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susanjanette's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jemicu's review against another edition
4.0
I was very excited to read this book after finishing Marie Benedict’s inspiring “The Personal Librarian.” I love that she gives otherwise unnoticed women the main character role and love hearing these stories imagined from their perspective. I can’t wait to read all of her books.
suzanna_m's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
laughyliz's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed the authors take on Andrews life. It was interesting to see how it all played out with their relationship seeing how the social classes were different. I’m glad she considered herself a key player in his business because she truly was. I’m glad for her admiration at the end and didn’t hold anything against the family for what happened.
mlsweeten's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A story of haves and have-nots. While the book is based on the life of Andrew Carnegie, a wealthy and ruthless businessman turned philanthropist, this is about his fictional maid, Clara Kelly. Clara takes on the identity of another immigrant to serve in the Carnegie household so she can help her impoverished family in Ireland. On a personal note, I’ve found there are still a few Carnegie libraries in my state that I wouldn’t mind visiting.
cfarbie67's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bibliophile80's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book, and the audiobook was incredibly well done. The narrator moved seamlessly and credibly through Irish, Scots, and American (both Pittsburgh and Southern) accents. My one major criticism is that I felt there was a lot of “show and tell”: the author would tell the reader that a character thought a certain thing or felt a particular way. And then she would follow it up with the “showing,” the dialogue or action that expressed their thought or feeling. A minor thing was the sometimes overbearing number of times she listed out the names and details of companies and important persons. It was like historical fiction name-dropping. Overall, those are two very small issues with an otherwise beautifully written, completely captivating historical fiction novel that truly brought this foundational character of Andrew Carnegie—and the places and times of which he was indicative—to life.
memphisholli's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? N/A
2.25
brequinby's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sbreadsfantasy's review against another edition
4.0
Not Very Believable, Rushed Ending, Intriguing Story
Overall, I enjoyed the story. I often think about Carnegie libraries and the Gilded Age relic they’ve become. I appreciated Clara’s background and story, and the accounts of poverty were believable.
However, I have a hard time believing that she could have passed for a lady’s maid with no prior knowledge of the customs and habits. I also struggled to see Andrew Carnegie as such a twenty-first century, almost feminist man so invested in the mind of his mother’s maid. It just felt unlikely, even for “new money.”
The ending was hurried. I knew how it would happen long before it did, but it felt rushed and I wasn’t thrilled with the epilogue either.
From a pleasure read standpoint, it was a nice storyline and decently researched piece of historical fiction.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. I often think about Carnegie libraries and the Gilded Age relic they’ve become. I appreciated Clara’s background and story, and the accounts of poverty were believable.
However, I have a hard time believing that she could have passed for a lady’s maid with no prior knowledge of the customs and habits. I also struggled to see Andrew Carnegie as such a twenty-first century, almost feminist man so invested in the mind of his mother’s maid. It just felt unlikely, even for “new money.”
The ending was hurried. I knew how it would happen long before it did, but it felt rushed and I wasn’t thrilled with the epilogue either.
From a pleasure read standpoint, it was a nice storyline and decently researched piece of historical fiction.