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The Eighth Wonder
The Suffragette meets The Greatest Showman in this story ofpassion and courage, as a young feminist fights against the rules of society to find her place in the world.
New York, 1897. The richest city in the world.
Beautiful, young and privileged, Rose Kingsbury Smith is expected to play by the strict rules of social etiquette, to forfeit all career aspirations and to marry a man of good means. But she has a quietly rebellious streak and is determined to make her own mark on Manhattan’s growing skyline. When the theft of a precious heirloom plunges the Kingsbury Smiths into financial ruin, Rose becomes her family’s most tradeable asset. She finds herself fighting for her independence and championing the ideal of equality for women everywhere.
Enigmatic Ethan Salt’s inglorious circus days are behind him. He lives a quiet life on Coney Island with his beloved elephant Daisy and is devoted to saving animals who’ve been brutalised by show business. As he struggles to raise funds for his menagerie, he fears he will never build the sanctuary of his dreams … until a chance encounter with a promising young architect changes his life forever.
Just when Rose is on the verge of seeing her persistence pay off, the ghosts of her past threaten to destroy everything she holds dear. In the face of heartbreaking prejudice and betrayal, she must learn to harness her greatest wonder within.
From Fifth Avenue mansions to Lower East Side tenements and the carnivals of Coney Island, The Eighth Wonder explores the brilliance and brutality of one of the world’s most progressive eras and celebrates the visionaries who dare to rebel.
New York, 1897. The richest city in the world.
Beautiful, young and privileged, Rose Kingsbury Smith is expected to play by the strict rules of social etiquette, to forfeit all career aspirations and to marry a man of good means. But she has a quietly rebellious streak and is determined to make her own mark on Manhattan’s growing skyline. When the theft of a precious heirloom plunges the Kingsbury Smiths into financial ruin, Rose becomes her family’s most tradeable asset. She finds herself fighting for her independence and championing the ideal of equality for women everywhere.
Enigmatic Ethan Salt’s inglorious circus days are behind him. He lives a quiet life on Coney Island with his beloved elephant Daisy and is devoted to saving animals who’ve been brutalised by show business. As he struggles to raise funds for his menagerie, he fears he will never build the sanctuary of his dreams … until a chance encounter with a promising young architect changes his life forever.
Just when Rose is on the verge of seeing her persistence pay off, the ghosts of her past threaten to destroy everything she holds dear. In the face of heartbreaking prejudice and betrayal, she must learn to harness her greatest wonder within.
From Fifth Avenue mansions to Lower East Side tenements and the carnivals of Coney Island, The Eighth Wonder explores the brilliance and brutality of one of the world’s most progressive eras and celebrates the visionaries who dare to rebel.
416 pages, Paperback
Published July 2, 2021
12 people are currently reading
359 people want to read
About the author
Tania Farrelly
2 books24 followersBefore I became an author I spent 30+ years carving out a career in advertising – starting circa 1985. This seems almost prehistoric!! The nineteen- eighties was an era of hideously permed hair, huge shoulder pads and Madonna. It was also long before women even had a sniff of equal pay, long before maternity leave entitlements were granted, while the #metoo movement was barely an embryo in the wombs of women’s rights.
My career as an ad-land story-teller and strategist afforded me a rare window into the international world of creativity; the study of human behaviour; and the resilience required to overcome obstacles as a woman and mother, working in a male dominated industry. So don’t be surprised to see these themes woven throughout my stories.
My first novel, The Eighth Wonder (July 2021 by Penguin Random House) is set in NYC’s gilded age of 1897 and tells the story of an aspiring female architect and her struggle to make her mark on the Manhattan skyline.
War of Hearts, my second novel (September 2023), is set in 1917/18 against the backdrop of a world convulsing under the twin stressors of The Great War and the Spanish Flu. It tells the story of a pioneering female reporter who must work with a Catholic priest to run intelligence out of occupied France for the British spy network La Dame Blanche.
In terms of books I love to read; I’m omnivorous! I love all genres, crime, suspense, romance, literary etc; but the ones that always have my heart are well researched stories that feature fearless females.
What other things are close to my heart?
Coffee, classical ballet, leg-warmers in winter, surf in summer, libraries, museums, travel. And of course – my husband, my daughters, family and friends and fur-babies .
My career as an ad-land story-teller and strategist afforded me a rare window into the international world of creativity; the study of human behaviour; and the resilience required to overcome obstacles as a woman and mother, working in a male dominated industry. So don’t be surprised to see these themes woven throughout my stories.
My first novel, The Eighth Wonder (July 2021 by Penguin Random House) is set in NYC’s gilded age of 1897 and tells the story of an aspiring female architect and her struggle to make her mark on the Manhattan skyline.
War of Hearts, my second novel (September 2023), is set in 1917/18 against the backdrop of a world convulsing under the twin stressors of The Great War and the Spanish Flu. It tells the story of a pioneering female reporter who must work with a Catholic priest to run intelligence out of occupied France for the British spy network La Dame Blanche.
In terms of books I love to read; I’m omnivorous! I love all genres, crime, suspense, romance, literary etc; but the ones that always have my heart are well researched stories that feature fearless females.
What other things are close to my heart?
Coffee, classical ballet, leg-warmers in winter, surf in summer, libraries, museums, travel. And of course – my husband, my daughters, family and friends and fur-babies .
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October 23, 2021
⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
The Eighth Wonder by Tania Farrelly is beautifully written historical fiction, crafted with meticulous detail. Set in the early nineteenth century, the Gilded Age in New York is an era that will captivate you.
We follow the progress of a beautiful and strong willed young woman, Rose Kimberley Smith who comes from a privileged background. Her hero is Emily Roebling who was largely responsible for guiding construction of the Brooklyn Bridge and this has had a huge influence on Rose. With Rose’s love of buildings and construction she desperately wants to become an architect like her adored father but it’s a male dominated domain.
Rose’s mother who is a social climber has other ideas about Rose having a career and there is conflict between mother and daughter as she has her sights set on New York city’s most eligible bachelor Chet Randall for her daughter Rose.
When the public theft of a precious family heirloom sends the family into a financial crisis Rose is expected to become a rich man’s wife to save her family from ruin.
Meanwhile we have Ethan Salt who has left his circus days and disreputable past. Ethan lovingly takes care of and homes abandoned, discarded and brutalised circus animals including Daisy a circus elephant that is interestingly connected to Rose’s past. He and his menagerie are unpopular with the locals and he dreams to build a sanctuary one day but meanwhile relies on benefactors and donations.
This is a story that sees women fighting for their rights, equality and independence. Animal welfare is also a prominent theme in this book and confronting at times. I fell in love with Daisy the ex-circus elephant, who wouldn't! Rose and Ethan are wonderful and passionate characters that will touch your heart.
An absolutely impressive debut novel.
The Eighth Wonder by Tania Farrelly is beautifully written historical fiction, crafted with meticulous detail. Set in the early nineteenth century, the Gilded Age in New York is an era that will captivate you.
We follow the progress of a beautiful and strong willed young woman, Rose Kimberley Smith who comes from a privileged background. Her hero is Emily Roebling who was largely responsible for guiding construction of the Brooklyn Bridge and this has had a huge influence on Rose. With Rose’s love of buildings and construction she desperately wants to become an architect like her adored father but it’s a male dominated domain.
Rose’s mother who is a social climber has other ideas about Rose having a career and there is conflict between mother and daughter as she has her sights set on New York city’s most eligible bachelor Chet Randall for her daughter Rose.
When the public theft of a precious family heirloom sends the family into a financial crisis Rose is expected to become a rich man’s wife to save her family from ruin.
Meanwhile we have Ethan Salt who has left his circus days and disreputable past. Ethan lovingly takes care of and homes abandoned, discarded and brutalised circus animals including Daisy a circus elephant that is interestingly connected to Rose’s past. He and his menagerie are unpopular with the locals and he dreams to build a sanctuary one day but meanwhile relies on benefactors and donations.
