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The American Heiress

By: Daisy Goodwin
Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren
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Editorial reviews

Life can go in many different directions based on a few simple events. When Cora Cash, a rich American girl seeking a title at the turn of the Century, fell off her horse in a wooded area of the English countryside, fate would have it that an unmarried handsome duke should find her in her hour of distress. The American Heiress, a debut novel from Daisy Goodwin, tells Cora's story of marrying into British royalty and all the politics, scandals, and societal expectations that follow. Katherine Kellgren narrates, giving voice to Cora and a myriad of supporting characters from varying backgrounds, from Americans to Europeans and aristocrats to servants.

As if acclimating herself to a foreign country wasn't difficult enough, upon marrying Ivo, the Duke of Wareham, Cora quickly learns that becoming a duchess has come with a whole new set of stringent rules and expectations from her peers. Kellgren embodies Cora's naiveté and headstrong personality in her narration, expressing frustration in her voice in a gradual crescendo as Cora struggles to find her place among the oppressive British aristocracy. It seems that everyone from the duke's mother, a woman with a sharp tongue and a proclivity for traditions (many that Cora is not familiar with), to the Lord and Lady Beauchamp, the richest and most fashionable couple in the county, has an opinion on how Cora should behave in the upper class, noble arena. Cora dances around these societal expectations with uneasy footing, which only becomes more complicated as she begins to uncover certain nefarious details of her new husband's past.

Goodwin decorates The American Heiress with ornate period details that transport the listener to the English countryside at the turn of the century. Kellgren embraces the significance of time and place in this story, flourishing in the intricate descriptions of Cora's lavish surroundings. There's so much to enjoy about a story that allows you to lose yourself in a foreign setting, to travel with a character to the unknown. Following Cora to England is an alluring introduction to the intriguing world of classic British royalty. Suzanne Day

Publisher's summary

"Anyone suffering Downton Abbey withdrawal symptoms (who isn't?) will find an instant tonic in Daisy Goodwin's The American Heiress. The story of Cora Cash, an American heiress in the 1890s who bags an English duke, this is a deliciously evocative first novel that lingers in the mind." (Allison Pearson, New York Times best-selling author of I Don't Know How She Does It and I Think I Love You)

This program includes a bonus chapter of Victoria, the latest novel from author Daisy Goodwin, the creator and writer of the new PBS/Masterpiece drama of the same name.

Be careful what you wish for.

Traveling abroad with her mother at the turn of the 20th century to seek a titled husband, beautiful, vivacious Cora Cash, whose family mansion in Newport dwarfs the Vanderbilts', suddenly finds herself Duchess of Wareham, married to Ivo, the most eligible bachelor in England. Nothing is quite as it seems, however: Ivo is withdrawn and secretive, and the English social scene is full of traps and betrayals. Money, Cora soon learns, cannot buy everything, as she must decide what is truly worth the price in her life and her marriage.

Witty, moving, and brilliantly entertaining, Cora's story marks the debut of a glorious storyteller who brings a fresh new spirit to the world of Edith Wharton and Henry James.

"For daughters of the new American billionaires of the 19th century, it was the ultimate deal: marriage to a cash-strapped British Aristocrat in return for a title and social status. But money didn't always buy them happiness." (Daisy Goodwin in The Daily Mail)

One of Library Journal's Best Historical Fiction Books of 2011

Please note: An alternate (British) title for this novel is My Last Duchess.

©2010 Daisy Goodwin Productions (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

What listeners say about The American Heiress

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  • Overall
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    2 out of 5 stars

Kind of weak story

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I feel that is was long and drawn out.

Would you ever listen to anything by Daisy Goodwin again?

I seriously doubt it.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

That narration was good. It was the story that was weak.

Could you see The American Heiress being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

It would be likely that they might try

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A pleasant read

The story and characters were vivid, the pace and flow of the narrative was excellent, the historical details were intriguing. And yet, I suspect that in 6 months I will struggle to remember it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This is amazing... and I’ve heard awful

I started my audiobook journey by listening to some of my favorite books. For written books, I tend to speed read the first time, and if I like it, I’ll go back through, maybe multiple times, to appreciate the author’s care and choice in words. This book I took a chance on and listened to first, but I found myself so immersed in it, and the voices the narrator gave, that I’m a concert. Excellent novel, excellent reading.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great audiobook

I really enjoyed this story. I am a big fan of period pieces and this hit high on all my lists. Although I grew impatient with cora at times, I had to remember she was only around 18 or so. The characters were interesting dialog was good and there are a few surprises at the end. Almost disheartened by some reviews but I would recommend this audiobook

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Just plain good

This was a lovely book. It was read well and just an interesting novel. I was entranced by the characters and really invested in their lives. Definitely recommend.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

unexpected joy

went places I did not see coming. fun, heart warming interesting fun funny happy sad

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fast paced and a great read for a Downton Abby fan

I enjoyed listening to this novel. The pace was perfect and the performance was excellent. If you love the drama of Downton Abby you will love this novel. It was fun and light hearted yet serious and thoughtful. Not a trashy romance novel in the least.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I really enjoyed it

I just thought it was a nice listen - narrator great - I liked the peripheral story with Bertha…seems to me we need more? But I did enjoy this.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Uneventful and a bit boring

It was a lovely story. Very uneventful and boring at times. Had no idea where it was going. The climax came and went so quickly. Don’t think I’d re-read

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Wow

I cannot believe that was the ending. I do not think a single meaningful event happened in the entire book.

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