My Last Duchess (2010 original; edició 2011)

Nice writing style but the story could have had more to it. Enjoyed learning about how the main concepts of this story were based on truth - rich American girls trying to become English royalty, their lifestyle of just rich clothes and parties. Liked Cora until she became pregnant - she had spunk by making things work her way, her way of dealing with the double duchess for a mother-in-law, and deep down had a true heart demonstrated by her thoughts about helping others. Hated Ivo from when he left while she was pregnant - expected him to grow and he just continued to exist. Glad that Bertha could eventually get a bit of her own life rather just a servant. Ending tied up story lines. ( )

With the exception of the character of Bertha this book was ok. More dramatic than Downton Abbey but along the same lines. It's full of standard romance tropes and somewhat based on details of the lives of Consuela and Alva Vanderbilt. Still it was an entertaining look at this era.

The main problem with this narrative is the character of Bertha, a Black Lady's maid. The treatment of Bertha from beginning to end is horribly, classically, racist. It's like I'm reading Gone With The Wind or the author was playing Racist Bingo and decided to hit every square.

Bertha's character is viewed and views herself through a racist lens. The effect is uncomfortable and jarring. She's not remotely believable for her time and place. Nor is she believably written as a Black Woman of any era.

The scene with Cora bribing her is not historically plausible and unnecessary to the story. Why be offensive on purpose? It's highly doubtful a woman of Cora's class would have cash in their rooms much less the equivalent of about $1300.00 in today's value. Society was not heavily a cash culture at that time. Also rich people rarely carry cash, they settle their bills usually monthly via accountant during this period. They would shop and be billed later. There's no even discussion of money amongst this class, it's vulgar. Further a young unmarried woman I'm just not sure would have that much cash lying around. While $50 sounds small today, in 1900 the average US worker earned $13 a week.

Most importantly Black folks were often sexually assaulted during chattel slavery, the civil war, reconsruction and Jim Crow eras; this was clearly coercion and not consensual. It seems the purpose of this scene is to establish Bertha as a commodity more than an individual immediately. This is 30 yrs after the civil war meaning Bertha's mother and family were most likely chattel slaves. This is terribly insensitive and Bertha likely would be well aware of her risk of sexual assault and that would be a fear here. That history is utterly ignored leaving this scene unbelievable and historically inaccurate.

Just why ( )

Great characters.

Terrifically woven tale. Characters were well defined. The plot was ever so slightly twisty in the end. Well done on many fronts. ( )

I enjoyed this book alright, it just didn't have much substance to it. Here is my full review. ( )

Great quick summer read. Downton Abbey. ( )