Each face their own triumphs and tragedies as the years go by and it has left them questioning if all of this is even worth it. Meanwhile, both women aren't untouchable. After more time passes, Alva is determined to be accepted by high society, so she starts to play by her own rules not only for herself, but for her family too. Alva naively thinks that she can befriend Caroline, but Caroline gives her the cold shoulder for quite sometime.

It's the Gilded Age in New York City and if you are one of the wealthy families, dinners, the opera, mingling in high society and their lavish balls are everything. Plus, everyone knows that the Commodore's manners are lacking and Alva doesn't quite get the ins and outs of high society. Caroline only lets 'old money' into her social circle and since the Vanderbilts are nouveau riche and obtained their money from the railroad, they can't ever be properly let into society. She isn't one of the Gilded Age's top society members in fact, she is shunned by Queen Bee Caroline Astor. Thank you.Īlva Vanderbilt married one of the most wealthy men in America, which means she should have it all, right? Except she doesn't. I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Marrying for their place in society was more important to them than love and they encouraged their children to do so as well.ĭivorce was not something women initiated back then because if you did it would cause a scandal and the invites to balls and other high society ranking would go down, But when one woman did dare to stand up for herself see what happens by reading this absolutely mesmerizing book. Nothing was enough,houses and yachts were never big enough,fashions had to be made by foreign seamstresses out of the country and balls were thrown so extravagantly they worried how they would top it with the next social event.ĭid they have true love, I don't believe so. They were not satisfied with what they had they were in fierce competition with each other for their places in society while snubbing each other publicly and privately. These women had dizzying wealth beyond imagination but did they have true happiness? In my opinion no! One woman marries into one of America's wealthiest families the other comes from a family who got theirs from the railroads.

What I found very interesting is this book is based on true events. I really didn't know much about the Vanderbilts and the Astors. Society was everything and if you weren't part of high society you were a nothing and no one would associate with you they believed. This is high society upper crust Manhattan during the Gilded Age. The Social Graces is just one of those books that's so excellent I'm still thinking of it even though I'm done with it.

Mrs astor regrets book review