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She Walks in Beauty
Verfasst von Siri Mitchell
Gesprochen von Suzy Jackson
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Multiple Christy Award finalist Siri Mitchell is acclaimed as one of Christian fiction’s clearest and most original voices. Set in 1890s New York City, She Walks in Beauty follows a young debutante struggling to reconcile the conflicting demands of culture, family, and love.
Tasked with reeling in the city’s most eligible bachelor, Clara Carter must quickly learn to endure a corset, master the latest dances, and perfect her manners before making her social debut. Yet as the spotlight transforms her into a society-pagedarling, she wonders if this is the life she really wants. Then into Clara’s world strides a man whose selfless love touches her soul—and she’s torn between the marriage her family demands and the one her heart desires. As Suzy Jackson’s evocative narration whisks listeners away to a bygone era, they won’t soon forget the vibrant detail and timeless truth in this compelling tale of romance, integrity, and hope.
Buchaktionen
Mit Anhören beginnenInformationen über das Buch
She Walks in Beauty
Verfasst von Siri Mitchell
Gesprochen von Suzy Jackson
Beschreibung
Multiple Christy Award finalist Siri Mitchell is acclaimed as one of Christian fiction’s clearest and most original voices. Set in 1890s New York City, She Walks in Beauty follows a young debutante struggling to reconcile the conflicting demands of culture, family, and love.
Tasked with reeling in the city’s most eligible bachelor, Clara Carter must quickly learn to endure a corset, master the latest dances, and perfect her manners before making her social debut. Yet as the spotlight transforms her into a society-pagedarling, she wonders if this is the life she really wants. Then into Clara’s world strides a man whose selfless love touches her soul—and she’s torn between the marriage her family demands and the one her heart desires. As Suzy Jackson’s evocative narration whisks listeners away to a bygone era, they won’t soon forget the vibrant detail and timeless truth in this compelling tale of romance, integrity, and hope.
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Oh, how refreshing it is to find an author of Christian historical fiction who can actually write! Siri Mitchell doesn't have the flowery, chatty, and frankly dumbed-down style of so many authors in this genre - instead she writes with grace and economy, leaving the reader space to read between the lines, and form his or her own opinions of the characters and events.
I enjoyed this, and will look out for more titles by Siri in the future.
Currently free to download from Amazon and Kobo - grab it while you can!
Rating: 4I enjoyed this, and will look out for more titles by Siri in the future.
Currently free to download from Amazon and Kobo - grab it while you can!
Girl has awesome governess.
Aunt decides girl needs to debut to society to meet boy.
Girl meets boy.
Girl meets boy's brother.
Girl plays boys with her best friend who has also debuted.
Best Friend wins boy.
Girl wins boy's brother.
It was SO very slow and boring.
Rating: 2Aunt decides girl needs to debut to society to meet boy.
Girl meets boy.
Girl meets boy's brother.
Girl plays boys with her best friend who has also debuted.
Best Friend wins boy.
Girl wins boy's brother.
It was SO very slow and boring.
I knew next to nothing about New York City's gilded age before reading this book, so this was both a history lesson and an eye-opener to the practices of that time period, expecially among the wealthy young women. I had no idea of the extent that corsets were damaging to the body and health of a woman, and it really explains much of the female behavior that has been epitomized in Hollywood's classic films, such as the common fainting spells. It shows that the "modern" world really has not changed very much in regards to the demands put on women to look and act a certain way to be regarded as attractive. The similarities between Hollywood and the Gilded Age are both remarkable and quite sad, from the encouragement of anorexia and the overindulgence of luxury to how the popularity of an individual can be solely determined by the words of the press.I did enjoy following Clara's rise to fame and infamy, even if the glamour and mystery of it was stripped away, so to speak. The Christian themes of God loving you just as you are and having a purpose beyond the practices of "society" seemed muted and understated throughout the book, but rather than detracting from the plot, it only seemed to enhance it. While I have been under the impression that books that fall in this genre of Christian Fiction should focus mostly on some Christian theme, this particular book did not seem to. The focus seemed more on revealing the truth about what really happened in New York City's Gilded Age through the eyes of a debutante.
