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Against All Expectations #3
She Walks in Beauty
In this Gilded Age New York novel, Clara Carter is tasked with reeling in the city’s most eligible bachelor. She must quickly learn to endure a corset, master the latest dances, and perfect her manners before making her social debut. Yet as the spotlight transforms her into a society-page darling, she wonders if this is the life she really wants. When Clara meets a man whose selfless love touches her soul, she’s torn between the marriage her family demands and the one her heart desires.
This 1890s Gilded Age, historical fiction, New York City-set tale with its Victorian romance follows the city’s most celebrated social debutante as she struggles to reconcile the conflicting demands of culture, family, and love. Readers won’t soon forget this girl against society romance with its vibrant details and timeless truths in this compelling historical fiction portrayal of courtship, integrity, and hope.
This 1890s Gilded Age, historical fiction, New York City-set tale with its Victorian romance follows the city’s most celebrated social debutante as she struggles to reconcile the conflicting demands of culture, family, and love. Readers won’t soon forget this girl against society romance with its vibrant details and timeless truths in this compelling historical fiction portrayal of courtship, integrity, and hope.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2010
667 people are currently reading
4966 people want to read
About the author
Siri Mitchell
17 books751 followersalso published under the name Siri L. Mitchell & Iris Anthony
Siri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.
But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listening to a speaker and taking notes, chances are, they’ve just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they’re probably thinking, “Yes. Right. That’s exactly what my character needs to hear.” When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.
Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry’s than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.
Siri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.
But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listening to a speaker and taking notes, chances are, they’ve just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they’re probably thinking, “Yes. Right. That’s exactly what my character needs to hear.” When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.
Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry’s than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.
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February 9, 2017
Kindle freebie romance. Except not so much.
Clara Carter is a 17 year old New York debutante during the Gilded Age. Her comfortable life is upended when wealthy and suave Franklin De Vries comes back into town and Clara's bossy aunt determines that Clara is going to snag him. Endless rounds of tortuous corset fittings (squeezing Clara's 21 inch waist into an 18 inch dress ... sheesh, I wish I still had a 25 inch waist!), too-small gloves, lessons in manners and deportment, and other painful and tedious primping ensue. Meanwhile, Clara is getting distracted from her instructions to land Franklin, the family heir, by his kind younger brother Harry.
Don't be fooled by the romantic cover and title; the romance is secondary to informing the reader about all the shortcomings and social ills of 1890's New York high society. The author spends an inordinate amount of time discussing the physical pain and illnesses caused by corsets. Most characters are corrupt and/or cynical, except for (conveniently enough) the hero and heroine. If that's the kind of book you're looking for, great; it just wasn't for me.
This book will cure you of any daydreams of being an old-time debutante.
Clara Carter is a 17 year old New York debutante during the Gilded Age. Her comfortable life is upended when wealthy and suave Franklin De Vries comes back into town and Clara's bossy aunt determines that Clara is going to snag him. Endless rounds of tortuous corset fittings (squeezing Clara's 21 inch waist into an 18 inch dress ... sheesh, I wish I still had a 25 inch waist!), too-small gloves, lessons in manners and deportment, and other painful and tedious primping ensue. Meanwhile, Clara is getting distracted from her instructions to land Franklin, the family heir, by his kind younger brother Harry.
Don't be fooled by the romantic cover and title; the romance is secondary to informing the reader about all the shortcomings and social ills of 1890's New York high society. The author spends an inordinate amount of time discussing the physical pain and illnesses caused by corsets. Most characters are corrupt and/or cynical, except for (conveniently enough) the hero and heroine. If that's the kind of book you're looking for, great; it just wasn't for me.
This book will cure you of any daydreams of being an old-time debutante.
August 28, 2010
Clara Carter is an intelligent girl, motherless, being instructed in maths, science and languages by her governness who even thinks she could attend college. Those plans are swiftly aborted when her aunt dismisses the governness and announces that instead of debuting next season, she is to debut this season, which is some impossibly short-time away. She receives a crash course in social education from her aunt after it becomes apparent that her governness has neglected that part of her education in favour of acadaemia. The reason for this haste? The de Vries heir is back and her father and aunt are determined that she should land him and no other.
Clara is not really socially comfortable and dreads the idea of coming out. She doesn't have the natural act of flirting, of drawing a man's attention, so luckily she is beautiful and draws it anyway. Her aunt is determined that she shall be the most successful debutante and laces her into an 18 inch corset, despite the fact that her waist is about 20-21 inches. Clara can barely sleep, can barely eat as she she is forced to endure the 'sculpting' of her body, all in the name of catching her husband. The only bright spot for her is that her best friend Lizzie has had her debut pushed forward to this season too, although that is darkened slightly by the fact that her parents have urged her to capture Franklin de Vries also. They are best friends and rivals for the same proposal.
Although Clara is a likable, smart girl who tries her best to adapt to the social ways and graces of the New York High Society, she is weighed down by the pressure and expectation of her father and aunt who are desperate for her to land the de Vries heir in payment for some wrong done to them previously by the de Vries family. It seems only Clara marrying the heir and securing the de Vries fortune will do, even though Clara is a girl that wants more than just a marriage of convenience. She wants to marry for love, which as her aunt tells her swiftly, does not happen in their circles.
The biggest problem I had with this book was that I got bogged down in a lot of details. Yes, I like the couture and perculiarities of this time, but I don't need so many pages describing gloves, slippers, forks, dance steps. I would've preferred more time devoted to the developing of the actual story – Franklin de Vries was a nothing character. He appeared for a minute to dance with Clara, he disappeared. His younger brother Harry was a bumbling, cheerful, loveable sort of younger son and a lot of time was spent with him (for reasons which swiftly become obvious) but all this leads to is the feeling that you're not quite sure if Franklin is evil or not, or would've made her miserable or whether or not they could have had a comfortable society marriage because you don't know one single thing about him at all!
There is far too much telling and not enough showing. I don't need to be told that Franklin cut a swathe across the continent, I want to be shown what he got up to, instead about five pages in the entire novel is devoted to Franklin, a girl who everyone is trying to land, including our main character, even if she is only doing it out of duty.
Despite that, the book was an eye-opener into the Gilded Age of 1890's New York society. The social routine seems simply exhausting with opera's, in house days, private balls and functions, something on every single night of the week. And although I knew that corsets caused health problems I had no idea the lengths that were gone to in order to achieve that 18 inch waist. It makes me altogether too scared to get out the tape measure and inspect mine. I could not imagine being laced into something like that every day, not even allowed respite from it to sleep. All in the name of securing a good match, which was always more about the parents than the debutantes and eligiable bachelors anyway.
This book was ok - enjoyable enough to keep me reading until the end but not fantastic. Would've liked more character development for some of the minor players, less description on forks.
Clara is not really socially comfortable and dreads the idea of coming out. She doesn't have the natural act of flirting, of drawing a man's attention, so luckily she is beautiful and draws it anyway. Her aunt is determined that she shall be the most successful debutante and laces her into an 18 inch corset, despite the fact that her waist is about 20-21 inches. Clara can barely sleep, can barely eat as she she is forced to endure the 'sculpting' of her body, all in the name of catching her husband. The only bright spot for her is that her best friend Lizzie has had her debut pushed forward to this season too, although that is darkened slightly by the fact that her parents have urged her to capture Franklin de Vries also. They are best friends and rivals for the same proposal.
Although Clara is a likable, smart girl who tries her best to adapt to the social ways and graces of the New York High Society, she is weighed down by the pressure and expectation of her father and aunt who are desperate for her to land the de Vries heir in payment for some wrong done to them previously by the de Vries family. It seems only Clara marrying the heir and securing the de Vries fortune will do, even though Clara is a girl that wants more than just a marriage of convenience. She wants to marry for love, which as her aunt tells her swiftly, does not happen in their circles.
The biggest problem I had with this book was that I got bogged down in a lot of details. Yes, I like the couture and perculiarities of this time, but I don't need so many pages describing gloves, slippers, forks, dance steps. I would've preferred more time devoted to the developing of the actual story – Franklin de Vries was a nothing character. He appeared for a minute to dance with Clara, he disappeared. His younger brother Harry was a bumbling, cheerful, loveable sort of younger son and a lot of time was spent with him (for reasons which swiftly become obvious) but all this leads to is the feeling that you're not quite sure if Franklin is evil or not, or would've made her miserable or whether or not they could have had a comfortable society marriage because you don't know one single thing about him at all!
