Kristen Richardson

Pearl-ruling this one as the writing is pretty dry and makes a topic I find interesting decidedly underwhelming. The introduction recounts Richardson's own minor brushes with modern debutante culture (she was asked and said no) but the writing here is pretty muddled as she seems to skirt wanting to discuss her heritage from living in an affluential family. The first chapter recounts the roots of the marriage market and the beginnings of debutante culture and "the season" in Britain. There's a couple references to real women here but more to Jane Austen novels, which definitely gives the examples broader chances of recognition but feel a little oddly out of place in a history book. This feels like a thesis or post-doctorate turned into a book but the writing didn't receive the popular history punch up. Likely useful for serious research on the topic but as recreational reading it falls short of my expectations.… (meer)