Rating: 3The Gilded Age is one of my favorite time periods... especially the lives of the rich and famous. So I wanted to like this book.Clara wants nothing more than to go off to college, but that is not in her future. Instead, her father and widowed aunt conspire to have Clara catch the most eligible bachelor of the season. Clara debuts in society with her best friend, Lizzy, both of whom have been ordered to secure an engagement to Franklin De Vries. Throughout balls, parties, opera and visits, we watch Clara's struggle to be the person she wants to be rather than the person society want her to be. I found the writing to be repetitive- all of the balls ran together, and Clara often obsessed over what the papers had written about her. Nothing gets sorted, and it was frustratingly slow to get to the interesting parts. Clara tried to be an interesting person- one of the few people with scruples in an unscrupulous world- but ended up too often at the whims of fate. She is rather a boring character.The moral of the story- God loves you the way you are, so love yourself the way you are- came off a little forced. I didn't need it pointed out so often or so explicitly. I think a reader would be able to come up with it on their own. It would have made a good short story, but there wasn't enough to carry a full length novel.
Rating: 3When I began reading She Walks in Beauty by SIRI MITCHELL, I thought of Edith Wharton. I remembered Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence because the story happens in Old New York. Siri Mitchell's novel also happens in Old New York, almost at the turn of the Nineteenth century, The Gilded Age. The idealistic values of the rich, those who wish to be rich and those with either money or an influential name are the characters in She Walks in Beauty. Mainly this Christian novel is about Clara and her best friend Lizzie, the men they meet and of course, the Aunt. It is time for the coming out dance. This is the time when a lady has the chance to become a man's pick. After all, during this period, the woman does not have the right to choose her husband and friends. A woman's life is chosen for her as if she had no sense at all. God forbid if a woman is not chosen by a good man at the coming out party or if the woman strays from the path of righteousness and becomes a soiled woman. A soiled woman is one who loses her reputation of purity. Then, no one wants her. Since a woman can't have a career, she is lost somewhere in the arms of the family on worse case senario lost to the streets the Bowery. If lucky, she will end up as a companion or governess. This neighborhood is ugly and filthy with drunks who won't take their small pay home to their wives. Most of these men will leave their pay at the bar paying for the sweet words of a woman and the taste of strong whiskey. No one should ever have to live in these parts of town. So it is imperative that our heroine, Clara, learn to dance, learn to turn her fan in the right way, learn to play the piano or sing, learn not to be loud and not to talk about signifcant issues. Aunt impresses on Clara the importance of wearing a corset. While wearing the corset, Clara must remain dainty, gentle and feminine while she silently dies day and night. The corset is drawn tight enough to make a twent-two inch waist or a sixteen inch waist like Clara's mother had before marriage. Clara is so uncomfortable whether she stands, walks or tries to sit down.Clara hated that corset. Her corset adventures are beyond funny. I laughed because the corset troubles were not happening to me but to poor Clara. For me, the corset became a symbol of the tight, strict society that these men, women and servants lived through during this time in American History. As I got further in the novel, I wondered what did Siri Mitchell want me to know about my society versus this sociey. I am certainly not white nor rich. Her message came in a song. I have always loved the particular hymn. I will not mention the name of the hymn here. She Walks in beauty made me look at the words of the song in a new light. The song now means more to me than it ever did in the past. I also have a deeper respect for the hymnal used by my family and I at different times in my life. Clara's mother loved to read hymnals because the words of the hymns were so rich with meaning. For example, Clara mentions her mother's love of the words in the song What a Friend I Have in Jesus. Completely cocooned in this wonderful novel I began to admire and yearn to read Byron's poems. That was an odd feeling. I've read two or three of his poems in literature books. I wasn't knocked off my feet. People who love Byron will know the title and the words of the poem by heart.I loved every bit of this novel especially the mention Jacob Riis. Siri Mitchell mentions the Astors and the Vanderbilts. My knowledge is slim and none about