There is far too much telling and not enough showing. I don't need to be told that Franklin cut a swathe across the continent, I want to be shown what he got up to, instead about five pages in the entire novel is devoted to Franklin, a girl who everyone is trying to land, including our main character, even if she is only doing it out of duty.
Despite that, the book was an eye-opener into the Gilded Age of 1890's New York society. The social routine seems simply exhausting with opera's, in house days, private balls and functions, something on every single night of the week. And although I knew that corsets caused health problems I had no idea the lengths that were gone to in order to achieve that 18 inch waist. It makes me altogether too scared to get out the tape measure and inspect mine. I could not imagine being laced into something like that every day, not even allowed respite from it to sleep. All in the name of securing a good match, which was always more about the parents than the debutantes and eligiable bachelors anyway.
This book was ok - enjoyable enough to keep me reading until the end but not fantastic. Would've liked more character development for some of the minor players, less description on forks.
September 8, 2020
In the past, you may have read my opinions of Siri Mitchell and seen that I enjoy the writing, but that the story was imperceptibly depressing. I was shocked and appauled with the lack of soul in Constant Heart, A yet the historical elements were incredible and the writing so true. It was in reading Love's Pursuit that each page was not able to turn fast enough and I was truly stumped until the end but still taken aback and frustrated with the circumstances and sadness of the situation. Yet She Walks in Beauty is a delight, a breath of fresh air, and quite the heart titillating beat within a prose of words met by the ear as poetry.
I loved this novel. Each page was another treasure. Every time I had to leave the novel and come back to the story it was as if I were returning to a friend. In years passed I have always wanted to read a tale about the Golden Age in New York City and this novel was not one to disappoint. Yes it had the historical details and some harsh facts which I have come to know Siri's books for. Yet this one has a heart and a soul with tons of personality that laced through the pages and made the next chapter more than just a little something worth coming back for.
Clara Carter is a debutante, and this is her story. It is a suspense, it is a hard life and facts historical, it is a romance, and it is a tragedy. I highly recommend it.
*Thanks to CFBA and Bethany House for providing a copy for review.*
I loved this novel. Each page was another treasure. Every time I had to leave the novel and come back to the story it was as if I were returning to a friend. In years passed I have always wanted to read a tale about the Golden Age in New York City and this novel was not one to disappoint. Yes it had the historical details and some harsh facts which I have come to know Siri's books for. Yet this one has a heart and a soul with tons of personality that laced through the pages and made the next chapter more than just a little something worth coming back for.
Clara Carter is a debutante, and this is her story. It is a suspense, it is a hard life and facts historical, it is a romance, and it is a tragedy. I highly recommend it.
*Thanks to CFBA and Bethany House for providing a copy for review.*
June 14, 2010
Clara Carter has no desire to be a debutante in New York City at the height of the Gilded Age. At 17, she expected to have one more year of freedom before devoting her life to tedious balls, operas, and dinners, not to mention restrictive clothing. But her father and overbearing aunt force her to come out a year early in order to snag the covet-able DeVries heir. But as the season progresses, Clara finds herself questioning just what she "has" to do for her family and how much is her own choice. She questions even more when the younger DeVries son is the brother who catches her attention instead of the heir.
I loved the message of this book- be yourself! Sometimes, beauty has a very high price as does social popularity and power. I was happy to see the overall message of female empowerment in the book.
Sometimes, reading historical fiction, the reader gets the big picture, but some of the everyday details are left out. This book really helped me to see, in shocking detail, all of the aspects of daily life of the not quite so glamorous Gilded Age. A lot of times these details are overlooked and we only see the glitz and glamour. Poor Clara was squeezed into an extremely tight corset, shrinking her waist to 18 (!!) inches. She was even forced to wear gloves that were several sizes too small, all in order to catch a man.
And what a man Harry was! Always making awkward social mistakes, but always saying the right thing to support Clara. Harry would question why she should feel so hemmed in by society and her family, helping her to let go of the restrictions she had placed on herself.
The first part of the book is a lot of day to day descriptions of a debutante's life. The real story with all of it's twists and turns gets started in the second half. I absolutely flew through the last half of the story!
I can't say enough how much I love the message of this book. Even though it's about the Gilded Age, you can see mirrors to our society today. We can still learn from our past and remind ourselves not to pay such a high cost for beauty or to cave to the demands that society puts on us, especially on women.
This book provided for review by Bethany House Publishers.
reviewed for: http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/
I loved the message of this book- be yourself! Sometimes, beauty has a very high price as does social popularity and power. I was happy to see the overall message of female empowerment in the book.
Sometimes, reading historical fiction, the reader gets the big picture, but some of the everyday details are left out. This book really helped me to see, in shocking detail, all of the aspects of daily life of the not quite so glamorous Gilded Age. A lot of times these details are overlooked and we only see the glitz and glamour. Poor Clara was squeezed into an extremely tight corset, shrinking her waist to 18 (!!) inches. She was even forced to wear gloves that were several sizes too small, all in order to catch a man.
And what a man Harry was! Always making awkward social mistakes, but always saying the right thing to support Clara. Harry would question why she should feel so hemmed in by society and her family, helping her to let go of the restrictions she had placed on herself.
The first part of the book is a lot of day to day descriptions of a debutante's life. The real story with all of it's twists and turns gets started in the second half. I absolutely flew through the last half of the story!
I can't say enough how much I love the message of this book. Even though it's about the Gilded Age, you can see mirrors to our society today. We can still learn from our past and remind ourselves not to pay such a high cost for beauty or to cave to the demands that society puts on us, especially on women.
This book provided for review by Bethany House Publishers.
reviewed for: http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/
March 3, 2011
EDITED--This is free on Kindle right now (3/2/11)--Snatch it up! This haunting, lovely tale was timeless and worthy of Austen-eque comparisons. It's ostensibly billed as Christian Historical, but I would more accurately describe it as YA historical as it's the 17 year old first person narrator who defines the book. It's a "sweet" book with none of the steamy stuff found in more mainstream regencies, but it really doesn't suffer from the lack of it at all and any "Christian" elements are extremely subtle. This was a good book to share with my mother, and it would make an excellent bookclub book, especially for diverse readers. Highly recommended, especially for YA readers looking for something a little different and for historical lovers who like a good story regardless of the heat level.
July 3, 2011
“It is worth remembering that when, as a society, we deem something absolutely necessary to beauty or happiness, some people will do absolutely anything to obtain it.”-Note at the end of book by the author.
This sentence more or less sums up what this book is about. Like me, don’t get fooled with the cover and think it’s a historical bodice ripper. It’s far from that. It’s about Clara Carter and Lizzie, both 17 years old, entering their first season in New York. If you’ve read enough bodice rippers or historical YA, you’ll know what a season is. But you won’t find any handsome rake here. What you will get though are the De Vries brothers, Franklin and Harry. Franklin is the elder brother and hence the heir. So Clara, Lizzie and mostly all the girls debuted that season have their eyes set upon him.
Clara though is a little different from most of these girls. Her mother died when she was very young, her father is a famous physician who wants to restore his wealth, position and take revenge from the De Vries because they lost all their money in the panic as it was deposited in the De Vris bank. Clara wants to marry for love and although she doesn’t want to adorn herself with heavy dresses and heavy ornaments and doesn’t want to wear a tight corset to reduce her waist to 16 inches, she doesn’t have any choice. She doesn’t rebel because she loves her father and she wants to make him happy.
Along the way though, she discovers the value of friendship, that God will accept you as you are and all this glitter and glam is nothing more than a show. In the process of capturing Franklin’s heart and getting a proposal out of him she also discovers that marriage has to based on love.
The author Siri Mitchell has highlighted the extent to which women in the Victorian age went to achieve that perfect 16 inch waist and to get a lifetime of wealth and privilege. Even though this book is set in the Victorian times we still have the same problems in our society today to some extent. That’s probably why we have models who are all skin and bones and have shows like Bridalplasty.
Although I love romances, I loved how it’s not the main focus of this novel. It’s more of a coming of age story, of breaking the bonds that society has set for us and of differentiating between the right and wrong. I loved how the novel preaches without actually preaching. I thought the book a was bit slow at first because I was expecting a romance novel but sometime after 100 pages I looked at one of the blurbs on the front cover and realized that this was Christian fiction. Any complaints I have for this book are because I was expecting something else, so I wouldn’t really mention them here.
