Hailing from Pittsburgh's East End, I was eager to read this book — overeager, after having loved the author's previous historical novel, "The Other Einstein."

The central theme is the same (the man's legacy is due to the woman), but the basis of the plot differs: the other stems from debate; this one is invented.

I would not have minded, if it were realistic, but it isn't. At the 78% mark, I was done suspending disbelief.

It took me several sittings just to get that far. After a strong start, (1) the narrative becomes as monotonous as Clara's job (I laughed when I thought to myself, <i>How many times must I read of her darning?!</i>, and then saw, "Sometimes I felt like needlework was all I did."), and (2) the author doesn't weave the historical facts into the story but rather tosses them in — often in conversations that one almost needs to chart as Clara does, in order to follow.

Perhaps it's my bad for anticipating the author would deliver another story revolving around historical figures, not one in which they serve to frame what's more the story of immigration (and slavery) during the Fenian era (at the end of the American Civil War) using made-up characters.

I am typically a big fan of historical fiction, and I enjoyed reading 'Carnegie's Maid'. One thing I generally love about this genre is that I learn something new about a time, place, or people I didn't know much about, and this book was no exception. I didn't know much about Andrew Carnegie's life, only a little about the legacy he left behind. I have been to Pittsburgh several times, and liked reading about some of its history. I did find that the story dragged at times, particularly when Clara was eavesdropping on a (typically rather dull) conversation. Overall though, an interesting time period and enjoyable read.

Clara Kelley has been sent to America by her family in impoverished Ireland. Their hope is that she will find work and be able to send money home to support the family, as they have recently lost their land source of income. When she arrives she finds herself being mistaken for a different Clara Kelley who already has a job waiting for her. Clara decides to become this other Clara Kelley and finds herself in Pittsburgh working on a trial basis as lady’s maid to Andrew Carnegie’s mother. Mrs. Carnegie is known to be a harsh mistress but Clara is determined to win her over. In the process she meets Andrew and the two instantly hit it off as friends. The story follows Clara through her years working in the Carnegie household and the influence she had on Andrew and his charitable work.

I loved this story. I have previously read another book by this author and was really excited about this one. It did not disappoint. The author masterfully created her characters with rich detail and her descriptions of the city of Pittsburgh in the time period are perfect. I was easily drawn into the both the affluent world of the Carnegies and the impoverished world of Clara’s cousins. This is another fabulous story from Marie Benedict and I highly recommend it.

The author pays homage to the Irish immigrants who labored to make this country great. She portrays Andrew Carnegie as a ruthless business man who later becomes the benefactor of the public library system. She deftly describes the social and economic conditions that were prevalent during the industrial revolution. The protagonist, lad's maid Clara Kelly is the moral center.

I received this from netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

1860's, Clara Kelley immigrates to America to work and help support her desperately poor family back in Ireland. She is employed as a lady's maid in the home of the prominent businessman Andrew Carnegie. As a relationship develops between Clara and Andrew, the glaring differences between their two classes eventually spur Andrew to become the philanthropic figure that we know.

As in "The Other Einstein", the author writes about a very strong female character who rises above adversity.

3☆

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title. Unfortunately, I was not able to finish this book which means I will not be able to review it. I truly appreciate the opportunity and apologize for the inconvenience the lack of review may cause you.

Clara Kelly left Ireland in a hurry to America hoping for a way to support herself and send money to support her family left at home. A mix-up over a name leaves her with a unique opportunity. She takes on the role of the other Clara and becomes the ladies maid to the Carnegie matriarch. Knowing almost nothing of her role she keeps her wits and eyes sharp and soon becomes indispensable. Andrew, the oldest son and head of the growing empire, is taken with Clara not only for her looks but for her brain. In quiet clandestine meetings they talk about books and business sharing everything but the truth. Can love be based on a lie and is love worth the risk if your family's survival is riding on it? Quiet historical fiction with a built-in moral dilemma. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

This was a quick, interesting historical fiction centered around Andrew Carnegie and his mother's maid. Although the maid is a fictional character, the book was still a good way to learn more about Andrew Carnegie.