these famous and rich historical people. I did recognize the name Jacob Riis. He was a great reformer. He worked hard to change the living conditions of the poor in New York. He wanted children to be given the best health care. He hated the filthy tenements. "At that time 43 percent of the city's buildings were defined as tenements and fully two-thirds of the city's population lived in the squalor and destitution that Riis described in his book." This part of the book is special to me because a family member had read about Jacob Riis and talked daily about Jacob Riis and his work to me. So I can not forget this man's name not even if I wanted to forget it.I also loved all the tidbits of American History in the book. I now want to read a book about Tammany Hall and its political agenda. I did not know this era was the Victorian Age of America. I thought only England had a Victorian Age. "The late-Victorian period in America produced our society's first celebrity culture." I can gladly say this novel, She Walks in Beauty, took me to a world of beauty, romance, unfairness and gave me deeper insight in to God's Love for me. I feel as contented as Clara who toward the end of her struggle relaxed by slipping on a "dressing sacque." Clara says "I found my Byron, took up the apple, and burrowed into my bed." By the way there are two very important Prince Charmings in the novel. I would feel guilty if I did not mention the DeVries brothers. Anyway, I'm back to my apple. I'm thinking about the glories of a spiritual love and that passionate, earthy type of love Clara desires so much. Siri Mitchell
Rating: 5In the past, you may have read my opinions of Siri Mitchell and seen that I enjoy the writing, but that the story was imperceptibly depressing. I was shocked and appauled with the lack of soul in Constant Heart, A yet the historical elements were incredible and the writing so true. It was in reading Love's Pursuit that each page was not able to turn fast enough and I was truly stumped until the end but still taken aback and frustrated with the circumstances and sadness of the situation. Yet She Walks in Beauty is a delight, a breath of fresh air, and quite the heart titillating beat within a prose of words met by the ear as poetry.I loved this novel. Each page was another treasure. Every time I had to leave the novel and come back to the story it was as if I were returning to a friend. In years passed I have always wanted to read a tale about the Golden Age in New York City and this novel was not one to disappoint. Yes it had the historical details and some harsh facts which I have come to know Siri's books for. Yet this one has a heart and a soul with tons of personality that laced through the pages and made the next chapter more than just a little something worth coming back for.Clara Carter is a debutante, and this is her story. It is a suspense, it is a hard life and facts historical, it is a romance, and it is a tragedy. I highly recommend it.*Thanks to CFBA and Bethany House for providing a copy for review.*
Rating: 4SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY bySiri Mitchell is an Inspirational historical fiction set in 1891 New York City during the Gilded Age.It is well written with great detail and depth. It has deception, forgiveness, romance, wealth, privilege,friendship, fashion, finding ones true self,keeping ones faith,desires of the heart and family obligations. It gives insight into the social class of the Gilded Age. Clara is bright, intelligent, pretty, passionate,and is a pawn in her father and aunt's game to right a wrong to their family.She is having her debut into society and is being forced to marry the heir to a banking kingdom. She does not realize the deception until after her father is dead. She would sacrifice her heart to help her family, but soon realizes she can not do what they expect of her. Franklin, the heir to the famous De Vries fortune, is selfish, arrogant, a womanizer, and Clara does not like him every much. Harry, is the youngest of the De Vries's son, he is friendly, handsome, down to earth, and Clara finds herself attracted to him. Lizzie, Clara's friend, finds herself attracted to Franklin, Lizzie enjoys the social scene where as Clara only endures it. They have their friendship tested because both of their families want the young women to marry the famous heir Franklin. This is truly an insight into our tragic Gilded Age history with all its glamor, parties, beautiful gowns and injustices to the lower social class. What women did back then to be beautiful will make you wonder why beauty was so important to the upper social class. If you enjoy the Gilded Age of 1800 New York City you will enjoy this one, for it has drama, injustice, glamor,beautiful balls and gowns. This book was received for review and details can be found at Bethany House Publishers and My Book Addiction and More.