All in all a very satisfying read. Siri Mitchell is a very talented writer and I look forward to reading more books by her.
This sentence more or less sums up what this book is about. Like me, don’t get fooled with the cover and think it’s a historical bodice ripper. It’s far from that. It’s about Clara Carter and Lizzie, both 17 years old, entering their first season in New York. If you’ve read enough bodice rippers or historical YA, you’ll know what a season is. But you won’t find any handsome rake here. What you will get though are the De Vries brothers, Franklin and Harry. Franklin is the elder brother and hence the heir. So Clara, Lizzie and mostly all the girls debuted that season have their eyes set upon him.
Clara though is a little different from most of these girls. Her mother died when she was very young, her father is a famous physician who wants to restore his wealth, position and take revenge from the De Vries because they lost all their money in the panic as it was deposited in the De Vris bank. Clara wants to marry for love and although she doesn’t want to adorn herself with heavy dresses and heavy ornaments and doesn’t want to wear a tight corset to reduce her waist to 16 inches, she doesn’t have any choice. She doesn’t rebel because she loves her father and she wants to make him happy.
Along the way though, she discovers the value of friendship, that God will accept you as you are and all this glitter and glam is nothing more than a show. In the process of capturing Franklin’s heart and getting a proposal out of him she also discovers that marriage has to based on love.
The author Siri Mitchell has highlighted the extent to which women in the Victorian age went to achieve that perfect 16 inch waist and to get a lifetime of wealth and privilege. Even though this book is set in the Victorian times we still have the same problems in our society today to some extent. That’s probably why we have models who are all skin and bones and have shows like Bridalplasty.
Although I love romances, I loved how it’s not the main focus of this novel. It’s more of a coming of age story, of breaking the bonds that society has set for us and of differentiating between the right and wrong. I loved how the novel preaches without actually preaching. I thought the book a was bit slow at first because I was expecting a romance novel but sometime after 100 pages I looked at one of the blurbs on the front cover and realized that this was Christian fiction. Any complaints I have for this book are because I was expecting something else, so I wouldn’t really mention them here.
All in all a very satisfying read. Siri Mitchell is a very talented writer and I look forward to reading more books by her.
August 12, 2016
"She Walks in Beauty" is a historical romance set in 1891 in New York City. The story was rich with historical detail, especially about the social season and fashions. The author focused on the extreme of tight-lacing corsets for waist-size reduction (and so readers might develop wrong ideas about their normal usage--corsets were the "bras" of the time).
The characters were engaging and acted realistically. I liked what Clara learned about romance. It wasn't a typical "oh, he makes my heart beat wildly! I must love him..." romance novel.
A point was made about Clara receiving an education in math and science instead of social graces and how she wanted to go college, so I was surprised that desire was never brought up again later. The suspense in the story was mainly seeing if Clara would make good choices despite the pressure she was under and if she'd end up with the man best suited to her.
After being convinced by her aunt that no one will like her unless she tortures herself to become the current notion of beautiful, Clara longs for someone to love her just as she is--too tall, big lips, and without a 18 inch waist. She remembers a hymn from church, "Just As I Am," and as the story progresses she comes to realize that God loves her just as she is.
There were no sex scenes. There was a very minor amount of "he cussed" style bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting and engaging novel.
The characters were engaging and acted realistically. I liked what Clara learned about romance. It wasn't a typical "oh, he makes my heart beat wildly! I must love him..." romance novel.
A point was made about Clara receiving an education in math and science instead of social graces and how she wanted to go college, so I was surprised that desire was never brought up again later. The suspense in the story was mainly seeing if Clara would make good choices despite the pressure she was under and if she'd end up with the man best suited to her.
After being convinced by her aunt that no one will like her unless she tortures herself to become the current notion of beautiful, Clara longs for someone to love her just as she is--too tall, big lips, and without a 18 inch waist. She remembers a hymn from church, "Just As I Am," and as the story progresses she comes to realize that God loves her just as she is.
There were no sex scenes. There was a very minor amount of "he cussed" style bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting and engaging novel.
May 27, 2018
I have read The Cubicle from this author and I kind of liked it. This book however was...tedious. The book seems to be a looong introduction to an apex that never happens. The characters are quite flat, specially the Hero and the heroine's best friend. If feels like you are reading a letter about them, flat as the page, and not them as living people. I skipped ton of it....
November 19, 2012
Siri Mitchell's 'She Walks in Beauty' has been widely praised. I am afraid I must offer the contrarian view, not because I dislike 'Beauty' but because it could have been so much more. I sense Mitchell's creative expression has been constricted by editorial dictates as her characters were constricted by their corsets.
Christian publishing still struggles with the concept of 'Christian Romance.' Indeed, it was not too long ago that fiction in general was regarded with suspicion as 'lies' at worst, or as an idle waste of time at best. We see that bedrock unease today in Christian Romance's tendency to lecture, educate and exhort. Books read as entertainment have Discussion Guides. Fiction must, somehow, be 'improving.'
In the case of 'She Walks in Beauty,' our heroine Clara is a brilliant scholar who dreams of attending college. She becomes aware of the plight of the poor through the work of crusading journalist Jacob Riis. She sees her family's luxurious lifestyle as frivolous and yearns for the simple life. When she learns her inheritance was earned through fraud, she gives it all away. She fights the convention of tight laced corsets, though the more gruesome effects of prolapsed organs is kept as a climactic revelation. And she learns, and we learn with her, all the social graces and conventions of 1890's high society, though Clara sees them as hollow and artificial.
That's a lot of social consciousness for a seventeen year old girl. And somewhere in there is a romance. A tiny little one.
The majority of the book is taken up with Clara's intensive preparation for her debut, and the events she attends afterwards. Hence most of the action involves talking or dancing at parties which becomes monotonous. The subplots are given little attention once they are introduced. Even the 'romance' is given short shrift: Clara is attracted to each of two brothers then the romance takes a standard 'misunderstanding' turn. The resolution is hasty and without evidence of what character growth will provide for a lasting love. Loose ends are neatly wrapped up, again off stage, by conveniently placed friends and relatives. Clara is absent from the final pages except by report of a fairy tale ending.
Mitchell writes with graceful assurance. Her dialogue is excellent, her characterizations are detailed and appealing. I just wish she had not felt compelled to educate me, and had simply spun a rich, multilayered story about interesting people and their striving for love. I feel certain, in Ms. Mitchell's hands, that book would have been edifying and inspiring.
Christian publishing still struggles with the concept of 'Christian Romance.' Indeed, it was not too long ago that fiction in general was regarded with suspicion as 'lies' at worst, or as an idle waste of time at best. We see that bedrock unease today in Christian Romance's tendency to lecture, educate and exhort. Books read as entertainment have Discussion Guides. Fiction must, somehow, be 'improving.'
In the case of 'She Walks in Beauty,' our heroine Clara is a brilliant scholar who dreams of attending college. She becomes aware of the plight of the poor through the work of crusading journalist Jacob Riis. She sees her family's luxurious lifestyle as frivolous and yearns for the simple life. When she learns her inheritance was earned through fraud, she gives it all away. She fights the convention of tight laced corsets, though the more gruesome effects of prolapsed organs is kept as a climactic revelation. And she learns, and we learn with her, all the social graces and conventions of 1890's high society, though Clara sees them as hollow and artificial.
That's a lot of social consciousness for a seventeen year old girl. And somewhere in there is a romance. A tiny little one.
The majority of the book is taken up with Clara's intensive preparation for her debut, and the events she attends afterwards. Hence most of the action involves talking or dancing at parties which becomes monotonous. The subplots are given little attention once they are introduced. Even the 'romance' is given short shrift: Clara is attracted to each of two brothers then the romance takes a standard 'misunderstanding' turn. The resolution is hasty and without evidence of what character growth will provide for a lasting love. Loose ends are neatly wrapped up, again off stage, by conveniently placed friends and relatives. Clara is absent from the final pages except by report of a fairy tale ending.
Mitchell writes with graceful assurance. Her dialogue is excellent, her characterizations are detailed and appealing. I just wish she had not felt compelled to educate me, and had simply spun a rich, multilayered story about interesting people and their striving for love. I feel certain, in Ms. Mitchell's hands, that book would have been edifying and inspiring.
September 12, 2020
Fascinating look at high society in New York City during the Victorian Era.
