Author: Shana Abe
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Kensington Books
Release Date: 386
Source: Netgalley/ Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: The New York Times bestselling author of The Second Mrs. Astor returns with a spellbinding new book perfect for fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age and readers of Marie Benedict, Karen Harper, and Allison Pataki. This sweeping novel of historical fiction is inspired by the true rags-to-riches story of Arabella Huntington—a woman whose great beauty was surpassed only by her exceptional business acumen, grit, and artistic eye, and who defied the constraints of her era to become the wealthiest self-made woman in America.
1867, Richmond, Virginia: Though she wears the same low-cut purple gown that is the uniform of all the girls who work at Worsham’s gambling parlor, Arabella stands apart. It’s not merely her statuesque beauty and practiced charm. Even at seventeen, Arabella possesses an unyielding grit, and a resolve to escape her background of struggle and poverty.
Collis Huntington, railroad baron and self-made multimillionaire, is drawn to Arabella from their first meeting. Collis is married and thirty years her senior, yet they are well-matched in temperament, and flirtation rapidly escalates into an affair. With Collis’s help, Arabella eventually moves to New York, posing as a genteel, well-to-do Southern widow. Using Collis’s seed money and her own shrewd investing instincts, she begins to amass a fortune.
Their relationship is an open secret, and no one is surprised when Collis marries Arabella after his wife’s death. But “The Four Hundred”—the elite circle that includes the Astors and Vanderbilts—have their rules. Arabella must earn her place in Society—not just through her vast wealth, but with taste, style, and impeccable behavior. There are some who suspect the scandalous truth, and will blackmail her for it. And then there is another threat—an unexpected, impossible romance that will test her ambition, her loyalties, and her heart . . .
An American Beauty brings to vivid life the glitter and drama of a captivating chapter in history—and a remarkable woman who lived by her own rules.
My Review: Arabella Huntington was one of the wealthiest women in America during the 20th century. This was because she inherited a large fortune from the death of her husband and was a famous philanthropist. An American Beauty chronicles her life from early origins. Arabella works at a gambling parlor to support her family. She meets the railroad tycoon, Collis Huntington. She eventually becomes his mistress. After his wife dies, Collis marries Arabella. Arabella must learn to navigate the world of the rich, elite society.
I had never heard of Arabella’s story. Therefore, this novel was very enlightening. Even though I admire how Arabella rose from poverty, I didn't really like her. She made many choices that I did not agree with. I also thought that she was very self-centered. She did not care about how her actions harmed others, especially Collis’s first wife. Therefore, I could not relate to her story, and she seemed like a very unsympathetic character.
Overall, this novel is about ambition, love, and choices. I found all of the characters to be very complex and realistic. My favorite character was Collis’s first wife. I did not like the writing style. It was told from multiple perspectives. There were also chapters that were told in diary format from Arabella’s perspective. This made the book very jarring to read. Therefore, I think that it should be told in either a fully diary format or from a first or third person perspective. This is so that the story would be more consistent. Nevertheless, it was a very entertaining novel and it shone light on a forgotten character. I recommend this for fans of The Great Mrs. Elias, The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post, and Carolina Built!
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
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