This is a story that sees women fighting for their rights, equality and independence. Animal welfare is also a prominent theme in this book and confronting at times. I fell in love with Daisy the ex-circus elephant, who wouldn't! Rose and Ethan are wonderful and passionate characters that will touch your heart.
An absolutely impressive debut novel.
December 27, 2021
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**4.5 stars**
The Eighth Wonder by Tania Farrelly. (2021).
New York, 1897. Beautiful, young and privileged, Rose is expected to abide by social etiquette and marry. But she has a rebellious streak and dreams of being an architect. When a precious family heirloom is stolen, Rose becomes her family's most tradable asset. She finds herself fighting for independence and equality for women. Ethan's circus days are behind him, now he lives a quiet life with his beloved elephant Daisy and other animals saved from cruel treatment. He worries he cannot build a sanctuary until a chance encounter with a promising young architect. Just as things go well for Rose, ghosts from her past threaten everything she holds dear...
After seeing this book feature on book related social media over and over again, all with rave reviews, I definitely had to add it to my list. I finally got to it and can confirm that it is a fabulous read. It's genuinely hard to believe this is the author's debut novel because it is extremely well-written and engaging. Rose is a modern girl stuck in a backwards society: it is just assumed she will give up any career aspirations and marry into high society. Luckily, our girl is a bit stubborn and rebellious and has her own plans. Ethan is a young man who has a genuine love for animals and wants to rescue them from the horrible treatment they have received - his attitude was touching while the thought of how the animals were treated is confronting. When Rose and Ethan meet as adults, fireworks occur and drama follows...
Overall: an excellent read that I would highly recommend for any reader that enjoys historical fiction and I look forward to future novels by the author.
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
**4.5 stars**
The Eighth Wonder by Tania Farrelly. (2021).
New York, 1897. Beautiful, young and privileged, Rose is expected to abide by social etiquette and marry. But she has a rebellious streak and dreams of being an architect. When a precious family heirloom is stolen, Rose becomes her family's most tradable asset. She finds herself fighting for independence and equality for women. Ethan's circus days are behind him, now he lives a quiet life with his beloved elephant Daisy and other animals saved from cruel treatment. He worries he cannot build a sanctuary until a chance encounter with a promising young architect. Just as things go well for Rose, ghosts from her past threaten everything she holds dear...
After seeing this book feature on book related social media over and over again, all with rave reviews, I definitely had to add it to my list. I finally got to it and can confirm that it is a fabulous read. It's genuinely hard to believe this is the author's debut novel because it is extremely well-written and engaging. Rose is a modern girl stuck in a backwards society: it is just assumed she will give up any career aspirations and marry into high society. Luckily, our girl is a bit stubborn and rebellious and has her own plans. Ethan is a young man who has a genuine love for animals and wants to rescue them from the horrible treatment they have received - his attitude was touching while the thought of how the animals were treated is confronting. When Rose and Ethan meet as adults, fireworks occur and drama follows...
Overall: an excellent read that I would highly recommend for any reader that enjoys historical fiction and I look forward to future novels by the author.
July 1, 2021
This was a terrific novel, hard to believe it is a debut. The writing is so polished, the story crafted with meticulous and plausible detail, with remarkable characterisation that seemed true to the era. I even just loved the words the author used, so in keeping with the era in which her story is set. I truly felt as though I had stepped back through time.
This Gilded Age era in New York is quite an interesting period of history. It puts me in mind of Victorian London, with the wealth and industrial progress coming to clash with unionisation as the working conditions of industrial workers become increasingly untenable. The suffragette movement was beginning to gain ground in terms of providing places for women to attend that offered education, health and hygiene services. I liked also the mention of the A.S.P.C.A. who were working to protect the welfare of ‘beasts of burden’, in particular, horses. You don’t often see this issue of horse welfare popping up in historical fiction but horses were literally worked to death, pulling carriages and farm equipment prior to the invention of motor vehicles.
There are two key issues within this story, both of which I enjoyed immensely. With Rose, it was her quest to be more than a rich man’s wife. Specifically, an architect, and she had real talent too, but was unfortunately born into the wrong time and place. For Ethan, it was protecting his menagerie of retired/abused animals from the entertainment industry. Now, there are some slightly disturbing scenes in terms of animal abuse within the context of rescue. I didn’t find these gratuitous in any way, but they did make me flinch. Ethan was a wonderful character, I really loved his bond with animals, particularly Daisy the elephant, of course. I have a weakness for elephants.
The Eighth Wonder is an excellent novel, the very best kind of historical fiction where you are immersed entirely into another era for the duration. I loved the originality of it, the rich atmosphere and the authentic characters. This one was a real treat.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy and the invitation to participate in the blog tour.
This Gilded Age era in New York is quite an interesting period of history. It puts me in mind of Victorian London, with the wealth and industrial progress coming to clash with unionisation as the working conditions of industrial workers become increasingly untenable. The suffragette movement was beginning to gain ground in terms of providing places for women to attend that offered education, health and hygiene services. I liked also the mention of the A.S.P.C.A. who were working to protect the welfare of ‘beasts of burden’, in particular, horses. You don’t often see this issue of horse welfare popping up in historical fiction but horses were literally worked to death, pulling carriages and farm equipment prior to the invention of motor vehicles.
There are two key issues within this story, both of which I enjoyed immensely. With Rose, it was her quest to be more than a rich man’s wife. Specifically, an architect, and she had real talent too, but was unfortunately born into the wrong time and place. For Ethan, it was protecting his menagerie of retired/abused animals from the entertainment industry. Now, there are some slightly disturbing scenes in terms of animal abuse within the context of rescue. I didn’t find these gratuitous in any way, but they did make me flinch. Ethan was a wonderful character, I really loved his bond with animals, particularly Daisy the elephant, of course. I have a weakness for elephants.
The Eighth Wonder is an excellent novel, the very best kind of historical fiction where you are immersed entirely into another era for the duration. I loved the originality of it, the rich atmosphere and the authentic characters. This one was a real treat.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy and the invitation to participate in the blog tour.
August 25, 2021
*https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
I really enjoyed this historical fiction set in the late 1880's. The Eighth Wonder is set during the emergence of the women's suffragette movement with the main character, Rose, not prepared to settle as a rich man's wife, rather looking to a career in architecture as her future. We see great conflict here from her traditionalist mother who yearns for her spot in high society due to her daughter's marriage to the 'right man'. Her father is quietly supportive however I did wonder if he would have been as supportive of Rose if he had a son who could have taken over the architecture company.
A second story line is that of Ethan Salt, an orphan who runs away and joins a circus. Ethan becomes an advocate for abused animals, not only from the circus but those used in fighting rings for entertainment.
The Eighth Wonder is a captivating character driven novel. There are plenty of hurdles for the characters to navigate and one man's obsession with Rose will become highly dangerous.
There is an added mystery of stolen jewellery which gives rise to themes of classism. Rose joins the fight for better working conditions and rights for the workers in the manufacturing industry.
Tania Farrelly has brought 19th Century Manhattan, in all its glory and brutality, alive on the page.
*I received my copy through the Beauty & Lace book club
I really enjoyed this historical fiction set in the late 1880's. The Eighth Wonder is set during the emergence of the women's suffragette movement with the main character, Rose, not prepared to settle as a rich man's wife, rather looking to a career in architecture as her future. We see great conflict here from her traditionalist mother who yearns for her spot in high society due to her daughter's marriage to the 'right man'. Her father is quietly supportive however I did wonder if he would have been as supportive of Rose if he had a son who could have taken over the architecture company.
A second story line is that of Ethan Salt, an orphan who runs away and joins a circus. Ethan becomes an advocate for abused animals, not only from the circus but those used in fighting rings for entertainment.
The Eighth Wonder is a captivating character driven novel. There are plenty of hurdles for the characters to navigate and one man's obsession with Rose will become highly dangerous.
There is an added mystery of stolen jewellery which gives rise to themes of classism. Rose joins the fight for better working conditions and rights for the workers in the manufacturing industry.
