Gill PaulBesprekingen

I must remind you, readers, that this book is mostly fiction. If you want more of the truth, make sure you read the notes at the end of the book. I did a bit of research myself, as I like to do with biographical/historical/fiction, and while I am disappointed at the one thing I found, everything else is spot on.

This was a fabulous novel. I could not for the life of me, put it down and finished it in one big gulp! Gill Paul is one of my favorite biographical/historical/fiction writers, and this novel just puts her one more notch toward my all-time favorite of this genre.

It not only showcased Jacqueline's trouble trying to get Valley of the Dolls published, but it also showed just how far women truly have gone in the publishing world of today and how bad it was for women of that era who wanted to become editors.

*This ARC was supplied by the publisher William Morrow, the author, and NetGalley. Thank you all.

Mystery

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC.

What a perfect title considering the plot and the women.

Right from the start I could tell that both Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden were both tough women.

I never went to an Elizabeth Arden salon or used her products but do recall the infamous red front doors that she's known for. As I read further into the book, I realized that I know about Elizabeth's Blue Grass perfume and Helena's Heaven Scent perfume.

As for Helena Rubenstein, I didn't know much about her or Elizabeth Arden for that matter besides the above, which is another reason I wanted to read this book though it is fiction but I do know for a fact that the author did a lot of research by seeing things on her FB page that she posted.

I learned a lot about both women. I need to do research myself sometimes about things like this I guess. I do know that I'm not sure if I liked either one of them. They were mean-spirited sometimes and not sure if I would want to come up against these women.

Reading Progress

Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden dominated the beauty industry in the early 20th century and were bitter professional rivals. They copied each others products, poached employees, and planted spies in each other's companies to pass information. Either would woman would provide ample material for a novel in her own right, but this book alternates between the two, showcasing two women who had more in common than either wanted to admit. I especially appreciated the story's conclusion and learning more about these two fascinating women who created an industry.

I'm not exactly sure why I checked out this book at my local public library. It may have caught my eye in a display, or it may have come up in a search for newly-acquired historical fiction in the library catalog. At any rate, The Manhattan Girls by Gill Paul was an easy read.

It's set in New York City in the 1920s, in the midst of Prohibition, and is about four real women, none of whom I knew about. Dorothy Parker was a writer, Jane Grant was the first female reporter for the New York Times and co-founder of The New Yorker magazine, Winifred Lenihan was a Broadway actress, and Peggy Leech was a novelist (and later, a historian).

These four main characters decide to start a bridge club when some of the men in the (real) "Algonquin Round Table." start a Saturday poker game - no women allowed. The story is told in alternating chapters from each woman's viewpoint, always in the order Jane - Dottie - Winifred - Peggy. The book starts in 1921, but moves rapidly (and rather vaguely) though subsequent years.

The book is subtitled "A Novel of Dorothy Parker and Her Friends," perhaps because Parker was the best known of the four. However, I found "Dottie" to be insufferable - selfish, needy, alcoholic, with a number of affairs and suicide attempts. Why her friends were so devoted to her is unclear to me.

The other three women were much more interesting. My parents had a subscription to The New Yorker, and I always loved its covers and cartoons, so it was interesting to read about the start of this magazine and Jane's part in it. Peggy seemed to have the most balanced and happy life of the four women, and was a good friend to all of them in the book. Winifred was the most intriguing of the four to me, not at all like the stereotypical actress.

The book is also filled with other real persons as characters in the story. Some, like Eva Le Gallienne and Neysa McMein, were fascinating; others, like Alec Woollcott and Elinor Wylie, were irritating.

I'm not against drinking, but I was struck by just how much the characters in this book partook. Seems like there were speakeasys and easy-to-get booze everywhere. Perhaps it was Prohibition that made drinking more attractive. It certainly gave a feel for what life was like in big cities in the 1920s - it seemed a lot like Paris in the same era, the setting for so many books about talented (and often free-thinking or free-spirited) people. Besides this and Dorothy's problems mentioned earlier, there are triggers for other sensitive readers.

The one gripe I have about the book was the lack of an author's note at the end to tell me what was real and what was not, as well as sources her information. The library copy I read was a large-print version, so perhaps such a note had been cut to keep the page count (and book weight) down, and I couldn't find an e-book that I could check out to see. I did find an "epilogue" online (it has spoilers) that answered some of my questions, particularly about Winifred.

Two highly intelligent, driven woman become bitter rivals for the top spot in the beauty business. Story follows Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein from 1915 to 1964.

