Before there was Meghan Markle, there was Consuelo Vanderbilt, the original American Duchess. Perfect for readers of Jennifer Robson and lovers of Downton Abbey.
Karen Harper tells the tale of Consuelo Vanderbilt, her “The Wedding of the Century” to the Duke of Marlborough, and her quest to find meaning behind “the glitter and the gold.”
On a cold November day in 1895, a carriage approaches St … in 1895, a carriage approaches St Thomas Episcopal Church on New York City’s Fifth Avenue. Massive crowds surge forward, awaiting their glimpse of heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt. Just 18, the beautiful bride has not only arrived late, but in tears, yet her marriage to the aloof Duke of Marlborough proceeds. Bullied into the wedding by her indomitable mother, Alva, Consuelo loves another. But a deal was made, trading some of the vast Vanderbilt wealth for a title and prestige, and Consuelo, bred to obey, realizes she must make the best of things.
At Blenheim Palace, Consuelo is confronted with an overwhelming list of duties, including producing an “heir and a spare,” but her relationship with the duke quickly disintegrates. Consuelo finds an inner strength, charming everyone from debutantes to diplomats including Winston Churchill, as she fights for women’s suffrage. And when she takes a scandalous leap, can she hope to attain love at last…?
From the dawning of the opulent Gilded Age, to the battles of the Second World War, American Duchess is a riveting tale of one woman’s quest to attain independence—at any price.
more
Very readable fictional bio of Consuelo Vanderbilt. Definitely makes me want to visit Blenheim Palace. Great portrayal of Winston Churchill too.
I knew nothing about these families. It was an interesting piece of history.
American Duchess could be said to capitalize on the current duchess fad (I’m thinking Lady Almina, although a certain American duchess undoubtedly also feeds the frenzy), but it reminded me more of novels such as Paris Wife or The Aviator’s Wife in the way that it so thoroughly assumes the life and drama of the protagonist, Consuela Vanderbilt Marlborough Balsan.
Unfortunately, I didn’t particularly care for or about Consuela. Part of this may owe to the structure of Karen Harper’s American Duchess, which alternately raced through the years and slogged through the days (think: the days are long but the years are short), but also that one of the most memorable scenes in the book occurred early, when young Consuela was bemoaning her fate to her longtime governess. Her fate, I’ll add here, wasn’t particularly pretty. She was essentially auctioned off to the highest bidder, that is best title holder, by her scheming, conniving mother, against whom, rather inexplicably, Consuela could never fully turn. In any case, she is lamenting to Miss Harper that she wants more from life, “[her] own life to live,” and Miss Harper reacts viscerally to that, asking young Consuela, “Do you think this is the life I would have chosen for myself?” That conversation stayed with me through the rest of Harper’s pages and Consuela’s years, and certainly tempered whatever sympathy I might have had.
That said, there can be no question that Consuela lived a rich, varied, and fascinating life. She befriended a bevy of royalty and was particularly close to Winston Churchill. Her second husband was the brother of Etienne Balsan, whom I recalled as one of Coco Chanel’s lost loves, though more by her choice than his, if my memory serves me.
Consuela’s life spanned the better part of a century; she was married in the Victorian era and the book concludes in the throes of World War II, some 20 years before Consuela’s death. From dining with the Czar to fighting for suffrage, she left her mark on her era, and it on her – the events of the time provide as much fodder for Harper as the woman herself. And, Harper has been true to Consuela’s personality and life, at least as much as one can glean from a Wikipedia article, which is always gratifying to a reader.
(This review was originally published at https://www.thisyearinbooks.com/2019/04/american-duchess-novel-of-consuela.html)
I’m about halfway through this one, and I really like it. It’s a quick read, and I think Harper’s done a great job bringing Consuelo’s relationship with her mother to life.
Loved it!!
I enjoyed this historical fiction story of Consuelo Vanderbilt and we walk in her shoes as she journeys her life, and although being born with the preverbal silver spoon, we see her trials and accomplishments up close through the eyes of the author.
Now I’ll admit I did Google Consuelo, and the story follows the time line, only we are with her and her thoughts.
What a life this woman lived, and loved how she was able to forgive those who had hurt her, and was always giving to those less fortunate.
A don’t miss book for the new year, and your enjoyment!
I received this book through Edelweiss and the Publisher William Morrow, and was not required to give a positive review
Fascinating! I knew a little of her life story but so much was a surprise. She did so much good with her time and money. I really enjoyed the book.
Always appreciate history!
What a life she made for herself in spite of everything. Strong lesson for us in forgiveness and having peace within yourself.
My two favorite genres are Historical Fiction and Mysteries. For those who also love Historical Fiction, the American Duchess is a great read. It has an interesting historical perspective, good characters, and I learned some history which is always a good thing.
Loved it
Consuelo was the daughter of William and Alva Vanderbilt. She was born in 1877 and brought up under the watchful eye of a domineering mother who obviously had the authority in the family. When Alva ordered Consuelo to marry the Duke of Marlborough to recover the family’s status in New York society – and after faking a health scare that she blamed on Consuelo for stubbornly refusing to marry the duke – Consuelo relented and entered into a loveless marriage.
The book follows Consuelo through marriage, WWII, children, social ties, accomplishments… and yes, she did find happiness and love. I’ve always had a fascination with the Vanderbilts, love the Biltmore Estate, loved the Newport mansions, but I knew nothing about Consuelo. I had pictured her to be more ostentatious and lavish, thereby making her and the book a little more interesting, but that’s not the image I came away with. She appears to have been kind, caring and charitable.