Clara enjoys academics and wants to go to college. Her father and aunt have much different expectations: marry the most sought after heir.
Clara's aunt goes to great lengths to help Clara succeed in her season debut at age 17. These great lengths include wearing incredibly tight corsets and "cutting" other people. Loved the author's note at the end which shared historical details relevant to the novel.
Clara enjoys academics and wants to go to college. Her father and aunt have much different expectations: marry the most sought after heir.
Clara's aunt goes to great lengths to help Clara succeed in her season debut at age 17. These great lengths include wearing incredibly tight corsets and "cutting" other people. Loved the author's note at the end which shared historical details relevant to the novel.
December 27, 2012
I have always fancifully wished myself in some other era other than my own - preferably one with gorgeous fashion, busy social events, and an enviable last name - but after reading Siri Mitchell's tale of Guilded Era New York with it's tight corsets and marrow shovels, I think my wishing days are over. Siri's portrayal of a young 17-year-old debutante hoping to catch the hand of uber-rich Franklin de Vries was both entertaining as well as heartbreaking. Truly, this novel overflowed with opulence and finery, but the cost such beauty exacted was far too high. Sadly, our culture has not changed over the years in spite of the fact that women no longer wear lacing corsets, but we are still surrounded by the noise and imagery of whether we are "pretty enough." I applaud Siri for tackling such a difficult subject matter amidst the backdrop of the Guilded Era, but I shouldn't be surprised. She has become one of the best authors in Christian historical fiction, and I always appreciate that I gain a bit of history paired with an exciting tale in every one of her novels.
March 7, 2012
Excellent novel about the Gilded Age. It started slow but picked up into a wonderful rollicking pace as devastating secrets are revealed and critical decisions must be made. Clara is a delightful heroine, at first naive and manipulated, but becoming a strong woman of integrity. This should be a double five stars, because my 16-year-old daughter snatched it up when I was done and declared it "the best book ever!!!" She and I both loved Harry DeVries as an adorably awkward hero.
November 28, 2022
“This table is a pigeon trap. A dozen different forks and knives and spoons. Four different goblets. All of them just waiting to be knocked over or misapplied and mishandled. It’s a wonder anyone is ever tempted to eat.”
I adore this book. I know the title sounds a little bit cheesy, but let me explain. This novel is set during the late 1890’s, where debutante balls and the like were a big deal. Usually, when a young woman (aged 16-21) from an aristocratic or upper-class family reached the age of maturity, she was able to “debut”, a sort of rite of passage for the young woman as she steps into the glitz of parties, balls, and upper-class society. But the other purpose for her debut was to find a husband from a select few of her same class.
A lot of ritual goes into her debut. Corsets and dresses to be fitted, manners to be perfected, dances to be learned. Which is why this book was given the title – she was supposed to look like a high society woman, and her future was built upon the success of her debutante “season.” Mitchell did a fantastic job researching the historical setting of the book and bringing the reader into the story. The writing was very well done; it was detailed, not to the point of boredom, but was enough to give you a taste of what everything was like for the young girls preparing for their debut.
The characters were wonderfully developed. The characters are really what makes a story good. I also loved that the novel was written in the first person, so you were able to sympathize with Clara and her evil corsets first-hand. She was witty and funny, and despite her character living about 100 years ago, I was able to understand and relate to her in some ways. Her struggles can be manipulated to better fit the struggles girls today face. I enjoyed reading about her journey a lot throughout the book.
One thing I do want to mention before closing this review is romance because so many books today seem to go over the top when it comes to this topic. For the most part, romance was kept proper, "to-the-time" as I like to call it. I am updating this review nearly two and a half years after reading the book so forgive me if I'm off a bit, but I cannot remember anything drastic that stood out to me.
Just a few little things to finish out this review. This book made me so glad I was not born in the late 1800’s; I could not have handled those awful corsets. I enjoyed the plot twists. They aren’t always necessary, but they do add a fun bit of excitement to books (even if they are sometimes predictable). I also really loved that the readers get closure on the story. I can’t stand when an author leaves a stand-alone book unfinished. Truly, I'm sad this story isn't part of a series I enjoyed it so much. Overall, I highly recommend this book if you are looking for an easy, lighthearted read.
I adore this book. I know the title sounds a little bit cheesy, but let me explain. This novel is set during the late 1890’s, where debutante balls and the like were a big deal. Usually, when a young woman (aged 16-21) from an aristocratic or upper-class family reached the age of maturity, she was able to “debut”, a sort of rite of passage for the young woman as she steps into the glitz of parties, balls, and upper-class society. But the other purpose for her debut was to find a husband from a select few of her same class.
A lot of ritual goes into her debut. Corsets and dresses to be fitted, manners to be perfected, dances to be learned. Which is why this book was given the title – she was supposed to look like a high society woman, and her future was built upon the success of her debutante “season.” Mitchell did a fantastic job researching the historical setting of the book and bringing the reader into the story. The writing was very well done; it was detailed, not to the point of boredom, but was enough to give you a taste of what everything was like for the young girls preparing for their debut.
The characters were wonderfully developed. The characters are really what makes a story good. I also loved that the novel was written in the first person, so you were able to sympathize with Clara and her evil corsets first-hand. She was witty and funny, and despite her character living about 100 years ago, I was able to understand and relate to her in some ways. Her struggles can be manipulated to better fit the struggles girls today face. I enjoyed reading about her journey a lot throughout the book.
One thing I do want to mention before closing this review is romance because so many books today seem to go over the top when it comes to this topic. For the most part, romance was kept proper, "to-the-time" as I like to call it. I am updating this review nearly two and a half years after reading the book so forgive me if I'm off a bit, but I cannot remember anything drastic that stood out to me.
Just a few little things to finish out this review. This book made me so glad I was not born in the late 1800’s; I could not have handled those awful corsets. I enjoyed the plot twists. They aren’t always necessary, but they do add a fun bit of excitement to books (even if they are sometimes predictable). I also really loved that the readers get closure on the story. I can’t stand when an author leaves a stand-alone book unfinished. Truly, I'm sad this story isn't part of a series I enjoyed it so much. Overall, I highly recommend this book if you are looking for an easy, lighthearted read.
July 29, 2019
Set in New York during the Gilded Age of the Vanderbilts, Astors, Rockefellers and their huge mansions, Clara Carter is 17 and is pushed to make her debut in society by her aunt and father. Her job is to capture Franklin DeVries, the heir to an extremely wealthy family fortune in order to recoup her father's losses due to the Bank Panic. But Clara dreams of a marriage of love.
The characters were so well developed in this story. Poor Clara was torn between what she wanted a marriage to be, and what her aunt and father demanded of her. I admired her growing strength as she fought for her own desires rather than giving in to their demands for wealth. Franklin was a pompous, self centered man about town, and the direct opposite of his sweet, caring younger brother, Harry. I enjoyed the relationship between Lizzie and Clara, but it was obvious that Lizzie was much more superficial than Clara.
The most interesting part of the book that gave me the willies was the descriptions of preparing the debutantes to "catch" their man. Corsets pulled so tight to make the ladies appear narrow waisted and big busted that they often fainted or even damaged ribs and lungs. Gloves so small that it kept their fingers and hands in cupped shapes. Hoops that prevented them from sitting comfortably or even bending over. Then all the many dances they were required to learn, along with fan signals, as well as being able to talk innocuously for lengthy periods of time. Carried to the lengths of utter ridiculousness so they could be seen as the "cream of society." But between Harry and her faith, Clara managed to keep grounded and come to the realization that this wasn't the life she wanted.
I have not read the first two books in this series, but definitely intend to as this was a wonderful read.
The characters were so well developed in this story. Poor Clara was torn between what she wanted a marriage to be, and what her aunt and father demanded of her. I admired her growing strength as she fought for her own desires rather than giving in to their demands for wealth. Franklin was a pompous, self centered man about town, and the direct opposite of his sweet, caring younger brother, Harry. I enjoyed the relationship between Lizzie and Clara, but it was obvious that Lizzie was much more superficial than Clara.
The most interesting part of the book that gave me the willies was the descriptions of preparing the debutantes to "catch" their man. Corsets pulled so tight to make the ladies appear narrow waisted and big busted that they often fainted or even damaged ribs and lungs. Gloves so small that it kept their fingers and hands in cupped shapes. Hoops that prevented them from sitting comfortably or even bending over. Then all the many dances they were required to learn, along with fan signals, as well as being able to talk innocuously for lengthy periods of time. Carried to the lengths of utter ridiculousness so they could be seen as the "cream of society." But between Harry and her faith, Clara managed to keep grounded and come to the realization that this wasn't the life she wanted.
