Bibliography:
Godbersen, Anna. 2007. The Luxe. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN: 9780061345661.

Plot Summary:
The Holland sisters are old money in 1890s New York. But since their father died, their financial circumstances have run into problems. Beautiful and prim Elizabeth agrees to marry Henry Schoonmaker to save her family, although she loves someone else. Her fake best friend and noveau riche Penelope Hayes vows revenge because she wanted Henry for herself, and her bohemian sister Diana despairs because she realizes that Henry loves her and she loves him in return.

Critical Analysis:
This debut novel has been compared to the popular series Gossip Girl, complete with a blurb from the author. I have to admit that I was especially drawn in by the cover. I don’t know how many displays I saw of this in various bookstores, but I just managed to resist buying a copy.

For me, this is more than just a Gossip Girl dressed up in historical clothing. The descriptions of what life was like, the layers of proper behavior and decorum, the contrast between the lives of the haves and the have nots really make this a notch or two better in my opinion. I may be a little bit biased, having studied this period in American History in depth as an undergrad. (I skimmed the entire run of The New York Times for the year 1896…) But there is no doubt that teen-age girls will read for the backstabbing, the intrigue, and hints of scandal. Also, while there is drinking and implied sex, I would say this is a little less explicit than Gossip Girl as well.

Review Excerpts:
Publisher’s Weekly: “The dialogue has its clunky moments, and the plot twist that drives the tale is telegraphed from the very start, but readers caught up in the fancy dress intrigue are unlikely to mind much: it’s all part of the dishy fun.” – Copyright 2007 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Kirkus Reviews: “A delicious new twist along the Gossip Girl vein, readers will clamor for this sharp, smart drama of friends, lovers, lies and betrayal.”

Connections:

• Pair this with one of the classic novels by Edith Wharton (or movies based on them.)
• For a satirical look at the same time period, see The Gilded Age by Mark Twain.