role and status in New York society with determination . The title of the book describes her mind set which also creates its own boundafies.
This book I suggested will be read by two book clubs.
I work for a book store where this book sells well for a wide age range of women.
In another writer’s hands, Alva Vanderbilt’s immense wealth and carefully calculated life might have proved barriers to readerly sympathy. But Fowler’s portrait is so nuanced, so complicated by context, and so informed by her own capacious generosity that we can’t help being drawn in. A Well-Behaved Woman is a deeply and sympathetically imagined guess as to who Alva might have been. This is a wonderful book!
A dazzling story brought to life by Therese Anne Fowler. Club
Growing and flourishing in the Gilded Age; that says alot for our main character Alva who becomes part of The Vanderbilt Family at a very young age. How she grows, transforms and transcends into and through the world of status and riches is nothing short of miraculous. Starting a family, dealing with dashed hopes, loss, and finally “true love” she forges ahead to make a difference in a time period that would just as easily destroy a woman’s self esteem and worth without a second glance, than to give acknowledgment to the trailblazing, philanthropist she had fought too become and accomplished with her head held high.
The research done was spot on, the story glides and captivates and you’ll find certain names and events mentioned throughout the text will surely sound familiar ….
If you are a fan of Historical Fiction, or new to this genre, this is a book not to miss….
Thank you Therese Anne Fowler and NetGalley (ARC)
Novels N Latte Book Blog
Novels & Latte Book Club
Alva Vanderbilt is an amazing character. Ironically, she is also a main character in my coming book (Feb.) AMERICAN DUCHESS. She is beautifully depicted in A WELL-BEHAVED WOMAN–which she was thankfully was not!
The story of Alva Vanderbilt is long overdue for a telling, but it was worth the wait. Therese Anne Fowler has brought this compelling, complex woman to such dynamic life that she leaps off the pages. This is a delicious book, as well as a timely one
Therese Fowler has brought to life the Guilded Age through the eyes of Alva Smith. Alva comes from a Southern family who becomes virtually destitute after the Civil War. She and her sisters were educated in France and were brought up in a rich family. After the war, her father lost all of their money, her mom died, and her dad became very ill and dying. Alva has to figure out how to support the family. She meets and marries William Vanderbilt. The reader is treated to seeing the growth of Alva who has been sheltered in an earlier life to a woman who is involved in the Women’s Suffrage movement. I felt the book was well-researched. I enjoyed reading about Alva but thought it moved slowly in places.
I think this would make a great book club read! I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press.