I have not read the first two books in this series, but definitely intend to as this was a wonderful read.
May 31, 2010
There are just some books that grab a hold you on the very first word. Grabs you with the beauty of the words, the lyrics of the characters and the tapestry of the era.
I felt like I stepped into the 19th century. The novel was so well researched down to the very intricate of details. I learned things about that era I had never known before, all while it pertained to the story and the character’s lives.
I have nothing negative to say about this book. It follows the life of one debutante, Clara, as she enters her first season and her family is set on getting her the wealthiest husband. The moral, health and faith issues that surround this young woman, who has to go through so many changes, clenched at my heart and I longed to see her happy.
I found some of the customs astonishing that Clara was put through, all to be beautiful and I believe that the overwhelming message in this novel is that beauty is only skin deep. It is what is in the heart that matters.
A truly marvelous novel, I highly recommend it and have added it to my best of 2010 list and my favorites of all time!
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.
I felt like I stepped into the 19th century. The novel was so well researched down to the very intricate of details. I learned things about that era I had never known before, all while it pertained to the story and the character’s lives.
I have nothing negative to say about this book. It follows the life of one debutante, Clara, as she enters her first season and her family is set on getting her the wealthiest husband. The moral, health and faith issues that surround this young woman, who has to go through so many changes, clenched at my heart and I longed to see her happy.
I found some of the customs astonishing that Clara was put through, all to be beautiful and I believe that the overwhelming message in this novel is that beauty is only skin deep. It is what is in the heart that matters.
A truly marvelous novel, I highly recommend it and have added it to my best of 2010 list and my favorites of all time!
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.
June 22, 2013
I was shocked by the realization that this time period wasn't all it's cracked up to be!! I've often thought about what it would be like to "come out" into society and attend balls, teas, parties, and be seen around town. I picture the beautiful dresses and handsome gentlemen flirting and trying to land a spouse. I envision the delicate foods and hear the orchestra playing, while taking in the decorations of the room. But it did not even occur to me that this time period was pure torture!! Those evil corsets, crushing the breath out of a girl; the pressure to land someone with money, regardless of love or even any affection towards the person at all; the many, many rules that are to be followed and which ones are allowed to be broken; the fake mask that one must wear at all times; the ignorance of things that really matter.
I was fascinated by this story and really got caught up in it. I liked that way that Lizzie and Clara tried to maintain their friendship. I could just picture Aunt--what a character!!
Content: clean.
I was fascinated by this story and really got caught up in it. I liked that way that Lizzie and Clara tried to maintain their friendship. I could just picture Aunt--what a character!!
Content: clean.
December 14, 2019
What started out as a fun, lighthearted romp ended up getting quite deep in a few scenes. The medical issue that was described at one point made me queasy, and that doesn’t normally happen to me while reading. So, readers, beware! Overall, though, this book was really good and entertaining.
Content: nudity (one scene), tobacco, alcohol, drugs
Content: nudity (one scene), tobacco, alcohol, drugs
December 10, 2010
I've never read anything by Siri Mitchell, but the cover and description had me intrigued. If they rest of her books are anything like this one, I will have to add them to my to read list. I was completely enthralled with this one. It's considered adult historical fiction, but would be totally appropriate for young adult as well.
I had a feeling I would like it considering it's historical fiction and I was reminded of The Luxe series by Anna Godbersen. Clara is a character that will stick with you after you've read the book. She's forced into her debut by an aunt with an agenda. She's not as well rehearsed in the ways of society as her best friend, so her aunt gives her a crash course. She puts up with it all because she believes it her duty to do so. But, you can see the fire in her. When she breaks "the rules", she comes out being the belle of the ball unintentionally. I liked her because she's smart, loyal, and she doesn't fit the mold of the typical debutante.
I also enjoyed the descriptions of the season. Some of the other books I've read seem to glamorize the process. This one seems to be the opposite. The constant competition to "catch" the best man, even with your best friend, must have been exhausting. Not to mention the politics involved. Then there's the opera's, the dinner's, the balls, and the at-home days. All this was done for the best possible match. And don't get me even started on the corsets...it made me cringe just reading about them.
A wonderful book that I would have give a 5 too had it not been for the ending. I guess I was hoping to much for what I thought was the perfect ending. It still ended well and Clara choose who I wanted her to. But, the details were different. I wanted the confrontation and for Clara to stand up for herself. Although for her to have done that would have been atypical of a young women in that time period.
I had a feeling I would like it considering it's historical fiction and I was reminded of The Luxe series by Anna Godbersen. Clara is a character that will stick with you after you've read the book. She's forced into her debut by an aunt with an agenda. She's not as well rehearsed in the ways of society as her best friend, so her aunt gives her a crash course. She puts up with it all because she believes it her duty to do so. But, you can see the fire in her. When she breaks "the rules", she comes out being the belle of the ball unintentionally. I liked her because she's smart, loyal, and she doesn't fit the mold of the typical debutante.
I also enjoyed the descriptions of the season. Some of the other books I've read seem to glamorize the process. This one seems to be the opposite. The constant competition to "catch" the best man, even with your best friend, must have been exhausting. Not to mention the politics involved. Then there's the opera's, the dinner's, the balls, and the at-home days. All this was done for the best possible match. And don't get me even started on the corsets...it made me cringe just reading about them.
A wonderful book that I would have give a 5 too had it not been for the ending. I guess I was hoping to much for what I thought was the perfect ending. It still ended well and Clara choose who I wanted her to. But, the details were different. I wanted the confrontation and for Clara to stand up for herself. Although for her to have done that would have been atypical of a young women in that time period.
April 7, 2015
After being somewhat disappointed with one of Mitchell's previous historicals (which was more because of my expectations and not her beautiful writing), because I enjoyed her writing style so much I wanted to try another one of her books. And I'm so glad I did. She Walks in Beauty takes a non-gilded look at what's known as the Gilded Age in America. Mitchell slowly peels away the layers of comfort and unawareness of the young heroine and allows her (and thus the reader) to see that not everything that looks like gold really is gold.
I know a few reviewers had problems with the fact that Clara seems immature, swinging from one emotional extreme to the other without warning or reason. Um . . . Clara is only seventeen years old. And I don't know about the rest of you, but at seventeen, most of us were illogical, irrational, and extremely emotional most of the time, making decisions on the whim of the moment, not on careful, logical, rational thought. And this aspect of Clara only added to the realism of the story for me.
As far as expectations---don't pick this book up expecting an epic romance dripping in poetry and bedecked with roses. Mitchell's books are more accurately classified as issue-based historicals with a romantic thread. If you can go into the book with that in mind, you should thoroughly enjoy it, as I did.
Quite an engaging read---and keepers on both my Kindle and my bookshelf. (Yes, after purchasing the regular paperback copy of the book when it first came out, I downloaded it to my Kindle as well!)
I know a few reviewers had problems with the fact that Clara seems immature, swinging from one emotional extreme to the other without warning or reason. Um . . . Clara is only seventeen years old. And I don't know about the rest of you, but at seventeen, most of us were illogical, irrational, and extremely emotional most of the time, making decisions on the whim of the moment, not on careful, logical, rational thought. And this aspect of Clara only added to the realism of the story for me.
As far as expectations---don't pick this book up expecting an epic romance dripping in poetry and bedecked with roses. Mitchell's books are more accurately classified as issue-based historicals with a romantic thread. If you can go into the book with that in mind, you should thoroughly enjoy it, as I did.
Quite an engaging read---and keepers on both my Kindle and my bookshelf. (Yes, after purchasing the regular paperback copy of the book when it first came out, I downloaded it to my Kindle as well!)
August 28, 2010
Clara Carter is a 17 year-old girl, unwillingly thrust into the role of social debutant a year earlier than expected. Her Aunt and Father have made it very clear that she must win the hand of the most eligible bachelor this season in order to regain the family's honor. Feeling that she has no other choice, Clara suffers through an endless season of calling on acquaintances, attending balls, and making polite conversation that goes no deeper than the weather or the latest fashion. Clara holds her tongue, does as she's expected to do... and then finds out that everything she has grown up believing about her family is a lie.