Tania Farrelly has brought 19th Century Manhattan, in all its glory and brutality, alive on the page.
*I received my copy through the Beauty & Lace book club
July 4, 2021
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
The Eighth Wonder is the debut novel from Tania Farrelly, a graduate of author Fiona McIntosh’s famed masterclass. Written with a deft and passionate hand, I was captured by the beauty of The Eighth Wonder from the first to the last word. This is a very special story that I know I will not part ways with anytime soon.
Transporting the reader to the magnificent Gilded Age, The Eighth Wonder immediately sets the scene for this time of great transition and contrast. While some residents of New York prosper and triumph, others struggle to stay afloat. The main character of The Eighth Wonder, Rose Kingsbury Smith, is a woman who is constrained by the rules and expectations of her position in society. With aspirations to become an architect, Rose faces an uphill battle in trying build a career for herself in this industry, when it is expected that she bear children. As Rose rebels against this oppressive regime, Rose faces further trouble when she loses a valuable family heirloom, sending her parents into financial ruin. With Rose’s family in deep financial concern, they use their daughter as a pawn in a quest to dig themselves out of possible poverty. Meanwhile, the other lead character of this tale, Ethan Salt, is a former circus operator who is determined to move on from this cutthroat business. Ethan now resides on Coney Island, where he works intensively with rescued former circus animals. Ethan faces a daily fight to protect his brood and support them financially. Despite these setbacks, Ethan still has hopes to build his own animal sanctuary. Will Rose be able to help Ethan on his mission? But Rose is facing her own private battle – she must deal with the choices she made and the fallout from her involvement in a past relationship. The Eighth Wonder is a tale that highlights a time of visionary change under harsh restrictions.
Blown away, tongue tied, speechless and entertained are just a few feelings I can call upon to explain my response to The Eighth Wonder. I am completely in awe of Tania Farrelly’s ability in so many areas in this novel – from the world building, history, human and animal characters, along with her writing prowess. Wow, just wow. I predict big things for this debut author. The Eighth Wonder is now sitting neck and neck with another 2021 debut novel, Sargasso, as my favourite novel of the year. I’m not sure if any book can top these two masterpiece releases!
Tania Farrelly immediately and vividly sets her scene in The Eighth Wonder. The reader is effortlessly transported to New York’s Gilded Age, as revolution, change and traditional values all vow for a place in this contentious era. I appreciated Farrelly’s strong depiction of New York and Coney Island, it was deeply authentic and moving all the same. Farrelly also kept me up to speed in relation to specific historical advances during this tumultuous time period. We are privy to the tireless and brave work of the Suffragettes, along with trends in higher education, the architectural world and unionisation. Big business and male power ruled this world, which were the key messages I took from this novel. Sadly, for our lead female protagonist, this was not a welcome society for a woman wishing to advance her circumstances in a career beyond the home. While highlighting title character Rose’s struggles we are also given an insight into the circus world, which was incredibly enlightening. I appreciated the novel’s focus on the work of an animal conservationist back in the late 1800s. Farrelly treats every topic I have highlighted above with historical accuracy, finite detail and a sense of vibrancy, so the reader is totally absorbed.
In terms of characters, The Eighth Wonder features an unforgettable cast that I just know will occupy a place in the heart of all readers that experience this majestic novel. The lead female protagonist was fearless, determined, brave, resilient and admirable. It was easy to get caught up in Rose’s struggles across her personal life, family situation, love predicaments and her passionate causes. I really felt as though Farrelly captured Rose’s frustration with being a woman clearly ahead of her time. We also see Rose’s vulnerability and affectionate nature when she encounters beloved Daisy the elephant. This aspect of the novel moved me significantly, especially one late scene in tale where Rose takes a stand in regards to Daisy’s welfare. We also have Ethan, the male lead of The Eighth Wonder who brings so much to the story at hand. Ethan is mysterious, enigmatic, charming and altruistic. I enjoyed following Ethan’s story from his origins in the circus business, through to his work in animal rehabilitation. I desperately wanted Ethan to achieve his dream by developing his own animal sanctuary, this was a fantastic character arc. Alongside the two core leads we have other players that enhance the overall storyline. From Rose’s mother and father, to a love interest, various circus personalities and more, Farrelly’s cast shine bright. However, it is the non-human characters that make The Eighth Wonder a spectacle not to be missed. I know that the elephants of the tale, along with Ethan’s accompanying menagerie really stole the show and left a lasting impression on me.
Pull up a chair and settle into an extravaganza of history, pageantry, rising feminism, animal rights, personal aspirations, architecture and blinding love. The Eighth Wonder is an outstanding set piece and if you could see me now, I am extending a standing applause to author Tania Farrelly.
*I wish to thank Penguin Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The Eighth Wonder is book #60 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
The Eighth Wonder is the debut novel from Tania Farrelly, a graduate of author Fiona McIntosh’s famed masterclass. Written with a deft and passionate hand, I was captured by the beauty of The Eighth Wonder from the first to the last word. This is a very special story that I know I will not part ways with anytime soon.
Transporting the reader to the magnificent Gilded Age, The Eighth Wonder immediately sets the scene for this time of great transition and contrast. While some residents of New York prosper and triumph, others struggle to stay afloat. The main character of The Eighth Wonder, Rose Kingsbury Smith, is a woman who is constrained by the rules and expectations of her position in society. With aspirations to become an architect, Rose faces an uphill battle in trying build a career for herself in this industry, when it is expected that she bear children. As Rose rebels against this oppressive regime, Rose faces further trouble when she loses a valuable family heirloom, sending her parents into financial ruin. With Rose’s family in deep financial concern, they use their daughter as a pawn in a quest to dig themselves out of possible poverty. Meanwhile, the other lead character of this tale, Ethan Salt, is a former circus operator who is determined to move on from this cutthroat business. Ethan now resides on Coney Island, where he works intensively with rescued former circus animals. Ethan faces a daily fight to protect his brood and support them financially. Despite these setbacks, Ethan still has hopes to build his own animal sanctuary. Will Rose be able to help Ethan on his mission? But Rose is facing her own private battle – she must deal with the choices she made and the fallout from her involvement in a past relationship. The Eighth Wonder is a tale that highlights a time of visionary change under harsh restrictions.
Blown away, tongue tied, speechless and entertained are just a few feelings I can call upon to explain my response to The Eighth Wonder. I am completely in awe of Tania Farrelly’s ability in so many areas in this novel – from the world building, history, human and animal characters, along with her writing prowess. Wow, just wow. I predict big things for this debut author. The Eighth Wonder is now sitting neck and neck with another 2021 debut novel, Sargasso, as my favourite novel of the year. I’m not sure if any book can top these two masterpiece releases!
Tania Farrelly immediately and vividly sets her scene in The Eighth Wonder. The reader is effortlessly transported to New York’s Gilded Age, as revolution, change and traditional values all vow for a place in this contentious era. I appreciated Farrelly’s strong depiction of New York and Coney Island, it was deeply authentic and moving all the same. Farrelly also kept me up to speed in relation to specific historical advances during this tumultuous time period. We are privy to the tireless and brave work of the Suffragettes, along with trends in higher education, the architectural world and unionisation. Big business and male power ruled this world, which were the key messages I took from this novel. Sadly, for our lead female protagonist, this was not a welcome society for a woman wishing to advance her circumstances in a career beyond the home. While highlighting title character Rose’s struggles we are also given an insight into the circus world, which was incredibly enlightening. I appreciated the novel’s focus on the work of an animal conservationist back in the late 1800s. Farrelly treats every topic I have highlighted above with historical accuracy, finite detail and a sense of vibrancy, so the reader is totally absorbed.
