The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

The Luxe is the debut novel of author Anna Godbersen. You can learn more about The Luxe and Ms. Godbersen at The Luxe Books by Anna Godbersen.

Maria's Review . . . 

Since Elizabeth Adora Holland was born in 1883, everything revolved around her, especially gossip. She had perfect manners, came from a wealthy family, and was extremely beautiful. Life was just party after party or ball after ball... up until her father died and her family was left with little money.

The Holland family was in danger of becoming as poor as their own maids. Elizabeth’s mother saw only one way to escape debt - marriage. Elizabeth was already accidentally in love with one of her family’s broughams, William Keller who was the complete opposite of what her mother was looking for.

Thankfully, another demanding parent of the upper class was looking for a wife for his son, Henry Schoonmaker. He had just the right person in mind; someone who would give the Schoonmakers an excellent reputation. Someone well mannered and polite to be exact. You’ve guessed it! Elizabeth Holland. 

After Henry proposed and Elizabeth accepted, her life went downhill. She was forced to go to parties with her fiancé whom she barely knew. Elizabeth was always wondering if she had made the right the decision of accepting his proposal. Her father had always taught her to marry someone you’re truly in love with. Once he died, and her family went into debt, Elizabeth had to decide if it was the right choice to put her family’s position before her destiny to be with William. What happens to Elizabeth and Henry? Does Elizabeth end up staying true to herself? Find out by reading The Luxe.

While reading The Luxe, you not only get a story that keeps you turning the pages in suspense, you get to see how people lived back in the late 1800’s. From corsets that make it hard to breathe, to horse drawn carriages, you definitely get a taste of the old ways of society. 

Anna Godbersen describes the characters and setting in detail, but not so much that you get bored. She makes it clear how beautiful Elizabeth is in her lovely dresses - ‘...it was constructed of the palest pink and it’s skirt was gathered in ripples and waves that cascaded downward to the floor. The neckline was adorned with tiny freshwater pearls set in gold, hundreds of them clustered together.’ 

Ms. Godbersen also writes in a way that you can really relate to the characters - ‘...she turned the note in her hand, her face growing hot and furious as she thought about the things her onetime friend had just said to her.’ 

Ms. Godbersen is the former literary editor's assistant at Esquire magazine. She’s written reviews for The New York Times and The Cattahoochee Review. Even though The Luxe is her first and only book, I bet there will be plenty more to come. I recommend The Luxe to girls ages twelve and older who have an interest in romance and or gossip. It’s a sophisticated gossip story for girls.

Maria's Grade: B

Christine's Review . . . 

Taking place in Manhattan in 1899, The Luxe is a story several young adults of various social classes and how their lives become closely intertwined by love, duty, jealously and betrayal. Elizabeth Holland is a bright, kind, and beautiful young woman, and the eldest daughter of a wealthy and highly respected family among the social elite of New York City. After having spent a season in Europe, Elizabeth returns home to learn that her family is faced with financial ruin and scandal. In order to save her family from disgrace, she must accept the marriage proposal of the most sought after bachelor of all of Manhattan, Henry Schoonmaker. Elizabeth is not without her secrets, though, and must weigh duty to her family against her desire to seek out true love. 

Things get even more complicated for Elizabeth after she has accepted Henry's proposal. She learns that her friend, Penelope Hayes, whose family is among the nouveau riche of society, was having a fling with Henry Schoonmaker. Now Elizabeth faces the wrath of a jealous and vengeful friend, who will stop at nothing to win Henry back before the wedding. And if that isn't enough, Elizabeth's personal maid and childhood friend, Lina Broud learns all of Elizabeth's secrets and can easily betray her friend and employer for her own financial and social gain. 

The youngest Holland daughter, Diana, is not without involvement in this web of relationships in The Luxe. Where Elizabeth represents the proper, demure socialite, her sister Diana is more of a free spirit and relishes in expressing herself despite the social rules that govern her class. Scandal is soon on her heels as she unwittingly finds herself falling in love with a young man betrothed to another. 

The Luxe is a captivating tale of these very different young adults and their relationships and takes place in a richly and accurately described historical New York City. When I first started reading The Luxe, I found the characters to be rather flat, unexciting and fairly predictable. I wasn't compelled to route for any of them. Henry, Penelope, Lina and Diana all seemed selfish and bratty. Elizabeth was the opposite to a fault. She was the proper, kind and dutiful young socialite, but lacked personality and strength of character. However, as the plot thickened, secrets were revealed and the character's inner desires and motivations surfaced, and the characters became more compelling. I began to empathize with their struggles to do what was expected of them or to follow their heart's desire.  As their relationships became more closely intertwined and complicated, the story became more absorbing and I was soon rooting for several of them to find the happiness they deserved.  Although the story ended without complete resolution, I was still surprisingly very happy with the ending.  I look forward to revisiting these characters again and seeing how their relationships continue to impact each others lives.  Anna Godbersen's next novel in this series, Rumors, will be released in May 2008. 

Christine's Grade:  B