The American Heiress

A Novel

By: Daisy Goodwin

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren

"Anyone suffering Downton Abbey withdrawal symptoms (who isn't?) will find an instant tonic in Daisy Goodwin's The American Heiress. The story of Cora Cash, an American heiress in the 1890s who bags an English duke, this is a deliciously evocative first novel that lingers in the mind." --Allison Pearson, New York Times bestselling author of I Don't Know How She Does It and I Think I Love You

This program includes a bonus chapter of Victoria, the latest novel from author Daisy Goodwin, the creator and writer of the new PBS/Masterpiece drama of the same name.

Be careful what you wish for. Traveling abroad with her mother at the turn of the twentieth century to seek a titled husband, beautiful, vivacious Cora Cash, whose family mansion in Newport dwarfs the Vanderbilts', suddenly finds herself Duchess of Wareham, married to Ivo, the most eligible bachelor in England. Nothing is quite as it seems, however: Ivo is withdrawn and secretive, and the English social scene is full of traps and betrayals. Money, Cora soon learns, cannot buy everything, as she must decide what is truly worth the price in her life and her marriage.

Witty, moving, and brilliantly entertaining, Cora's story marks the debut of a glorious storyteller who brings a fresh new spirit to the world of Edith Wharton and Henry James.

"For daughters of the new American billionaires of the 19th century, it was the ultimate deal: marriage to a cash-strapped British Aristocrat in return for a title and social status. But money didn't always buy them happiness." --Daisy Goodwin in The Daily Mail

One of Library Journal's Best Historical Fiction Books of 2011

Scandalously Good

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Daisy Goodwin’s debut (?!) An American Heiress. It had shades of Edith Wharton and even more so Dominick Dunne. It tells mostly of Cora Cash, the richest American heiress of her generation who all her life has been coached in one art—marrying well. It ends up better than she could of hoped when she chances upon a Duke and quickly becomes Duchess of Wereham. But her reception in England is mixed as she is forced to navigate the unfamiliar rules and contend with a moody husband. We also get glimpses of her title grabbing mother, her good hearted but opportunistic maid, and the American boy she left behind which really completes the circle of the late 1800’s society life. Sure it’s a little formulaic, and it’s gossipy, and the characters come off abrasive in the beginning (not helped by an aggressive over narration by Katharine Kelgren), but the story does develop and before you realize it you are completely sucked into Cora’s cause. I’ve read that the character may have been inspired by Consuelo Vanderbilt. Could you ask for a more perfect commute companion?

Sorry I wasted a credit

This is a story with a lot of unlikable characters and the ones like Teddy, Bertha and Cora who aren't unlikable are merely middling (I didn't come to care about them as much as I should have). Her eventual husband is a d-bag and the end seemed rushed. I don't want to spoil everything, but I was disappointed with Bertha's decision at the end. She was one of the more fleshed-out characters.

As far as the performance, I wanted to tear my eyeballs out listening to Kellegren doing the upper class British accents. The Americans were okay, but her English aristocrat was annoying as nails scraping a chalkboard.

Entertaining!

I enjoyed this novel more than others in recent months. The storytelling was fluid and I found the language pleasing to hear.

Great Story

Don't believe the reviews. This story is as described. It met my expectations. I am fond of reading about the American Buccaneers. I love reading about the inner workings of upstairs and downstairs. We had a love story from both classes! Narration was OK. Overall I couldn't find anything wrong with this story. I loved it!

Great entertainment

This was very entertaining. It had some Jane Austen and some Edith Wharton elements but overall it was its own book. The maid's perspective was a fresh approach although her character wasn't completely developed. But all in all, this was a great listen and got me through many hours at the gym and cleaning the house! I'll watch for more titles from this author.