fiberreader's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, the beginning seems to be stealing things left and right from both Downton Abbey and [b:The Age of Innocence|53835|The Age of Innocence|Edith Wharton|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1388248423s/53835.jpg|1959512]. I was also annoyed throughout the book by a preponderance of comma splices (the editor in me could not just read over those). On the other hand, the story was light and engaging and quite a departure from last book I read, which was quite heavy and dark, so it served as a good palate cleanser. I'd say this is a good read for the beach or a vacation, but if you're seeking true originality or fine literature, this isn't it.
thelexingtonbookie's review against another edition
2.0
Goodwin does a very good job describing the "Edwardian Dollar Princess" era, in which young and rich American women were married off to historically upper class and titled European bachelors. And being a fan of the Downton Abbey television series, I can imagine much of what is portrayed in The American Heiress. I researched to see which came first, the novel or the TV series, and the novel was published a month prior to the series.
The downside to the novel, in my opinion, is that though both the series and the novel have slow paces, the TV series has much more action that pushes the plot along, and less predictability than the novel. In the novel, the narration goes into detail trying explain the setting and grandeur of the era, but it leaves the reader bogged with minute details that make it difficult to turn pages. I also noticed that there is a lot of necessary reading between the dialogue lines in order to understand the passive-aggressive upper class taunts, gossip, and reactions to both, which also slows the pace. But the most frustrating to me wasn't the pace- it was the predictability of the plot. I stuck with the story basically to prove that I was correct in predicting the climax and resolution.
I won't spoil it for those that do wish to read it, or are working on finishing it (shout out to my friend Amelia, who I know was having similar problems with the slow pace), but I expect you could guess what the outcome is by the first 50 pages, and spare you from reading the next 400.
The downside to the novel, in my opinion, is that though both the series and the novel have slow paces, the TV series has much more action that pushes the plot along, and less predictability than the novel. In the novel, the narration goes into detail trying explain the setting and grandeur of the era, but it leaves the reader bogged with minute details that make it difficult to turn pages. I also noticed that there is a lot of necessary reading between the dialogue lines in order to understand the passive-aggressive upper class taunts, gossip, and reactions to both, which also slows the pace. But the most frustrating to me wasn't the pace- it was the predictability of the plot. I stuck with the story basically to prove that I was correct in predicting the climax and resolution.
I won't spoil it for those that do wish to read it, or are working on finishing it (shout out to my friend Amelia, who I know was having similar problems with the slow pace), but I expect you could guess what the outcome is by the first 50 pages, and spare you from reading the next 400.
jacquilynn's review against another edition
2.0
It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. Bertha was almost a useless character to give a POV she was written so flatly. There was something missing to make this memorable because nothing really happened but there were a lot of plot points that were interesting. I didn't mind the ending which a lot of people seemed to, but about 15 pages in I wasn't loving it and should have just given it up then.
quietly_killing_thyme's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Reminded me of the Luxe series, only better written and more accurate fashion. On the back is a quote that calls it a "guilty pleasure read" but I was pretty stressed the whole time.
utdawson's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not really sure how I feel about this book. The author seems to know the era she's writing about and does a good job depicting an English home in the last 1800's. However, there's not a lot of depth to the story and the male characters are especially awful. The male lead didn't do much and has few, if any, redeeming qualities. Cora turns out to have more depth of character than she was initially shown to have, but it was just too long.
panda83's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
I always find myself feeling somewhat bereft as I read the end of a book. This book was such a rollercoaster. I enjoyed the characters, and although I am a bit unsatisfied with the ending, I think that makes it even better. A wonderful first novel for Goodwin.
Something I got from this book: life rarely takes the path you expect, but the unexpected twists and turns can be even more worth while.
apetruce's review against another edition
2.0
Not a bad first novel. But certainly with plenty of inconsistencies in the characters. Maybe a slight level above what people would call "chick lit" with some interesting themes including Downton Abbey-like settings and roles. Lots of period fashion information and cultural references for the time. But the main character never breaks out on her own. She never gains the strength to stand on her own feet and stop succumbing to the two older women who rule her life, a detail which I found implausible.
abbybroncos's review against another edition
1.0
I dont know if I have ever given a book 1 star on goodreads. It took me 6 months to read half of this book. I dont remember the last time I didnt read the entire book even if I didnt really care for it. I read this book because I loved Victoria by Daisy Goodwin but this book was so boring. It has almost no plot and the only exciting things that happen in it are so ridiculously anti-climactic that they didn't feel like exciting events at all. I hate putting a book down without finishing it but I just cannot finish this one. If you like books that have soft plots that are historical "real life" than this may be the book for you. But if you read as a form of escapism and need the book to keep you interested I would not recommend this book.