The American Heiress

Wish I'd read the reviews. Same book different title. Shame

As someone who has been plodding through (and still is) the Victorian classics since boyhood, and in the main enjoying them, I have to admit to feeling a little treacherous here. I have come to the surprising conclusion that a well written tale, written in modern times that is, but set in the days of the 'Big House', toff and serf etc, knock their of-the-time counterparts into a cocked hat. Such is very much the case here, in my opinion.Moving on from whether the Thackerays and Austens et all did it better - or not, the tale centres on a rich, well-bred American girl (well-bred as far as this is deemed possible by the land rich cash poor British 'shabby-chic' blue-bloods) and her relationship with not just the man she met and married, but her own family and friends from home, and her new family, new acquaintances and even a food-loving Royal.Ms Goodwin's writing is simple - and brilliant; never flowery in narrative (floury, maybe, seeing as how the family fortune was made!), but simply tells the story exceptionally well, with - and it no doubt does not and will not suit all readers - with somewhat updated dialogue and mannerisms - no affected 'Damn you, sir!' with a knock on the floor with a cane in sight. Although there are some powdered wigs here and there - has to be. I honestly enjoyed ALMOST every page. Now then, why the almost in upper caps? Here's why, but first - the following is at least in the spoiler ballpark, if not an actual spoiler - so if you don't want to know or even be given enough info' to guess the ending, look away now, as they say on the news just before the sports results.Cora, the main character, is strong-willed, independent to the degree she feels entitled to be, and yet - in my opinion, her final decision that we as readers share via the book, was wrong for the character. The fact that things are / were not quite as bad as they seemed between Ivo and another lady, they were in truth, as is / was Ivo's conduct generally - bad enough. She should have kept that donkey moving her and the baby along in the cart and off to an uncertain but honest life with Teddy. As for Jim's 'betrayal'; somewhat selfish really. Is this simply the author's prerogative? Or do you think she got this a little wrong too? I do, sadly, He could have offered to up and leave with Bertha, and be the eloping family's butler, footman and boots all in one go.But, it's a minor irk overall. A great story, simply but highly effectively told and I thoroughly enjoyed it and have recommended it to my daughter, who is just getting into the Kathy and Heathcliffe world, whether the original Victorian fare or a pastiche written last week.

Having thoroughly enjoyed "The Last Duchess", I wanted to continue with this author, only to find that this book is exactly the same book again - only the title has changed. I will never read another book by this author.Amazon - who is doing your research? Likewise the publisher.I downloaded this book for my Kindle - I feel a refund is fully justified.

Have been waiting for Daisy Goodwin's next book because I enjoyed The Last Duchess so much. made the mistake of buying The American Heiress because nothing in the blurb alerts you to the fact that this is the same book. shame on you Amazon. hardly fair trading!