This was another quick read with an easily predictable ending. All of the problems were neatly tied up in the last chapter... a little too neat & quick for my taste, actually. I felt like I had spent the entire book learning about every event in great detail-- right down to the color of trim on a ball gown-- and then, wham, several people's lives are suddenly wrapped up in a space of just a few paragraphs.
My copy of this book was provided by Bethany House Publishers in return for my honest review.
May 25, 2012
Well what did I think of "She Walks in Beauty"? It was definitely a break from the book I had been reading. I love the "guessing game" aspect of this book (towards the beginning). I mean I wouldn't call it a mystery novel for sure, but it sure was a mystery to me what would happen in the end. It wasn't completely a surprise, but it was a relief, lets put it that way. I listened to the audio version and i enjoyed it. I have to admit the lady's voice was slightly annoying when she did Clara's aunts voice. I did enjoy the balls and gowns and all the talk of propriety and such. I have never read a book like this, because I thought I wouldn't enjoy all the talk of society and love and blah blah blah. I'm usually more drawn to a story of despair, mystery... like a thriller haha I like to be on the edge of my seat.
I really like Siri Mitchell's writing style. It fully paints a picture of what going on and the emotion involved. I definitely will read another book by her.
Thanks for the suggestion Alexia ^-^
If there was an option to give 4.5 stars I would have :)
I really like Siri Mitchell's writing style. It fully paints a picture of what going on and the emotion involved. I definitely will read another book by her.
Thanks for the suggestion Alexia ^-^
If there was an option to give 4.5 stars I would have :)
July 13, 2010
this was a vivid, glittering introduction to society life in NY's Gilded Age, which is thankfully less overly exposed in fiction than is the "regency romance" period.
a main character with organic, authentic spiritual growth was welcome, too. really, i have no complaints about this one. it was an enjoyable, informative, and fast-paced read. well above-average for 'inspirational' fiction.
plus, the back cover is gorgeous.
a main character with organic, authentic spiritual growth was welcome, too. really, i have no complaints about this one. it was an enjoyable, informative, and fast-paced read. well above-average for 'inspirational' fiction.
plus, the back cover is gorgeous.
July 6, 2016
**4.5**
I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would!
I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would!
November 28, 2011
“A good night’s sleep helps you perform well in school, and so if you are a student you should always get a good night’s sleep unless you have come to the good part of your book, and then you should stay up all night and let your schoolwork fall by the wayside.” --Lemony Snicket
I suspected when I began She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell that the above quote would prove particularly true in this case. I was right. 2 am baby! Not close to my record, but not bad ;)
Plot:
It is the 1890s and Clara Carter is a bookish young woman who dreams of college more than a society debut. When the most eligible bachelor of society, Franklin De Vries suddenly returns from his travels abroad, her aunt decides she has been amused with Byron long enough and sets out to “debut” her a year early. Clara is given one goal and one goal only:
To catch the De Vries heir at any cost.
She is not the only one given such a missive, and her best friend Lizzie is out to get the same man, along with every other debutante in the city. Debuting means corsets, an 18 inch waste, and dancing lessons…but the more Clara is exposed to society, the more she becomes concerned with the welfare of the immigrants living only a few blocks away. And what is to be done with Franklin’s wonderful, and yet so unsuitable, younger brother Harry?
Transformed into a “society page darling” and “heart-throb” of society, will Clara sacrifice friendship, love, and peace for family honor?
Thoughts:
Overall, I found She Walks in Beauty to be better than I expected. It was good, gorgeous, and fluff. Special thanks to Cathy for making me buy it.
Pros:
Polite society is beautifully painted. New money, old money, southern belles…a world where connections are everything and family lineage imperative. Where a 16-inch waste will make you to the talk of the town and the right last name puts you first. It’s very well written and beautiful.
I also loved…the gowns! I am a sucker for a beautiful dress, and Mitchell allows herself the extravagance of describing Clara’s gowns on more than one occasion. While it occasionally broke up the flow of the plot, I generally liked it.
I also enjoyed the messages of this book. I found two of them.
There was the “overtly Christian” message…which is to say, about the only thing “Christian” in this book outside of the character’s frequent trips to church. And that really doesn’t count. The message went something like “If God created me…then He doesn’t need me to change to be beautiful to Him.” I didn’t think this idea was ever fully explored. At random times during the story, Clara spends a paragraph or two musing over God while bemoaning her 18-inch waste, mooning over a certain hero, but she never really grasps the consequences of her musings.
The second message can be summed up in a quote by the author at the end of the book, “It is worth remembering that when, as a society, we deem something absolutely necessary to beauty or happiness, some people will do absolutely anything to obtain it.”
People will do anything to be deemed beautiful, or popular, or whatever, even if it is harmful.
Characters:
Clara is annoying. And relatable. At the same time! That is part of the problem I had with this book. Mitchell creates a smart, likeable character…and then puts her in all these dumb situations the Clara the reader has gotten to know wouldn’t actually be in. She makes dumb, see-through mistakes. And she moons. And submits. And complains. She dreams of college…and then gives up. In fact, she is either giving up or giving in for most of the book. Don’t get me wrong, I liked her; I was rooting for her, but also frequently found her implausible, annoying, or even out of character. Especially as the book progressed.
She is also never fully developed.
The romance…
The climax…
The Writing
Nice fluff. Easy reading, beautiful, fun.
I did find the comparison of "The Tattler" to "Gossip Girl" girl intersting. The inside scoop, maker and breaker, dweller of the shadows. ^.^
Overall, I would recommend this book! It is a fun read, a pretty one, with a good message. Less “Christian” as “historical fiction.” Worth reading.
I suspected when I began She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell that the above quote would prove particularly true in this case. I was right. 2 am baby! Not close to my record, but not bad ;)
Plot:
It is the 1890s and Clara Carter is a bookish young woman who dreams of college more than a society debut. When the most eligible bachelor of society, Franklin De Vries suddenly returns from his travels abroad, her aunt decides she has been amused with Byron long enough and sets out to “debut” her a year early. Clara is given one goal and one goal only:
To catch the De Vries heir at any cost.
She is not the only one given such a missive, and her best friend Lizzie is out to get the same man, along with every other debutante in the city. Debuting means corsets, an 18 inch waste, and dancing lessons…but the more Clara is exposed to society, the more she becomes concerned with the welfare of the immigrants living only a few blocks away. And what is to be done with Franklin’s wonderful, and yet so unsuitable, younger brother Harry?
Transformed into a “society page darling” and “heart-throb” of society, will Clara sacrifice friendship, love, and peace for family honor?
Thoughts:
Overall, I found She Walks in Beauty to be better than I expected. It was good, gorgeous, and fluff. Special thanks to Cathy for making me buy it.
Pros:
Polite society is beautifully painted. New money, old money, southern belles…a world where connections are everything and family lineage imperative. Where a 16-inch waste will make you to the talk of the town and the right last name puts you first. It’s very well written and beautiful.
I also loved…the gowns! I am a sucker for a beautiful dress, and Mitchell allows herself the extravagance of describing Clara’s gowns on more than one occasion. While it occasionally broke up the flow of the plot, I generally liked it.
I also enjoyed the messages of this book. I found two of them.
There was the “overtly Christian” message…which is to say, about the only thing “Christian” in this book outside of the character’s frequent trips to church. And that really doesn’t count. The message went something like “If God created me…then He doesn’t need me to change to be beautiful to Him.” I didn’t think this idea was ever fully explored. At random times during the story, Clara spends a paragraph or two musing over God while bemoaning her 18-inch waste, mooning over a certain hero, but she never really grasps the consequences of her musings.
The second message can be summed up in a quote by the author at the end of the book, “It is worth remembering that when, as a society, we deem something absolutely necessary to beauty or happiness, some people will do absolutely anything to obtain it.”
People will do anything to be deemed beautiful, or popular, or whatever, even if it is harmful.
Characters:
Clara is annoying. And relatable. At the same time! That is part of the problem I had with this book. Mitchell creates a smart, likeable character…and then puts her in all these dumb situations the Clara the reader has gotten to know wouldn’t actually be in. She makes dumb, see-through mistakes. And she moons. And submits. And complains. She dreams of college…and then gives up. In fact, she is either giving up or giving in for most of the book. Don’t get me wrong, I liked her; I was rooting for her, but also frequently found her implausible, annoying, or even out of character. Especially as the book progressed.
