58 reviews for:

The Great Mrs. Elias

Barbara Chase-Riboud

3.75 AVERAGE

whatjennasreading's review against another edition

5.0

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Endlessly interesting, amazingly detailed and expertly researched. One of the most well written books I’ve read in a minute! Highly highly recommend.

kdmr's review against another edition

2.5

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: Yes

immabehazzie's review against another edition

4.0

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‘The Great Mrs. Elias’ is the tantalizing, remarkable, and woeful story about how the real-life Bessie Elias, a small-time sex worker became Hannah Elias, a savvy businesswoman and one of the richest black women in the world during her time.

As I hadn’t heard of Hannah Elias before picking up this book, I am unsure of how historically accurate this book is but that didn’t stop me from being captivated by this gripping novel. Barbara Chase-Riboud uses the story of Hannah Elias to delve into the complexities of race, sexism and gender, love, and societal pressure. The story is compelling all while following a mysterious and resilient protagonist.

‘The Great Mrs. Elias’ pulls readers into a story that effortlessly leaves history and fiction together. The author gives compassion and what almost feels like a level of loving care to such a controversial historical figure from Hannah’s difficult childhood to her infamous blackmail child against her rich and powerful lover.

clouds_on_clouds's review against another edition

4.0

mysterious slow-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

dsbressette's review against another edition

4.0

informative slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

elizadambrosio's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

amramsdale's review against another edition

2.5

adventurous informative slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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 Very very slow story, however it was well written. I enjoyed the ending very much. 

heather_renae's review against another edition

4.25

informative medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

mfkelly323's review against another edition

5.0

emotional informative inspiring sad fast-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

m_l_valentine's review against another edition

3.75

challenging dark informative inspiring mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No