Named one of NPR’s Best Books of 2017“Both original and moving—and a whole lot of fun.”—CAROLINE LEAVITT, New York Times Book Review“A must-read.”—People“Fans of Salinger’s stories about Manhattan’s elite will enjoy this novel about privileged siblings who grapple with the state of their inheritance and long-held secrets that emerge in the wake of their father’s death.”—InStyle Six months after … long-held secrets that emerge in the wake of their father’s death.”—InStyle
Six months after Rupert Falkes dies, leaving a grieving widow and five adult sons, an unknown woman sues his estate, claiming she had two sons by him. The Falkes brothers are pitched into turmoil, at once missing their father and feeling betrayed by him. In disconcerting contrast, their mother, Eleanor, is cool and calm, showing preternatural composure.
Eleanor and Rupert had made an admirable life together—Eleanor with her sly wit and generosity, Rupert with his ambition and English charm—and they were proud of their handsome, talented sons: Harry, a brash law professor; Will, a savvy Hollywood agent; Sam, an astute doctor and scientific researcher; Jack, a jazz trumpet prodigy; Tom, a public-spirited federal prosecutor. The brothers see their identity and success as inextricably tied to family loyalty—a loyalty they always believed their father shared. Struggling to reclaim their identity, the brothers find Eleanor’s sympathy toward the woman and her sons confounding. Widowhood has let her cast off the rigid propriety of her stifling upbringing, and the brothers begin to question whether they knew either of their parents at all.
A riveting portrait of a family, told with compassion, insight, and wit, The Heirs wrestles with the tangled nature of inheritance and legacy for one unforgettable, patrician New York family. Moving seamlessly through a constellation of rich, arresting voices, The Heirs is a tale out Edith Wharton for the 21st century.
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Strong characters, there were unresolved questions that would be great book club discussions.
It was very engaging, and each character seemed well thought out and whole, I throughly enjoyed it and was sorry it ended.
Such a well written story with twists and turn completely unexpected. One of the best books I have read in a long time.
It was a good story, easy to read and believable.
Intriguing from the beginning, this is the story of a wealthy New York couple with five sons, the secrets within the family, and suspicions and accusations surrounding the family. The drama becomes more gripping as each of the characters is described and the plot progresses. After the father dies, secrets and surprises emerge, but they’re not all about the father. I found the mother most fascinating and I’m still puzzled about the depth of her secrets. Why was she so unruffled by the accusations that her husband had fathered two sons? Could she have similar secrets of her own? I’m pretty sure the book intended to answer that question, however, there’s still room for suspicion.
I liked the complicated interwoven storylines of multiple characters. Unexpected plot turns. A good read
This was the first book I read by Ms. Rieger and I immediately ran to buy the Divorce Papers. I can hardly wait for her next book. The Heirs was Presented in an unusual and creative manner. What an interesting and believable family she presented. I felt that I knew each member of the family by the end of the book. It would make delightful fodder for a book club.
Fascinating family of wealth and privilege who have quite a lot of quirks yet are so loyal to each other
I very much enjoyed the writing and story. I liked her characters and development of the story.
One of my favorite books ever. Compelling characters – each one beautifully drawn and psychologically compelling. And a fascinating study of the inter-relationships among family members. Loved it so much, I sent a copy to my 97-year-old mother who loved it too.
A wonderful view into the life of the upper most class of New York and the personal struggles they face. A reminder that life isn’t easy for anyone regardless of how much money you have. Characters are all wonderfully written. Eleanor is an impressively strong and resilient woman.
This was an interesting read and the characters were very believable even when they weren’t very likable. I would recommend this.
Beautifully written saga of a family and the people orbiting their world. Kept getting better and better as the story progresses and more layers are revealed. Great read!
how the other half lives
Well written with surprises galore! I greatly enjoyed reading this book!
A fascinating story of privilege, family, and secrets set among the Manhattan elite. Edith Wharton fans will love it, as I did.
A book that lives up to its reviews. An entertaining and humorous page-turner exploring sibling rivalry and relationships. Beautifully written.
I really enjoyed this book and from the beginning I was interested in the characters and what was happening. Wanted to keep reading to the end. Thought about the book when I had to put it down.
It’s true, there is little happening in this book. It’s an in-depth accounting of the day-to-day lives and relationships of the members of a large, wealthy family. Not to everyone’s taste, for sure, but I loved reading about these characters and the life choices they made. The book is beautifully written.
Totally enjoyed this book. It made me chuckle on the last page