The Great Mrs. Elias

A Novel

By: Barbara Chase Riboud

Narrated by: Robin Miles

Length: 15 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

The author of the award-winning Sally Hemings now brings to life Hannah Elias, one of the richest black women in America in the early 1900s, in this mesmerizing novel swirling with atmosphere and steeped in history.

A murder and a case of mistaken identity brings the police to Hannah Elias’ glitzy, five-story, twenty-room mansion on Central Park West. This is the beginning of an odyssey that moves back and forth in time and reveals the dangerous secrets of a mysterious woman, the fortune she built, and her precipitous fall.

Born in Philadelphia in the late 1800s, Hannah Elias has done things she’s not proud of to survive. Shedding her past, Hannah slips on a new identity before relocating to New York City to become as rich as a robber baron. Hannah quietly invests in the stock market, growing her fortune with the help of businessmen. As the money pours in, Hannah hides her millions across 29 banks. Finally attaining the life she’s always dreamed, she buys a mansion on the Upper West Side and decorates it in gold and first-rate décor, inspired by her idol Cleopatra.

The unsolved murder turns Hannah’s world upside-down and threatens to destroy everything she’s built. When the truth of her identity is uncovered, thousands of protestors gather in front of her stately home. Hounded by the salacious press, the very private Mrs. Elias finds herself alone, ensnared in a scandalous trial, and accused of stealing her fortune from whites.

Packed with glamour, suspense, and drama, populated with real-life luminaries from the period, The Great Mrs. Elias brings a fascinating woman and the age she embodied to glorious, tragic life.

©2021 Barbara Chase Riboud (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Great Narration and historical reference

This book piqued my interest and kept me anxiously awaiting the next historical empowering reference. Mrs. Elias was able to persevere despite the opposition a woman of her status elicited. She quietly gained her fortune and yet still remained a level of awareness of others who were less fortunate.

Riveting and Empowering

Have you ever misjudged another? This book will have you confronting preconceived notions of others and quite possibly applauding their grit and perseverance once you discover what they've managed to overcome to get where they are.

WOW! More than five stars.

I suspect this story is more fact than fiction. The story of Mrs. Elias held me captive. I kept asking myself why it interested me so much. On completion of this book I realized that it was not the story of a woman of ill repute but of a powerful woman who rose above oppression. I’m hoping that this book will lead to the next, a book about the daughter who finally found her mother.

Outstanding!

A rags to riches story. Compelling tale of a high spirited, intellectual woman who fought the battles of poverty, sexism and racism to make her dreams of wealth come true in order to stand among the elite of New York City.

Pressing on in life despite the storms.

I love everything the writer showed about a woman who’s fate seemed hopeless since the day she was born. In the end she was the heroine despite the social rules she broke. The book should become a movie the description of events offered a wonderful visual. The author’s account was beautifully depicted.

Revelation! Fascinating! Am. History

Took a bit of adjusting to the narration and getting into the story. (Some, but not unreasonable.). Then it was a binge read. Turn of the century New York and the ability of one woman to overcome great obstacles both interior and exterior. I wanted more info/detail on everything about her and her daily /future life. Narrator did great job moving through the characters. Gained more respect for woman who survive cruelty, prejudices of all kind, heartbreak and healing to find inner strength, community, success!

Based on true records

The author starts with “most of the names have not been changed to protect the innocent, because there are no innocents …”. This caught my attention and held it throughout the whole story. There are no innocent characters although the author does well by the heroine’s side.

Excellent read!

An interesting story of perseverance and unapologetic prowess during a time when being both a woman and black carried a narrow frame of living and a glass ceiling reinforced by men of all social classes. This story is one of defiance, determination, unspeakable loss, and metamorphosis.

Touching. Relatable. Understanding.

Ms. Riboud understands humanity. I still have goose bumps. Relates to the struggles of women today. Must read! Won’t disappoint!

Still learning Black History

Great story. Loved how it incorporated the story of the personal librarian. Black women have been not only surviving, but thriving throughout the ages without being noticed. Finally, the stories are being told of intelligence, resilience and strength