I admire authors in general, but with historical fiction, the author must mix the truth with fiction convincingly and make a compelling story by merging the two. Paul does this extremely well. Chapters alternate between Elizabeth and Helena, showing off their ability to ‘one up’ each other whether it’s product, packaging or personnel. One character comes off more likable than the other, but they are both brilliant, innovative ruthless women, with so much in common. Their person lives showed what the gave up to succeed. The first half was slow for me, then things seemed to take off. The back and forth was a little bit repetitive.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed “A Beautiful Rival,” about cosmetic pioneers Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden, I was hesitant to choose to read a book based on a rivalry, worried that by focusing on the conflict between the two woman, their individual stories would be reduced to a series of “would haves” and “should haves,” with their lives only being described in relationship to each other. I shouldn’t have worried. Gill Paul’s writing is so clear, direct, and unvarnished that the individuality of each woman shone through. It was more a story of two parallel lives rather than two lives in direct conflict. It somewhat reminded me of the recent novel “First Ladies” by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray—a tale of two powerful women and how their lives intersected and even enriched the other.

Although somewhat slow to start, by the end I was rapidly turning the pages. It was an excellent read that I highly recommend to all lovers of historical fiction. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

This was a fascinating dual time story about two woman the British royal family found difficult to deal with: Princess Diana and Wallis Simpson. Both stories were told from a distance: from a friend of Wallis, and a witness to the crash that killed Diana. A very enjoyable and interesting read!½

This was my most anticipated read for this autumn and it did not disappoint. Having two timelines one 1918 onward in Russia and the other 1970’s onwards in Australia. Gill Paul is now a must read author for me. This is the third of her books I have read and all have been very enjoyable. The ending to this one did make me tear up.

4.5*

4 * This is an interesting ' what if' account of Grand Duchess Tatiana Romanov not dying at Ekaterinburg in 1918 and a secret marriage to Dmitri, one of the officers whom she did have a flirtation with whilst nursing him at Tsarskoe Selo in 1914 and then a modern day story of a woman fleeing London to a cabin she has inherited, finding a Faberge pendant in cabin and researching her relative who turns out to be Dmitri. I don't want to say anymore about the plot. Had I not been recently reading several non fictions on the last Romanovs I think I would have enjoyed the book more and also knowing that none of them survived also makes the story a bit implausible. All that being said I am glad I read it. Updated April 2018 I have upped my rating to 4 * as the book has stayed with me since my initial read.

A beautiful love story beginning in 1914 Russia, entwined with a modern day mystery created a captivating novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Although not 100% accurate, I was able to learn many details of The Romanovs, WW1, the Bolshevik Revolution and WW2 through this book, in an honest and poignant way.

The characters are real and imperfect but still relatable, and not just once the emotions behind their words and thoughts moved me to tears.

Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, mystery and epic love stories.

Set in the 1920s, four women develop a friendship that will see them through some of their worst and best times. Dottie Parker is known for her sarcasm and biting wit and believes herself to be strong and untouchable but discovers that is not the case when her husband decides they need some time apart and she falls head over heels in love with a playboy. As her world falls apart, she depends on her friendships with Jane Grant, the first female journalist for the New York Times, Winifred Lenihan, a Broadway actress, and Peggy Leach, an award-winning novelist. During this story, each woman goes through their own traumas and achievements and learns that sometimes friends are the only people you can count on.

Gill Paul's books always take me on an adventure. They are nice slow burns for me because each character has their own detailed storyline. Dorothy Parker was the only one of the women in this book that I had heard of and I found her story to be extremely sad and heartbreaking. The other women I had not heard of looked forward to learning more about their stories. This book tells a beautiful story about life and the value of friendship.

“Four things I am wiser to know: idleness, sorrow, a friend and a foe.” -Dorothy Parker

The Manhattan Girls by Gill Paul is based on four well known women of 1920’s New York City; Dorothy Parker, a member of the Algonquin Round Table, a poet and writer known for her sharp wit; Jane Grant, reporter and cofounder of the The New Yorker magazine; broadway actress Winifred Lenihan; and novelist Peggy Leech; and tells the story of the friendship that sustained them during a particular period of their lives.

When the men of the Algonquin Round Table decide to form a Saturday night poker club, Jane Grant suggests some of the women instead meet for Bridge, inviting Dottie, Peggy and Winnie to join her. The game, hosted round robin style, quickly becomes a lifeline for the four women as they exchange confidences, hopes, failures and hardships, and provide each other with encouragement and support when it’s needed.

