If you've ever read any book by Edith Warton (such as The Age of Innocence), then you might be familiar with the rigid social system in New York in the late 1800's, and the clash between "old" money, and "new" money. Families who inherited their wealth were considered Old Money, while those whose fortunes were self-made were considered New Money. The Old monied Astors did their upmost to shut out the New monied families,like the Vanderbilts. Why? They were considered uneducated, uncultured, and undesirable to marry. But, by the end of this time period, around 1900, both groups intermingled.

The Social Graces, by Renee Rosen, chronicles the clash between Caroline Astor, the most influential of the Old monied hostesses, and the ambitious New money, Alva Vanderbilt. With immense attention to historical detail, Rosen brings this era to life for the reader. And, although I never would have guessed it, I felt a great deal of empathy towards these two women. This was a wonderful book.

What I Liked:

Historical Details:

The Gilded Age was a time of excess, and also of extreme poverty. The author does a wonderful job of showing the contrasts between the two. I was really captivated by the celebrations that began the era as opulent parties and devolved into garish spectacles by the end of the 1800's. This was perpetuated by the influx of newly wealthy families, each trying to outdo the other in themed parties. There were Balls that had a color theme (The White Ball, The Red Ball, etc), and others where the guests of honor were animals!

The author also showed how much poor people struggled during this time. Many immigrants lived in tenement housing, with no heat in the winter. Wages were not enough to buy basic necessities. When people began to organize, they were brutally put down. The wealthy going to these parties had to have seen these poor souls, yet few did anything to improve the lives of these people.

Characters:

While women of this time period had few rights or power to steer their own lives, Caroline Astor and Alva Vanderbilt made the most of their influence to bend society to their will. They also were mothers who, like any of us, wanted security for their children, especially their daughters. I think Caroline had the more difficult time of it with her children. She couldn't understand how her daughters would question the norms of society. Marry for love? What a ridiculous notion! When she stands her ground and insists on choosing husbands for her daughters, the consequences are devastating.

Alva also struggles to conform to a marriage that is more a business arrangement than a relationship. For most of the book she soldiers on, thinking her sacrifice will benefit her children's social standing. Until she has finally had enough.

Through it all, both women use their husband's money to validate themselves. The parties, dresses, and households are lavish. And the thought that must have gone in to all the planning would probably put a modern-day project manager to shame. While this could have been tedious to read about, I was fascinated, especially as the women start to question what they are doing.

Story:

The story follows Alva Vanderbilt, as she fights her way into society. She knows that women like Caroline Astor do not wish to accept them into society. When Alva tries the usual polite ways to introduce herself to Caroline are met with silence, Alva tries a different tact. She becomes a newer, flashier version of Caroline. Not invited to join the Music Academy? No problem. Alva pushes to built what is now know as the greatest opera house in the United States, The Met!

In the midst of all of this, Caroline struggles to keep her daughters in line. She wants them to marry respectable men who she has chosen for them. But her daughters have other ideas. And Alva, must decide if she can accept the trade-off of a life of ease in a loveless marriage, or risk scandal by considering divorce.

The story becomes the most heartfelt as both women begin to question the whole game of "society". It's a lot of work to rise to the top of the social ladder. But what they find is that the rewards are not terribly meaningful in the long run.

Themes:

The theme of this novel is about change. Not only are the old society families being replaced by new ones, the times are going through rapid changes brought on by the industrial age. In just a few short years, America went from horse and buggies, to automobiles, workers started organizing, and women began to demand the right to vote. With all this came an evolution of social norms. It's no wonder the Old families saw themselves as the gatekeepers of tradition.

But, with all the new fortunes being made due to industrialization, there came a certain recklessness from the newly wealthy. Parties grew increasingly lavish (and outlandish), excess was encouraged, with no thought to (or perhaps to shut out) the suffering of low-wage workers. The novel not only chronicles the events of the times, but also shows how the excesses of the time turned a Gilded Age into a garish one.

