American Gilt: Absinthe

by J.D. Peterson

Paris, January 1883 – The new year finds Oliver and Sara celebrating their recent marriage. After the drama of their protracted engagement the newlyweds are happy to depart New York, triumphant, for a honeymoon in Paris. Their romantic holiday on the Champs-Élysées is soon interrupted by the arrival of the bride’s mother and two sisters. Vacationing in France, Sara’s family moves into the newlyweds’ honeymoon suite. Intent on making the most of the marriage, Mrs. Whiting insists on introducing them to all of Paris society, capitalizing on the Whiting family’s elevated status. Oliver rapidly tires of the arrangement, missing their privacy, and voices his objections to Sara. He offers to pay for a separate suite, but Sara refuses, happy for her family’s presence and concerned about offending her mother. Meanwhile, Oliver develops an obsession with absinthe, often escaping to dark men’s clubs long into the night. He becomes increasingly belligerent and unpredictable, and Sara begins to realize there is a darker side to her groom. Oliver’s drinking escalates, along with his violent moods. The situation culminates in a furious confrontation between the newlyweds, ending only when Oliver storms from their suite threatening divorce and scandal, shouting “You are not my wife!” Sara is left battered and terrified, abandoned by her husband. In ABSINTHE, Book II of the SWAN SONG TRILOGY, the historic scandal unfolds. Based on the true account of the Belmont-Whiting scandal of 1883, this tale of love and betrayal is skillfully woven by author J. D. Peterson. Drawing on information gathered from family letters, newspaper archives and personal interviews, SWAN SONG TRILOGY transports readers through time, captivated and clamoring for more.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 14, 2015

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still hate both Oliver and Sara. Now I want to also throw her mother off a cliff. What kind of psycho wants to go on their child’s honeymoon?
I don’t care if it was a tradition, it was a creepy one.

And this in no way excuses Oliver’s abusive behavior.

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth reading

I love historical fiction. This series allows us to have a glimps into the lives of high society women in the days when divorce made a woman a social outcast and cast a shadow over the lives of their children. The novel reflects on the difference made between men and women I.e. what was acceptable for women & what women were expected to endure from the men who ruled their lives just a short while ago. Let us hope that we do not allow a return to those standards!

[Mary J. Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

great history

A lot of interesting facts about the guilty age and about the families that were involved.
Personally, I wasn’t that interested in all of the chitchat that went on in the book between everyone.

[Deanna Utt · Rating 5 out of 5]

binge read in a weekend

Love the series! The character stories are so accurate to the Belmont and Whitig histories.

Once I started this one I couldn’t wait to finish and move on to the next book in the series.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second part of the trilogy. Could not put it down!

[Nellie Kampmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

American Gilt: Absinthe is a continuation of the real life story of Gilded Age heiress Sara Swan Whiting. The train wreck of a marriage that one could see coming in American Gilt: Debut turns out to be even worse than expected. What does a young society matron do when caught in an abusive marriage in an age when wives are expected to stoically accept any bad behavior on the part of their husbands? Absinthe exposes the ugly side of late 19th century upper class society, where hypocrisy and double standards reigned.

[Carmen Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2 Swan vs Belmont

It's just interesting that this scandal is truth. Complete with sex, alcohol, possible drugs, and although not rock n roll, loads of balls. Why would a parent think it's okay to go on ab adult child's honeymoon is beyond me. And as long as they're coming along go ahead and bring the whole family. Good grief! Not as rich with details as first book but still legit me interested.

[jeannette Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean38no

Wow this. Second book is great . I hoped , signed and cried for Sara and her child. I wish only that her family had not intruded into the honeymoon . Oliver was very immature. Sometimes it takes some men longer to accept responsibility for a family . But if left with his family I think he would have turned a corner. The mother in law and his parents should had stayed out of it.

[Kbarker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing story

I didn't know after reading the first book there were others. The book is good and reads very fast. Sara was warned against marriage to Oliver and he has in fact turned out to be not a gentleman. I don't believe she is entirely blameless, parents on a honeymoon, he had a point. Can't wait to read book three and hear the rest of the story.

[Linda Berger]

American Gilt: Absinthe

I didn't realize when I started the first book that this was a historical fiction series. It's hard to imagine all the rules and restrictions Society placed on people and how undermining it could all be. I look forward to reading the 3rd book of this series to see what happens!

[KE · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very detailed, well written look into the life of Alva Vanderbilt Belmont and Oliver Belmont for anyone interested in the Gilded Age. Of course this is historical fiction but definitely based on many facts known about both of them. I really enjoyed this series of three books.

[Staci Suhy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free as part of a first reads promotion

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second book in the series of three books. Historical fiction.

[Sandridge Octavia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oliver is a d**k!

These books are blowing my mind! I’ve never read historical gilt age fiction and I can’t wait to read the last book in this series.

[ROCKY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome on to the final book 3!!!

[Betty Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series!