The Luxe, by Anna Godbersen

The Luxe
By Anna Godbersen

As you can see from my current Book of the Week, I thoroughly enjoyed The Luxe. It tells the story of rich families living in New York, in 1899. It mainly centres around the Holland, Hayes and Schoonmaker families; society's elite, if you will.
Before each chapter is a cutting from a newspaper, extract from a book or diary, or even a private letter, and the chapter will be centered around what was in that extract/cutting/letter. I liked that idea, and made the book even better, I think.
The prologue tells of the death of an Elizabeth Holland, loved by all who knew her, and thought perfect and beautiful by everyone. The book tells of the events leading up to her death, but on the very last page there is a sudden twist.
The book is set in New York, and nearly all the chapters/scenes take place in a mansion or a ballroom, or the frequently visited Lord and Taylor, the dressmaker.
There are plenty of 'scandals' in the book, such as the love that Elizabeth Holland and her coachman, Will, share, even though she is engaged to Henry Schoonmaker because her family is losing their fortune because of their dead father's debts that are slowly emerging, one by one, and Henry Schoonmaker is the richest there is.
And how Penelope Hayes, Elizabeth's greatest rival, and therefore her best friend, was sure to marry the young Schoonmaker, were it not for his father forcing him to cruelly abandon her and propose to Elizabeth so the elder Schoonmaker could run for mayor of 1900, then president.
Also the schemes that Penelope thinks up so she can try and win Henry back.
Lina, Elizabeth's childhood friend and maid, loves Will, who Elizabeth is having a secret affair with, so becomes 'evil' and seeks out Penelope so she can reveal all Elizabeth's secrets when she is fired from her position as Elizabeth's maid because she spills hot tea over Miss Holland.
Also, Will, Lina's crush, and Elizabeth's lover, wants to move to California because seeing Liz marry Henry would break his heart. He is trying to get Elizabeth to elope with him.
And how Diana Holland, Elizabeth's younger sister, loves Henry Schoonmaker, even though his sister is engaged to marry him, and he loves her back, but cannot say as he will lose his inheritance if he doesn't marry Elizabeth.
There is so much going on in this book, but it all ties together. It is a mix between a love story, and a murder mystery, but as I said, there is a big plot twist at the end.

Facts
Title: The Luxe
Author: Anna Godbersen
First Published: In the USA 2007, by Harper Collins Children's Books
Blurb:
Be seen with the most sumptuous book of the season.
Every girl must own one.
Imagine, if you will, New Y0rk City, 1899...
Society's elite; the glamour, the grandeur, the glittering parties, the most handsome beaux, the most beautiful debutantes... the rich girl, the humble boy, the forbidden love, the stolen glances, the whispers, the scandal, the mystery, the revenge.
You are cordially invited to step into
THE LUXE
where the secrets are dark and the sins are delicious...
R.S.V.P.
Buy It Now From: Amazon

Rating 5/5

The Secret Countess, by Eva Ibbotson

The Secret Countess
By Eva Ibbotson

One thing about Eva Ibbotson is; all her books seem to include connections to the Amazon or Russia. Though not a flaw of Ms. Ibbotson's, it might be nice if the hero/heroine of the book wasn't Russian or living in the Amazon, or in a war.
The main character is a 18-20 year old girl called Anna (or 'Anoushka') Gravinzky from Russia. In her home country she was a Countess and owned palaces and land all over Russia, but with the revolution starting she and her family has had to flee and work for British aristocrats.
Anna is working as a housemaid for the Westerholmes, and quickly becomes a great friend to all the staff and the Westerholmes. She has to be careful to keep her identity secret, but Anna is, in a way, careless. Sooner or later the residents of Mersham (the Westerholmes estate) suss that she is of 'gentle birth' and all is revealed when the young Earl of Westerholme talks to a jeweller who tells him about the Gravinzky sapphires and other jewels, and about the Gravinzky's place in Russian society.
It is a love story, because Anna finds herself falling for the Earl (Rupert) who is engaged to be married to a beautiful, yet snobbish, young woman named Muriel, who is obsessed with eugenics, and will not befriend or marry anyone with any illness, mental or physical, in their family history.
This was an extremely good read, even if it was hard to get into.
When I first started the book I didn't like the style of writing or the language, and after trying to get into it for a few days, I set it aside. But, for lack of anything else to read, I picked the book up again and found it quite hard to put down, and so read past my 'bedtime'.
Even though I had read The Secret Countess for at least 2 hours last night, I was only about 5 or 6 chapters through it, but as I started to read it this morning I found myself getting well past the middle, reading on and on as I literally could not put the book down.
I finished The Secret Countess about half and hour ago, and I was extremely satisfied with the ending. Although it was a cliffhanger and left much to wonder about, I feel that no other ending would really have suited the book as well.
I would recommend this book to primary 7 or older girls, because I think the language is a little old-fashioned and complicated at times, which makes the book more suitable for early teens, and all the talk about love and dresses means that females would appreciate this book more.
I would say 'buy it now' because it truly is a great book and the story is lovely. It is hard to get into, but after you are about a quarter of the way through it gets really addictive and becomes one of those great books that you just can't put down!
'Another stunner from Ms. Ibbotson...'

Facts
Title: The Secret Countess (previously published as A Countess Below Stairs)
Author: Eva Ibbotson
First Published: 1981, by MacDonald Futura as A Countess Below Stairs
Blurb: St Petersburg, 1917; Anna's world is under threat. The eighteen-year-old countess has lived in luxury all her life, but revolution is tearing Russia apart - and her family must escape...
London, 1919; Now penniless, Anna is working as a servant for the aristocratic Westerholmes. But as she falls in love with the young earl it becomes harder to keep her identity a secret...
An enchanting older novel from the award-winning author of Journey To The River Sea and The Star of Kazan.
BUY IT NOW FROM: Amazon

Rating: 4/5