In terms of characters, The Eighth Wonder features an unforgettable cast that I just know will occupy a place in the heart of all readers that experience this majestic novel. The lead female protagonist was fearless, determined, brave, resilient and admirable. It was easy to get caught up in Rose’s struggles across her personal life, family situation, love predicaments and her passionate causes. I really felt as though Farrelly captured Rose’s frustration with being a woman clearly ahead of her time. We also see Rose’s vulnerability and affectionate nature when she encounters beloved Daisy the elephant. This aspect of the novel moved me significantly, especially one late scene in tale where Rose takes a stand in regards to Daisy’s welfare. We also have Ethan, the male lead of The Eighth Wonder who brings so much to the story at hand. Ethan is mysterious, enigmatic, charming and altruistic. I enjoyed following Ethan’s story from his origins in the circus business, through to his work in animal rehabilitation. I desperately wanted Ethan to achieve his dream by developing his own animal sanctuary, this was a fantastic character arc. Alongside the two core leads we have other players that enhance the overall storyline. From Rose’s mother and father, to a love interest, various circus personalities and more, Farrelly’s cast shine bright. However, it is the non-human characters that make The Eighth Wonder a spectacle not to be missed. I know that the elephants of the tale, along with Ethan’s accompanying menagerie really stole the show and left a lasting impression on me.
Pull up a chair and settle into an extravaganza of history, pageantry, rising feminism, animal rights, personal aspirations, architecture and blinding love. The Eighth Wonder is an outstanding set piece and if you could see me now, I am extending a standing applause to author Tania Farrelly.
*I wish to thank Penguin Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The Eighth Wonder is book #60 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
July 1, 2021
What an inspired, utterly remarkable read this was! Tania has outdone herself with this phenomenal debut. A rich, multi-layered tale that took me on a journey through New York in the late 19th century. Absolutely fascinating.
Stay tuned for my podcast chat with Tania!
Stay tuned for my podcast chat with Tania!
July 8, 2021
A huge, huge thank you to the lovely team at Penguin Books Australia for having me on the blog tour to celebrate Tania Farrelly’s debut, The Eighth Wonder and for sending me a review copy to read and review as part of the tour, all thoughts are my own.
Oh, how I absolutely adored this book! It’s so beautifully written, the richness of the setting of the Gilded Age of New York, the sheer opulence, the women’s movements being on the cusp of being birthed, the characters that refuse to be silenced and those who refuse to stoop to society’s expectations, just, there’s so much to love about The Eighth Wonder!
Firstly, what an absolutely amazing main character is our Rose! As most young girls were in this time, they were used for the elevation of family members, primarily through the male counterparts in the family. However, it’s worth nothing that it’s actually Rose’s Mother who is determined that her Daughter marry into richness, hardly tolerant of Ross apprenticing with her beloved Father in his Architecture work. I love that Arthur nurtured Rose’s dream, his sweet nickname for her ‘Spook’ was just so endearing throughout! My heart!
Ethan, wonderfully sweet, caring Ethan! I love how devoted he was to his dear animals, doing everything within the vicinity of his being to look after those that had been so horribly abused, nurturing them as best as he could! His darling elephants, Honey and Daisy, they’re just such beautiful creatures and oh, there’s also a lion called Lucifer and a little joey but for me, this was as much Honey’s and Daisy’s story as much as it was Rose’s and Ethan’s!
I absolutely loved Rose’s character arc throughout this book, seeing her grow and find her voice, fighting for the rights of women and helping their causes, determined to curate her own future and not cower to anyone! Honestly, I just loved every aspect of this beautiful book and I can safely say it’s definitely become a fast favourite of mine! I’ve already recommended it a fair bit, I can’t wait for people to love this book! I know it’s one I’ll definitely be thinking about for plenty of time yet!
I could rave plenty more about The Eighth Wonder, but I feel like it’s best if the reader goes into this exquisite debut not knowing as much detail about the characters, the story, everything, but oh, it’s completely beautiful and altogether memorable and I completely recommend it! It’s gorgeous!
Oh, how I absolutely adored this book! It’s so beautifully written, the richness of the setting of the Gilded Age of New York, the sheer opulence, the women’s movements being on the cusp of being birthed, the characters that refuse to be silenced and those who refuse to stoop to society’s expectations, just, there’s so much to love about The Eighth Wonder!
Firstly, what an absolutely amazing main character is our Rose! As most young girls were in this time, they were used for the elevation of family members, primarily through the male counterparts in the family. However, it’s worth nothing that it’s actually Rose’s Mother who is determined that her Daughter marry into richness, hardly tolerant of Ross apprenticing with her beloved Father in his Architecture work. I love that Arthur nurtured Rose’s dream, his sweet nickname for her ‘Spook’ was just so endearing throughout! My heart!
Ethan, wonderfully sweet, caring Ethan! I love how devoted he was to his dear animals, doing everything within the vicinity of his being to look after those that had been so horribly abused, nurturing them as best as he could! His darling elephants, Honey and Daisy, they’re just such beautiful creatures and oh, there’s also a lion called Lucifer and a little joey but for me, this was as much Honey’s and Daisy’s story as much as it was Rose’s and Ethan’s!
I absolutely loved Rose’s character arc throughout this book, seeing her grow and find her voice, fighting for the rights of women and helping their causes, determined to curate her own future and not cower to anyone! Honestly, I just loved every aspect of this beautiful book and I can safely say it’s definitely become a fast favourite of mine! I’ve already recommended it a fair bit, I can’t wait for people to love this book! I know it’s one I’ll definitely be thinking about for plenty of time yet!
I could rave plenty more about The Eighth Wonder, but I feel like it’s best if the reader goes into this exquisite debut not knowing as much detail about the characters, the story, everything, but oh, it’s completely beautiful and altogether memorable and I completely recommend it! It’s gorgeous!
July 1, 2021
Thank you Penguin and Tania for sending us a copy to read and review.
A triumphant masterpiece and a truly stunning read.
Sometimes a book comes your way and totally moves you, mesmerises, captivates and transports you and for me this is one of those books.
1897, New York, The Gilded Age.
Rose Kingsbury Smith is wealthy, determined, beautiful and fighting for equality for women wherever she can.
She wants more in life than just being somebody’s wife but society and her sex say otherwise but Rose is strong willed and persistent and wants to make her mark on the world.
While attending a glamorous party, a valuable heirloom is stolen right under her eyes and so begins the family’s demise.
Ethan Salt was a master under the big top and his circus days are over as he cares for an menagerie of animals that were forced to entertain thousands.
He hopes to gain the money by donations to create a safe haven for these animals including his beloved Daisy, a sweet elephant.
A chance encounter brings two people together as they fight to overcome prejudice, jealously and betrayal and to save what they both believe in and heal from the past.
A book that will be widely read, applauded and celebrated and an writer that will be congratulated and praised on her amazing work.
Tania introduces readers to an amazing cast including the charismatic Rose whose bravery, honesty, courage and fearless attitude is all to be admired.
Monumental, dazzling, fascinating, utterly breathtaking and a beautifully written piece of art.
What a story and if I could list a wide range of endorsing adjectives I would run out space here.
I skulled it quickly and now I’m totally drunk on this magnificent read.
Watch out world, Tania has unleashed the book that will be on everyone lips.
A triumphant masterpiece and a truly stunning read.
Sometimes a book comes your way and totally moves you, mesmerises, captivates and transports you and for me this is one of those books.
1897, New York, The Gilded Age.
Rose Kingsbury Smith is wealthy, determined, beautiful and fighting for equality for women wherever she can.
She wants more in life than just being somebody’s wife but society and her sex say otherwise but Rose is strong willed and persistent and wants to make her mark on the world.
While attending a glamorous party, a valuable heirloom is stolen right under her eyes and so begins the family’s demise.
Ethan Salt was a master under the big top and his circus days are over as he cares for an menagerie of animals that were forced to entertain thousands.
He hopes to gain the money by donations to create a safe haven for these animals including his beloved Daisy, a sweet elephant.
A chance encounter brings two people together as they fight to overcome prejudice, jealously and betrayal and to save what they both believe in and heal from the past.
A book that will be widely read, applauded and celebrated and an writer that will be congratulated and praised on her amazing work.
