American Duchess

A Novel of Consuelo Vanderbilt

By: Karen Harper

Narrated by: Ann Marie Gideon

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

Karen Harper tells the tale of Consuelo Vanderbilt, her “The 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. And 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.

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.

Quick listen

I liked that it was a fast easy listen. I liked the history aspect but really kept wondering the point of story other than historical fiction?

Courage and determination

I enjoyed hearing the stories and adventures of Consuelo Vanderbilt . She overcame many challenges and finally became the wife of her beloved.