In the Social Graces. we meet the formidable Caroline Astor and the ambitious Alva Vanderbilt. As Mrs. Astor clings to her reign over society and social graces of the late 19th century New York, Mrs. Vanderbilt and the "new money" socialites strive to join that same society - the Knickerbockers. I confess that I found neither woman particularly likeable, but was at the same time fascinated by the society and all of its norms. And as always, I cringe at how little agency women of that time had over their futures - perhaps women of wealth and power even less so.

The story is told in alternating chapters between Caroline and Alva's perspectives of both society and family life, which were not easy and sometimes heartbreaking for both. We also hear from Society itself in occasional chapters that provide some overall perspective of the two women and their worlds. Much of it seems so absurd in this day and age. But it was fascinating to read about the spectacle and follow New York City's growth and change during the time. I especially loved learning the history of the Metropolitan Opera House.

I do normally love character driven novels, but I felt like the plot was lacking in what was an otherwise intriguing story. It didn't seem to go anywhere or do anything, and for me, it failed to provoke much sense of engagement or empathy. It was a fun look into the time period but not much more. I would still encourage fans of the historical fiction to give it a try as it does feature two strong and extraordinary women about whom I know very little.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC of The Social Graces!

I really enjoyed this historical fiction. It was so interesting to learn about Caroline Astor, Alva Vanderbilt, and times during the height of society’s Gilded Age.

The story was written from three perspectives - Caroline, Alva, and society. It was great to get a look at their lives and the lengths gone to become the queen of society.

I rarely read about this time period, so it was great to learn something new. I would definitely recommend this one to anyone looking for a historical fiction.

There are some books and authors for which I don’t read the synopsis and I loved @reneerosen_ Park Summer Avenue so I had to download the ARC for her next one.
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I loved diving into New York of 1870’s, where women ruled and set the rules of the society while men handled the business.
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The story is about two women; one who is the Queen B of the society and the other who is married into a wealthy family but they are considered new money so society doesn’t acknowledge them.
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This book is spread over decades and whenever I felt like the story was dragging a bit the author would pull be back in!
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After finishing the book, when I was reading the authors note, I was surprised to find out it is based on true events!
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This book comes out 20th April 2021 and if you are a fan of historical fiction, check this one out! 🤍

This is a great historical fiction book. The story goes between characters so you get a behind the scenes look at how each feels. I love learning about this time period!

This is a wonderful historical drama about two powerful and interesting women - review to follow in the Library Journal

I will read anything with New York high society. I find the subject to be so fascinating and whimsical. I loved reading this one and learning even more about it throughout the book. Great great pick,

The Social Graces is about Caroline Astor, the literal definition of the word "Society" and Alva Vanderbilt, who wants desperately to be a part of it.

It took me awhile to get into the story, because for the most part, Caroline and Alva both were quite unlikeable. However, the author did a great job of making the petty women, true to life and likeable in the end.

I highly recommend the author's previous novel, Park Avenue Summer!

How can you get yourself into the upper crust of society?

We find out, and we find out it isn't always the best place to be.

Those in the upper social circles must follow all the social rules and proper etiquette.

You can't marry who you love if they aren't in the social status deemed appropriate.

You can’t visit unless you have left a calling card.

We meet Caroline Astor and Alva Vanderbilt - one woman who has control of society, and the other trying to get invited into society.

Both women went to great lengths to be on top and in the right circles. They also suffer personal tragedies along the way.

All the properness wasn't for me, and the societal competition was intense as they tried to outdo each other with lavish homes and parties.

I couldn’t imagine following all those social protocols or those arranged marriages.

I actually chuckled at some of the “rules” they had to follow.

I did love the talk of fashions and gowns. I looked up Worth gowns...gorgeous.

I also looked up the Petite Chateau that was built by Alva Vanderbilt on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to outdo Caroline Astor...wow!!

Ms. Rosen once again brought the characters and how things were during this time to life.

Ms. Rosen’s as-always wonderful writing style and marvelous research will keep your interest as you read of the antics of these women and these times.

If you enjoy the Guilded age and seeing how the mega wealthy lived, you will enjoy SOCIAL GRACES. 4/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you love Gilded Age historical fiction, this is for you. 'The Social Graces' is, surprisingly given who it's about, less about the descriptions of grandeur and more about the complex, flawed society women who ran the show. The story is set up as the tale of the rivalry between established queen of New York society, Caroline Astor, and a determined young newcomer, Alva Vanderbilt, who will stop at nothing to break into the highest echelons of society - or she'll make society come to her instead.