She is also never fully developed.
The romance…
The climax…
The Writing
Nice fluff. Easy reading, beautiful, fun.
I did find the comparison of "The Tattler" to "Gossip Girl" girl intersting. The inside scoop, maker and breaker, dweller of the shadows. ^.^
Overall, I would recommend this book! It is a fun read, a pretty one, with a good message. Less “Christian” as “historical fiction.” Worth reading.
May 14, 2024
3.75. It was entertaining.
March 29, 2019
I love a book that changes my opinion of it from the beginning line to the last page.
The performance was one of the best I've had the pleasure of listening to.
I'll confess that I initially thought this book might be too focused on the clothing and happenings in society and not Clara and her story...yet because of those very things we are given an informative and engaging tale. I truly loved this!
On a steaminess level I would rate this a pleasant PG overall. There was one instance that had me nervous regarding the outcome, but things turned out okay.
The performance was one of the best I've had the pleasure of listening to.
I'll confess that I initially thought this book might be too focused on the clothing and happenings in society and not Clara and her story...yet because of those very things we are given an informative and engaging tale. I truly loved this!
On a steaminess level I would rate this a pleasant PG overall. There was one instance that had me nervous regarding the outcome, but things turned out okay.
December 15, 2010
Clara Carter is a quiet, bookish young woman, who, unlike her peers, prefers studies to dreams of a successful social debut. When her reserved doctor father and society-obsessed aunt decide she must debut a year early, Clara is thrust into preparations for a life she’s been ill-prepared for and isn’t sure she wants – a life where appearance is everything, and reputations rise or fall on the interpretation of a look or the flick of a fan. Charged with saving the family honor by marrying the De Vries heir, Franklin, Clara submits to a strict regimen of social training, diet, and corset-wearing, all with the goal of remaking herself into the type of woman the De Vries scion will find irresistible. But the closer Clara comes to obtaining her family’s goal, the more she questions the cost of a life and debut based on superficiality and social artifice. As Clara’s eyes are opened to the cost of celebrity and social success, she faces a difficult choice – conform to society’s expectations and sacrifice her true self and any hope of happiness, or risk her social and economic well-being for a chance to spread her wings and fly.
She Walks in Beauty is an absolute jewel of a novel, from its stunning cover to the rich historical detail found within its pages. Siri Mitchell brings the fabled Gilded Age of New York City to vivid life, from the glittering ballrooms and opera halls to the filthy slums just blocks away that funded much of the opulent lifestyle enjoyed by many members of society’s upper echelon. With a sure hand Mitchell strips away the veneer of opulence that masks the wealth of the time period and reveals the heart-rending cost exacted from young debutantes seeking social prominence. Securing one’s future meant remaking oneself into the image of society’s ideal model of perfection, and Mitchell’s story drives home a stark reminder that not much has changed since women like Clara graced New York City’s streets. Taught how to walk, talk, eat, and dress, Clara and her peers were given an ideal to aspire to and pressured to conform, no matter what the physical or spiritual costs, in order to win the prize of an eligible match.
Clara is one of the most memorable heroines I’ve encountered in my reading this year. She begins her journey with sparks of independence, quickly overshadowed by her desire and willingness to serve her family’s interests. But the more she learns, the more she chafes at society’s glittering artificiality and wants to matter and be loved for herself – and begins to wonder why she can’t be accepted as she is, instead of being re-molded into an ideal that not only threatens her future happiness but her physical well-being. Clara’s personal and social awakening is at times heart-rending, handled with a deft grace that feels absolutely authentic to the time period while communicating timeless spiritual truths in a subtle, powerful fashion. And the romance will take your breath away – Clara’s true love is a hero in every sense of the word, and their blossoming relationship is a joy to watch unfold.
Mitchell has a gift for bringing history to vibrant life within the pages of her novels, and she fearlessly proves her willingness to explore both the beauty and the horror of history with She Walks in Beauty. The Gilded Age isn’t romanticized – Mitchell presents a fully rounded portrait of Clara’s world, and the resulting story is raw and real and wonderful, at times uncomfortable, always emotional, and unquestioningly thought-provoking. For all the darkness in Clara’s world, Mitchell saturates the story with hope, and the light shines all the brighter for the stark contrast. Thought-provoking, challenging, and rich with period detail and a heart-warming romance, She Walks in Beauty is a story that will shake you to the core and leave you pondering Clara’s journey and its present-day implications long after you finish the final pages. I cannot wait for Mitchell’s next book!
She Walks in Beauty is an absolute jewel of a novel, from its stunning cover to the rich historical detail found within its pages. Siri Mitchell brings the fabled Gilded Age of New York City to vivid life, from the glittering ballrooms and opera halls to the filthy slums just blocks away that funded much of the opulent lifestyle enjoyed by many members of society’s upper echelon. With a sure hand Mitchell strips away the veneer of opulence that masks the wealth of the time period and reveals the heart-rending cost exacted from young debutantes seeking social prominence. Securing one’s future meant remaking oneself into the image of society’s ideal model of perfection, and Mitchell’s story drives home a stark reminder that not much has changed since women like Clara graced New York City’s streets. Taught how to walk, talk, eat, and dress, Clara and her peers were given an ideal to aspire to and pressured to conform, no matter what the physical or spiritual costs, in order to win the prize of an eligible match.
Clara is one of the most memorable heroines I’ve encountered in my reading this year. She begins her journey with sparks of independence, quickly overshadowed by her desire and willingness to serve her family’s interests. But the more she learns, the more she chafes at society’s glittering artificiality and wants to matter and be loved for herself – and begins to wonder why she can’t be accepted as she is, instead of being re-molded into an ideal that not only threatens her future happiness but her physical well-being. Clara’s personal and social awakening is at times heart-rending, handled with a deft grace that feels absolutely authentic to the time period while communicating timeless spiritual truths in a subtle, powerful fashion. And the romance will take your breath away – Clara’s true love is a hero in every sense of the word, and their blossoming relationship is a joy to watch unfold.
Mitchell has a gift for bringing history to vibrant life within the pages of her novels, and she fearlessly proves her willingness to explore both the beauty and the horror of history with She Walks in Beauty. The Gilded Age isn’t romanticized – Mitchell presents a fully rounded portrait of Clara’s world, and the resulting story is raw and real and wonderful, at times uncomfortable, always emotional, and unquestioningly thought-provoking. For all the darkness in Clara’s world, Mitchell saturates the story with hope, and the light shines all the brighter for the stark contrast. Thought-provoking, challenging, and rich with period detail and a heart-warming romance, She Walks in Beauty is a story that will shake you to the core and leave you pondering Clara’s journey and its present-day implications long after you finish the final pages. I cannot wait for Mitchell’s next book!
June 19, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
She Walks in Beauty SIRI MITCHELL
Siri Mitchell has done it again! She has gained another loyal reader.
She Walks in Beauty has sealed it for me. This is a story revealing the true worth of a soul. The very first book I reviewed here was Siri Mitchell's newer book, A Heart Most Worthy (2011). I then heard about She Walks in Beauty (2010). I found it at our local library and checked it out to take on our road trip to our daughter's. Now I must hunt up her other earlier books: A Constant Heart (2008) and Love's Pursuit (2009). This is a very in-depth author!
Why I like her style!
Siri's characters are very believable. I felt like I was right alongside them, in each conversation, at every move. My very favorite, Historical Fiction, this story takes place in New York City, 1891, During the opulence, the splendor, and the excess of the Gilded Age. The time period was very well researched of a society bent on keeping money in families and covering lack thereof. Our main character, Clara Carter, is sent out by her physician father and his widowed sister as a debutante at seventeen, a year before she is expected to be presented into society. She must be cinched up, poked and prodded, to fit into a prescribed waist size gown and smaller gloves to present small hands. Her mother dies young, and Clara is accompanied by her governess and maid. Clara has been readied for Vassar College in preference to having a debut. That all changes when her aunt moves in and her governess is discharged. Clara is their only hope to redeem their fortunes lost during the collapse of the banks and recouped during this social season. Clara is put through a fast pace of learning proper dinner tableware usage and last minute dance instruction she has not previously attempted. Amid at-home Tuesdays, banquets and balls, Clara must juggle a childhood friendship of a competing debutante to win the honor her family feels is their due. Through deceit and guile, the pursuit continues. Strategic maneuvering of dance cards determines the outcome of the evenings. I found it interesting to see into the expectations of the young men who were positioned to be the intended spouses by the end of the social season. Was it any wonder many of them stayed at their clubs and inherited business ventures? Were they given the desires of their hearts or just conforming to what was acceptable for them? There are adventures to be discovered as Siri Mitchell weaves a story that ended as I hoped!
