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Carnegie's Maid
From the author of The Other Einstein, the mesmerizing tale of what kind of woman could have inspired an American dynasty.
Clara Kelley is not who they think she is. She's not the experienced Irish maid who was hired to work in one of Pittsburgh's grandest households. She's a poor farmer's daughter with nowhere to go and nothing in her pockets. But the other woman with the same name has vanished, and pretending to be her just might get Clara some money to send back home.
If she can keep up the ruse, that is. Serving as a lady's maid in the household of Andrew Carnegie requires skills he doesn't have, answering to an icy mistress who rules her sons and her domain with an iron fist. What Clara does have is a resolve as strong as the steel Pittsburgh is becoming famous for, coupled with an uncanny understanding of business, and Andrew begins to rely on her. But Clara can't let her guard down, not even when Andrew becomes something more than an employer. Revealing her past might ruin her future -- and her family's.
With captivating insight and heart, Carnegie's Maid tells the story of one brilliant woman who may have spurred Andrew Carnegie's transformation from ruthless industrialist into the world's first true philanthropist..
283 pages, Hardcover
First published January 16, 2018
About the author
Marie Benedict
28 books10.6k followersMarie Benedict is a lawyer with more than ten years' experience as a litigator at two of the country's premier law firms. She found her calling unearthing the hidden historical stories of women. Her mission is to excavate from the past the most important, complex and fascinating women of history and bring them into the light of present-day where we can finally perceive the breadth of their contributions as well as the insights they bring to modern day issues.
She embarked on this mission with THE OTHER EINSTEIN, which tells the tale of Albert Einstein's first wife, a physicist herself, and followed that with the USA Today bestselling CARNEGIE'S MAID. Up next was the New York Times bestseller and Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM, the story of the brilliant inventor Hedy Lamarr. Then came LADY CLEMENTINE, the internationally bestselling story of Clementine Churchill. Her next novel, the instant New York Times bestselling THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE, focused on the real life disappearance of Agatha Christie. The bestselling books HER HIDDEN GENIUS, which reveals Rosalind Franklin's discovery of the structure of DNA, and THE MITFORD AFFAIR, which explores the role that history's most notorious sisters played in the rise of World War II, were published in quick succession.
Her first co-written novel with the talented Victoria Christopher Murray, THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN, shares the legacy of the brilliant Belle da Costa Greene, J.P. Morgan's librarian, and became an instant New York Times bestseller and Good Morning America Book Club Pick. Most recently, she published another co-written novel with Victoria Christopher Murray, the instant New York Times bestseller and Target Book of the Year THE FIRST LADIES, which explores the world changing friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune.
In February of 2025, Marie will publish her newest novel, THE QUEENS OF CRIME, which is a thrilling story of Agatha Christie’s legendary rival, mystery writer Dorothy Sayers, the race to solve a real-life murder, and the power of friendship among women.
Writing as Heather Terrell, Marie also published the historical novels The Chrysalis, The Map Thief, and Brigid of Kildare. Marie's novels have been translated into twenty-nine languages.
She embarked on this mission with THE OTHER EINSTEIN, which tells the tale of Albert Einstein's first wife, a physicist herself, and followed that with the USA Today bestselling CARNEGIE'S MAID. Up next was the New York Times bestseller and Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM, the story of the brilliant inventor Hedy Lamarr. Then came LADY CLEMENTINE, the internationally bestselling story of Clementine Churchill. Her next novel, the instant New York Times bestselling THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE, focused on the real life disappearance of Agatha Christie. The bestselling books HER HIDDEN GENIUS, which reveals Rosalind Franklin's discovery of the structure of DNA, and THE MITFORD AFFAIR, which explores the role that history's most notorious sisters played in the rise of World War II, were published in quick succession.
Her first co-written novel with the talented Victoria Christopher Murray, THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN, shares the legacy of the brilliant Belle da Costa Greene, J.P. Morgan's librarian, and became an instant New York Times bestseller and Good Morning America Book Club Pick. Most recently, she published another co-written novel with Victoria Christopher Murray, the instant New York Times bestseller and Target Book of the Year THE FIRST LADIES, which explores the world changing friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune.