Tania introduces readers to an amazing cast including the charismatic Rose whose bravery, honesty, courage and fearless attitude is all to be admired.
Monumental, dazzling, fascinating, utterly breathtaking and a beautifully written piece of art.
What a story and if I could list a wide range of endorsing adjectives I would run out space here.
I skulled it quickly and now I’m totally drunk on this magnificent read.
Watch out world, Tania has unleashed the book that will be on everyone lips.
August 10, 2021
Thank you so much Beauty and Lace and Penguin books for this fabulous debut novel from Tania Farrelly.
Where to start! I have just finished it and had to write this straight away. I knew it was going to be great from the start. I love books written about the past and the struggles that people had to overcome.
Rose, a young women in the 1800's, always wanted to follow her father and become a great architect, but back then it was a man's world. She was such a strong character and put up quite a fight though. I loved getting to know Rose throughout the pages.
The way animals were treated by humans is quite distressing to me. Ethan showed so much love and compassion for all animals it showed the other side of humanity. I actually had to put this book down to compose myself at points as it was quite confronting.
There are many different topics and aspects to this book that keep it interesting all the way through.
I loved this book and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a historical fiction.
I look forward to many more from this author.
Where to start! I have just finished it and had to write this straight away. I knew it was going to be great from the start. I love books written about the past and the struggles that people had to overcome.
Rose, a young women in the 1800's, always wanted to follow her father and become a great architect, but back then it was a man's world. She was such a strong character and put up quite a fight though. I loved getting to know Rose throughout the pages.
The way animals were treated by humans is quite distressing to me. Ethan showed so much love and compassion for all animals it showed the other side of humanity. I actually had to put this book down to compose myself at points as it was quite confronting.
There are many different topics and aspects to this book that keep it interesting all the way through.
I loved this book and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a historical fiction.
I look forward to many more from this author.
July 8, 2021
The Eighth Wonder is an impressive debut novel set in New York during the Gilded Age, a time of vast industrial and economic growth and social reform. 1897 New York has been so vividly bought to life, from the glitz and glamour of the Fifth Avenue mansions to the Lower East Side tenements and the carnivals of Coney Island. I loved the themes of gender equality, animal rights and unionisation, and I feel in love with the visionary characters, especially Rose and Ethan. I highly recommend this one, folks!
Fun fact: in the author’s note at the end of the book, Farrelly says that Ethan’s character was inspired by elephant advocate and rescuer Lek Chailert. I was lucky enough to spend an afternoon with Lek and her elephants when I visited Elephant Nature Park in early 2011 and she truly is the most incredible woman.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Penguin Australia to enable me to take part in the blog tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Fun fact: in the author’s note at the end of the book, Farrelly says that Ethan’s character was inspired by elephant advocate and rescuer Lek Chailert. I was lucky enough to spend an afternoon with Lek and her elephants when I visited Elephant Nature Park in early 2011 and she truly is the most incredible woman.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Penguin Australia to enable me to take part in the blog tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 3, 2021
A new Australian Historical Fiction author has arrived! The Eighth Wonder is a debut novel by Victorian author Tania Farrelly and what a debut it is!
Set in New York in 1897, Rose Kingsbury Smith is an only daughter, whose mother believes she can marry her off and secure the family's future. Rose does not want to be married off to the highest bidder as she wants to become an architect in her father's firm and dreams of going to France to study this subject. She is also drawn into the struggle for better work conditions for women and workers rights which was prevalent in this era.
Ethan Salt is a young man who has escaped from his circus days and his disreputable past and now wants to save the circus animals who have been mistreated in the past, but hasn't the money to build the sanctuary he dreams of.
A masquerade ball brings Ethan & Rose together, but the theft of a valuable piece of jewelry tears them apart.
When misfortune affects her family, they are on the brink of poverty so Rose reluctantly agrees to marry Chet Randall who she has no love for, but in doing so she would be keeping a roof over her parents heads, but will her dreams of being the first female in a prestigious architecture school be ruined in the process?
What follows is a story of intrique, heartbreak, mystery, female friendship & love in a fantastic story that just kept me turning the pages.
I'm so excited to see what is next from Tania Farrelly. 5 Stars from me. Thank you to Penguin Australia for providing me with a copy of this book for review purposes.
Set in New York in 1897, Rose Kingsbury Smith is an only daughter, whose mother believes she can marry her off and secure the family's future. Rose does not want to be married off to the highest bidder as she wants to become an architect in her father's firm and dreams of going to France to study this subject. She is also drawn into the struggle for better work conditions for women and workers rights which was prevalent in this era.
Ethan Salt is a young man who has escaped from his circus days and his disreputable past and now wants to save the circus animals who have been mistreated in the past, but hasn't the money to build the sanctuary he dreams of.
A masquerade ball brings Ethan & Rose together, but the theft of a valuable piece of jewelry tears them apart.
When misfortune affects her family, they are on the brink of poverty so Rose reluctantly agrees to marry Chet Randall who she has no love for, but in doing so she would be keeping a roof over her parents heads, but will her dreams of being the first female in a prestigious architecture school be ruined in the process?
What follows is a story of intrique, heartbreak, mystery, female friendship & love in a fantastic story that just kept me turning the pages.
I'm so excited to see what is next from Tania Farrelly. 5 Stars from me. Thank you to Penguin Australia for providing me with a copy of this book for review purposes.
August 5, 2023
What a debut from this up and coming author. Beautifully written and comprehensively researched, this gorgeous tale of a promising architect during the Gilded Age of New York will keep you intrigued.
I loved the tenacity of Rose, the innocence of Ethan, and the cuteness of all the animals. The animal cruelty was a little hard to digest, but I guess it's a sad part of life, especially in those times when whole extravaganzas would be planned around the slaughtering of circus animals.
4.5 stars for this story! Looking forward to Farrelly's next one.
I loved the tenacity of Rose, the innocence of Ethan, and the cuteness of all the animals. The animal cruelty was a little hard to digest, but I guess it's a sad part of life, especially in those times when whole extravaganzas would be planned around the slaughtering of circus animals.
4.5 stars for this story! Looking forward to Farrelly's next one.
Read
August 9, 2021What a corker of a debut! The New York setting was so well-drawn, with rounded characters full of ambition and heart. Tania did a fantastic job of taking readers from the wealthy social circles to the circus and entertainment industry, with so many insights into the gob-smacking treatment of elephants. A great premise, strong conflicts and confident writing!
September 18, 2021
A great story set in New York in the late 1800s which was a nice change from WWII.
June 24, 2022
Dear Tania,
Brilliant!!! Loved it!!
I was extremely lucky to win your book (a signed copy too) over Christmas..
It was the perfect cure to my reading slump..I could pop it down when I needed too but the moment I picked it back up I was swept away to the Gilded era of New York..
Not going to lie but Daisy was my favourite character... oh and Dot!!
I cannot wait for your next book!!
From Your new fan,
Natty
Brilliant!!! Loved it!!
I was extremely lucky to win your book (a signed copy too) over Christmas..
It was the perfect cure to my reading slump..I could pop it down when I needed too but the moment I picked it back up I was swept away to the Gilded era of New York..
Not going to lie but Daisy was my favourite character... oh and Dot!!
I cannot wait for your next book!!
From Your new fan,
Natty
July 29, 2021
- thanks to @penguinbooksaus for my #gifted copy
I had a pretty dynamic experience with The Eight Wonder. First, I started reading my physical copy, but I found myself struggling to pick it again after I reached the 100-page mark, so I switched to audiobook and that seemed to be what worked best for me. The narrator was engaging, and I had no issues following the story while listening; however, I went back to reading my physical copy for the last 50-pages or so because I didn’t want to miss any details.
In hindsight, switching between book/audiobook was fun, showing that trying out different formats is a pretty healthy reading habit.