Rating: 5This was a great story about the way it was for a certain young debutante in the 1890's who was forced into making a match with a gentleman she had no desire for. The rules of that era and the way people played their games was a real eye-opener for me. Also what the women of that era went through with the clothes they had to wear (let me just say that I am glad corsets are a thing of the past!).Clara Carter didn't have any desire to be a debutante, but her Aunt and her father had plans for her, and the goal was for her to have the wealthy DeVries heir, Franklin, ask for her hand in marriage by the end of the Summer. Clara and her friend Lizzie are both after the same man. There is also Franklin's brother, Harry who plays a major role in the whole situation. There is some mystery, scheming, love, and betrayal all wrapped up in a very well written story. It was a very interesting and enlightening book for me and I enjoyed it alot. I also loved the cover of this book!!Thanks to Bethany House for giving me a free copy to review.
Rating: 4This is Christian historical fiction set in New York in the late 1800s. Clara is pretty and smart, and would prefer to be left alone with her books and her governess, plus her best friend Lizzie. Unfortunately, her aunt has other ideas--Clara is going to debut this year. And since her governess thought they had another year before she'd have to teach Clara things like how to be a lady and exactly what an ice cream fork is...well, Clara's behind. REALLY behind.So now she has three months to learn how to charm any man into marrying her and she has to start wearing a corset. (And can I just say how relieved I am that I don't have to wear one? Because they do NOT sound fun.) Her aunt and her father decree that she's to set her sights on "the De Vries heir," the most eligible bachelor in the city. There are two problems with this. First is that Lizzie wants him too. And the second? Clara kind of likes his brother instead.I absolutely recommend this, even if you aren't a fan of Christian fiction (it's very, very light on the Christian aspect). And Clara is really awesome. I always enjoy reading about smart heroines who do more than wait around to get married. (And she's a reader, which is always a plus.)
Rating: 5Clara and Lizzie are best friends who are to debut in the same season. Each of their families have their sights set on the same man, Mr. Franklin De Vrie. Clara and Lizzie vow not to let their debut or any man come between their friendship. Clara, however, finds herself drawn to Franklin's brother Harold. He has an easy going, fun loving personality. But he's not the heir. Will Clara play out the game to end or will she deem the cost too high?This was a really great story! The Gilded Age was certainly an interesting period in history. When classes of people were very defined. The author brings to life the complete cast of characters and the way of life in those days with such clarity that I truly felt I was at the ball or sitting at the banquet. I thoroughly enjoyed the character of Clara. For one who had grown up in privilege she was such a genuine sole with a warm heart toward others. Never really buying into the whole glitz and glamor but knowing she needed to play along for her families sake. I enjoyed the friendship between Lizzie and Clara. I liked that they really were friends who cared about each other. I totally fell in love with Harry De Vrie. You can see what Clara saw in him. I liked that you really didn't know the outcome until very near the end. There was several places that I found myself laughing out loud. She Walks in Beauty kept me entertained from first page to last! I highly recommend this story. Great job Siri! Thank you goes to Bethany House for sending this complimentary copy for review.
Rating: 4This is the second book I have read by Siri Mitchell. It was a very big improvement on the first. More details, flowed a little easier, making it easy to read. I really enjoyed this one. There were times I found it hard to stop for the evening. Clara Carter is the belle of the ball, forced into an early debut by her widowed aunt and charlatan father, to protect the family's honor and reputation. Clara truly does not care for the life planned by her guardians but there is little she can do. Meanwhile she does fall in love but love is put on hold for mourning a loss in the family.