In February of 2025, Marie will publish her newest novel, THE QUEENS OF CRIME, which is a thrilling story of Agatha Christie’s legendary rival, mystery writer Dorothy Sayers, the race to solve a real-life murder, and the power of friendship among women.
Writing as Heather Terrell, Marie also published the historical novels The Chrysalis, The Map Thief, and Brigid of Kildare. Marie's novels have been translated into twenty-nine languages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,172 reviews
May 19, 2020
This book starts with an unbelievable premise, on which the whole plot hangs. Clara Kelly assumes the identity of a dead girl with the same name who happened to be traveling on the same boat to America. It gives you a good taste of the trials of the Irish immigrant and is a reminder how American prejudice used to be directly squarely at the Irish Catholics.
The book reminds me in some ways of Jane Eyre and other books from the period that looked to have love bridge the social gap between rich and poor. But it’s not giving anything away to say there’s no happy ending here.
While the story here is interesting, I didn’t find the main character to be compelling or believable. I just didn’t engage fully with Clara. We’re meant to believe that a ladies maid is the impetus behind Carnegie’s funding of the public libraries he founded. We’re also meant to believe that some of Carnegie’s business ideas were actually Clara’s. I found her character to be more device than real.
Carnegie’s story is interesting, however, especially how he made his money. Benedict doesn’t try to whitewash his tactics, including insider trading. At times, I wished the story were more directly about him. Benedict does her best job at painting Mrs. Carnegie. A true rarity in her day, she was a shrewd businesswoman but socially insecure.
The parts I enjoyed most are the details about the times and social mores. The necessity of a chatelaine to help ladies prone to fainting because of their tight corsets is an excellent example. And Benedict shines when she contrasts the wealth of the Carnegies and their friends to the lot of the poor in Ireland and Pittsburgh.
This book will appeal to those who favor historical romance.
My thanks to netgalley and Landmark Sourcebooks for an advance copy of this novel.
The book reminds me in some ways of Jane Eyre and other books from the period that looked to have love bridge the social gap between rich and poor. But it’s not giving anything away to say there’s no happy ending here.
While the story here is interesting, I didn’t find the main character to be compelling or believable. I just didn’t engage fully with Clara. We’re meant to believe that a ladies maid is the impetus behind Carnegie’s funding of the public libraries he founded. We’re also meant to believe that some of Carnegie’s business ideas were actually Clara’s. I found her character to be more device than real.
Carnegie’s story is interesting, however, especially how he made his money. Benedict doesn’t try to whitewash his tactics, including insider trading. At times, I wished the story were more directly about him. Benedict does her best job at painting Mrs. Carnegie. A true rarity in her day, she was a shrewd businesswoman but socially insecure.
The parts I enjoyed most are the details about the times and social mores. The necessity of a chatelaine to help ladies prone to fainting because of their tight corsets is an excellent example. And Benedict shines when she contrasts the wealth of the Carnegies and their friends to the lot of the poor in Ireland and Pittsburgh.
This book will appeal to those who favor historical romance.
My thanks to netgalley and Landmark Sourcebooks for an advance copy of this novel.
July 3, 2021
Why am I following author Marie Benedict? Because even though I've only read 3 of at least 6 well-researched books that she has written (and the others are on my WTR list), I've learned something new each time!
From protagonist, Clara Kelley (fictitious lady's maid), I learned:
1. how and why lone female Irish immigrants left destitute Ireland in search of a better life for themselves and/or their families; and,
2. what the expectations were of a lady's maid in the late 1800s (reminded me of "Downton Abbey"!)
From secondary character, Andrew Carnegie (real-life rags-to-riches story), I learned:
1. how he was at times a ruthless industrialist businessman, merging companies, leaving hundreds of impoverished workers out of a job through his knowledge of insider trading, and also taking advantage of the Enrollment Act of 1863 where he could avoid battle during America's Civil War by paying someone else, usually a poor immigrant, to take his place. All legal, but not very moral; and,
2. at an early age, Carnegie began an intense focus to better serve the underprivileged through dozens of social programs, most notably, free libraries. To date, there are thousands of libraries in existence worldwide originally funded by Carnegie, 125 of them in Canada (3 in the province of Alberta!) By the end of his life, he gave away 90% of his wealth!
So ..., why did Carnegie change his focus from being a money-grubbing tycoon to taking the high-road as the "founder of modern philanthropy"? Was a personal relationship the reason? In this particular story, Benedict (using information about her own Irish immigrant ancestors) has Carnegie being inspired by Clara to put his money where his mouth is and be a better man. That would be a lovely story (and it is!)
P.S. I also learned about the Knickerbockers, 19th century NYC's snobbish descendants of early Dutch settlers!
Thanks to Goodreads friend, Susan, for doing this buddy read with me!
From protagonist, Clara Kelley (fictitious lady's maid), I learned:
1. how and why lone female Irish immigrants left destitute Ireland in search of a better life for themselves and/or their families; and,
2. what the expectations were of a lady's maid in the late 1800s (reminded me of "Downton Abbey"!)
From secondary character, Andrew Carnegie (real-life rags-to-riches story), I learned:
1. how he was at times a ruthless industrialist businessman, merging companies, leaving hundreds of impoverished workers out of a job through his knowledge of insider trading, and also taking advantage of the Enrollment Act of 1863 where he could avoid battle during America's Civil War by paying someone else, usually a poor immigrant, to take his place. All legal, but not very moral; and,
2. at an early age, Carnegie began an intense focus to better serve the underprivileged through dozens of social programs, most notably, free libraries. To date, there are thousands of libraries in existence worldwide originally funded by Carnegie, 125 of them in Canada (3 in the province of Alberta!) By the end of his life, he gave away 90% of his wealth!
So ..., why did Carnegie change his focus from being a money-grubbing tycoon to taking the high-road as the "founder of modern philanthropy"? Was a personal relationship the reason? In this particular story, Benedict (using information about her own Irish immigrant ancestors) has Carnegie being inspired by Clara to put his money where his mouth is and be a better man. That would be a lovely story (and it is!)
P.S. I also learned about the Knickerbockers, 19th century NYC's snobbish descendants of early Dutch settlers!
Thanks to Goodreads friend, Susan, for doing this buddy read with me!
February 14, 2018
4 out of 5 stars to Carnegie's Maid, a historical fiction novel set to be published in January 2018 by Marie Benedict.
Why This Book
I saw this show up on NetGalley and wanted to read something about the Carnegie family. I've been on a hunt to read/learn more about all the "tycoons" of America, curious about all the connections between them. I enjoy both fiction and non-fiction, so I requested this one and was approved. I picked it up last month because of a trip to the Vanderbilt Estate, even though it's a different family. Wanted to immerse myself in the culture before the trip.
Plot, Characters & Setting
Andrew Carnegie, a leading member of one of America's tycoon families, has settled in Pittsburgh with his mother and brother. A woman who leaves Ireland to help earn money to send her family back home, learns that the lady's maid hired for Mrs. Carnegie has died during the Atlantic voyage. She takes her place and becomes Clara Kelly, despite not having all the knowledge a lady's maid should have. She learns quickly, befriends some of the other staff, even fights with a few. Over time, she convinces everyone she is a good maid, but there is much more to her than they realize; she's got strong business acumen and become a confidante of sorts to Mrs. Carnegie's son, Andrew. Their relationship grows and begins to cause a few folks to question what is going on in the Carnegie household. This is a story about the relationship between the Carnegie family and their staff, love between two unexpected souls and the vicious rules of society.
Approach & Style
I read the Kindle version on my iPad over 3 days. It is about 250 pages with short chapters, told from the perspective of Mrs. Carnegie's maid during the 1860s in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, America.
Strengths
The story is simple and complex, quite beautifully told from the maid's perspective. Only she's so much more than a maid, and you can hear every bit of pain and love in her voice. Benedict does a fantastic job at transporting us to the setting of the story, which makes it a strong connection. It's a slow-build to see and feel the love, but quite believable.