The premise of this novel was quite promising. As a fan of Historical Fiction, I simply could not resist a combination of 19th century New York, endless societal drama and circus’ animals. However, after reaching the 100-page mark, I must admit that I thought the plot development would be annoyingly predictable. Fortunately, I was mistaken, even though I would have preferred a more impactful ending. Regardless, the narrative took paths I wasn’t expecting, and the storylines came together smoothly and reasonably, which I’ll take as a victory.
The characterisation was not as agreeable as I would have liked. Both Rose and Ethan read like the definition of stereotype: she is a stubborn woman dreaming with the sort of independence that was unlikely in her era, and he is a good, animal-lover guy trying to escape a dark past. Whilst I celebrate the portrayal of a feminist female protagonist, I cannot help but remark that I’ve seen this before, especially within the genre, about at least two hundred times already.
In addition, I believe the author tried to delve into several social issues simultaneously, which resulted in somewhat superficial explorations: a typical case of less, is more.
Overall, The Eighth Wonder was a fairly entertaining read yet not necessarily a mind-blowing one. With a sluggish pace and over-descriptive writing, it might not be the best choice for readers unfamiliar with the genre. However, I would recommend it to readers who enjoy comfort reads and are well-versed with the genre’s conventions.
I had a pretty dynamic experience with The Eight Wonder. First, I started reading my physical copy, but I found myself struggling to pick it again after I reached the 100-page mark, so I switched to audiobook and that seemed to be what worked best for me. The narrator was engaging, and I had no issues following the story while listening; however, I went back to reading my physical copy for the last 50-pages or so because I didn’t want to miss any details.
In hindsight, switching between book/audiobook was fun, showing that trying out different formats is a pretty healthy reading habit.
The premise of this novel was quite promising. As a fan of Historical Fiction, I simply could not resist a combination of 19th century New York, endless societal drama and circus’ animals. However, after reaching the 100-page mark, I must admit that I thought the plot development would be annoyingly predictable. Fortunately, I was mistaken, even though I would have preferred a more impactful ending. Regardless, the narrative took paths I wasn’t expecting, and the storylines came together smoothly and reasonably, which I’ll take as a victory.
The characterisation was not as agreeable as I would have liked. Both Rose and Ethan read like the definition of stereotype: she is a stubborn woman dreaming with the sort of independence that was unlikely in her era, and he is a good, animal-lover guy trying to escape a dark past. Whilst I celebrate the portrayal of a feminist female protagonist, I cannot help but remark that I’ve seen this before, especially within the genre, about at least two hundred times already.
In addition, I believe the author tried to delve into several social issues simultaneously, which resulted in somewhat superficial explorations: a typical case of less, is more.
Overall, The Eighth Wonder was a fairly entertaining read yet not necessarily a mind-blowing one. With a sluggish pace and over-descriptive writing, it might not be the best choice for readers unfamiliar with the genre. However, I would recommend it to readers who enjoy comfort reads and are well-versed with the genre’s conventions.
July 17, 2021
This is a magnificent book! I loved Rose and was cheering for her from the beginning. From when she is resisting her mother's insistence that she marries into wealth, to her pursuing her dream of being the first female to study architecture at a prestigious French college. I was especially cheering for Rose as she defies the expectations society has placed on her and bravely stands up for what she believes in as she paves her own way in this world - she is a truly inspirational character.
The most unexpected experience of this novel for me, was the emotional connection I felt to the elephant that features throughout the story, Daisy - she's very special and there are some scenes that I will never forget.
Can't wait to read what Tania Farrelly writes next!
The most unexpected experience of this novel for me, was the emotional connection I felt to the elephant that features throughout the story, Daisy - she's very special and there are some scenes that I will never forget.
Can't wait to read what Tania Farrelly writes next!
July 1, 2021
If you’re a fan of historical fiction, and love Belinda Alexandra and Natasha Lester, you’re in for a treat. Debut author Tania Farrelly transports us to the Gilded Age and sets a glamorous stage for this heartrending tale, with all the accoutrements of the era. The beautiful imagery and clarity of expression in the prose is a pure delight to read, sweeping us into the world of wide-eyed dilettantes during the glory days of prosperous New York.
Feisty protagonist, Rose Kingsbury-Smith harbours the desire for a career as an architect, like her adored father, Arthur— and her idol, Emily Roebling, the engineer who completed the Brooklyn Bridge. The story begins on this bridge, with an incident from Rose’s childhood. It introduces us to Daisy, a memorable Coney Island circus elephant, and the handsome and enigmatic Ethan Salt, the man with a menagerie of rescued ex-performing animals. Rose makes a lasting impression on both man, and elephant.
Well-known moguls of the era such as Morgan and Carnegie are mere background characters in this colourful adventure, as spirited Rose faces the restrictions of her sex and battles the limitations that New York society places on women of her position. Following the theft of her family’s most valuable jewel, Rose is courted by the city’s most eligible bachelor. But while marriage will save her family and her inheritance, Rose struggles with adhering to the expectations for women that would spell an end to her burgeoning career. In the meantime, she is drawn to a cause defending the rights and livelihoods of women from the Lower East Side tenements– those working for a meagre wage and fighting their own battles in a system weighted to advantage the city’s wealthy landlords.
The relationship between our protagonist and her father portrays touching sensitivity and intimacy. So, too, the richly drawn relationships between the female characters of her acquaintance are sympathetic and convincing. The entire gamut of emotions will have you flying through the pages. The narrative is a wonder of nuanced yet vivid language, offering poignant depth splashed with delightful description. Every page is a delicious escape into another world.
As Rose pursues the desire to design the buildings she dreams of, her resilience is sorely tested. Rose’s society-driven mother proves to be a fly in the ointment, while men from different sides of the tracks each have an agenda concerning Rose’s future. I found myself urging her on, as determined to make her own choices, Rose is challenged to overcome the many hurdles of the time.
Tania Farrelly is a terrific new talent and a beautiful storyteller. She is also a graduate of the Fiona McIntosh’s Commercial Fiction Masterclass— Fiona’s stamp of approval is quoted on the cover. The Eighth Wonder is just as promised by the author extraordinaire—‘I was hooked from the first page’ too.
Feisty protagonist, Rose Kingsbury-Smith harbours the desire for a career as an architect, like her adored father, Arthur— and her idol, Emily Roebling, the engineer who completed the Brooklyn Bridge. The story begins on this bridge, with an incident from Rose’s childhood. It introduces us to Daisy, a memorable Coney Island circus elephant, and the handsome and enigmatic Ethan Salt, the man with a menagerie of rescued ex-performing animals. Rose makes a lasting impression on both man, and elephant.
Well-known moguls of the era such as Morgan and Carnegie are mere background characters in this colourful adventure, as spirited Rose faces the restrictions of her sex and battles the limitations that New York society places on women of her position. Following the theft of her family’s most valuable jewel, Rose is courted by the city’s most eligible bachelor. But while marriage will save her family and her inheritance, Rose struggles with adhering to the expectations for women that would spell an end to her burgeoning career. In the meantime, she is drawn to a cause defending the rights and livelihoods of women from the Lower East Side tenements– those working for a meagre wage and fighting their own battles in a system weighted to advantage the city’s wealthy landlords.
The relationship between our protagonist and her father portrays touching sensitivity and intimacy. So, too, the richly drawn relationships between the female characters of her acquaintance are sympathetic and convincing. The entire gamut of emotions will have you flying through the pages. The narrative is a wonder of nuanced yet vivid language, offering poignant depth splashed with delightful description. Every page is a delicious escape into another world.
As Rose pursues the desire to design the buildings she dreams of, her resilience is sorely tested. Rose’s society-driven mother proves to be a fly in the ointment, while men from different sides of the tracks each have an agenda concerning Rose’s future. I found myself urging her on, as determined to make her own choices, Rose is challenged to overcome the many hurdles of the time.
Tania Farrelly is a terrific new talent and a beautiful storyteller. She is also a graduate of the Fiona McIntosh’s Commercial Fiction Masterclass— Fiona’s stamp of approval is quoted on the cover. The Eighth Wonder is just as promised by the author extraordinaire—‘I was hooked from the first page’ too.
