"American Duchess" by Karen Harper

American Duchess by Karen Harper
Call Number: FICTION Harper
On a cold November day 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.

Social Class and Expectations:
- How does the novel depict the rigid social class structure of the late 19th century?
- In what ways do the characters challenge or conform to societal expectations?
Character Development:
- How does Consuelo Vanderbilt evolve as a character throughout the story?
- Are there other characters whose development stands out to you?
Marriage and Relationships:
- Explore the dynamics of Consuelo's marriage to the Duke of Marlborough. How do societal pressures impact their relationship?
- How are other relationships portrayed in the novel, and what do they reveal about the time period?
Women's Roles and Independence:
- In what ways does Consuelo assert her independence within the constraints of her time?
- Are there other female characters who challenge traditional gender roles?
Historical Accuracy:
- How well does the author capture the historical setting and events of the late 19th century?
- Were there any historical details or events that surprised you or that you would like to learn more about?
Family Dynamics:
- Explore the role of family in the novel, particularly the influence of Consuelo's mother.
- How do familial expectations impact the characters' choices?
Wealth and Privilege:
- Discuss the portrayal of wealth and privilege in the novel. How do characters navigate the responsibilities and challenges that come with their status?
Social Change:
- Are there instances in the novel where characters or events reflect the societal changes occurring during this time?
- How do characters adapt to or resist these changes?
Setting and Atmosphere:
- How does the author use the settings in the novel to create a sense of time and place?
- Did the atmospheric descriptions contribute to your engagement with the story?
Legacy and Impact:
- Reflect on the lasting impact of Consuelo Vanderbilt's choices. How do her decisions affect future generations?
- What broader themes about legacy and impact are explored in the novel?

Consuelo Vanderbilt, an American heiress, and socialite lived during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Here is a brief timeline of key events in Consuelo Vanderbilt's life:

1877 (March 2): Consuelo Vanderbilt was born in New York City, the eldest daughter of William K. Vanderbilt and Alva Erskine Smith.
1895: Consuelo's engagement to Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough, was announced. The marriage was orchestrated by her ambitious mother, Alva Vanderbilt, who sought to elevate the Vanderbilt family's social status.
1895 (November 6): Consuelo Vanderbilt married Charles Spencer-Churchill in a lavish ceremony at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in New York City.
1900: Consuelo and the Duke of Marlborough had two children, a son named John Albert William Spencer-Churchill (Marquess of Blandford) and a daughter named Lady Ivor Spencer-Churchill.
1906: Consuelo and the Duke divorced, marking one of the most significant and high-profile divorces of the time. Consuelo later revealed in her autobiography, "The Glitter and the Gold," that the marriage had been arranged and unhappy.
1921: Consuelo Vanderbilt married Lieutenant Colonel Jacques Balsan, a French aeronautics pioneer. This marriage marked a departure from her previous societal obligations.
1934: Consuelo and Jacques Balsan divorced after living separately for several years.
1945 (April 6): Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan married for the third time, to Frank E. Manheimer, an American businessman.
1964 (December 17): Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan passed away in Southampton, New York, at the age of 87.

Consuelo Vanderbilt's life was marked by her high-profile marriages, including the one orchestrated by her mother, her divorce from the Duke of Marlborough, and her later marriages. Her experiences and reflections on the societal expectations of her time are detailed in her autobiography, "The Glitter and the Gold."

Karen Harper was born in Toledo, Ohio. She earned her Bachelor's degree in English from Ohio State University and later obtained a Master's degree in Library Science from Western Michigan University. Before becoming a full-time writer, Harper worked as a librarian.

Harper has a diverse writing career, with a focus on historical fiction and mystery novels. She is known for her ability to weave historical details into her stories, creating immersive and engaging narratives. Many of her historical fiction works explore the lives of notable historical figures, adding a fictionalized touch to real events.

Some of Karen Harper's popular series include the Elizabeth I Mystery series, the Home Valley Amish series, and the Queen Elizabeth I series. She has also written standalone novels, often incorporating elements of suspense, romance, and historical intrigue.

Harper's writing has earned her recognition and a loyal readership. Her novels are appreciated for their well-researched historical settings, strong character development, and compelling storytelling.