The alternating perspectives, along with interstitial moments "narrated' by society as a whole, gives us the chance to really get to know both Caroline and Alva. Both women are well-known by history, and both are easily cast as the villains of others' stories, particularly their daughters' stories. Here, we get a chance to see the ways in which they fought for the only kind of power they, as women, were able to have - and just how great that power really was. Even though the very premise pits them against each other, the book never asks you to take sides; instead, you get to really understand and sympathize with both of them, realizing how much they actually have in common. It's an intriguing look that turns two icons into real, flesh-and-blood women.

For some reason, the Gilded Age seems to be a popular time period for novelists lately. I loved this book, a fictionalized account of the lives of Alva Vanderbilt and Caroline Astor, the society hostess with the mostest of that time.
If Mrs. Astor accepted you, the rest of society would as well. If she refused to receive you, no one else would.
Alva Vanderbilt, although married into an extremely wealthy family, has been ostracized by Mrs. Astor, mainly because the Vanderbilts are “new money.”
These “old money” families were the equivalent of what royalty was in England. Their activities were scrutinized much like folks today like to read about William and Kate or Harry and Meghan.
A lot of the book speaks to the mores and social direction of the time. Women were expected to behave a certain way, while the men did pretty much what they wanted, if you get my drift. Not many options available.
But toward the end of the book, which covers a time period of about 30 years, readers will notice a change in how the women (and their husbands) view themselves.
Rosen did a lot of research in order to make these characters come to life.

I received a digital advance copy of The Social Graces by Renee Rosen through NetGalley. The Social Graces is scheduled for release on April 20, 2021.

The Social Graces is a story of Society in the days of the Astors and Vanderbilts. It follows Caroline Astor, the reigning queen of high society in Manhattan, as well as Alva Vanderbilt, a new arrival desperate to worm her way into the graces of the Mrs. Astor and the world she rules.

The strength of this novel for me was the setting and world that it built. Rosen does a good job of capturing these days in New York and describing the people struggling for dominance within it.

For me, the issue with this novel was the tight focus on society. Rosen gives us two characters, one working to hold her place at the top of society, and a second working to gain a foothold and climb to the top. The result was that all we saw was the characters obsession with society and ruling it. While both characters refer to other things and people that they love and care about, we really only see the two women in relation to each other. Even when they are not directly interacting, both women focus their thoughts, desires, and actions on society and each other. The result is that both characters felt a bit one-dimensional. I felt if Rosen had focused on just one of the women, she would have had more space to show us their other interests and desires, giving us a more developed main character.

In the end, The Social Graces was a snapshot of Manhattan high society. While this tight focus on society was not an ideal story for me, I would be interested to see if other readers found the social focus more compelling. I would also read other works by Rosen, as she is clearly able to bring the past onto the page.

Having read one previous novel by Renee Rosen I was happy to see that she wrote a historical novel about the gilded age. The two main characters from the Vanderbilt and the Astor families came to life in great detail of what life was like back in the late 1800's.The wealth that was described was hard to imagine from the elaborate homes, beautiful ballgowns, to exquisite jewelry.
The role of a society woman in those days though true, seems like a fairytale so different from todays modern times.
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If you take today's fascination with the rich and famous and simply shift the time period, you emerge with this book. Rosen brilliantly captures the intensity between Caroline Astor and Alva Vanderbilt as they via for societal power. One of them had it and the other wanted it. One strove to secure the legacy of old money and the establishment. The other sought acceptance for those who weren't born into the fold. Rosen gives the reader a glimpse into the frivolousness of what was deemed important by New York society. Love? Hogwash. Taking your children's feelings into consideration? They simply don't know what's best for them. Every action was dictated by what the established norms were and how those decisions would be covered by the press. Rosen captures family strife, love and loss, grief and happiness and, success and failure. While it covers over three decades and three perspectives, Rosen finds a way to provide a level of intimacy into the lives of both women. A refreshing book that will ultimately have the reader disappointed that they finished it so quickly.