July 5, 2021
http://jessjustreads.com
Historical fiction at its finest, Tania Farrelly’s debut novel The Eighth Wonder is a sweeping saga that will take readers all over New York and Coney Island in 1897, an incredibly progressive era for visionaries and creative individuals who dared to dream.
Written in third person, we meet the beautiful and wealthy Rose just as her family loses an expensive heirloom to a thief. Soon, they’re struggling to pay the bills and the stress placed on her family forces Rose’s mother to encourage a marriage – something Rose never wanted. It forces Rose to be look for success elsewhere, in an effort to save her family from destitution.
“Rose hovered for a moment, her mind reeling with the truth about Jack. For a moment she just stood there, rooted to the spot, feeling a strange mix of betrayal and hurt. She pressed her hand to her throat, as if it might smooth her breathing.”
The Eighth Wonder shines a light on women who exceeded expectations and followed their instincts. Rose is an intelligent visionary, desperate for more than a future as a wife and mother. She has to fight society’s expectations of her, as well as her own mother. Her father too sometimes doubts her, although there’s clearly a very strong relationship between the two that gives Rose strength and drive to pursue her passion for architecture.
Rose’s character development comes with acknowledging her elitism and privilege, and there’s a pretty striking scene where she ventures into another area of New York and is confronted with the harsh realities of how the other half live. Over time, she comes to realise there’s more to life than riches. It’s about staying true to yourself, and those you love.
“Once, he would have made a run for it. But now that he stood a full six foot four and a half inches in bare feet and had a face that invited second glances, he’d discovered the most effective way to escape any threat was to stay cool.”
Rose’s love of architecture was an interesting addition to the plot, and something I loved reading. Architecture would’ve been such a male-dominated industry in the late 1800s New York City, so watching Rose persevere through setbacks, more determined than ever, was heart-warming.
Animal welfare is another theme explored in the book, and as I understand it, inspired by true events. Reading about Jake and Ethan and their determination to limit abuse to animals was a touching element to the story.
Tania’s writing is stripped and sleek, it’s hard to accept this is a debut. This slots into the historical fiction genre effortlessly.
“For the first time ever, Rose doubted whether he would defend her. She wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole, especially on seeing Edith take her place by the mantel and swirl the brandy Rose had wrongly assumed was for her father.”
The Eighth Wonder is recommended for fans of historical fiction. Readership skews female, 30+
Thank you to the publisher for mailing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Historical fiction at its finest, Tania Farrelly’s debut novel The Eighth Wonder is a sweeping saga that will take readers all over New York and Coney Island in 1897, an incredibly progressive era for visionaries and creative individuals who dared to dream.
Written in third person, we meet the beautiful and wealthy Rose just as her family loses an expensive heirloom to a thief. Soon, they’re struggling to pay the bills and the stress placed on her family forces Rose’s mother to encourage a marriage – something Rose never wanted. It forces Rose to be look for success elsewhere, in an effort to save her family from destitution.
“Rose hovered for a moment, her mind reeling with the truth about Jack. For a moment she just stood there, rooted to the spot, feeling a strange mix of betrayal and hurt. She pressed her hand to her throat, as if it might smooth her breathing.”
The Eighth Wonder shines a light on women who exceeded expectations and followed their instincts. Rose is an intelligent visionary, desperate for more than a future as a wife and mother. She has to fight society’s expectations of her, as well as her own mother. Her father too sometimes doubts her, although there’s clearly a very strong relationship between the two that gives Rose strength and drive to pursue her passion for architecture.
Rose’s character development comes with acknowledging her elitism and privilege, and there’s a pretty striking scene where she ventures into another area of New York and is confronted with the harsh realities of how the other half live. Over time, she comes to realise there’s more to life than riches. It’s about staying true to yourself, and those you love.
“Once, he would have made a run for it. But now that he stood a full six foot four and a half inches in bare feet and had a face that invited second glances, he’d discovered the most effective way to escape any threat was to stay cool.”
Rose’s love of architecture was an interesting addition to the plot, and something I loved reading. Architecture would’ve been such a male-dominated industry in the late 1800s New York City, so watching Rose persevere through setbacks, more determined than ever, was heart-warming.
Animal welfare is another theme explored in the book, and as I understand it, inspired by true events. Reading about Jake and Ethan and their determination to limit abuse to animals was a touching element to the story.
Tania’s writing is stripped and sleek, it’s hard to accept this is a debut. This slots into the historical fiction genre effortlessly.
“For the first time ever, Rose doubted whether he would defend her. She wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole, especially on seeing Edith take her place by the mantel and swirl the brandy Rose had wrongly assumed was for her father.”
The Eighth Wonder is recommended for fans of historical fiction. Readership skews female, 30+
Thank you to the publisher for mailing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 3, 2022
Review originally posted on A Keyboard and an Open Mind 3 November 2022:
This is one of those books that leaves me wringing my hands a bit as I try to review it. It’s fine. The writing is good. The characters are interesting. The setting is immersive. And yet, for whatever reason, the best I can do is damn it with faint praise and say I guess I enjoyed it.
I think my main problem here was that for so long I couldn’t really tell where the story was going. Things happened to the characters, but there seemed to be little set-up and little payoff later. Things just happened.
The two main character don’t even really meet until more than halfway through (though there had been a couple of encounters prior to that). For a while, I wasn’t sure whether an entirely different character was supposed to be the love interest! (Though he seemed unlikely).
While things did come together somewhat at the end, this wasn’t quite as satisfying as I had hoped.
Like I said, the writing in and of itself is very good, especially for a debut. Farrelly has clearly done her research into Golden Age New York City. I could picture the different parts of the city clearly as the characters travelled around.
I do have to warn for scenes of animal cruelty – one of the main characters adopts animals that have been abused by the entertainment industry, and some scenes of that cruelty are depicted.
I know a lot of my feelings about this book ultimately come down to personal preference. And I know many others have really enjoyed it. If you’re a fan of historical fiction, I would say it’s one to check out.
This is one of those books that leaves me wringing my hands a bit as I try to review it. It’s fine. The writing is good. The characters are interesting. The setting is immersive. And yet, for whatever reason, the best I can do is damn it with faint praise and say I guess I enjoyed it.
I think my main problem here was that for so long I couldn’t really tell where the story was going. Things happened to the characters, but there seemed to be little set-up and little payoff later. Things just happened.
The two main character don’t even really meet until more than halfway through (though there had been a couple of encounters prior to that). For a while, I wasn’t sure whether an entirely different character was supposed to be the love interest! (Though he seemed unlikely).
While things did come together somewhat at the end, this wasn’t quite as satisfying as I had hoped.
Like I said, the writing in and of itself is very good, especially for a debut. Farrelly has clearly done her research into Golden Age New York City. I could picture the different parts of the city clearly as the characters travelled around.
I do have to warn for scenes of animal cruelty – one of the main characters adopts animals that have been abused by the entertainment industry, and some scenes of that cruelty are depicted.
I know a lot of my feelings about this book ultimately come down to personal preference. And I know many others have really enjoyed it. If you’re a fan of historical fiction, I would say it’s one to check out.
Read
July 11, 2022Set in New York in 1897 we follow main character Rose who is studying with her father to be an architect. Rose is such a strong, determined character even though her mother just wants her to marry a wealthy man, she goes about her business how she likes.
Then in comes Chet Randall, a wealthy prominent figure who becomes somewhat obsessed with Rose and just doesn't get that she's just not that into him. He follows her around, desperately trying to marry her.
However, let's be honest Chet doesn't really stand a chance against cool circus animal rescuer - Ethan. Ethan an ex circus employee has seen first hand the horrific way circus animals were treated and now seeks to save what he can - starting with Daisy a huge elephant. He and Rose meet here and there and honestly Chet has no hope of competing with this guy!
Farrelly's writing is spectacular. You are fully transported into the time and embedded in all it has to offer. 100% could not put this down.
