Jill Hutchinson's Reviews > A Well-Behaved Woman

I have no idea why I read this book since (1) I seldom, if ever, read historical fiction, and (2) the antics of NYC "high society" of the Gilded Age give me a pain in the bum. So my review will be short and not too sweet.

The Astors, Vanderbilts, et al were the ruling class of society and were constantly trying to outdo each other to gain even more prominence. They built hideous, overblown houses in NYC and the Hamptons, bought huge yachts, and threw elaborate parties and balls that made headlines all over the country. They married for money to solidify their position in society and trolled Europe for titled husbands for their daughters. Happiness or love never entered the picture and most had miserable marriages.....and the antidote to that was to spend more money.

This book follows the life of Alva Vanderbilt, wife of William K. Vanderbilt, and she turns out to be as boring and shallow as all the others, even though the author attempts to give the impression that she was more independent and did great charitable works. Somehow I missed that part! When one dislikes the character, it is hard to give the book a good review. My apologies to the author.