Rating: 4I could not put this book down! Siri Mitchell provides the reader with a fascinating look into the world of high society and the politicking involved in the debutante debut of the Gilded Age in New York City. She has written an entertaining love story that gives a historical perspective on what was going on in the city in the late Victorian Age. While Clara does have almost unbelievably loyal friends in Lizzie and Harry, the relationships do keep the reader drawn into the story. And, what great lessons for young women - that it is okay to be smart and that you can come to God just as you are. I will share this book with others and look forward to the next work from Siri Mitchell.
Rating: 5All I have to say is, wow. This book was really good! from the start I was interested in Clara, and had taken an instant liking to her. The plot was a nice easy pace that flowed smoothly and descriptions and detailed scenes as to what Clara had to go through to act properly during her debut were well done and very engaging to read. Her social outings were well written and every time one ended, I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen at the next party or dinner she attended. Her social "training" was comical to read at times and some of her social blunders made you want to cringe for her (like when she lost her shoe). Yet aside from those light moments, there were serious moments as well. I didn't like her Aunt who treated her like a chess piece, and although Clara's father wasn't really a main character, when I learnt more of his true colors, he wasn't a very likable person at all. It was very interesting to read about the various rules women and men had to go by in order to go about in society. Some rules I found absolutely ridiculous, yet some had very awful consequences (tightlacing corsets for example). I really did like how Clara developed as a character. From a very naive girl to one who just wanted to be who she wanted to be, and to do what she wanted to do. She wasn't afraid of the social consequences and at times was brave enough to do something that went against the conventional rules. I also loved her friendship with Lizzie. Although they were "rivals" in their debuts, it was sad to see how they were pawns to their relatives and were even sometimes asked to turn against each other in order to have the greater advantage in attracting Mr De Vries. However I'm glad their friendship meant much more to them and it was just wonderful to read how the two of them got along so well despite social pressures. I actually wanted to learn more about Clara and her mother, although when Clara finds out what happens to her mother, it was actually quite horrifying to read. (I can't really be specific, it'll give the plot away). Albeit a novel in Christian fiction, there isn't much about God and theology so it's not preachy. Which makes the novel great for those that aren't into the Christian fiction genre. It certainly seemed to lean towards historical romance much more than Christian literature. The plot does become a little predictable, but that did not bother me, I was too engaged into the plot.Overall, a wonderful, beautiful read. I greatly enjoyed it and for those that love to read about America in the 1890's please give this a try (actually, for those that like The Luxe series, this is definitely for you - no backstabbing involved here though but just enjoy it nevertheless).
Rating: 5I loved this novel. It transported me back to the Gilded Age and I felt the trials the women went through at the time. Siri is an amazing story teller and this is one of my favorite historicals that she has written.
Rating: 5In She Walks in Beauty, bookish Clara Carter, son of a respected society doctor, makes her debut in 1890s New York City. As she mingles with the cream of society, Clara learns that all aspects of her life are not as rosy as they have always appeared. She is appalled to learn that, while she enjoys fancy dresses and delectable food, thousands in her own city live in squalor. As Clara progresses with her social season, her aunt pressures her to lie and gossip her way into a favorable marriage with the city's most eligible bachelor, no matter where else Clara's heart might be engaged. And a few cryptic newspaper columns imply that Clara's father may have underhanded dealings that Clara has never suspected. As Clara dances and flirts, all the while made miserable by a corset laced tight enough to achieve the ideal 18-inch waist, she begins to wonder what purpose her life may have, and if a live bound by the restrictive rules and meaningless conversation of high society is even worth living.This was an enjoyable read, somewhere between typical Christian historical fiction and mainstream historical romance -- light on theology, heavy on description of pretty dresses, and clean enough to give to a young teen. The plot is nicely paced, and though some elements of the story are predictable, others are obscure enough to keep readers guessing until the end. Though the undertones of societal unrest are not fully explored, the setting is authentic and the characters believable.
