American Duchess

A Novel of Consuelo Vanderbilt

By: Karen Harper

Narrated by: Ann Marie Gideon

Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Before there was Meghan Markle, there was Consuelo Vanderbilt, the original American duchess.

Karen Harper tells the tale of Consuelo Vanderbilt, her “Wedding of the Century” to the duke of Marlborough, and her quest to find meaning behind “the glitter and the gold”.

On a cold November day in 1895, a carriage approaches St. Thomas Episcopal Church on New York City’s Fifth Avenue. Massive crowds surge forward, awaiting their glimpse of heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt. Just 18, the beautiful bride has not only arrived late, but in tears, yet her marriage to the aloof duke of Marlborough proceeds. Bullied into the wedding by her indomitable mother, Alva, Consuelo loves another. But a deal was made, trading some of the vast Vanderbilt wealth for a title and prestige, and Consuelo, bred to obey, realizes she must make the best of things.

At Blenheim Palace, Consuelo is confronted with an overwhelming list of duties, including producing an “heir and a spare”, but her relationship with the duke quickly disintegrates. Consuelo finds an inner strength, charming everyone from debutantes to diplomats including Winston Churchill, as she fights for women’s suffrage. When she takes a scandalous leap, can she hope to attain love at last?

From the dawning of the opulent Gilded Age, to the battles of the Second World War, American Duchess is a riveting tale of one woman’s quest to attain independence - at any price.

©2019 Karen Harper (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

The dawning of a Dollar Princess ~

When every advantage of wealth and privilege is at your disposal but your Mother determines the course of your Life for further wealth and privilege in order to gain Title for Familial credibility. Then All the Money in the World cannot quell the terror of being Married to a Man you cant stand and endure out of Duty until you cannot bear it anymore. The price paid for Title and risks taken to be free of it. Enjoyed the History and the Reality of being a Vanderbilt.

Disappointed

Seemed to me a lot was left out. Very interesting read until the abrupt ending. The output could have finished up the rest of the story till her death.

I dont understand the rave reviews

The story of the life of Consuelo Vanderbilt is one that could and should be told better. The writing is to vague and the dialog is too stilted. The narrator probably did the best she could but she added nothing to the enjoyment of the book. Lacking in character development and detail; I would not recommend this book.

Excellent

I had previously listened to another book about Consuelo Vanderbilt, and was left disappointed with the lack of detail of the families and their relationships. This book, however, was incredibly detailed, and everything I had been looking for in the story of an American Duchess!

Good listen

A wonderfully entertaining listen on my summer commute. I hope most of it is true/fact based: if so what an amazing life and legacy. if not the story was an easy listen.

American Dutchess is fabulous

This book is exceptional in its presentation of how a personal experience of handling strife and conflict can help many people who cross your path when you live a life of empathy and compassion for others. Great read!

Lovely listen

Wonderful narration. Great story especially if you're a royal family/history buff. Perfect to wisk you away.

Had me wanting to hear more!

I listened to this book for our DAR Book Club. The narrator, Ann Marie Gideon is an excellent orator that you will keep you wanting to hear more.
Karen Harper’s story of the affluent and her plight to freedom is a tale to enjoy and remember.

interesting story

It was an interesting story. It got a little corny. I liked it, but felt like it could have been even better.

Very engaging

The story of Consuelo Vanderbilt is so complex. I was absolutely loving it until WWII. It seemed the ending was abrupt. I was highly entertained though.