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The Social Graces cover art

The Social Graces

Written by: Renée Rosen
Narrated by: Hillary Huber, Saskia Maarleveld
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Publisher's Summary

The USA Today Best Seller!

Named one of 2021’s Most Anticipated Historical Novels by Oprah Daily ∙ SheReads ∙ Frolic ∙ BookReporter ∙ and more....

The author of Park Avenue Summer throws back the curtain on one of the most remarkable feuds in history: Alva Vanderbilt and the Mrs. Astor's notorious battle for control of New York society during the Gilded Age. 

1876. In the glittering world of Manhattan's upper crust, women are valued by their pedigree, dowry, and, most importantly, connections. They have few rights and even less independence - what they do have is society. The more celebrated the hostess, the more powerful the woman. And none is more powerful than Caroline Astor - the Mrs. Astor. 

But times are changing.

Alva Vanderbilt has recently married into one of America's richest families. But what good is dizzying wealth when society refuses to acknowledge you? Alva, who knows what it is to have nothing, will do whatever it takes to have everything.

Sweeping three decades and based on true events, this is the mesmerizing story of two fascinating, complicated women going head to head, behaving badly, and discovering what’s truly at stake.

©2021 Renée Rosen (P)2021 Penguin Audio

What the critics say

"Witty and beautifully imagined...Rosen delights with breezy dialogue and keen insights into the era. Historical fans will love this." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

"Rosen’s novel opens with a sly wink to that grande dame of the Gilded Age, Edith Wharton, before she deftly spins a captivating tale of her own, based upon the legendary rivalry between Caroline Astor and Alva Vanderbilt. And what a rich story it is, full of opulent balls and monstrous mansions, yet firmly rooted in the parallel struggles of two very different heroines as they fight for their dignity and rights as wives, as mothers, and as women.” (Fiona Davis, best-selling author of GMA Book Club Pick The Lions of Fifth Avenue)

“Delightful! Prepare to be caught up in a high society feud between the Mrs. Astor and upstart Alva Vanderbilt in this wonderful novel of manners and social survival in a time before women could vote. The Social Graces is written with the talented Renee Rosen's unique blend of heart and humor and I flew through the utterly charming pages, not always sure which of these majestic women I should be rooting for.” (Stephanie Dray, New York Times best-selling author of The Women of Chateau Lafayette)

What listeners say about The Social Graces

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Wonderfully Captivating

Very shortly into it, I wondered if the recent HBO Max mini series "The Guilded Age" had been taken from this book. I now realize that history is history regardless of how it's told.

The narration is excellent and I hated having to leave. Loving 'Period' film & literature, I was enthralled throughout. IMO I thought it was extremely well done. I loved it.

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