Rating: 4This was a wonderful book that I did not want to put down! Set in New York City in 1891, it follows the story of Clara Carter, a 17-year-old girl who is much more interested in her studies than in the expectations of society. When the heir to a prominent local family returns home after spending several years traveling in Europe, Clara is forced to make her society debut a year early and is charged with getting the heir for her husband at all costs. Clara does not enjoy many of the activities involved with her debut, but her family's honor is at stake and she must do as she is told. When she meets a man who seems to love her for who she is, she must decide what is more important: her heart or her family's reputation.My only complaint about this book is that it wasn't longer! I found myself thoroughly swept up in the world it created and longed to read more.
Rating: 5I enjoyed reading this book that I received through Early Reviewers. I had read one other Siri Mitchell book and didn't like it. I was pleasantly surprised with this one. It is the story of the debut of a girl (Clara) of 17. She was charged with capturing as her husband the oldest son of a weathly family. It turns out that her father wanted this particular man as her husband as revenge for a business failure caused by his father. Clara went through a hasty preparation for her debut. Her widowed aunt was very strict in all her instructions and I was very uncomfortable with her instructions about the corset and the gloves. I am sure that really happened in the 1890's but it was still shocking. It turns out that bookish Clara prefers the younger son to the older one. Read the book to see which one she marries. The Christian aspect of the book was not very much evident and was very indirect. All I found was an acknowledgement that God loves us "just as we are".
Rating: 4This was an amazing book! I loved the details the author put into the story. The history of the late 1800's and the dress of the day was awesome! The story was engaging and very entertaining. Highly recommended!!
Rating: 5Siri Mitchell masterfully weaved the raw truth of the 1890's along with the beauty of the time. Her characters are real and wrestle with the twisted ideals of this historical period. Just like in today's world, the truth is so easily misconstrued and masked with what "seems" to be real. She Walks In Beauty is wonderful story with characters so real you can feel their fears, experience the romance and know the gentle touch of God.
Rating: 5She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell transports the reader to New York's Golden Age of the late 1800's. The story follows young and timid Clara Carter as she is thrust into the world of high fashion and elegance with her debut into society. While Clara would prefer to keep to herself and her books she feels duty bound to her father and aunt and submits herself to their rigorous tutelage and their hopes that she will secure a wealthy husband. Though parts of the story in this book were predictable, I did find it to be an enjoyable read. The historic setting and details were well painted and it was an interesting look at the celebrity status that debutantes experienced at the time. Also, I felt that the Christian message was appropriate and fit into the story smoothly. Many readers complain about Christian fiction as being "preachy" and I don't think this book was. The theme was one of God loving people personally, just as they are, and it fit in well with Clara's struggles of maintaining a perfect appearance and always looking to please others. Overall I think this book was a unique and engaging story. There was a subplot involving the contrast between the upper and lower classes in New York that I wish had been developed and expanded. However, the focus of the story was solidly on Clara and she was a charming heroine - modern enough to appeal to contemporary readers without seeming out of place in her setting. She Walks in Beauty is a solid entry into the genres of historical fiction and Christian fiction and Siri Mitchell shows herself to be an accomplished writer of both.