I learned a bit about how Carnegie grew to fame and fortune. The book has made me curious to know how much of this story is true, hence why I am on the lookout for a biography on him and the family. A good author makes that happen... thanks, Ms. Benedict!
We only see a glimpse (less than ten years) of the life between these characters, then it jumps to when they are much older. I loved seeing a future glance rather than everything that happened over the years after Andrew and Clara met. Usually I don't like missing details, but in this story, it worked quite well.
Concerns
The writing is a little clunky at times; sometimes it's as it should be, given the story takes place 150 years ago. But on a few occasions, I thought simpler phrases or imagery would have helped with the complexity in the differences between the time period and today.
Author & Other Similar Books
This is the author's second book, as she has a debut titled 'The Other Einstein.' I don't know a lot about it, but I am curious to check out the description to see if it's something I'd want to read.
I read a bunch of historical fiction and have encountered books like this before; however, seeing it about a famous American family, and learning of a potential 'hidden' relationship, was different and exciting.
Final Thoughts
Good read. Quick. Informative. I liked the style. Characters well-drawn. Matches the style of the time period. Overall, better than average.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I’m Jay, an author who lives in NYC. My debut novel, Watching Glass Shatter, can be purchased on Amazon @ http://mybook.to/WGS. I write A LOT. I read A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
Why This Book
I saw this show up on NetGalley and wanted to read something about the Carnegie family. I've been on a hunt to read/learn more about all the "tycoons" of America, curious about all the connections between them. I enjoy both fiction and non-fiction, so I requested this one and was approved. I picked it up last month because of a trip to the Vanderbilt Estate, even though it's a different family. Wanted to immerse myself in the culture before the trip.
Plot, Characters & Setting
Andrew Carnegie, a leading member of one of America's tycoon families, has settled in Pittsburgh with his mother and brother. A woman who leaves Ireland to help earn money to send her family back home, learns that the lady's maid hired for Mrs. Carnegie has died during the Atlantic voyage. She takes her place and becomes Clara Kelly, despite not having all the knowledge a lady's maid should have. She learns quickly, befriends some of the other staff, even fights with a few. Over time, she convinces everyone she is a good maid, but there is much more to her than they realize; she's got strong business acumen and become a confidante of sorts to Mrs. Carnegie's son, Andrew. Their relationship grows and begins to cause a few folks to question what is going on in the Carnegie household. This is a story about the relationship between the Carnegie family and their staff, love between two unexpected souls and the vicious rules of society.
Approach & Style
I read the Kindle version on my iPad over 3 days. It is about 250 pages with short chapters, told from the perspective of Mrs. Carnegie's maid during the 1860s in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, America.
Strengths
The story is simple and complex, quite beautifully told from the maid's perspective. Only she's so much more than a maid, and you can hear every bit of pain and love in her voice. Benedict does a fantastic job at transporting us to the setting of the story, which makes it a strong connection. It's a slow-build to see and feel the love, but quite believable.
I learned a bit about how Carnegie grew to fame and fortune. The book has made me curious to know how much of this story is true, hence why I am on the lookout for a biography on him and the family. A good author makes that happen... thanks, Ms. Benedict!
We only see a glimpse (less than ten years) of the life between these characters, then it jumps to when they are much older. I loved seeing a future glance rather than everything that happened over the years after Andrew and Clara met. Usually I don't like missing details, but in this story, it worked quite well.
Concerns
The writing is a little clunky at times; sometimes it's as it should be, given the story takes place 150 years ago. But on a few occasions, I thought simpler phrases or imagery would have helped with the complexity in the differences between the time period and today.
Author & Other Similar Books
This is the author's second book, as she has a debut titled 'The Other Einstein.' I don't know a lot about it, but I am curious to check out the description to see if it's something I'd want to read.
I read a bunch of historical fiction and have encountered books like this before; however, seeing it about a famous American family, and learning of a potential 'hidden' relationship, was different and exciting.
