An American Beauty: A Novel of the Gilded Age Inspired by the True Story of Arabella Huntington Who Became the Richest Woman in the Country

Gorgeous story and writing!!! Would give more than 5 stars if I could!
Shana Abe is without a doubt my new favorite author! I love the story line and images described in this wonderful book. I am fascinated with the gilded age and the author sets such a lovely stage. I also LOVED her book, The Second Mrs. Astor. The only negative is I read her books so quickly….I’m sad when it’s over:)

Highly recommend
An American Beauty is a solid read that sheds light on one of America’s most interesting time periods and one that is a true turning point in American history leading to the beginning of the nation we know today.The character development is wonderful, the pacing of the story telling is brisk, and there are times of real tension. Most importantly for me is that the characters are complex, that delightful mix of the good, the bad, and the mediocre that exists in all humans.In short this is a delightfully told story of real people living an extraordinary life and legacy. I recommend it.

great story
Story of a life built on self determination. Not necessarily admirable but still worth exploring. One could hardly feel open to condemn her but at the same time it has to be noted her rise was at the expense of others.

Historical fiction at its finest!
I can only start this review one way. Wow! What a story!The author begins near the end of 1902, with Lucy, a sales clerk, from The Town Topics Publishing Co. arriving to see Mrs Huntington. Lucy’s employer is trying to gouge the widow of Collis P. Huntington to pay the hefty price of $10,000 for a copy of its newest publication “Fads and Fancies of Representative Americans at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century: being a Portrayal of their Tastes, Diversions, and Achievements.”From there, the author sends the reader back to 1867 and into the life of Arabella D. Yarrington – a beautiful 17 year old- who is working as a champagne girl at one of the many illegal drinking and gambling houses that Johnny Worsham owns in Richmond. Arabella’s father has died and left behind his wife and five children on the verge of starvation. Arabella’s job makes the difference between their eating or starving.Arabella is not only beautiful, she is smart. She is determined. She is a planner. And she wants her family out of poverty. When she meets Collis P. Huntington, she believes she has found her way out. But only if she consistently plays her part.This well researched novel takes the reader through all the feels. Emotionally hard at times, Arabella (Belle) moves forward in her planned out life to rescue not only her mother and siblings but herself. When she needs to reinvent herself, she does just that.The story, set in The Gilded Age, takes the reader to glorious places and the opulent buildings and homes that were popular during that time. During this period of her life, Belle, with thoughtfulness and grace, faces rejection from a very judgmental society. She is judged. She is shunned. But, she perseveres in creating the life she wants for her family.This beautifully written, well researched novel is historical fiction at its best as the author tells the story of the real Arabella Yarrington and how she fought, planned, changed, and honed her skills to become the richest woman in the country.I loved this book. The author’s beautifully written descriptions make the Gilded Age, and all its excess, come alive for the reader. Not only a solid five star read for me but a new author discovered! Well done, Shana Abe.

This is the second book I’ve read from Shana Abe and won’t be the last. The Second Mrs. Astor had me turning the pages, and this book written in a similar timeframe was just as engaging.This is historical fiction at its finest. I will start by saying, I enjoyed the author’s note after the end which shares some lovely tidbits the author researched on the real Arabella and Collis Huntington and how philanthropic they both were – never forgetting their own humble beginnings. This is a grand story of Arabella (nee) Yarrington, a beautiful and clever young girl who has an incredible rags to riches story from working in a gambling parlor for slimey Johnny Worsham, to becoming a mistress to, and finally, marrying the uber wealthy railroad magnate, Collis Huntington, and becoming the richest women in the country. Collis gave her a start with her sharp business ideas, and from that Belle built her own empire, never wanting to go back from whence she came. Belle was a determined and sharp woman. And despite their initial shady introduction to one another, and the fact that Collis was married when they met, and eventually shared a child together, they managed to keep their heads high in society by staying out of gossip papers and not keeping circles with the elites of the gilded age.Abe takes us into rich descript settings, and well painted characters which draw us into this fascinating historical transformation of one powerful young woman who will stop at nothing to secure her family and herself to change her destiny. And despite the gossip, jealousy, and snootiness of the upper class circles she’s moved up to, Belle manages to overcome whatever is thrown her way.Arabella is a beautiful and clever seventeen year old, working as a barmaid in the parlor to support her widowed mother and four siblings in Richmond, Virginia. Collis Huntington frequents that parlor and is smitten by Arabella. They begin an affair, and Arabella learns well how she can move Collis to her wants and whims, and has him relocate herself and her family to New York City, where both Arabella and her family have their own rented mansions paid by the wealthy Huntington as Arabella (Belle) reinvents herself.Arabella’s lifestyle and the coming and going visits by Collis cause a lot of curious gossip. She’s rising up the ranks in her position in society under the guise as ‘the widow Worsham’ so as not to be taken as a mistress riding on the coat tails of Collis Huntington. Nobody yet knows that Belle’s son is also the son of Collis, and the storyline glides nicely along as the secret is kept – until it’s not. While Belle hopes and waits for Collis to become all hers, she is faced with a nagging heart throb after meeting Collis’s nephew, Edward Huntington, who is Collis’s righthand man in his business world.Collis and Belle share a wonderful life together and as independents from one another. Belle is a strong woman mentally, not easily offended by society, and admittedly very happy with her life. She loves Collis very much and he adores her, and Belle remained faithful to him, grateful for all he has done and given her, smart enough to know that she wouldn’t risk her happy life for fleeting romance.This story was well researched and beautifully written with wonderful descriptions of cities and homes and decor of the era in the late 1800s. Belle’s homes in New York were neighbors to the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, et al, of the era after the Civil War and old money and real estate was ripe for those who could afford it. The Gilded Age has been mentioned as a time of the reconstruction and industrialization in America between the 1870s and 1890s, a time of great change, great successes and great losses, political corruption, and excess. No doubts the slogan ‘Keeping up with the Jonesess’ was coined back then, actually in 1913 when a comic strip became popular about the times they were living in.I look forward to reading more from this author.

Basically an enjoyable read, don’t expect drama or twists or turns, just to be enjoyed, not a book where you are reading it just to find out what happens at the end. However, towards the end when Arabella was thinking back about her time in the nightclub, I would have preferred if it had not been in the book. Otherwise, I would recommend the book. If you’re looking for drama or a who done it this is not for you.

This is a great read. If you enjoy historical fiction, where true events blend with the author’s creativity, this is the book for you. It also brings to light how difficult life could be for women. Excellent character development.