That Churchill Woman by Stephanie Barron
Call Number: FICTION Barron
Wealthy, privileged, and fiercely independent New Yorker Jennie Jerome took Victorian England by storm when she landed on its shores. As Lady Randolph Churchill, she gave birth to a man who defined the twentieth century- her son Winston. But Jennie-reared in the luxury of Gilded Age Newport and the Paris of the Second Empire-lived an outrageously modern life all her own, filled with controversy, passion, tragedy, and triumph. When the nineteen-year-old beauty agrees to marry the son of a duke she has known only three days, she's instantly swept up in a whirlwind of British politics and the breathless social climbing of the Marlborough House Set, the reckless men who surround Bertie, Prince of Wales. Raised to think for herself and careless of English society rules, the new Lady Randolph Churchill quickly becomes a London sensation- adored by some, despised by others. Artistically gifted and politically shrewd, she shapes her husband's rise in Parliament and her young son's difficult passage through boyhood. But as the family's influence soars, scandals explode and tragedy befalls the Churchills. Jennie is inescapably drawn to the brilliant and seductive Count Charles Kinsky-diplomat, skilled horse-racer, deeply passionate lover. Their impossible affair only intensifies as Randolph Churchill's sanity frays, and Jennie-a woman whose every move on the public stage is judged-must walk a tightrope between duty and desire. Forced to decide where her heart truly belongs, Jennie risks everything-even her son-and disrupts lives, including her own, on both sides of the Atlantic. Breathing new life into Jennie's legacy and the gilded world over which she reigned, That Churchill Woman paints a portrait of the difficult-and sometimes impossible-balance between love, freedom, and obligation, while capturing the spirit of an unforgettable woman, one who altered the course of history.
Cavendon Hall by Barbara Taylor Bradford
Call Number: FICTION Bradford
Cavendon Hall is home to two families, the aristocratic Inghams and the Swanns who serve them. Charles Ingham, the sixth Earl of Mowbray, lives there with his wife Felicity and their six children. Walter Swann, the premier male of the Swann family, is valet to the earl. His wife Alice, a clever seamstress who is in charge of the countess's wardrobe, also makes clothes for the four daughters. For centuries, these two families have lived side-by-side, beneath the backdrop of the imposing Yorkshire manor. Lady Daphne, the most beautiful of the Earl's daughters, is about to be presented at court when a devastating event changes her life and threatens the Ingham name. With World War I looming, both families will find themselves tested in ways they never thought possible. Loyalties will be challenged and betrayals will be set into motion. In this time of uncertainty, one thing is sure: these two families will never be the same again. Cavendon Hall is Barbara Taylor Bradford at her very best, and its sweeping story of secrets, love, honor, and betrayal will have readers riveted up to the very last page.
A Well-Behaved Woman by Therese Anne Fowler
Call Number: FICTION Fowler
Alva Smith, her southern family destitute after the Civil 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 9 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.

*Audiobook available on hoopla
*E-book available on Libby
*Audiobook available on Libby
The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin
Call Number: FICTION Goodwin
Be careful what you wish for. Traveling abroad with her mother at the turn of the twentieth century to seek a titled husband, beautiful, vivacious Cora Cash, whose family mansion in Newport dwarfs the Vanderbilts', suddenly finds herself Duchess of Wareham, married to Ivo, the most eligible bachelor in England. Nothing is quite as it seems, however: Ivo is withdrawn and secretive, and the English social scene is full of traps and betrayals. Money, Cora soon learns, cannot buy everything, asshe must decide what is truly worth the price in her life and her marriage.
A Net for Small Fishes by Lucy Jago
Call Number: FICTION Jago
When Frances Howard, beautiful but unhappy wife of the Earl of Essex, meets the talented Anne Turner, the two strike up an unlikely, yet powerful, friendship. Frances makes Anne her confidante, sweeping her into a glamorous and extravagant world, riven with bitter rivalry. As the women grow closer, each hopes to change her circumstances. Frances is trapped in a miserable marriage while loving another, and newly-widowed Anne struggles to keep herself and her six children alive as she waits for a promised proposal. A desperate plan to change their fortunes is hatched. But navigating the Jacobean court is a dangerous game and one misstep could cost them everything.
The Social Graces by Renée Rosen
Call Number: Fiction Rosen
In the glittering world of Manhattan's upper crust, where wives turn a blind eye to husbands' infidelities, and women have few rights and even less independence, society is everything. The more celebrated the hostess, the more powerful the woman. And none is more powerful than Caroline Astor. But times are changing. Alva Vanderbilt has recently married into one of America's richest families. But what good is money when society refuses to acknowledge you? When it carries on just as it has done for generations? Alva, who knows what it is to have nothing, will do whatever it takes to have everything. Sweeping three decades and based on true events, this gripping novel follows these two women as they try to outdo and outsmart each other at every turn.
The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton; Marion Mainwaring
Call Number: FICTION Wharton
Nan and Jinny St George have both wealth and beauty in generous supply. In the New York society of the 1870s, however, only those with old money can achieve the status of the elite, and it is here that the sisters seem doomed to failure. Nan's new governess, Laura Testvalley, herself an outsider, takes pity on their plight and launches them instead on the unsuspecting British aristocracy. Lords, dukes, marquesses and MPs, it seems, not only appreciate beauty, but also the money that New York's nouveaux riches can supply. A love story of love and marriage among the old and new moneyed classes, The Buccaneers is a delicately perceptive portrayal of a world on the brink of change.

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Historical Fiction Book Club - Past Titles: "American Duchess" by Karen Harper

"American Duchess" by Karen Harper

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