Rating: 4Clara always intended to debut with her best friend, Lizzie, if she had to debut at all (and honestly, she deeply hoped she'd be able to do something else), but when the DeVries heir returns unexpectedly from a European tour, all those plans are moved up a year, and she must make her social debut in...two months! That is no time at all to learn all the social graces, like which of the dozen forks she's supposed to use for a lemon, how to communicate with a fan (note: itching your lip can lead to disastrous consequences!), how to dance with grace and elegance, and how not to LEAD when dancing. Add to that the gowns, undergarments, gloves, hats, shoes, and cloaks that must be ordered and life gets a little insane. It seems better when Lizzie's mother, too, decided to move her debut ahead by a year, but then the girls realize they have both been commanded by their families to "catch" and marry the DeVries heir, without any thought for what they themselves may want, and who they themselves may actually love.Being a girl, the whole idea of a social debut has always intrigued me, considering that, to at least some extent and in some strata of society, this still happens. The publisher's not kidding when they describe it as a game - all the ins and outs and manipulations and maneuverings were mind-spinning, and for all the glitz and glamour, I'm really, really glad I never had to go through that! But it does make for a highly readable novel!I was pleased with the quick wit, light tone, engaging characters, and page-turning plot. Usually in Christian fiction, you know right at the outset who's gonna end up together, and the fun of the story is waiting to see how it'll happen. In this one, I had some suspicions (and saw straight through one plot point immediately), but I honestly didn't know how it would turn out. That made it a more-than-usually fun read!The major criticism I have for this novel is really the same for any other "Christian" novel: most of the time, it's more inspirational in genre than actually Christian. There is very, very little mention of Christ (if at all), no use of the Word to reveal God (in fact, one character's mother is said to have taken her entire theology from the hymnal). The turning point comes not with a spiritual crisis that is resolved by falling on the mercy of God extended by grace through Christ, but instead by a self-help crisis that is resolved by the thought that maybe God loves us just as we are.Does He? Yes. Is that the extent of it? Are we suddenly made right with Him because we get that He loves us? No. God may love His creation, but He is holy and just and must deal with sin. There's no mention of any barrier in a relationship with God except not really understanding that I'm okay as I am. It's true that we don't have to (indeed, we can't) clean ourselves up before coming to Him, but part of His unfailing, immeasurable love is that He loves us too much to leave us as we are. After we are made right through justification (having Christ's record applied to us, declaring us righteous), He begins the process of sanctification (actually making us as righteous in practice as we are in position). Nothing like that is even mentioned.As I've said before, I'm fully aware that a novel isn't intended to be a theological treatise, but if it misdefines God, or leaves Him hazy at all (and this one does), it's just as much a lie as if God was completely misrepresented. Surely the truth of His character must transcend even a made-up story.That said, I really enjoyed SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY. I don't imagine it's good for any author's ego to hear that, after six books, a reviewer had never heard of them, but I hope to remove that difficulty with the fact that after reading this one, I intend to look forward to reading more of Mitchell's work.
Rating: 4I won an advance copy of this book through Early Reviewers. I usually don't read historical fiction set in America and most definitely not in the 1890's as it is way to current for me. When I saw this book posted in the Early Reviewers, I decided that I would try something different and I am so glad that I did. This book was wonderfully written and I got through it in only one day. I couldn't put it down. Every time that I tried to the plot kept me captivated and I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. The main character Clara was witty, charming, and had a certain allure to her. She was an amusing character and made the book all the more enjoyable. The book takes place in a time where women were not allowed to choose their marriage partners and their families were responsible for "debuting" the debutantes and "catching them a husband." I immensely enjoyed Clara's struggles to please her family and the struggle within herself to do what she felt right. She was constantly conflicted in her own mind about the things she felt were right for her, while her Aunt and Father were constantly pulling her in a different direction. The plot to this novel was well planned and I was surprised by a plot twist that I never saw coming. This book is a wonderful and easy read and if you want a good book that you can curl up on the couch with on a rainy day this is the perfect book to do so with. I can't believe that this book was the first book that this author had ever written in the historical fiction genre. I hope that the author continues with another historical fiction, however I would love to see a sequel to this novel.