Carnegie's Maid is the second Novel that I have read by Marie Benedict. I came in with high expectations, as she set the bar up high with her powerful book The Other Einstein- and boy, did she deliver again! Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark publishing, and Marie Benedict for allowing me to read this early edition historical fiction, which was just wonderful. A personal peek into the life of Andrew Carnegie which built his fortune from the ground up, and ended up becoming one of the earliest philanthropists of his time. Told through the eyes of the brave and intelligent Clara Kelly, an immigrant of modest beginnings, serving as the personal maid of Mr. Carnegie's mother. With their brilliant minds, deep family bonds, and strong attraction to each other, Clara and Andrew Carnegie evolve, struggle with the idea of social classes and their personal priorities. A fast and fascinating read as well as a dignified tribute to philanthropy and immigrant struggles during early American Industrialization.

I really enjoyed this story of an 18th century lady's maid which was based on some real life characters. The story is about love essentially, and the main character is torn between her duties to her family and her personal desires. Clara is a strong protagonist with strong morals but we also see that ambition and need cause these morals to be continually tested.

A great read and if you liked this I would definitely recommend The Indigo Girl as a book set in the same era and very similar themes.

Thanks SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and netgalley for this ARC.

This novel is not what you'd expect at all- it's a quick read but packed with meaning. Sacrifice, love, and longing

Thanks SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and netgalley for this ARC.

We get a inside look at the Gilded Age's backstage in the family's home. This is a departure form the usual form in historical romantic interests. Its a unique, emotional and thought provoking.

An amazing, dramatic story of an Irish farmer's daughter, from the moment she steps on American soil. By a stroke of luck she is mistaken for another Clara Kelley, and taken to Pittsburgh to be a rich lady's maid: Mrs Carnegie. She soon finds out that the family is, in fact, from Scotland and ammased their fortune in the last 20 -25 years, due to Andrew Carnegie's shrewdness. Pressed by her own family's misfortune, her duty to them for sending her over the ocean, Clara needs to be practical, she learns how to be a lady's maid and becomes indispensable to the Carnegies. She possesses an accute business sense and, studying by herself economical books (quite unbelievable, if you ask me), she wins Andrew Carnegie's admiration. For him, they are equal, but not for the rest of the household. After a dramatic scene in which Clara realizes that, for Andrew, the fate of thousands of immigrant steel workers (like her own cousin, Patrick) is just a means to an end, they are found out and Clara is forced to leave quietly or her secret (being an imposter and a liar) will be revealed. She then leads an independent and fulfilling life as a nurse and long enough to see that she left her mark on Andrew who, by the end of his life, gave back by granting everyone access to the libraries founded by his family.
I found the end of the story, Mrs. Carnegie's snobishness, quite predictable, the characters are quite flat, but I enjoyed all the historical details that make the story authentic enough.

I love historical fiction, and have been rather fascinated with Andrew Carnegie, Rockefeller and the Vanderbilts lately, so I was very excited to be approved for this novel. The story follows Carnegie's maid, Clara, and her relationship with her employer. I don't know how far this story is based on the truth, but I was intrigued until the end.

This is a fictional story of Clara Kelly, an Irish immigrant onboard a ship headed for Pennsylvania, who becomes the lady's maid to the mother of Andrew Carnegie, American steel magnate. I enjoyed the story and the development of the characters, especially (at first) Andrew Carnegie. Ms. Benedict did a great job to make me despise him for the change in his demeanour. Like Clara, I too had hoped he was humble and kind.
I felt that the ending was a bit rushed but I realize that Clara had to move quickly else she would jeopardize her position (and perhaps her employability in the future), but I would have liked to hear more about her life and how she fared after her time with the Carnegie family.

I guess I'll start with, this book made me cry. A good cry, the kind readers yearn for. I'd been worried recently because I hadn't been able to find a book that seemed to touch me so deeply I'd cry for the characters. To me it is the surest sign of a soul touching novel. To know that while these characters are only real because of ink they are written upon, in that moment to the reader they become more real than the world around us.  

Perhaps how deeply I was touched was because of my background. As the great-great-granddaughter of german and scotch-welsh immigrants this story hit me to the core. I had family who homesteaded, and family that worked and continues to work in mines and oil fields. The same areas that Mr. Carnegie and his family ran and controlled. In Carnegie's Maid I saw the the growth of our country, and how both those who worked to build the country and those who orchestrated the building saw the world around them. 

I was able to watch as a young immigrant with no stop worked his way up to the upper echelons, and as another immigrant worked so her family could survive. It made me reflect. I thank my lucky stars that my family who immigrated worked so hard, and I'm thankful to be here. And I send my love to all those families who are trying to do the same. Our country truly is one of immigrants. 

