From the author of The Other Einstein, the mesmerizing tale of what kind of woman could have inspired an American dynasty.Clara Kelley is not who they think she is. She’s not the experienced Irish maid who was hired to work in one of Pittsburgh’s grandest households. She’s a poor farmer’s daughter with nowhere to go and nothing in her pockets. But the other woman with the same name has vanished, … name has vanished, and pretending to be her just might get Clara some money to send back home.
If she can keep up the ruse, that is. Serving as a lady’s maid in the household of Andrew Carnegie requires skills he doesn’t have, answering to an icy mistress who rules her sons and her domain with an iron fist. What Clara does have is a resolve as strong as the steel Pittsburgh is becoming famous for, coupled with an uncanny understanding of business, and Andrew begins to rely on her. But Clara can’t let her guard down, not even when Andrew becomes something more than an employer. Revealing her past might ruin her future — and her family’s.
With captivating insight and heart, Carnegie’s Maid tells the story of one brilliant woman who may have spurred Andrew Carnegie’s transformation from ruthless industrialist into the world’s first true philanthropist..
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A few grammar and sentence structure errors disappointed me. BUT, I loved the story and the history it covered. The characters were real and I felt as if I’d been to the Carnegie mansion and attended the parties. The times were difficult for many and the descriptions of the Irish poor and their plight was heart rending. The authors note at the back of the book is worth reading first. The story moved quickly and I read with delight.
Very readable. Not sure it’s a good book. But i enjoyed it.
I live in Pittsburgh but was shocked at how little I really knew about Andrew Carnegie. I like the way that I learned about him through this fictionalized account.
Very interesting book; I knew little of Andrew Carnegie’s background and thought this was fascinating. Especially his relationship with his mother. Easy-to-read book.
I believe that the author did her homework and so it brought a lot of true background to the Carnegie families rise to fame. It was a well crafted story and a fast read. I enjoyed it.
This was very interesting and well written. It was interesting to learn more about Carnige and the way it was written with a young girl as the main character made it an easy read. It was truly a difficult time in history to be poor.
I enjoyed the historical fiction mixed with non fiction information about the Carnegies.
This is very light reading! Character development was average and the plot was based upon a romantic hopeful. The lead female character, a supposedly lady’s maid, is built upon her quick adaptiveness to her job and some exceptional business development skills. Given her background as presented in the storyline, the business development ideas seem a stretch given her background as outlined the the writer. Would be a good beach read.
Very interesting story
I enjoyed it very much, as I’ve always loved books and libraries. I also lived in Pittsburgh for a couple of years and the author truly knew that city.
Well written, easy to read look into the time of immigration and the industrial age.
Quite believable speculation of a positive influence on Andrew Carnegie as he became an important philanthropist.
Interesting time period, but average writing.
Great read about the business world during time that immigrants were migrating to American with a woman’s view
Interesting premise, and great visuals of the place and time during that time.
True to the history of 1800’s. Life is a struggle for the Carnigie maid and servants in an uplifting but sad ending in the end.
Intriguing characters delivering snippets of history, and the methods and machinations that created not only wealth, but the framework on which the economies of this country now stand.
I learned a lot about Andrew Carngie but with a semi romantic fictional account
This is an excellent read, whether you are looking at historical fiction, or literary, or romance. Good insights into what might have been a driving force toward Andrew Carnegie’s philanthropy, plus glimpses into his family life; realistic descriptions of not only “Carnegie’s maid” but also the lives and struggles of other 19th century Irish immigrants and other lower class citizens; an unlikely yet believable romantic friendship: the book holds all this and more.
Very well written and wonderful characters