Rating: 4It should say something about this novel that I couldn’t help but read voraciously, finishing it in two days. It should also say something that from page twenty onward, I often hoped it were longer so that I could continue reading.Set in the opulent, glamourous Gilded Age of the 1890s in New York City, She Walks In Beauty follows headstrong, thoughtful Clara Carter, daughter of the wealthy Dr. Carter, niece of the imposing and impressive widow, Mrs. Lewis Stuart. Forced to debut a year early, Clara’s hopes of Vassar College and an education are dashed when she is made to pursue the wealthy son of the De Vries family, heir to a fortune, but lacking any sort of attraction for Clara. When Clara’s best friend is also made to pursue the De Vries heir, and when Clara is forced to learn the rules of attraction for debutantes in a brief period of time, her knowledge of the world and of the society around her is flipped on its head, as are her emotions, especially when she meets the younger De Vries son, Harry.Clara is amusing and witty, her nervousness and desperation translate from the page into the reader with humor. Her personality is refreshing, and I often found myself smiling at her gaffes and laughing at her inner dialogue.The tension of this novel builds as the gowns become more immaculate and the expectations of Clara rise. Through no small bribery by her father, she becomes the belle of the ball, and the most impressive and admired debutante. But Clara has never wanted the attention of the Society page, or gossip of The Tattler, and she finds solace in Harry, friendly, amiable, attractive, but most importantly, ignorant of Clara’s Aunt’s rigid expectations.With the misdirection and misinterpretation found often in Jane Austen novels, Siri Mitchell weaves a splendid cityscape of New York City in the 1890s, full of the wealthy and opulent, as well as the destitute and disheveled. A compelling novel dealing with familial and societal expectations of women, and economic and emotional acknowledgement of those less fortunate, She Walks In Beauty is a delightful piece of historical fiction, which not only entertains, but enlightens. Well-written without the uber-religious undertone often found in Christian Fiction, I truly enjoyed Mitchell’s novel and think many Historical Fiction readers will as well.4 stars(I received this book from the publisher via LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program)
Rating: 4Clara lives in New York with her father and aunt. The year is 1891, and Clara is a debutant in New York finest society. This is the book of banquets and balls, wealth and privilege, beautiful dresses and dancing cards. It is also the story about friendship, corsets and coming of age, betrayal and marriage. Clara Carter soon becomes the social seasons brightest star, followed by the society pages in both The New York Journal and The Tattler in a real Gossip Girl kind of way. She Walks in Beauty is an entertaining book, but the characters and the story are both a little flat. However, this does not stop me from wanting to finish the book. I think it will qualify as christian literature, but this is a very underdeveloped side of the character and is therefore a very small part of the story. Nice story, nice characters, okey book, quite average entertainment…nothing more or less.
Rating: 3I?ve read a lot of Christian romance historical fiction. Although some Christian fiction books are nothing more than sermons disguised as plots, other works manage to simultaneously tell a great story and share spiritual truths. As far as I?m concerned, Siri Mitchell?s book She Walks in Beauty is definitely at the top of that latter list. This work was an enjoyable read because Mitchell deftly balanced the tasks of writer, historian, and Christian.She Walks in Beauty follows the emotional and spiritual journey of Clara Carter as she navigates the often overwhelming and dangerous waters of the social elite in New York City in the 1890s. The romantic plot line, which compromises the majority of the book, is conventional in that our heroine gets together with the hero everyone hoped she?d end up with. Nevertheless, the characters, setting, and countless other aspects are engaging and shine with originality.Mitchell?s writing itself is strong but it is her clever weaving of historical fact into the plot that makes this book stand out as a fine example of historical fiction. While giving readers a tale both romantic and historical, Mitchell also manages to leave readers with a quiet sense of God. Not once does Mitchell force a religious message onto her readers. Instead, at the end of the book, readers are left with a welcoming feeling of God?s goodness and how that goodness can act in their own lives. There is no preaching in this work, but there is a message to be enjoyed by any believer of God, regardless of her walk.
Rating: 4“She Walks in Beauty” by Siri Mitchell is the story of Clara Carter social debut in 1890’s New York. It is an event to which she is not looking forward; she would rather continue her studies at a ladies college. But that is not to be and just to provide added pressure she is expected to redeem her family’s financial losses to the De Vries family by marrying the heir. Clara’s best friend Lizzie Barnes has the same goal.There are brief mentions of the social and economic inequities of the poor and immigrants, and the political powers of Tammany Hall. It is advertised as a Christian novel but this is a very minor part of the book. On the whole it is a lighthearted love story.I received this book through Early Reviewers.
Rating: 3