Engaging in some Gilded Age good reads

After long last, HBO gives us The Gilded Age, created by Downton Abbey’s Julian Fellowes, a series set in the New York world known best to the likes of Edith Wharton and Henry James.

While there is a blend of classic performers(Christine Baranski, Carrie Coon, Audra McDonald) and newcomers (Louisa Jacobson, Denee Benton,Taissa Farmiga), so far all of them expertly compliment their roles in this story line that pits “Old New York” against the new money folks.

This show is pretty much the new Downton Abbey for many of us period drama fans and while it’s not directly based on a book, there are plenty of good novels out there that fit this historical fiction frame nicely:

THE MAGNOLIA PALACE:

Fiona Davis’ latest novel  cuts across two time periods as Veronica, a model in 1966, discovers a set of papers during a photo shoot at the Frick museum that May reveal the location of a rare diamond belonging to the Frick family.

The papers in question were handled by Lillian, who in 1919 inadvertently took on a position as secretary to Helen Clay Frick, the forthright daughter of wealthy industrialist Henry.

Lillian only intended to stay long enough to earn enough money for travel to Hollywood in search of a film career. However, as she got more involved with the Fricks and their secrets, it became harder to break away despite the life or death stakes thrust upon her.

Davis is quite the literary artist, using her words to create immersive storytelling murals against the canvas of iconic locales in New York and this book promises to be another elegant masterpiece of prose.

I picked it up as a Book of the Month club selection and plan to start it soon, to not only enjoy the vivid descriptions of the Frick house but it’s iconic residents as well:

THE SOCIAL GRACES:

In this story by Renee Rosen, the rivalry between Caroline Astor, the acclaimed diva of the Gilded age society, and Alva Vanderbilt, the wife of a new to money family, is showcased in more ways than one.

As Caroline struggles to maintain her status as the taste maker of her class, Alva is bound and determined to not be seen as second best in any sense of the term. Both women share equal amounts of joy and sorrow in their lives that make them more alike than they know yet the demands of their insular world keep them apart.

I read this last year and it’s a riveting tale to be sure. Rosen highlights each of her leading ladies in full measure, making them as elegantly human as possible. Some of the real life characters here will most likely be featured in The Gilded Age series so this book is a picture perfect companion read there:

THE GILDED HOUR:

Sara Donati’s first entry in this trilogy introduces us to Anna and Sophie, cousins who both share a love of medicine and a home with their widowed aunt in Washington Square.

Pursuing their careers as doctors is difficult, especially when laws that restrict the rights of women’s health such as the Comstock Act directly affect their working class patients.

Things get even more complicated when Anna becomes involved with Rosa, an orphan trying her best to keep her younger brothers with her rather than a “charitable” institute. Sophie finds herself intervening with a new mother who may not be able to take care of her baby but the help required could jeopardize her medical license.

As these ladies work to provide the best they have to give to the people in their care, it grows clear that they also need to help themselves in other emotional matters of the heart.

Donati is no stranger to epic historical fiction, having some of the characters here be descendants from her Wilderness series. I have both this one and it’s follow up (Where the Light Enters) on one of my TBRs and hope to be fully up to speed by the time the third book is out and about.

Such a suitable saga for anyone interested in a very different look at this time period indeed:

Looking back at history can be beneficial as well as entertaining and with shows like The Gilded Age giving a bit of both to TV audiences and readers, we may be able to better appreciate the world we now live in.

Of course, if you just want a break from the daily grind, this series should provide that in abundance and certainly a smartly satisfying way to do so with popcorn at hand, along with a good book to enjoy: