binzbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
binilovesbooks's review
5.0
I’ve always enjoyed historical fiction—it’s probably my favorite genre—but historical fiction that actually takes you inside the life of a real person and their lives and really tries to tell you their story, those are the best books. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of Alva’s story and have to admit I got a bit teary eyed at the end of the Author’s Note, which is a must read because it really serves as the end of her story, not the last chapter of the book.
ccorner's review
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
kricketa's review
4.0
I love reading novels about famous historical figures, especially if they are strong and interesting women. I love them so much that I'm actually a little concerned about having accurate historical facts regarding these individuals. Therefore, I usually like to follow up by reading a biography or non-fiction account about the humans in question. It's going to be a little harder to track one down on Alva Vanderbilt but I might try for her daughter Consuelo's memoir "The glitter and the gold."
katemariea514's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
whisper88's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I wasn't thrilled with this at first, and the protagonist was unlikable at times.
I thought doing some quick research of the family and era would help give perspective, but I ended up disliking the characters more.
The authors interview at the end clarified everything and made this book a hidden gem.
The whole point was that society painted the Vanderbilt women as a two dimensional, and historical evidence supported that.
Alva embodies term multifaceted. The 'ah-ha' moment for the reader made this book stand out and I can't get it out of my head
Can't wait to listen to the authors other books. Also, I believe there's a movie adaptation?🤷
I thought doing some quick research of the family and era would help give perspective, but I ended up disliking the characters more.
The authors interview at the end clarified everything and made this book a hidden gem.
The whole point was that society painted the Vanderbilt women as a two dimensional, and historical evidence supported that.
Alva embodies term multifaceted. The 'ah-ha' moment for the reader made this book stand out and I can't get it out of my head
Can't wait to listen to the authors other books. Also, I believe there's a movie adaptation?🤷
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Body shaming, Child death, and Infidelity
laurenalexsc's review
4.0
3.5, I wish we had more time of Alva's happiness. Although I guess the time in which she was just Mrs. WK Vanderbilt made her who she was. I love the Consuelos.
hayleyhasik's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like it. The story is intriguing. But the prose is simple and the narrative drones on and on. It felt like a slog to finish and not as entertaining as I originally thought.
thisotherbookaccount's review
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New York City in the 19th century. The Gilded Age. A story about Alva Vanderbilt (yes, that Vanderbilt) who eventually becomes a major figure in the American women’s suffrage movement. This book should have been a home run, but the batter is spinning in circles on the home plate, and the baseball bat is pinned to the ground with his forehead. You know that once he lifts his head off the bat, he’s going to loose his footing and eat dirt on the baseball pitch.
A Well-Behaved Woman by Therese Anne Fowler is just that — a book falling over and eating the baseball pitch.
I am quitting the book one third of the way through because, instead of learning about the Vanderbilts, New York in the Gilded Age and how one woman, on the age of poverty, climbs her way up the social classes into one of the most powerful families in the US. I wanted to read the story of this dark horse who defied expectations and broke through the ankle-high glass ceiling in the 19th century to inspire other women.
Yet, 30% in and all I am reading about are parties, jewelries, dresses (stitch by painful stitch), fancy foods, more parties, more dresses, gossips about men, gossips about women, how prudish everybody was about sex, on and on and on. The worst part? According to reviews, this 400-page book ends BEFORE Alva Vanderbilt devotes her time to the women’s suffrage movement, which is, like, the ONLY reason why I wanted to read this book in the first place.
It’s like reading Superman’s story, but the entire thing is set in Smallville. Yes, I am aware that there’s a TV show set entirely in Smallville, but let’s be real: the only good thing about Smallville is the title song.
New York City in the 19th century. The Gilded Age. A story about Alva Vanderbilt (yes, that Vanderbilt) who eventually becomes a major figure in the American women’s suffrage movement. This book should have been a home run, but the batter is spinning in circles on the home plate, and the baseball bat is pinned to the ground with his forehead. You know that once he lifts his head off the bat, he’s going to loose his footing and eat dirt on the baseball pitch.
A Well-Behaved Woman by Therese Anne Fowler is just that — a book falling over and eating the baseball pitch.
I am quitting the book one third of the way through because, instead of learning about the Vanderbilts, New York in the Gilded Age and how one woman, on the age of poverty, climbs her way up the social classes into one of the most powerful families in the US. I wanted to read the story of this dark horse who defied expectations and broke through the ankle-high glass ceiling in the 19th century to inspire other women.
Yet, 30% in and all I am reading about are parties, jewelries, dresses (stitch by painful stitch), fancy foods, more parties, more dresses, gossips about men, gossips about women, how prudish everybody was about sex, on and on and on. The worst part? According to reviews, this 400-page book ends BEFORE Alva Vanderbilt devotes her time to the women’s suffrage movement, which is, like, the ONLY reason why I wanted to read this book in the first place.
It’s like reading Superman’s story, but the entire thing is set in Smallville. Yes, I am aware that there’s a TV show set entirely in Smallville, but let’s be real: the only good thing about Smallville is the title song.