The Gilded Years

A Novel

By: Karin Tanabe

Narrated by: Janina Edwards

Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Passing meets The House of Mirth in this "utterly captivating" (Kathleen Grissom, New York Times best-selling author of The Kitchen House) historical novel based on the true story of Anita Hemmings, the first black student to attend Vassar, who successfully passed as white - until she let herself grow too attached to the wrong person.

Since childhood Anita Hemmings has longed to attend the country's most exclusive school for women, Vassar College. Now a bright, beautiful senior in the class of 1897, she is hiding a secret that should have banned her from admission: Anita is the only African American student ever to attend Vassar. With her olive complexion and dark hair, the daughter of a janitor and descendant of slaves has successfully passed as white and now finds herself rooming with Louise "Lottie" Taylor, the scion of one of New York's most prominent families.

Though Anita has kept herself at a distance from her classmates, Lottie's sphere of influence is inescapable, her energy irresistible, and the two become fast friends. Pulled into her elite world, Anita learns what it's like to be treated as a wealthy, educated white woman - the person everyone believes her to be - and even finds herself in a heady romance with a moneyed Harvard student. It's only when Lottie becomes infatuated with Anita's brother, Frederick, whose skin is almost as light as his sister's, that the situation becomes particularly perilous. And as Anita's college graduation looms, those closest to her will be the ones to dangerously threaten her secret.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of the Gilded Age, an era when old money traditions collided with modern ideas, Tanabe has written a pause-resisting and emotionally compelling story of hope, sacrifice, and betrayal - and a gripping account of how one woman dared to risk everything for the chance at a better life.

©2016 Karin Tanabe. All rights reserved. (P)2016 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

When we know, we can do better.

This was a rich book to discuss at book club. I’m so glad I had the chance to read it. The denial of education of women, and specifically women/people of color, was not something I had thought about much. Graduating high school myself 100 years after the main characters did, makes me grateful for a privilege that I didn’t fully understand I had. This information was denied to me until now and will not only be discussed in book club, but also with my kids.

We can only do better by learning about our past and correcting the actions of generations before us. Learning about our history helps us live and act in a way which is best for our society as a whole.

Riveting!

Karin Tanabe has deftly conjured an experience so real I felt I was walking the Vassar campus just steps away from Anita Hemmings and her friends. With each chapter I felt the anxiety of discovery grow making this seemingly thought provoking piece of historical fiction become a page turner worthy of an all-nighter. An exceptional read for anyone who has held a secret of one’s own and for everyone who has known a person who is much more than first meets the eye.

Enjoyed story

Narration wasn't the greatest but enjoyed the story and would recommend if you enjoy historical fiction.

Inviting approach to a complicated truth

I found this work of historical fiction warm and romantic, despite the painful and controversial nature of its topic. I think the questions this novel raises about race, it's construction, perceptions, and implications are worth examining, but I appreciate how Tanabe doesn't linger only in ideas and theoretical discussions. Instead, she smoothly crafts a story that invites you into the heart of Anita, whose passion for learning and thirst for life I loved. Although the novel was slow at times, I was captivated by how Anita courageously navigated the waters of race, class, and elitism.

Good historical fiction but narration a serious distraction.

I wish I had read rather than listened to this book. While the story was well-written, the voices and intonations given to the characters were cartoonish, and the mispronunciation of "Massachusetts" throughout the narration was jarring and really distracting.

Loved it!

Loved this book. It is a great mixture of history, friendship and love. I really enjoyed learning about Anita.

Intriguing Story

The story was fabulous! It caused me to do a little research of my own on 'passing'.

The pronunciation of the word 'Massachusetts' was extremely annoying! So much so, that I cringed when I expected it to come up in the story and almost stopped listening. If there is anyway to return this to the studio to have the word pronounced properly and sans lisp, it would be greatly appreciated!

Very Interesting book

This was a very interesting book on a subject that I find appealing because I am of African decent. Life and its rules made by man and how man deals with it always holds my interest.

Living my life as a black woman with its many facets and challenges has been a life worth living. It is a life that the creator has blessed me with and I am thankful.

Anita lived it to the fullest in her time and I enjoyed how it was illustrated with words in this book.

Intriguing

I absolutely loved this story. I felt the author captured the essence of the characters.

wonderful historical fiction

Would you listen to The Gilded Years again? Why?

If i ever re-listened to a book this would qualify. I loved it but since the story will stay with me a long time i'm not sure i need to listen again

What did you like best about this story?

loved the guts of a black woman to be the first to graduate from Vassar. the struggles to maintain the facade of a black woman in a white world were obviously intense. clearly the prejudices of the gentried class stood in her way but her will trumped all and she achieved her goal despite a vindictive roommate. sad it took so long for Vassar and other prestigious universities to admit women of color

Which scene was your favorite?

lots of great senes but i think the one where she meets her to be husband when they could both truly share how they felt living in a prejudiced world

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

no extreme reactions - the historical aspect of it was wonderful. didn't laugh or cry though i was sad to find out at the end they chose to live as white - to the point where their own children didn't even know of their black heritage. and her parents never spoke to them again. after all Anita achieved i hoped she and her husband would break down barriers and prove to the world their worth, not just as black but as people equal to everyone else

Any additional comments?

it's a great book - well written and beautiful imagery. a little Downton Abbey with the NY mansions descriptions (which were embellished as the author admits after the book ends)