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American Duchess
- A Novel of Consuelo Vanderbilt
- Narrated by: Ann Marie Gideon
- Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
Non-member price: $42.90
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Publisher's Summary
Before there was Meghan Markle, there was Consuelo Vanderbilt, the original American duchess.
Karen Harper tells the tale of Consuelo Vanderbilt, her “Wedding of the Century” to the duke of Marlborough, and her quest to find meaning behind “the glitter and the gold”.
On a cold November day in 1895, a carriage approaches St. Thomas Episcopal Church on New York City’s Fifth Avenue. Massive crowds surge forward, awaiting their glimpse of heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt. Just 18, the beautiful bride has not only arrived late, but in tears, yet her marriage to the aloof duke of Marlborough proceeds. Bullied into the wedding by her indomitable mother, Alva, Consuelo loves another. But a deal was made, trading some of the vast Vanderbilt wealth for a title and prestige, and Consuelo, bred to obey, realizes she must make the best of things.
At Blenheim Palace, Consuelo is confronted with an overwhelming list of duties, including producing an “heir and a spare”, but her relationship with the duke quickly disintegrates. Consuelo finds an inner strength, charming everyone from debutantes to diplomats including Winston Churchill, as she fights for women’s suffrage. When she takes a scandalous leap, can she hope to attain love at last?
From the dawning of the opulent Gilded Age, to the battles of the Second World War, American Duchess is a riveting tale of one woman’s quest to attain independence - at any price.
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What listeners say about American Duchess
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- labradoodler
- 24-07-2019
Surprisingly interesting life
This story starts slowly and describes her early years as a trite and entitled Vanderbilt who’s greatest hardship is her domineering mother. But the story becomes more interesting as Consuelo matures into her own woman and defines herself through her philanthropy
Unfortunately the narration was rapid fire but when I figured out to turn the speed to 3/4, I was able to enjoy the story. The narrator did give life to the various characters in the book.
I most enjoy novels rooted in history with glimpses into notable people lives such as Winston Churchill and Edith Wharton- not to mention the indomitable Alba Smith Vanderbilt Belmont.
6 people found this helpful
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- Missi Boyd
- 01-11-2019
Another piece to the puzzle
I've been reading quite a few books on this family. This was little corny but it gave me more back information that you didn't get from other books. The other books spoke mainly about her parents and the generation before. You also get a different look at Winston Churchill.
4 people found this helpful
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- Jennifer L
- 27-10-2019
I really wanted to like this book...
The story line was ok but I couldn’t really feel anything for Consuelo, and it seemed a bit over dramatic at times. I thought the narration was very stilted and awkward. I was very aware that the book was being read at me instead of being performed.
3 people found this helpful
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- debra
- 22-09-2019
remarkable story of courage
a woman who was ahead of her time. Very enthralling story of the Duchess of Marlborough and her life. good read
3 people found this helpful
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- Carol Davis
- 24-09-2019
♥️ LOVE ♥️
From beginning to end, this book was absolutely amazing! The narrator kept you engaged and did a superb job! The only bad thing I can mention is the last page....because that meant the book was over 🙁
2 people found this helpful
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- Liz
- 20-09-2019
The ending was a bit disappointing
I don't want to give anything away but I am sure there is more Consuelo did after the war
It's as if the author ran out of steam and quit
2 people found this helpful
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- Nicole M
- 17-09-2019
Not a believable portrait of a real person
I started off liking it but then realized it was the narration that was good and not so much the storytelling. It was initially a nice attempt to bring Consuelo Vanderbilt to life based off her writings and facts and some creative license here and there but ultimately it fell completely flat when the image put forth of Consuelo was entirely flat, grade school level character development in that she was perfect and pure, wholesome and Saintly, devoid of all flaws or nuance and humanity. She’s depicted like a Mother Theresa in her wishes to do good and her disdain for the class distinctions yet she so obviously perpetuated it in her life for even when she could marry for her own choice she didn’t choose an ordinary Joe but a haughty Frenchman. She obviously had nannies who cared for her children who she left, she didn’t even know her newborn son was sickly as others were doing the caring while she lounged around recovering. Its not convincing to then have her painted as a perfect human when she simply wasn’t. The part where her own friend was seducing and having an affair with her husband was brushed over. Many things were portrayed just sterile and blasé, lacking any feeling or lifeblood—like they were robots. It was a different era but humans have humanity and emotion no matter what age or class they’re in. The author didn’t seem to think about that. In all I was asking myself why I was bothering listening to this mindless drivel. I skipped through the last several chapters. The holier than thou little miss perfect hokeyness is just ridiculous and tiresome.
2 people found this helpful
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- Lucy lu
- 26-01-2021
Interesting but disappointing
I am always interested in historical novels and the basics were well founded but I think that the attitudes and voice of the Duchess smacked too much like a modern day teen to feel very authentic.
1 person found this helpful
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- Leslie Gail Mnich
- 16-11-2019
American Duchess👏
This book was Wonderful! I really enjoyed learning about Consuelo Vanderbilt . I had read the Elva Vanderbilt book so this was a wonderful book to listen too after learning about the family. Consuelo is a strong smart woman who is very kind to the ones who need help. I absolutely loved her story and the narrator is five stars! Excellent 🙌🏻 I do hope they make this story into a movie! I highly recommend this book!
Thank you,
Leslie😊
1 person found this helpful
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- Rodney & Jennifer C
- 26-04-2019
really enjoyed this
I enjoyed this story so much! It was very well written and te narrator was great!
2 people found this helpful
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