"The author of Park Avenue Summer throws back the curtain on one of the most remarkable feuds in history: Alva Vanderbilt and the Mrs. Astor's notorious battle for control of New York society during the Gilded Age.

1876. In the glittering world of Manhattan's upper crust, women are valued by their pedigree, dowry, and, most importantly, connections. They have few rights and even less independence - what they do have is society. The more celebrated the hostess, the more powerful the woman. And none is more powerful than Caroline Astor - the Mrs. Astor.

But times are changing.

Alva Vanderbilt has recently married into one of America's richest families. But what good is dizzying wealth when society refuses to acknowledge you? Alva, who knows what it is to have nothing, will do whatever it takes to have everything.

Sweeping three decades and based on true events, this is the mesmerizing story of two fascinating, complicated women going head to head, behaving badly, and discovering what’s truly at stake."

I sometimes dream I am in New York during the Gilded Age. Seeing as time travel is impossible this is the next best thing.

What I love about Renee Rosen is that she writes about other historical periods aside from World War II. She always finds ways to make each period of time interesting and accessible. Having said that, she has outdone herself with her latest novel, The Social Graces.

Truth be told, I never had much interest in the Gilded Age, but Renee, in her typical fashion, really brought it to life and made it feel interesting to me. While some things were fictionalized (which she mentioned in her author's note), there was a lot of history sprinkled in. For instance, I now understand how a certain hotel in New York City got its name.

I loved the societal rivalry between Caroline and Alva and how they kept trying to one-up each other. I also felt sorry for both of them because there were things going on behind the scenes that were difficult and heartbreaking for them. I loved Caroline's friendship with her butler and Alva's with her husband's uncle. As usual, the descriptions were great and really made everything easy to visualize.

Renee has easily become one of my go-to historical fiction novelists, whom I love recommending to other readers. I still have two of her earlier novels to read and I look forward to checking those out soon!

Due to large span of time, this novel was hard to cast as a movie, but here is who I first envisioned as the two main socialites:
Alva: Anya Taylor-Joy
Caroline: Sarah Paulson

FIVE STAR BOOK!

The Social Graces by Renee Rosen was SO GOOD. I loved living in this world for a while; I loved reading about the Vanderbilts and the Astors. Renee has done an outstanding job of showing us high society in the late 1800's in Newport RI and Manhattan. 

I've been drawn to historical fiction lately, and I didn't want this book to end. When I finished reading, I quickly looked online to see what the real Alva Vanderbilt and Caroline Astor looked like and saw their beautiful homes and families. 

Here's the plot:

1876. In the glittering world of Manhattan's upper crust, women are valued by their pedigree, dowry, and, most importantly, connections. They have few rights and even less independence—what they do have is society. The more celebrated the hostess, the more powerful the woman. And none is more powerful than Caroline Astor—the Mrs. Astor.

But times are changing.

Alva Vanderbilt has recently married into one of America's richest families. But what good is dizzying wealth when society refuses to acknowledge you? Alva, who knows what it is to have nothing, will do whatever it takes to have everything.

Sweeping three decades and based on true events, this is the mesmerizing story of two fascinating, complicated women going head to head, behaving badly, and discovering what’s truly at stake.

A fun story, well written, multi-faceted characters based on real people, plus opulence and wealth, The Social Graces is a must-read. Due out on April 20!

A delightful romp through society and its underpinning needs of women at the time. From balls to suffrage, join Alva Vanderbilt and Caroline Astor and the opulence of the Gilded Age. #TheSocialGraces #NetGalley

During the Gilded Age in New York you had to have money to play but you had to have old money to be a player in Caroline Astor's court. When upstart Alva Vanderbilt tries to compete for the top hostess spot she finds herself shunned publicly time and time again. Decades pass and these two women watch their children grow up and make bad choices, their husbands leave and they are still locking horns. What seems like frivolous and extreme gossip was social death back then. Even without social media the society pages and gossip mill was damaging enough. Powerful families head by powerful women who left quite a cultural legacy behind. Think of this as mean girl historical fiction. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.