This is actually a very interesting book. It takes us through the character growth and determination of Mildred Gower(the main character) to be and become more just another beautiful girl. This book is set in the early 1900's...a time when there were very few careers open to women other than as servants and prostitutes.
At the death of her father Mildred and her mother find themselves destitute when they learn how far above their means they have lived. Her brother, both unable and unwilling to take them in, leaves them both with no alternative but to marry and marry "well". Her mother does this, but the man she marries is reprehensible and mean spirited. Her mother and step-father all but force Mildred into marriage with a very wealthy man only to have it be an unbearable situation. Mildred leaves her husband and her life begins.
She is determined to trade on her looks and "nice" singing voice to become a songtress. Along the way she realizes how much more than what she is she must become to acheive success and independence.
We follow Mildred through folly and foolishness, highs and lows. And in the end triumph. But of course at a price.
This book is both too wordy and too slow in places, but the story and plot are good. There are unexpectedly deep and insightful moments that grabbed me and made me think. Others I jotted down in my clipboard to remember and meditate on at a later date.
All in all a good book. Not truely a romance as we're used to reading in this day and age of sex and more sex.
Recent comments: User reviews
At the death of her father Mildred and her mother find themselves destitute when they learn how far above their means they have lived. Her brother, both unable and unwilling to take them in, leaves them both with no alternative but to marry and marry "well". Her mother does this, but the man she marries is reprehensible and mean spirited. Her mother and step-father all but force Mildred into marriage with a very wealthy man only to have it be an unbearable situation. Mildred leaves her husband and her life begins.
She is determined to trade on her looks and "nice" singing voice to become a songtress. Along the way she realizes how much more than what she is she must become to acheive success and independence.
We follow Mildred through folly and foolishness, highs and lows. And in the end triumph. But of course at a price.
This book is both too wordy and too slow in places, but the story and plot are good. There are unexpectedly deep and insightful moments that grabbed me and made me think. Others I jotted down in my clipboard to remember and meditate on at a later date.
All in all a good book. Not truely a romance as we're used to reading in this day and age of sex and more sex.