An American Beauty
A Novel of the Gilded Age Inspired by the True Story of Arabella Huntington Who Became the Richest Woman in the Country
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4.3 • 338 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
"Abé is an exquisite storyteller." —Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Palace
The New York Times bestselling author of The Second Mrs. Astor returns with a spellbinding new book perfect for fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age and readers of Marie Benedict, Karen Harper, and Allison Pataki. This sweeping novel of historical fiction is inspired by the true rags-to-riches story of Arabella Huntington—a woman whose great beauty was surpassed only by her exceptional business acumen, grit, and artistic eye, and who defied the constraints of her era to become the wealthiest self-made woman in America.
1867, Richmond, Virginia: Though she wears the same low-cut purple gown that is the uniform of all the girls who work at Worsham’s gambling parlor, Arabella stands apart. It’s not merely her statuesque beauty and practiced charm. Even at seventeen, Arabella possesses an unyielding grit, and a resolve to escape her background of struggle and poverty.
Collis Huntington, railroad baron and self-made multimillionaire, is drawn to Arabella from their first meeting. Collis is married and thirty years her senior, yet they are well-matched in temperament, and flirtation rapidly escalates into an affair. With Collis’s help, Arabella eventually moves to New York, posing as a genteel, well-to-do Southern widow. Using Collis’s seed money and her own shrewd investing instincts, she begins to amass a fortune.
Their relationship is an open secret, and no one is surprised when Collis marries Arabella after his wife’s death. But “The Four Hundred”—the elite circle that includes the Astors and Vanderbilts—have their rules. Arabella must earn her place in Society—not just through her vast wealth, but with taste, style, and impeccable behavior. There are some who suspect the scandalous truth, and will blackmail her for it. And then there is another threat—an unexpected, impossible romance that will test her ambition, her loyalties, and her heart . . .
An American Beauty brings to vivid life the glitter and drama of a captivating chapter in history—and a remarkable woman who lived by her own rules.
“This story of one woman’s ascent offers a fascinating look at the choices she made to become a Gilded Age titan.”— Kirkus Reviews
Customer Reviews
American Beauty
Like the story, born in Los Angeles, have visited the Huntington library and grounds many time, and knew bits and pieces of the story behind it, but after reading the book I want to take it all in again.
Devoured ina Day
Loved getting lost in this book! Couldn’t put it down… so I didn’t! Captivating, beautiful enthralling story, draws you in and won’t let you go. Historical fiction at its best.
Great Read
An American Beauty was a great read by Shana Abe. This historical fiction was inspired by the true rags to riches story of Arabella Huntington. She was a beautiful woman with exceptional business acumen, grit and an artistic eye. She become the wealthiest self made woman in America at the time. In 1867 Richmond Virginia, Arabella stands apart from the others even though she wears the same uniform as all the workers in the Worsham’s gambling parlor. She is only 17 years old but has the resolve to escape her struggle and poverty. Collins Huntington is a railroad baron and self made multimillionaire. He’s drawn to Arabella from the first time he laid eyes on her. He is not only married, but also thirty years her senior. Their flirtation quickly leads to an affair. He helps her move to New York and uses his seed money to amass her fortune. No one is surprised when his first wife dies and he marries Arabella. I enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to read more by the author.