Gold Diggers of 1602
Sometimes, I really do wish William Shakespeare had written a play called Gold Diggers of 1602 or whatever that made-up book was in GOOD OMENS. Because it would have been amazing.
The other day I finished reading Anna Godbersen’s THE LUXE, which I picked up from Ye Olde Literary Agency. I never had much interest in reading it before; while I do enjoy the Gossip Girl TV show, I’m not much for the book series and this was once described me to me as GOSSIP GIRL meets THE AGE OF INNOCENCE.
Review of THE LUXE by Anna Godbersen
The Luxe by Anna Godbersen
I gobbled this book up in one sitting. I could not put it down, even as I could feel my IQ slowly draining away with every turn of the page. It isn’t that the book is poorly written or even dumb so much as it’s like eating an entire can of Pringles instead of a solid, nutritious meal. As far as these things go, it’s pretty trashy in a Lifestyles of the Rich and Overly-Monied of 1890s New York sort of way. Now I love novels about the Gilded Age; I loved Edith Wharton’s THE HOUSE OF MIRTH and THE AGE OF INNOCENCE (less sold on ETHAN FROME), and I especially love novels of manners detailing the difference between old money and the nouveau riche like THE RISE OF SILAS LAPHAM by William Dean Howells and THE AMERICAN by Henry James.
In all actuality, there is little difference between those books and Godbersen’s YA novel. There is a lot more sex and a lot less considering socio-economic class differences, but in essence their stories are the same. Virtuous and lovely Elizabeth Holland is everything a young lady of good Manhattan society ought to be: well-mannered, well-bred, and compliant. Yet underneath, she harbours a fierce and undying love for Will—her coachman. When the Hollands discover the late patriarch has left them with nothing but financial ruin, Mrs. Holland decides that it is up to Elizabeth to marry well—and right away—to save their foundering fortunes. Her target: Henry Schoonmaker, New York society’s prodigal son, but also a scion of one of the richest, most respectable dynasties.
Henry Schoonmaker is in no hurry to saddle himself to the proper, holy vows of matrimony. He’s content with partying, drinking, and making a general ruin of his life—all on his father’s dime, of course. His latest conquest is Penelope Hayes, a daughter of one of the richest nouveau riche families and Elizabeth Holland’s best friend cum rival. But it’s only until he sets his eyes on Elizabeth’s younger sister Diana, the Holland family’s black sheep: a wild girl with dreams of a romantic, genteel, and Bohemian poverty. The two begin an illicit but chaste affair, but neither reckon with what lengths Penelope is willing to go to in order to secure Henry as her own…
Might I reiterate: THE BOOK IS SO CRACKTASTICALLY TRASHY IT’S GOOD. Godbersen revels in the fashionable details of the Age of Innocence and it’s not too bad of a read, craft or prose-wise. She peppers the novel with clippings from newspapers, handwritten notes from each of the main characters, and wraps it all neatly in an addicting package that ends with a cliffhanger that compells me to read the next. If you want quality, I might recommend A HAZARD OF NEW FORTUNES by William Dean Howells or anything by Henry James, but if you want a light, quick YA read, totally go and pick up THE LUXE.
In other news, I have not yet bought a domain name, but I’ve decided to reveal to you all my newest theme (updated for spring/summer):
Spring in My Step
Spring in My Step
I’m particularly proud of the little image graphic, mostly because I managed to draw the entire thing without a tablet or a mouse but on a keypad. I probably now have carpal tunnel syndrome, but isn’t it cute?
