THE SOCIAL GRACES by Renee Rosen - REVIEW

 


Historical Fiction author, Renee Rosen once again sweeps readers into a very specific time in American life - The Gilded Age of 1876 - 1910, in her new novel, THE SOCIAL GRACES (Berkley). It was a period of rapid economic growth and all that went with it. Mark Twain coined the term "The Gilded Age" because everything was glittering on the surface of society, but there was corruption and suffering underneath. THE SOCIAL GRACES explores the battle between Mrs. Caroline Astor, leader of the old-moneyed Knickerbockers and Mrs. Alva Vanderbilt, nouveau riche and despised by the upper crust. Both were waging a war to control New York Society.

Readers are swept away by the many over-the-top balls in Manhattan and summer in Newport "cottages," the size of museums. The Suffrage movement is only in its infancy so wealthy women, their clothes and jewelry are still the property of their husbands and divorce "never" happens in polite society. That's a main reason why the control to be the top doyenne overseeing "the swells" is so important. It is the one area women control their fates.

THE SOCIAL GRACES explores mother-daughter relationships, as well as those of sisters. Rosen's prose are so light and fluid and the characters pop off the pages. I always enjoy learning about a period of time when I know the research is accurate. Renee has never let readers down with her impeccable ability to capture a time and place, as well as make certain her novels are enjoyable.


Renee Rosen is the bestselling author of historical fiction. Her novels include Park Avenue Summer,Windy City Blues, White Collar Girl, What the Lady Wants and Dollface as well as the young adult novel, Every Crooked Pot.

Renee is a native of Akron, Ohio and a graduate of The American University in Washington DC.  She now lives in Chicago where she is at work on a new novel.

She frequently visits with book clubs (either in person or via Zoom/ Skype/ FaceTime) and is available for speaking engagements once we are Covid free. 

www.reneerosen.com

THE SOCIAL GRACES will be published April 20th. You can pre-order your copy

THE SOCIAL GRACES 



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