From what I’m able to tell, Paul draws heavily on public records and other factual sources that inform the characters personality’s and events in the novel. While the line between fact and fiction is blurred, Gill’s portrayal of these women, and their relationships, feels genuine.

Though this is very much a character driven novel as the friends face challenges in their personal and professional lives, Gill touches on several serious issues that affect the women, including sexism, self-harm, domestic violence, sexual assault, abortion, gambling, and alcoholism.

Gill ably conveys the spirit of the Roaring Twenties in New York City, capturing the hedonism among the ‘arts’ crowd, epitomised by the notorious members of the Algonquin Round Table, and the changes in society brought about by the end of WWI, the introduction of Prohibition, and the increasing opportunities for women.

Well-written, I enjoyed The Manhattan Girls as a story that explores friendship, loyalty and ambition, and as a glimpse into the private lives of four women whose influence on the arts lingers a century later.½

Thank you to the author.

Fiction based on true women are always interesting to me. The only one I knew of was Dorothy Parker. It was set in the 1920s during prohibition when the women and men were going to speakeasies to drink in various non-cocktail glasses. I loved the camaraderie between these women when things were going well and also when they weren't.

I liked learning about the women this book was based at the end of the book written by the author.

I liked this book, but I struggled a bit to get through certain parts of this novel - Dorothy or Dottie Parker attempts suicide twice and struggles with depression throughout. Still, she makes it through with a little help from her friends - Jane (who helps start The New Yorker magazine with her husband Harold), Peggy (novelist), and Winifred (actress). All of these women have remarkable careers in 1920s New York and a social life centered on the arts and literature scene. Overall, a great read, but some parts can be a little hard to read.

Story of Wallis Simpson told from the point of view of Mary one of her close friends. A parallel story story is told of a filmmaker and his fiancé who were at the scene of Diana’s fatal accident. Recommended.

Another Woman's Husband is a dual storyline book about Rachel who witnesses the crash in Paris that killed Princess Diana. She returns home to London and is fascinated to learn that the Princess had visited the last home of Wallis, Duchess of Windsor, just some hours before the crash. What was she doing that the place and Rachel can't stop herself, she starts to investigate the link between Diana and Wallis.

I found Another Woman's Husband to be a fascinating story. We get to read about Wallis through the eyes of her "best friend" as well as follow Rachel as she deals with what she witnessed. Wallis didn't really come off as a very nice person, but she seldom does in books that I've read where she has figured. Gill Paul is a very talented storyteller and I quite enjoyed reading this book, especially since I love mysteries that has to be solved. I recommend reading this book if you like reading about royalties and/or historical mysteries.

I had already decided that this was a book that I really wanted to read before I got an email about participating in a blog tour for the book. I been interested in the Romanovs for years and reading a mystery book about Grand Duchess Tatiana was too tempting to resist. I was especially thrilled about reading about Tatiana instead of Anastasia who otherwise seems to be the most popular sister to write about.

The Secret Wife has two storylines. One in the present time with Kitty leaving her husband in London settling in her great-grandfather's remote cabin in America. There she discovers that her grandfather was a writer and she finds a pendant that once belonged to a dog whose owner was a Russain Grand Duchess. And, in the past storyline, we get to met her young grandfather when he wounded is taking care off by a very special nurse.

This is a what if story. What if Dmitri and Tatiana had really fallen in love and what if he had tried everything to save her life? What would be the consequences? I looked up Tatiana and Dmitri on Wikipedia and was surprised to learn that Dmitri really had existed and that Tatiana had nursed him when he was wounded. So, even thou the book is fiction, does it have some historical bearing. I especially like that the story took some surprising turns, that it turned out to be darker and sadder story than I had expected when I started to read the book. The people in this book make rash decisions and some decisions will have ramifications years later.

This is a book where both storylines are good. I liked reading about how Kitty discovered more about her great-grandfather life and thus learning more about her family. And, Dmitri's storyline is just as intriguing.

I had already decided that this was a book that I really wanted to read before I got an email about participating in a blog tour for the book. I been interested in the Romanovs for years and reading a mystery book about Grand Duchess Tatiana was too tempting to resist. I was especially thrilled about reading about Tatiana instead of Anastasia who otherwise seems to be the most popular sister to write about.

