Alias Jane Smith

by Clarence Budington Kelland

“Fast-paced, rich in humor, excitement and romance.” —Williamsburg Tribune Only a few months earlier, the young woman now known as Jane Smith had lived a life of luxury and privilege as the ruler of a small Balkan kingdom. She lived a life of glittering balls, the finest furnishings, the most handsome men, the most exquisite of foods. Her only friends were four bearded old men who served as her cabinet, and worshiped the ground she walked on. Then the Germans had marched in, and she and her four councilors barely escaped with their lives. The elderly men had no idea how to survive in the dangerous, terror-stricken new world of wartime Europe. Jane Smith’s brains and strength of will won them through peril and certain death across war-torn battlefields, over perilous borders, famine-filled countries and criminal rings—to the continent’s edge and across the sea to freedom and safety in the US. When at last Jane Smith shepherded her elderly charges down the gangplank and into Manhattan, they had only a few hundred dollars left and, used to every luxury, found themselves living in a shabby old brownstone. Jane had solved many problems and survived many dangers to reach the land of liberty. But her troubles were only beginning. Now that they were here—how would they survive? An unprecedented new challenge faced her. They were safe…but how would they earn their way in this bustling new land, five insignificant figures among teeming millions? And if they did find a way, Jane knew she would have to take charge, remaking herself and her companions. For the qualities that had made her friends with the leading statesmen in Europe in no way qualified them for jobs in New York’s melting pot. What was she to do and how would she do it? And most importantly, who was she in the absence of royal power and prestige? How would she house and feed herself, let alone the four whose lives and welfare were in her hands? She needed to find work she could do, earn their living and prove herself as worthy a citizen as any other American. But nothing in her previous life or training had prepared her for such a challenge. Suddenly Jane Smith had an inspiration. There was one thing the five of them knew luxurious furnishings and sumptuous decorations. What she didn’t know was where, in an unknown new land, to begin—or that she would face competition, racketeers, and the previously unknown problem of publicity. But she had not quailed among falling shells, starvation, and deadly peril, and she would not quail now. Then, the woman who had been raised for a royal match found the one thing she never imagined in all her visions of a new life—a man she could love. But he was only a common soldier… Suspenseful, humorous, heartwarming mystery filled with Kelland's signature oddball characters, Jason Tickle of Lard Can, he struck oil and built a palace for a princess, but where would he find a princess to sleep in it? Rapunzel a large, awkward young woman, her father built her a palace, but she didn't want to be a princess; she wanted the simple life. Mrs. Jim a leading NY socialite, comfortable with her adipose, many times widowed, fabulously wealthy, her voice of brass hid a heart of gold. Sledge Mantor, Jane Smith was in his way to a fortune—he liked to play rough, but Jane could play rougher. Canopus NY's most popular gossip columnist, Canopus stumbled on the two biggest stories of his life and couldn't print either one. Though he fancied himself a cynic, he had infinite faith in Rapunzel’s flapjacks. Major Lincoln Bowie of the US what was so secret about his past that even Canopus Jones would not reveal it? “A grownup fairy tale in usual urbane Kelland style.” —Kirkus Reviews “An amazing book. I love the party scene at the end. It makes me cry every time I read it." —Goodreads "In the best Kelland style." —Clarksville Chronicle

hardcover

First published January 1, 1944

About the author

Reporter and Sunday political editor, Detroit News, 1903-07; editor, The American Boy. 1907-15.

Reviews

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book I'd recommend in this "genre" of political intrigue / comedy, is Alias Jane Smith by Clarence Budington Kelland. Like the other Kelland books I've read, it is the story of a person who has been thrust into an unusual situation and a hostile environment and must use his or her own wits and industry to succeed and survive. In this case, the character is a duchess exiled and penniless in New York during WWII. To survive she must become an interior decorator. In the process she stumbles into a blackmailing ring.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the party scene at the end of the book. It makes me cry every time I read it. I am a woman out of my time. The values of the books of the twenties through the fifties are the ones I judge myself by.
I truly believe in the women in Kelland's books. They are always somewhat idealized, but they are honest, intelligent, and highly moral.

[Steven desJardins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Saturday Evening Post serial is literally government propaganda, written and published as part of an initiative to convince women that they were able to enter the workforce and doing so was a noble endeavor. Choosing a refugee who is a former Grand Duchess living incognito in New York is perhaps a dubious choice for inspiring the average American housewife, and her talent for interior design and her ability to provoke an air of elegant mystery which inspires the vulgar nouveau riche to hire her are not traits which most people can or should emulate, but her spiritedness, courage, and honesty are appealing. This is not high literature by any means, and the author's predilection for describing things like beauty in terms which only clarify how indescribable they are is annoying (finding the right word is your job, dude!), but it is less stupid than the vast majority of popular fiction I have read from that period (which, admittedly, is overwhelmingly from the pulp magazines), and it is a decent way to while away a couple of hours.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get this book from the author and it was such a fun read! I love getting a look into the past and seeing how authors challenge perspectives! The satire was not lost on me and it was definitely a huge yes for me! I think the only thing that made me feel a little disconnected was the narrator’s voice but it did not take away from the storyline! So grateful to listen to this audiobook and it will not be my last!