Carnegie's Maid

A Novel

By: Marie Benedict

Narrated by: Alana Kerr Collins

Length: 9 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

From the author of The Other Einstein, the mesmerizing tale of what kind of woman could have inspired an American dynasty.

Clara Kelley is not who they think she is. She's not the experienced Irish maid who was hired to work in one of Pittsburgh's grandest households. She's a poor farmer's daughter with nowhere to go and nothing in her pockets. But the other woman with the same name has vanished, and pretending to be her just might get Clara some money to send back home.

If she can keep up the ruse, that is. Serving as a lady's maid in the household of Andrew Carnegie requires skills she doesn't have, answering to an icy mistress who rules her sons and her domain with an iron fist. What Clara does have is a resolve as strong as the steel Pittsburgh is becoming famous for, coupled with an uncanny understanding of business, and Andrew begins to rely on her. But Clara can't let her guard down, not even when Andrew becomes something more than an employer. Revealing her past might ruin her future - and her family's.

With captivating insight and heart, Carnegie's Maid tells the story of one brilliant woman who may have spurred Andrew Carnegie's transformation from ruthless industrialist into the world's first true philanthropist.

©2018 Marie Benedict (P)2018 Random House Audio

Entertaining and educational

Listening to the audio version was like being in a classroom. The novel seemed to be written as textbook material about Andrew Carnegie’s early life and acquisition of wealth through the iron and steel industries. To make it more entertaining, the author interwove a love story that involves a simple Irish immigrant girl whose peasant lifestyle and values get put to the test when she takes on the role of lady’s maid to Andrew’s cunning and socially ambitious mother.

Insight to Billionaire Immigrant's Rise

interesting way to we've a story with historical fact. Good narration and a compelling story

Impressive

With this book, I have now read all of the books written by Marie Benedict. I have enjoyed each one. I have been impressed with her skills as an historical novelist. Many years ago, I took a summer course at the University of California on how to do research, both on site and off, for writing historical fiction. The course was taught by Irving and Jean Stone. I was amazed at the amount of work and detailed investigation that goes into writing historical fiction. In those days Irving Stone was the leading historical novelist. They worked as a team; he did the writing and she did the research. Over the years I found myself comparing historical novelist against the standards set by Stone. In my opinion, Benedict rates up at the top.

The book is well written and researched. Our protagonist is a fictional person placed into a real situation. She is a young Irish girl who works as a maid for Andrew Carnegie. I have read a number of biographies about Carnegie so was interested in how Benedict was going to weave her fictional person into his life. Benedict does a great job painting the pictures of life as a tycoon during the industrial revolution. I believe some referred to this period as the Gilded Age. Benedict brings the period to life. I highly recommend this book.

The book is eight hours and one minute. Alana Kerr Collins does an excellent job narrating the book. Collins was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She is the winner of an Audie Award and numerous other narration awards. She is an actress, singer and audiobook narrator.

Great

I actually really enjoyed this book. The story was well told and made you want more. Sad when it was over.

Got lost in the story

This was a great one! I got lost in the story and couldn’t turn it off till I got to the end.

I loved this book!

Such a rich story. I was sad when it was over. I grew up in Pittsburgh and had an Irish Grandmother who emigrated from Galway to be a domestic just like the main character. The historical details were woven so well into the story l. I just loved it. Highly recommend to anyone who loved historical fiction.

A must read for Pittsburghers.

I love historical fiction. I grew up near Pittsburgh so I loved the descriptions of the area even though they were not flattering.This is an easy fact filled listen with a not surprising plot. I do recommend it but I wonder how much of the Carnegie characteristics were true.

Not the usual coming to America story

The story often told of Irish crossing to escape poverty in Ireland, but with a twist.

The making of the richest man ìn the world and his muse.

I loved it. So real and highlighted the plight of the Irish and of poor immigrants everywhere. Sparked my imagination of what Piladelphia and New York were like in the mid 1800's.

Great historical fiction

Great characters and fabulous period research - you could really get a sense of the time period - well done!