The Luxe is a rich novel about rich people living in 19th Century New York. It is written in the style of Edith Wharton, having the tone of a classic novel and I was reminded very much of Wharton's The Age of Innocence. The Luxe tells the story of the Holland sisters, who are from one of the elite families of New York society and as such they are expected to marry well.
Elizabeth, as the oldest, must carry the responsibility of her family's precarious fortunes on her shoulders, with an advantageous but ultimately loveless marriage arrangement. But Elizabeth is in love with someone else - someone altogether unsuitable.
At the same time her little sister, Diana, is harbouring a secret love of her own - a love that would mean her sister disowning her if it was ever discovered. This love leads Diana to indulge her rebellious spirit in acts of unladylike behaviour.
Then there is Lina, ladies maid to the Holland sisters and filled with envy of their lifestyle and all the beautiful things that they own. Lina wants everything the Hollands have and when she is dismissed from their service, she vows she will have her vengeance on them.
The Luxe is the first book in an enchanting series which is full of ballgowns and banquets, secret trysts and arranged marriages, elopements and mysterious sudden deaths...and of course, the envy and betrayal that beauty, wealth and good fortune frequently attract. How will the Holland sisters survive such a society where their every move is scrutinised and reported in the society gossip column? Perhaps they won't. But when tragedy appears in this circle of friends, it is always well dressed and nothing is ever as it seems.
I really enjoyed The Luxe and I am now reading the second novel in the series Rumors, which is even better. I am looking forward to spending some dark, cosy nights curled up with the rest of this series and being spirited away to the elegance of New York high society and all the glamour that goes with it.
If you enjoy reading the works of Edith Wharton, or you are a fan of Downton Abbey, then you will probably enjoy reading the Luxe series of books too as they are modern books with all the charm of classic novels, evoking a past era of elegant sophistication. So curl up and get classy with these class-driven plot-lines.
No comments:
Post a Comment