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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this book. It was interesting to learn about the Carnegie family (which we all, apparently pronounce incorrectly....emphasis should be on the second syllable!) the main character is made up - the author's attempt to find a reason for Andrew Carnegie's business dragon personality that changed into a philanthropist.
I learned at book club that his organization funded the first library in Calgary - Memorial Park Library. It is my favorite library in Calgary. If only there was better parking around there, I'd go there a lot just to sit and soak in its beauty.
I learned at book club that his organization funded the first library in Calgary - Memorial Park Library. It is my favorite library in Calgary. If only there was better parking around there, I'd go there a lot just to sit and soak in its beauty.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
“Carnegie’s Maid” is a well written historical novel that confronts the real Andrew Carnegie with a fictionalized Irish ladies’ maid, both immigrants from poor backgrounds, both educated and motivated to succeed in America. In the story, Carnegie is already well on his way to a powerful, wealthy and influential businessman while Clara, fresh off the boat, still struggles like so many other newly arrived people. The novel offers an intriguing explanation of Carnegie’s moral ambiguity: on the one hand being a ruthless industrialist when it comes to his employees, and using some questionable business practices, yet on the other hand being the great philanthropist that built hundreds of free libraries among other donations. The novel is a great slice of life into the upper social classes from the servant’s perspective, and was fun to read as it is mostly set in Pittsburgh, a familiar city.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I gave Carnegie’s Maid 2.5 stars overall because I was really drawn in by the raw energy of Clara’s journey. From her tough beginnings as an immigrant to her gritty role as the ladies maid in the Carnegie household, I loved how the book set up the stark contrast between poor immigrants and Pittsburgh’s shiny high society.
But here’s what really got to me:once Clara stopped being the ladies maid, it was like her story just didn’t matter anymore. The rich, complex character I was rooting for got sidelined, and the narrative lost its emotional anchor. At the same time, Andrew Carnegie’s character undergoes this sudden, almost jarring change in worldview—a transformation that feels rushed, considering how he doesn’t appear to be in conflict about this earlier in the story. Instead of letting his shift evolve naturally alongside Clara’s struggles, the novel tacks it on as a quick fix to tie up loose ends.
I left the book feeling that both Clara and Carnegie deserved more thoughtful development. The detailed exploration of class differences was compelling, butsidelining Clara and giving us a half-baked glimpse into Carnegie’s change robbed the story of the depth it promised.
But here’s what really got to me:
I left the book feeling that both Clara and Carnegie deserved more thoughtful development. The detailed exploration of class differences was compelling, but
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
An entertaining novel of historical fiction. I was disappointed with the ending which seemed to leave a lot of the plot unresolved.