Now, pulling away from my reprieve, I simply adored this novel. An artfully woven story of the dirty truths of immigrants and the pursuit of wealth. And how anyone is able of inspiring generosity and benevolent change within society. 

I love reading ARCs,  and this had none of the fledgling feel which is prevalent in many ARCs that are trying to become finished novels. I was drawn in from the beginning and then surrounded by well-rounded characters who were sure of their voice. Benedict does a phenomenal job of describing what industrial Pittsburgh would have looked at, and it seemed as if I could see the haze of the burning coal entrenching the world they inhabited.

My anticipation of Clara being found out kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I read. I also enjoyed the literary device of using letters within the story. it allows for an artful telling, giving background and context while allowing for an exploration and understanding of the feelings of our cast.  

While I feel as if I could continue on explaining how this book touched me, and continues to sit with me even after the last page has been turned, instead I'll leave you to go and find out for yourselves. And when you do read it, please let me know if you enjoyed it as much as I did. 

 Thank you to NetGalley, Marie Benedict, and Sourcebooks for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Carnegie's maid

By Marie Benedict


Story of the mixing of classes. Supposing the lady's maid of Andrew Carnegie's Mother and the rich gentlemen himself fall for one another. The story takes place during the Industrial Age. Class distinctions were very much identified. Lots of secrets and lots of mystery. You keep reading and reading,,, then you want to know if this lady maid, Clara could inspire a ruthless business into a man with a heart. Intriguing story. A recommendation to read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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I received an ARC copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. Oh my...I thoroughly enjoyed this book!! Fascinating look at the immigrant experience and at a slice of Andrew Carnegies life. I admit I really know little of Andrew Carnegie's background/life but now I am anxious to explore his history.

Having been born in Pittsburgh, PA I am very familiar with the name Andrew Carnegie. I was pleased as punch to be approved for this book. Very fascinating story of a young girl, one of the many Irish immigrants coming to America to find work after the potato famine. Having a very common name of Clara Kelly she poses as the Clara Kelly who dies on the ship on her way to America. That Clara Kelly was on her way to a well paying position as a ladies maid for Mrs. Carnegie, Andrew Carnegie's mother. She became that Clara. Times were desperate in Ireland and she does what she must to survive . Mrs. Carnegie may suspect she was not really a ladies maid for the finer homes in Ireland but being a recent immigrant herself she is still feeling her way around proper society. Clara learns her duties as she works and tries not to let on how impressed she is by the opulence in the Carnegie home. Andrew Carnegie catches her reading in the library of his home several times and is impressed with her mind and they read poetry together. He starts to have feelings for her but she can not act on the feeling she may have for him. After all she is his mother's maid, a lowly servant in her own eyes. She can not risk anything happening to her station in life. Her family depends greatly on her sending money back home to Ireland so they can even eat. Her father has lost his job and her sister's take in sewing barely keeping food on the table and now they have lost their farm. A relationship with her employer is just out of the question. None of the other servants besides a Mr. Ford like her in the Carnegie home. Andrew's feeling burn for her for years and he is ready to marry her and tell his mother. But......... Mother spends hours away from home without Clara and she always takes Clara with her when she goes out so Clara can help her. Secrets are uncovered.lies are unearthed and miseries rise to the surface. This I was so sad to see I really wish it could have had a different outcome. I loved reading about all the many Pittsburgh towns and streets that I am familiar with. I do wish more depth was put into the writing about the Carnegie Free library . This was hardly spoken of and it is such an important part of who Carnegie was and what Pittsburgh is. Overall I am so glad to have read this fascinating book.
Pub Date 01 Jan 2018
Thank you to NetGally and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Clara Kelley is forced to leave her family in Ireland to seek her fortune in the United States. She is surprised on docking to see a man holding a sign with her name on it and through a series of lucky breaks is confused with another Clara Kelley and becomes a lady's maid for a rich family in Pittsburgh. Clara thrives on the challenge and slips easily into her new life and forges a bond with the son of her employer. Andrew Carnegie is drawn to her intelligence and they become friends and discuss his business. Clara surprises him with her business acumen and he takes many of her suggestions. But being from different stations in life things many things are impossible. A story of determination, strength, and having the courage to speak.