Being Mrs. Alcott

by Nancy Geary

- Being Mrs. Alcott, an ambitious mainstream novel that beautifully captures the manners and mores of the American upper class, will appeal to the same audience who reads the works of Louis Begley and Susan Minot. - Nancy Geary's previous novels, Regrets Only, Redemption, and Misfortune were all published to rave reviews from notable authors and national publications.

Genres: Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published July 18, 2005

Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title implies, Mrs. Alcott always did the proper thing. One detail that illustrates her propriety was the notion her mother instilled in her to throw away her underclothes every month and buy new ones. The family was prestigious belonging to Beacon hill society and Grace attended Harvard. Her parents taught her how to live in high society and do the proper things. But, when she was only seventeen she met Bainbridge Alcott and married in amidst a flurry of showers and selecting her wedding gown and parties thrown in her honor. She doesn't get pregnant right away and worries that they may not have children. But, finally she has a daughter with beautiful blonde hair. She hires a nanny to help with the baby and goes to have her hair styled one day to return to see police officers at her home. The woman had placed the baby in the tub and gone to answer a phone call. The little girl had drowned. Grace manages all the funeral arrangements on her own. Her husband had once, when they first met, told her he wanted to write the great America novel. But, instead he joined a law office and quickly became one of the highest paid attorneys. Grace deferred to Bain in every detail of their lives. When the eldest son becomes pompous and willful, she recognizes her son is the exact image of her controlling husband. They purchase a beautiful home on cape Cod and have an apartment in Beacon Hill. The novel is filled with beautiful homes, vacation spots, and the best of everything. The overall impression is that Grace allowed her husband to dictate every aspect of her life and she is only known as Mrs. Alcott.

[Lisa James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes us on a journey through Grace Alcott's life, starting from the day she's given some shocking news, & then finds out her credit card is no good when she goes shopping, we see her life before that point in flashback, from the time she was a young, shy college girl, & then we live it forward with her through loss, pain, the hurt of watching her children grow up to be not what she'd hoped they'd be. It's a really touching & poignant story.

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

real depressing read. SPOILER ALERT - Author threw in just about every depressing scenario she could from bratty, rude, disrespectful children, mother dying one week after daughter's honeymoon, her 3-year-old daughter drowns, brother is a drunk, eventually commits suicide, dire finances, main character is now sick... about only thing left out is having their house burn down.

[Lindsay Heller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book drove me crazy for a long time before I realized I might have been being judgemental. And what's more... I think that was almost the point of this book? Grace Alcott married young and threw herself into being the perfect wife and mother, despite a few, and one particular, heart breaks along the way. Her husband was domineering and her sons were entitled little shits. And she was entirely subservient. I was going insane. Until the end when it was basically turned on its head with a 'everyone chooses their own happiness' type things and 'look at things from everyone's point of view' thing and I was like; Huh. So, I wouldn't have chosen Grace Alcott's life. I could never define myself as Mrs. anybody. But that's okay, because I shouldn't be reading only about characters that are like me.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of life's complications, roads taken and not. Family more's. No guarantees that you give your children every advantage and they will turn out fine or even love you. I like the focus on woman's choices in the 60's but had a hard time connecting to the central characters everyday life or finding much sympathy for them.. Its beautifully set in Boston and Chatham Cape Cod and captures the small town feel of our local villages. Ok for a summer beach read.

[Kathleen Nalley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the typical heroine, not the typical marriage or family, or maybe more typical than we want to acknowledge as many tend to smile and extoll the virtues rather than vices of an outwardly successful Family. This was an honest reflection of both a marriage and a family.

[Evelyn Pecht · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good beach read for mid-summer.

[Sallyg]

It was pretty boring, but I did finish it.

[Ann McLellan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and could relate to the personality of Mrs. Alcott. The story was real and very human.

[Lmarotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The main character and her family stay with you for awhile. The characters are complex, you thing you know them and they do something that shows another side to them. I could not put it down. The setting is New England and involves a white anglosaxon family and their culture that has provided for them emotionally, socially and financially. I could compare it to a modern day "gone with the Wind" type story.

[Jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was attracted to this because I so enjoy the American "manners & class" genre. Set on the East Coast during a time when country clubs, connections and schooling were all important to the Anglo-Saxon community it usually offers a comfortable setting for a fun read. Wow, you can imagine my shock when it turns out to be a real human tragedy -- a tragedy you don't think can befall such a secure class. But the author doesn't let you in on the tragedy until the end. I fell for this and thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished the book finally! As usual I felt sorry it had to end, but I was happy with the ending the writer chose. A good book for women...good insight to married women who stuggle with their own identity.
The Alcotts are one of those families that look picture perfect on the outside, and struggle with dysfunction like everyone else.
I wish I knew Mrs. Alcott even though I couldn't relate to her in so many ways...a good woman.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

My primary issue with this book was that I couldn't understand why this woman was so astonishingly passive. I couldn't quite pin it on the era she grew up in or her childhood. I will say I felt surprisingly conflicted about her 'decision' not to have her medical condition evaluated. On one hand, it represented her usual avoidance coping mechanism. On the other hand, deciding to have it checked out would represent yet another decision made by someone else (her husband and/or her doctor).

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novel. It was very well written and the story was very engaging. A few times when I was reading it at lunch, I would look down at my watch and just barely make it back from lunch on time. Definitely the sign of a great book. I will say that it is pretty melancholy, so probably not a good read if you're sad. But, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a well-written, character-driven story about a woman trying to find her place in an ever-changing world.

[Victoria Marcello · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It took the simple life of a woman and her family and created a wonderful story. Grace isn't too much of a likable character, yet the novel still keeps the readers attention. And I still believe Grace is an interesting character who grows during the novel. I would definitely recommend it. It completely exceeded my expectations.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I did not particularly care for the main character, I was intrigued by her story and could not put this book down. The story made take a look at my own life... how I may be taking some things for granted and letting time slip by. This one stuck with me.

[Joe Mossa · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is one of my fav books of all times. it is down to earth,realistic,very much like our lives. i think deep down i am an old softy. i am about to read stieg larsson s new book cause he s no 5 on the best seller list. his book is super violent and im reading it to keep up with readers..sad me.

[Norma · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the story of a woman that basically gave all of herself to her family. She went through a very tragic event but, she kept going. I didn't like the end, it left you wondering what was going to happen to Mrs. Alcott.

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book about a woman who lived her life for others. The book takes place over a span of 40 years and deals with marriage, children, untimely deaths and betrayal. Ms Geary's novel makes one stop to think about how quickly our life goes by and then it is over.

[Beth]

I enjoyed this book.....very easy read, very simple story about a woman who was the perfect wife in the perfect marriage...or so it seems. Just an easy reading story....

[Jen9876 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just picked this out of the bargain bin for a buck at school. An okay read. Now isn't that a stellar recommendation.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, sad sad ending. I got angry that it took her so long to find and use her voice.

[Candy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very entertaining.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. :)

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Examines the role of wife and what is appropriate in a given time period.

[Valerie Quest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wht the heck was that ending???

[Judy Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

REally enjoyed this book

[Carolyn]

Nancy is a wonderful storyteller. I raced thru the book and found many instances when her words rang true with me. i loved her subtle humor too. I would highly recommend this book.

[Cranky · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title character shouldn't have been likeable, but the book worked.

[Patricia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Extremely depressing w/o any grace or hope