The Invitation by Belinda Alexandra

Title:  The Invitation

Author: Belinda Alexandra

Publisher: 22nd October 2018 by Harper Collins Australia

Pages: 416 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: historical fiction

My Rating: 3 crowns

Synopsis:

The sumptuous new novel set in the Gilded Age, from Belinda Alexandra, author of Tuscan Rose and White Gardenia

Sometimes the ties that bind are the most dangerous of all ...

Paris, 1899. Emma Lacasse has been estranged from her older sister for nearly twenty years, since Caroline married a wealthy American and left France. So when Emma receives a request from Caroline to meet her, she is intrigued. Caroline invites Emma to visit her in New York, on one condition: Emma must tutor her shy, young niece, Isadora, and help her prepare for her society debut.

Caroline lives a life of unimaginable excess and opulence as one of New York's Gilded Age millionaires and Emma is soon immersed in a world of luxury beyond her wildest dreams - a far cry from her bohemian lifestyle as a harpist and writer with her lover, Claude, in Montmartre.

Emma hopes for an emotional reunion with her only family, but instead she finds herself in the vice-like grip of her charismatic and manipulative sister, who revels in the machinations of the ultra rich. As Emma begins to question her sister's true motives, a disaster strikes, and New York society is stripped bare - beneath the glittering exterior lies a seething nest of deceit, betrayal, moral corruption ... and perhaps even murder.

My Thoughts

I was happy to finally delve into a Belinda Alexandra book, being the fan of historical fiction that I am. This book did not disappoint with the depth and richness of its detail. Set in France but mostly New York in the late nineteenth century, it depicts a time referred to as the ‘Gilded Age’.

‘Mark Twain called the late 19th century the "Gilded Age." By this, he meant that the period was glittering on the surface but corrupt underneath. ... It is easy to caricature the Gilded Age as an era of corruption, conspicuous consumption, and unfettered capitalism.’

(http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraid=9&smtid=1)

Alexandra clearly depicts this time of obscene wealth, with riches flaunted in incredulous ways - so ridiculous it’s almost beyond belief. Pit this against those who fought for the poor - those struggling to live and work in despicable circumstances - the self indulgent versus the socially conscience, makes for some interesting reading.  The descriptions of both character and setting are extremely detailed throughout, to my mind, at the cost of plot and story at times.

The main character Emma, is forced to move from France to New York to live/work for her sister in an effort to repay her debts. The characters are slowly established and Alexandra adeptly incorporates a  plethora of people and situations to realistically convey the spectrum of situations that indeed make up a ‘Gilded Age’. At times I just wished for more story and less explanation. Don’t get me wrong, there are intriguing parts - some more predictable than others - but overall I was a little disappointed with particular outcomes. I would not have minded the lavish descriptions so much if the story had been equally as compelling. I thought towards the end the action was slightly ridiculous- especially in comparison to the rest of the book. Everything was just tied together so neatly.

If you are interested in periods such as the Gilded Age, then this book rich in detail, with long descriptions of the lavish and opulent lifestyle of millionaires, you will fully appreciate. There is no denying Belinda Alexandra’s extensive research.

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This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release