There are so many sad moments as you are confronted with how circus animals were treated, specifically elephants. There's also frustration in how woman were treated and dismissed. But there's some fabulous moments and triumph when characters like Rose and Ethan stand up and push back against those who try to ruin them.
Such a huge fan of Farrelly's writing and cannot wait to read more!
Highly recommend!
Then in comes Chet Randall, a wealthy prominent figure who becomes somewhat obsessed with Rose and just doesn't get that she's just not that into him. He follows her around, desperately trying to marry her.
However, let's be honest Chet doesn't really stand a chance against cool circus animal rescuer - Ethan. Ethan an ex circus employee has seen first hand the horrific way circus animals were treated and now seeks to save what he can - starting with Daisy a huge elephant. He and Rose meet here and there and honestly Chet has no hope of competing with this guy!
Farrelly's writing is spectacular. You are fully transported into the time and embedded in all it has to offer. 100% could not put this down.
There are so many sad moments as you are confronted with how circus animals were treated, specifically elephants. There's also frustration in how woman were treated and dismissed. But there's some fabulous moments and triumph when characters like Rose and Ethan stand up and push back against those who try to ruin them.
Such a huge fan of Farrelly's writing and cannot wait to read more!
Highly recommend!
July 4, 2021
Gilded age New York, a strong female protagonist and a plot that includes a beautiful elephant rescued from a gruelling life in the circus - I knew I was going to love this book before I even got through the first chapter.
It follows the story of Amberley-Rose Kingsbury Smith, the daughter of a wealthy family whose fortunes fade in 1897 after a prized family heirloom is stolen. Desperate to keep their place in society, Rose is pushed to marry well to save the family. But the headstrong Rose - who is intent on following her father into a career in architecture and is more interested in helping improve the working conditions of women in factories - resists her mother’s urgings. When she meets former circus worker, Ethan Salt, who has a menagerie of rescued circus animals at Coney Island, Rose is inspired to help. But standing out for all the wrong reasons in a society where social etiquette rules brings trouble for Rose and everyone she holds dear.
The brilliant scene setting, which takes you from the mansions of Fifth Avenue to the Lower East Side tenements and Coney Island boardwalk, brings this debut novel to life. Through her characters, Farrelly paints a picture, not just of a former world, but of an era where the few elite families at the top decided the fate of everyone.
I loved this debut, rich in detail and filled with wonderful characters - human and animal - and I can’t wait to see what Farrelly does next.
It follows the story of Amberley-Rose Kingsbury Smith, the daughter of a wealthy family whose fortunes fade in 1897 after a prized family heirloom is stolen. Desperate to keep their place in society, Rose is pushed to marry well to save the family. But the headstrong Rose - who is intent on following her father into a career in architecture and is more interested in helping improve the working conditions of women in factories - resists her mother’s urgings. When she meets former circus worker, Ethan Salt, who has a menagerie of rescued circus animals at Coney Island, Rose is inspired to help. But standing out for all the wrong reasons in a society where social etiquette rules brings trouble for Rose and everyone she holds dear.
The brilliant scene setting, which takes you from the mansions of Fifth Avenue to the Lower East Side tenements and Coney Island boardwalk, brings this debut novel to life. Through her characters, Farrelly paints a picture, not just of a former world, but of an era where the few elite families at the top decided the fate of everyone.
I loved this debut, rich in detail and filled with wonderful characters - human and animal - and I can’t wait to see what Farrelly does next.
February 5, 2023
Nečakala som, že to bude až také krásne. Trochu mi to pripomenulo Vodu pre slony, ale samozrejme je to zas o niečom inom. Hrdinovia vám neskutočne rýchlo prirastú k srdcu, nehovoriac o tých zvieracích. Príbeh je veľmi prepracovaný a tak ako podstatná časť patrí zvieratám, tak ani zďaleka to nie je všetko. Autorka rieši aj rovnoprávnosť žien, NewYorskú smotánku, počiatok stavieb a architektúry, zlé pracovné podmienky, dohodnuté manželstvo. Celé to bolo veľmi komplexné a mám pocit akoby som od začiatku až do konca sledovala dospieť svojich priateľov. Knižka mi veľmi prirástla k srdcu a nejednu chvíľu som pri nej takmer ani nedýchala. Číta sa ľahko, ale za to sa ťažko odkladá. No každá chvíľka pri nej vám za to stojí :)!
July 7, 2021
This was truly amazing book, it’s so hard to imagine that this is Tania Farrelly’s debut novel as it is so well written, so polished and reminiscent of the novels by Natasha Lester, Alli Sinclair and Fiona McIntosh.
I was drawn in by the words on the page that I instantly felt I was there. I loved how the story switched between different POV, you could help but love the main characters and even some of the supporting characters were just wonderful. This book gave me all the feels!
The story at times had me in tears, I’m not a fan of Animal cruelty (who is right) this story does touch on it, but never in a gruesome way.
I was drawn in by the words on the page that I instantly felt I was there. I loved how the story switched between different POV, you could help but love the main characters and even some of the supporting characters were just wonderful. This book gave me all the feels!
The story at times had me in tears, I’m not a fan of Animal cruelty (who is right) this story does touch on it, but never in a gruesome way.
June 23, 2022
This was an accidental second read of this wonderful novel for me, I was wondering if it would suit our wondering women read (it sure does) but I just got sucked right back in. Historical fiction is my first love, and this is just so well done. I love reading about New York, especially in the gilded age- all the extreme wealth, excess and entitlement..I love the determination and resistance of Rose, love Jack and that Ethan with daisy and honey x what a man this is just a wonderful novel; just loved everything about it
July 7, 2021
New York 1897, the Gilded Age, and pachyderms set amongst high society what more can any Historical Fiction fan ask for?
Read my full review here
https://hundredacreofbooks.com/index....
Read my full review here
https://hundredacreofbooks.com/index....
March 1, 2022
I devoured The Eighth Wonder. What an amazing novel. The research, the details, the description, the characters - everything was superb. It truly is a wondrous thing.
October 1, 2021
A spectacular debut
July 8, 2021
Torn between a need to know what happens next and a desire to stay with my new friends in NYC’s gilded age, my greedy side won and - through tears, laughter, love, frustration and elation - I devoured this beauty of a story. At the end, it came as a surprise to find myself looking out through satisfied tears to the Australian bushland, so deeply absorbed I was in another time and place.
I loved every single page. Tania writes in a way that calls you in, and makes you want to stay. The characters - humans and animals alike - jumped from the pages straight into my heart, and I hope I can keep them there for just a little bit longer. Through them, in particular the dynamics of Rose’s family, I saw reflections of my own relationships and Tania’s characters showed me a different perspective that helped to heal some of the hurts I’ve carried across the years.
To say this book moved me is an understatement. I was completely swept away, and the story - so beautifully written - has made me look out on this day a little differently to the ones before it.
I loved every single page. Tania writes in a way that calls you in, and makes you want to stay. The characters - humans and animals alike - jumped from the pages straight into my heart, and I hope I can keep them there for just a little bit longer. Through them, in particular the dynamics of Rose’s family, I saw reflections of my own relationships and Tania’s characters showed me a different perspective that helped to heal some of the hurts I’ve carried across the years.
To say this book moved me is an understatement. I was completely swept away, and the story - so beautifully written - has made me look out on this day a little differently to the ones before it.
July 27, 2021
I love this story by Tania Farrelly. Set in New York in 1897, it beautifully illustrates life as it was for the rich, for the poor, and particularly celebrates the visionaries of the time. Thank you Tania, not only for a really fantastic story, but for bringing to mind a time that really was revolutionary not only to the city of New York, but for so many cities in the world. Thinking onwards from 1897 we don't have to think too long to remember the highs and lows of an emerging world. And I believe we all know within ourselves what we regard as our own Eighth Wonder!
A debut novel this one may be, and I look forward to more fascinating stories by Tania Farrelly.
A debut novel this one may be, and I look forward to more fascinating stories by Tania Farrelly.
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