Before Daisy Goodwin created the BBC’s Victoria, she made a splash with her debut novel, The American Heiress. Set in the early 20th century, it tells the tale of Cora Cash, the only child of a wealthy American businessman. Cora is beautiful, admired by everyone, and has her choice of suitors. Nonetheless, her formidable mother, Mrs. Cash, wants her to marry into nobility. They travel to England where Cora meets the mysterious Duke of Wareham. After a whirlwind romance, they get married, and Cora’s new life begins far from her home.
Goodwin’s novel is a lavish portrayal of excess and romance, smoothly moving from one scene to the next with a lot of heart. It takes inspiration from Consuelo Vanderbilt’s life, an American heiress who married the 10th Duke of Marlborough in 1895. Fans of Downton Abbey and Victoria will find much to love in this book.
Historical Background
The American Heiress takes place in two distinct worlds. First is the “modern” America of the late Gilded Age, a time marked by ostentatious wealth overshadowing corruption and materialism. The era saw the rise of spectacular “beach houses” in places like Newport, Rhode Island. Magnificent homes and extravagant parties were the norms, depicted vividly in the book’s opening scene.
The second world is Queen Victoria’s England in the 1890s, a period grappling with both traditional values and the dawn of modernism. Aristocratic families faced economic pressures due to inheritance taxes and agricultural depression, selling their treasures to the newly rich Americans.
Cora Cash
Goodwin uses rich historical detail to craft Cora Cash, an American heiress who becomes the Duchess of Wareham. Cora’s privileged background could make her seem spoiled and arrogant, and sometimes she is. However, she also offers keen insights. She exemplifies the confident American spirit, unfamiliar with rejection until her friend Teddy declines her proposal. Devastated, she heads to England seeking a title, but despite her wealth, she remains an outsider.
As a duchess, Cora struggles with the weight of tradition and her reliance on money. She learns that wealth doesn’t solve all problems and starts to establish herself and mend her mistakes, even as threats to her happiness emerge. Through her journey, she displays resilience and independence, qualities that initially attracted her husband, Ivo.
Ivo Maltravers
Ivo, the Duke of Wareham, is a darkly magnetic and somewhat brooding figure with a passionate heart. Despite his charm, his motivations are not fully explored in the book, leaving some of his character to the imagination of the reader. His romantic gestures and Cora’s reactions to them add to the book’s emotional depth.
Bertha and Jim
A compelling subplot involves Bertha, Cora’s black maid, who faces class and racial tensions in England. Her romantic relationship with Jim is kept secret due to the risks it entails, adding tension to the plot. Bertha’s story provides another layer to the narrative, offering a voice that tackles class and racial issues head-on.
Final Thoughts
The American Heiress paints a romantic picture of the clash between the American Gilded Age and Victorian England, showcasing how love can triumph. Goodwin’s descriptive narrative and sharp dialogue breathe life into the historical setting and characters. This novel is an enjoyable, indulgent read, perfect for anyone who loves historical romance.
The American Heiress is available in bookstores and online, including Kindle, iBooks, Google Books, and Nook. In the UK, it is titled The Last Duchess.
Content Note: The novel contains no profanity or explicit content.
