The description of this new book didn’t tempt me one bit. The cover didn’t do much for me either, but we’re used to that. Couldn’t make much of the title, The Luxe, which I just found weird, and whenever I dipped into a sample page of the book, I quickly exited again. But when after five months of looking at it, I actually read The Luxe, I enjoyed it very much. So, that just goes to show.
This story set among the wealthy in New York in 1899 is full of scandal and romance and intrigue and backstabbings. It begins with a funeral, and then takes the reader back so they can see what happened before it. Even this sombre start works quite well, and although I could guess what I’d find, it didn’t prevent my enjoyment of the book.
Towards the end I realised there would be no end just yet, and there is a sequel on the way. With one or two exceptions I didn’t like the characters, but maybe you don’t have to. The reading can be just as compelling. A modern day Jane Austen is how Anna Godbersen can be described, and more than one Puffin lady has sighed when saying she wished The Luxe had been around when she was a teenager.
Well, it’s here now. Read and enjoy.
Someone at Puffin also had the bright idea of photographing a beautiful young thing wearing a dress like the one on the cover of the book, while reading the book. The result was actually also far better than I’d expected, so here is a sample.
7 responses so far ↓
Candy // July 7, 2008 at 9:03 |
Looks promising. So how did they pitch it? A coming of age historical thriller?
bookwitch // July 7, 2008 at 10:34 |
“The Age of Innocence meets The O.C. in a compulsive, tantalising and utterly irresistible new series. Glittering with jewels, brimming with secrets and loaded with eligible young men. This is new York City 1899.” and so on and so on…
Peter // July 10, 2008 at 4:39 |
Is there a woman somewhere in all that dress?
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Detectives Beyond Borders
“Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home”
http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
bookwitch // July 10, 2008 at 7:39 |
I believe so, Peter. Haven’t you noticed her at your glittering parties over there?
Vanessa // July 11, 2008 at 10:13 |
I’m glad that you liked this book because I thought it was drivel and it didn’t even keep my attention on a long, tedious train journey. But I was under the impression that it was a group-effort, ghost-written affair – fortunately Puffin have now assured me that it isn’t which makes me like it a tiny bit more!
bookwitch // July 11, 2008 at 10:23 |
As you can tell, I had my doubts, but did find it entertaining, in the end. But as with Mills & Boon, not everyone will like it.
I came across a blog somewhere where half the comments were very negative, and about half loved the book. And that’s OK.
Bookmarks about Newyork // December 31, 2008 at 1:00 |
[...] – bookmarked by 6 members originally found by lemasney on 2008-12-14 New York scandal http://bookwitch.wordpress.com/2008/07/06/new-york-scandal/ – bookmarked by 4 members originally [...]