The Secret Wife has two storylines. One in the present time with Kitty leaving her husband in London settling in her great-grandfather's remote cabin in America. There she discovers that her grandfather was a writer and she finds a pendant that once belonged to a dog whose owner was a Russain Grand Duchess. And, in the past storyline, we get to met her young grandfather when he wounded is taking care off by a very special nurse.

This is a what if story. What if Dmitri and Tatiana had really fallen in love and what if he had tried everything to save her life? What would be the consequences? I looked up Tatiana and Dmitri on Wikipedia and was surprised to learn that Dmitri really had existed and that Tatiana had nursed him when he was wounded. So, even thou the book is fiction, does it have some historical bearing. I especially like that the story took some surprising turns, that it turned out to be darker and sadder story than I had expected when I started to read the book. The people in this book make rash decisions and some decisions will have ramifications years later.

This is a book where both storylines are good. I liked reading about how Kitty discovered more about her great-grandfather life and thus learning more about her family. And, Dmitri's storyline is just as intriguing.

This novel is about the life of Lady Evelyn Herbert. Though it does speak about her part in the discovery of King Tut’s tomb - indeed the publisher’s summary leads readers to believe that is the focus - it is really the story of her love for her husband, Brograve, and his love for her. The story vacillates between Eve in her later years to the time when she was a young woman. We learn what drives her to want to be a lady archeologist, exploring along with her father, the Earl of Carnarvon, and with Howard Carter. It also brings to light the curse that supposedly surrounds the tomb. Readers will see Eve as a vibrant woman, meeting her future husband, and enjoying life. After suffering through several strokes, we see her gradual decline. Though she experienced great highs in her life, she also was victim to great tragedies. This well written novel, with equally well written characters, will likely send readers scurrying on for more information, to separate fiction from fact. The plot is captivating, with the discovery of the tomb, but the very strong love between Eve and Brograve is the heart of the story and essence of this novel. This raw emotion, and the caring each for the other, is the real story of Lady Eve, not the tomb and the curse, and was extremely well presented by the author.

Lady Evelyn Herbert is the first person to step into King Tut's tomb when it is discovered in 1922. Along with her father and family friend, Howard Carter Evelyn sees firsthand the treasures that accompanied Tut into the ever after. After the opening of Tut's tomb, Evelyn receives a letter from a known spiritualist that there was a curse placed upon the tomb which states "they that shall break the seal of this tomb shall meet death by a disease no doctor can diagnose." Evelyn looks back on her time in Egypt when someone who works for the university in Cairo reaches out regarding missing items from the tomb and begins to wonder if all the tragedies in her life have been a direct result of Tut's curse.

Lady Evelyn Herbert was someone I had never heard of nor had I read anything surrounding the finding of the tomb of Tutankhamun. This was a well-researched story that I found myself drawn more and more into. I loved Eve's ability to recall her times in Cairo as well as other events in her life. Gill Paul has a talent for making the reader want to keep reading deep into the night. This was a book I greatly looked forward to and am so glad that I read it - it will be one I buy for my shelves.

3/31/22

Eve's Carnarvon dream job was to be an archeologist and in fact she became one. Together with her father, Lord Carnarvon, and his best friend, Howard Carter, they explored the ancient ruins of Egypt. The biggest discovery of Tutankhamun's burial awaited them in November 1922. That was also the time where at night, the three of them entered a sealed chamber knowing they should not do it before the official opening. That night they disturbed pharaoh's burial chamber and they agreed to keep this secret forever. Now in 1972, Eve had another stroke that affected her speech, mobility and memory. When Ana, the archeologist contacted Eve, Eve's husband and the doctors considered it as an opportunity for Eve to exercise her memory. Astonishingly, she remembered her expeditions to Egypt and how she met her husband who still stood by her side. When asked about her memories about opening Tutankhamun's tomb, Eve struggled if she should reveal the secrets in which she kept to herself for so long. Secrets that could be disastrous for Howard, her father and for herself.

When I saw the cover page with the title and note "A Novel of the Discovery of Tutankhamun's Tomb", It's a compelling story of Egyptian discoveries and the dramatic events that unfolded afterwards. Masterfully told, with two timelines intertwined together and I was mesmerized by both of them.½

Wow. Generally, books written about Jackie Kennedy are just that - written about her life as a Kennedy. I enjoyed reading something different, about her time after JFK. From one cheating husband to the next, fame, power, and money seemed to be a fuel for her.

Gill Paul does a fabulous job in this historical fiction novel, allowing the reader to take a behind the scenes look at not only a famous First Lady's life after the white house, but that of Maria and the world's richest man.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this and give my honest opinion.