Review: The Luxe ~ Anna Godbersen

Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn.
Irresistible boys with mischievous smiles and dangerous intentions.
White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups.
This is Manhattan, 1899.

Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan’s social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City’s elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone—from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud—threatens Elizabeth’s and Diana’s golden future.

With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city’s gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan’s most celebrated daughter disappear…

I am completely enamored with the turn of the century as the story’s backdrop. It is at once glamorous and stifling. Especially for women. It’s easy to look at the cover of The Luxe, to read about the society balls and the gorgeous gowns, and to forget that at the time women were often forced to marry to better their families, or out of duty and with a sense of responsibility instead of love. And yet, for that, it’s still impossibly romantic. Stolen moments, a barely-there touch, a note written in someone’s hand on crisp, white stationary. I enjoyed both the commentary and the fluttering lashes of improbable love.

It took me a while to read this because, and I’ll be honest, of all the comparisons the book was drawing to Gossip Girl. However wrong of me it was, that comparison put me off. And I shouldn’t have let it. (You would think, in fact, that I would know better by now.) The Luxe could be described as a guilty pleasure, sure, it can even be considered fun and perfect for warm summer evenings. And, if I’m continuing that honest streak, I can see how it reflects a bit of G.G. mentality, but with more flare and manners.

There are certainly parallels to be found between the characters. And the characters of The Luxe certainly pulled at me. Some were a blend of immaturity and desire; a heady combination that motivated several questionable decisions. Others were cunning and petulant; one in particular was worthy of a catfight slap or two. And then there were others that I just couldn’t warm to, and, since I believe they were written to be difficult, I can say it was done successfully.

I’m glad I ended up buying a copy of my own, forgoing the wait at the library, because I can assure you I will read chapter six and a few other passages again. And perhaps again. This of course means that I will now need to own Rumors and Envy, and though I may wait for the paperback release, Splendor. (I’ll read the library copy, buy the paperback to keep the set the same.)

I was thrilled that The Luxe held my of late wandering attention and I hope it’s a continuing trend.