She walks in beauty because of the quality of her life steps.
She Walks in Beauty
By Lord Byron (George Gordon Noel Byron) 1814
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
Siri Mitchell is the author of nearly a dozen novels, among them the critically acclaimed Christy Award finalists Chateau of Echoes and The Cubicle Next Door. A graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in business, she has worked in many different levels of government. As military spouse, she has lived in places as varied as Tokyo and Paris. Siri currently lives in the DC-metro area. Visit www.sirimitchell.com
She Walks in Beauty SIRI MITCHELL
Siri Mitchell has done it again! She has gained another loyal reader.
She Walks in Beauty has sealed it for me. This is a story revealing the true worth of a soul. The very first book I reviewed here was Siri Mitchell's newer book, A Heart Most Worthy (2011). I then heard about She Walks in Beauty (2010). I found it at our local library and checked it out to take on our road trip to our daughter's. Now I must hunt up her other earlier books: A Constant Heart (2008) and Love's Pursuit (2009). This is a very in-depth author!
Why I like her style!
Siri's characters are very believable. I felt like I was right alongside them, in each conversation, at every move. My very favorite, Historical Fiction, this story takes place in New York City, 1891, During the opulence, the splendor, and the excess of the Gilded Age. The time period was very well researched of a society bent on keeping money in families and covering lack thereof. Our main character, Clara Carter, is sent out by her physician father and his widowed sister as a debutante at seventeen, a year before she is expected to be presented into society. She must be cinched up, poked and prodded, to fit into a prescribed waist size gown and smaller gloves to present small hands. Her mother dies young, and Clara is accompanied by her governess and maid. Clara has been readied for Vassar College in preference to having a debut. That all changes when her aunt moves in and her governess is discharged. Clara is their only hope to redeem their fortunes lost during the collapse of the banks and recouped during this social season. Clara is put through a fast pace of learning proper dinner tableware usage and last minute dance instruction she has not previously attempted. Amid at-home Tuesdays, banquets and balls, Clara must juggle a childhood friendship of a competing debutante to win the honor her family feels is their due. Through deceit and guile, the pursuit continues. Strategic maneuvering of dance cards determines the outcome of the evenings. I found it interesting to see into the expectations of the young men who were positioned to be the intended spouses by the end of the social season. Was it any wonder many of them stayed at their clubs and inherited business ventures? Were they given the desires of their hearts or just conforming to what was acceptable for them? There are adventures to be discovered as Siri Mitchell weaves a story that ended as I hoped!
She walks in beauty because of the quality of her life steps.
She Walks in Beauty
By Lord Byron (George Gordon Noel Byron) 1814
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
Siri Mitchell is the author of nearly a dozen novels, among them the critically acclaimed Christy Award finalists Chateau of Echoes and The Cubicle Next Door. A graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in business, she has worked in many different levels of government. As military spouse, she has lived in places as varied as Tokyo and Paris. Siri currently lives in the DC-metro area. Visit www.sirimitchell.com
January 12, 2017
I absolutely loved this book, though Clara often angered me with her assumptions that were way off base. This book was delightful!!!
May 28, 2012
(originally published at http://storybound.blogspot.com/2012/0...)
Swoon. I adore this book. It's beautiful and so, so sweet. I so enjoyed reading what a young girl's life was like in the 1890s from the fashion to the etiquette to learning the dances to trying to win the heart of men to having an appointed time of a certain day or days for when suitors or friends could visit (call on). However, um, can we talk about corsets? I had no idea those things were as crazy/dangerous as they were. I knew, obviously, that girls wore them to define their figures and to make their waists appear smaller and their hips to look larger. I did not know that girls had to sleep and bathe in them, and that after wearing them for so long, your insides literally rearrange and all kinds of nasty consequences can result. I can not even imagine having to be stuffed into something like that for such a long period of time. Eating, breathing, sleeping - normal every day things would be ridiculously difficult!
Clara's whole life becomes nonstop lessons as she learns how to dance, how to eat properly, which utensils to use, how to flirt, how to use a fan (I had no idea there was a whole language to using a fan - I thought you just waved it around when you were hot. I was wrong.), how to talk for an hour with people without actually talking about anything, and how to snag the most sought after bachelor. Don't those all sound like such fun lessons all girls want to go to? Sadly, she didn't have time to enjoy anything she was doing as she was focused on competing with all the other girls her age who would be making their debut as well, especially her best friend. That was sad to read about at times - the strains their friendship went through, the betrayal and snubs they were encouraged to commit towards one another. That would be so hard - to turn on your best friend because you need to marry a certain guy.
Although given the directive to land Franklin De Vries, Clara finds herself falling in love with someone else. So, she's torn between duty and helping her family if she weds the heir and following her heart and doing what will make her happy by being with someone who understands and loves her for her.
I loved Clara. She's a great character who cares about so much more than filling up her dance card and managing to eat oysters and fitting into the smallest dress possible. As for Clara's family - I'm not a huge fan. Not at all. Her mother died when she was younger (when I found out how/why she died, I was horrified), her father is pretty shady, and her aunt is very controlling. There's some secrets in the family that are definitely not pleasant. When it came to all the boys, it's all about Harry for me. Loved him. He's such a great guy.
You know how sometimes when you read a book and you know something the other characters don't know and you're just like, "OMG! Will you people just talk to one another? Then this whole thing could be avoided?" Yeah, that happens in this book. Drove me crazy! But of course, it all worked out. I actually read the ending a few times because I just loved it so much.
As a side note, there is a Christian aspect to this book, but I don't think it's overpowering. I love this book and if you're a fan of historical fiction or sweet, innocent period romances, then give this book a try!
Swoon. I adore this book. It's beautiful and so, so sweet. I so enjoyed reading what a young girl's life was like in the 1890s from the fashion to the etiquette to learning the dances to trying to win the heart of men to having an appointed time of a certain day or days for when suitors or friends could visit (call on). However, um, can we talk about corsets? I had no idea those things were as crazy/dangerous as they were. I knew, obviously, that girls wore them to define their figures and to make their waists appear smaller and their hips to look larger. I did not know that girls had to sleep and bathe in them, and that after wearing them for so long, your insides literally rearrange and all kinds of nasty consequences can result. I can not even imagine having to be stuffed into something like that for such a long period of time. Eating, breathing, sleeping - normal every day things would be ridiculously difficult!
Clara's whole life becomes nonstop lessons as she learns how to dance, how to eat properly, which utensils to use, how to flirt, how to use a fan (I had no idea there was a whole language to using a fan - I thought you just waved it around when you were hot. I was wrong.), how to talk for an hour with people without actually talking about anything, and how to snag the most sought after bachelor. Don't those all sound like such fun lessons all girls want to go to? Sadly, she didn't have time to enjoy anything she was doing as she was focused on competing with all the other girls her age who would be making their debut as well, especially her best friend. That was sad to read about at times - the strains their friendship went through, the betrayal and snubs they were encouraged to commit towards one another. That would be so hard - to turn on your best friend because you need to marry a certain guy.
Although given the directive to land Franklin De Vries, Clara finds herself falling in love with someone else. So, she's torn between duty and helping her family if she weds the heir and following her heart and doing what will make her happy by being with someone who understands and loves her for her.
I loved Clara. She's a great character who cares about so much more than filling up her dance card and managing to eat oysters and fitting into the smallest dress possible. As for Clara's family - I'm not a huge fan. Not at all. Her mother died when she was younger (when I found out how/why she died, I was horrified), her father is pretty shady, and her aunt is very controlling. There's some secrets in the family that are definitely not pleasant. When it came to all the boys, it's all about Harry for me. Loved him. He's such a great guy.
You know how sometimes when you read a book and you know something the other characters don't know and you're just like, "OMG! Will you people just talk to one another? Then this whole thing could be avoided?" Yeah, that happens in this book. Drove me crazy! But of course, it all worked out. I actually read the ending a few times because I just loved it so much.
As a side note, there is a Christian aspect to this book, but I don't think it's overpowering. I love this book and if you're a fan of historical fiction or sweet, innocent period romances, then give this book a try!
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