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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
If you read the summary and were hoping to see what the second Mrs Astor becomes after she is widowed, you'll be disappointed: it was really the summary, and not a hook!
The book retraces the true story of how the young Madeleine maried the richest man on the planet before loosing him in the Titanic's disaster.
Based on the official summary, I was basically expecting the whole book to be the introduction to the story, so of course I was disappointed. I don't think I would have borrowed the book if I had known. We spend a lot of time agonizing about Madeleine's feelings, in a relationship that (for today's standards) is pedophile (the relationship starts when she is 17, and he's 30 years older). Once their relationship is public, we get an over-abundance of riches descriptions, from the wall decorations to the favor gifts, to the opulent honeymoon in Egypt, before getting to the Titanic. Maybe you'll like this fairy tale-ish story but it was not what I was looking for.
The book retraces the true story of how the young Madeleine maried the richest man on the planet before loosing him in the Titanic's disaster.
Based on the official summary, I was basically expecting the whole book to be the introduction to the story, so of course I was disappointed. I don't think I would have borrowed the book if I had known. We spend a lot of time agonizing about Madeleine's feelings, in a relationship that (for today's standards) is pedophile (the relationship starts when she is 17, and he's 30 years older). Once their relationship is public, we get an over-abundance of riches descriptions, from the wall decorations to the favor gifts, to the opulent honeymoon in Egypt, before getting to the Titanic. Maybe you'll like this fairy tale-ish story but it was not what I was looking for.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Grief
really should have finished this book sooner, but i was too busy looking up facts because i was fascinated by how many things made me go "this cannot be true" only to see it was.
i really wish 5th ave in nyc still had more mansions on it like it once did
i really wish 5th ave in nyc still had more mansions on it like it once did
This could actually be a 3.5 stars as it wasn’t bad. I enjoyed the historical setting and fun facts. But the characters never came alive for me. These were real people and I felt more could have been said about their pasts, purposes and psyches. They were very flat and the plot was schmaltzy. We know the sad end that is coming and it because painful to work our way there.
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
slow-paced
i just saw this book on kindle unlimited and it seemed up my alley but wow. this was written so well and made me feel for madeleine so much. i cried so much. i will always be a titanic girl to my core.
Oh my God just get the to boat crash already.
I get some people enjoy light reads but I wasn't expecting this to be so light practically nothing happens. This book takes a completely uncritical look at the marriage of the wealthiest man in America (47) to a teenager at the turn of the century. Their massive age gap, unequal footing, or the depressing economic reality of 1910's America will NOT be addressed. The author is completely uninterested in having any conflict aside from the occasional pushy reporter and society ladies being a little rude.
Molly Brown turns up and reveals that there could be an interesting character in this novel, but sadly instead of writing about an American legend we're forced to hear more inner monologue about how absoutely perfect Jacob Astor is. The book reminds to every single chapter that they're all going to end up on the Titanic, as if to say "I know nothing is happening, but hold on" but I just couldn't make it long enough to enjoy hearing about Astor drowning.
If you liked Titanic but were upset about the class consciousness and hints of first wave feminism, you might enjoy this book. Otherwise, skip.
I get some people enjoy light reads but I wasn't expecting this to be so light practically nothing happens. This book takes a completely uncritical look at the marriage of the wealthiest man in America (47) to a teenager at the turn of the century. Their massive age gap, unequal footing, or the depressing economic reality of 1910's America will NOT be addressed. The author is completely uninterested in having any conflict aside from the occasional pushy reporter and society ladies being a little rude.
Molly Brown turns up and reveals that there could be an interesting character in this novel, but sadly instead of writing about an American legend we're forced to hear more inner monologue about how absoutely perfect Jacob Astor is. The book reminds to every single chapter that they're all going to end up on the Titanic, as if to say "I know nothing is happening, but hold on" but I just couldn't make it long enough to enjoy hearing about Astor drowning.
If you liked Titanic but were upset about the class consciousness and hints of first wave feminism, you might enjoy this book. Otherwise, skip.
It was a Slow start for me but did pick up. Who doesn’t love a Titanic book.
slow-paced
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No