Final Thoughts
Good read. Quick. Informative. I liked the style. Characters well-drawn. Matches the style of the time period. Overall, better than average.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I’m Jay, an author who lives in NYC. My debut novel, Watching Glass Shatter, can be purchased on Amazon @ http://mybook.to/WGS. I write A LOT. I read A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
May 7, 2023
Carnegie's Maid by Marie Benedict is a historical fiction novel about a personal maid, Clare Kelley, hired for Mrs. Carnegie. Clare is not her real name and she has never been a personal maid before, yet she is able to learn quickly with keen observation skills. She becomes very close to Andrew Carnegie.
Andrew Carnegie never married until he was 52 years old. During the last 18 years of his life, he gave almost 90% of his fortune to charities, universities, and foundations. During his life, Carnegie was one of the richest Americans. His 1889 article, The Gospel of Wealth, encouraged the wealthy to use their money to improve society and he stimulated a wave of philanthropy.
Benedict conducted a lot of research for the book and created Clare Kelley in the image of Benedict's Irish family who immigrated to the US. The premise of the story is that Clare influenced Andrew Carnegie's philanthropy.
Andrew Carnegie never married until he was 52 years old. During the last 18 years of his life, he gave almost 90% of his fortune to charities, universities, and foundations. During his life, Carnegie was one of the richest Americans. His 1889 article, The Gospel of Wealth, encouraged the wealthy to use their money to improve society and he stimulated a wave of philanthropy.
Benedict conducted a lot of research for the book and created Clare Kelley in the image of Benedict's Irish family who immigrated to the US. The premise of the story is that Clare influenced Andrew Carnegie's philanthropy.
January 21, 2018
4 Steelers’ Stars to Carnegie’s Maid ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The Author’s Note at the beginning by Marie Benedict set the stage. In a letter, supposedly steel-hearted Andrew Carnegie professed that he would do more for the immigrants and working class in America. After that time, he founded his famous library, which later led to him being a full-fledged philanthropist. Why was he inspired to change his ways? Marie Benedict has some ideas based on her own family’s experience.
The writing was smooth, and the picture painted had me firmly in Pittsburgh during the time period. It reminded me a bit of Downton Abbey with an upstairs/downstairs feel due to the live-in help and the gossip that ensued. The only drawback I found with the book is that I wasn’t sure if I bought into the theory completely (which I don’t want to give away).
Overall, I found the story to be vivid and detailed. I loved what I learned about Carnegie’s life and time.
Thank you to Marie Benedict, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Netgalley, for the opportunity to read and review an ARC.
Carnegie’s Maid was published on January 16, 2018.
*Why Steelers’ Stars? Because I married a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and anything Pittsburgh related makes me think of the Steelers, and also because of Carnegie’s relationship to the steel mills and the Steel City.
The Author’s Note at the beginning by Marie Benedict set the stage. In a letter, supposedly steel-hearted Andrew Carnegie professed that he would do more for the immigrants and working class in America. After that time, he founded his famous library, which later led to him being a full-fledged philanthropist. Why was he inspired to change his ways? Marie Benedict has some ideas based on her own family’s experience.
The writing was smooth, and the picture painted had me firmly in Pittsburgh during the time period. It reminded me a bit of Downton Abbey with an upstairs/downstairs feel due to the live-in help and the gossip that ensued. The only drawback I found with the book is that I wasn’t sure if I bought into the theory completely (which I don’t want to give away).
Overall, I found the story to be vivid and detailed. I loved what I learned about Carnegie’s life and time.
Thank you to Marie Benedict, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Netgalley, for the opportunity to read and review an ARC.
Carnegie’s Maid was published on January 16, 2018.
*Why Steelers’ Stars? Because I married a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and anything Pittsburgh related makes me think of the Steelers, and also because of Carnegie’s relationship to the steel mills and the Steel City.
July 19, 2017
If ever there was a market for this book, it would be me - a born and raised Pittsburgher who has read nonfiction works about Carnegie's life, is a massive historical fiction fan, has visited the former house museum of his arch enemy, Henry Clay Frick, (twice) because I am so fascinated with the era...I even got married at Carnegie museum. So a fictional account of a love story involving Andrew Carnegie? Sign.me.up.
However.
I can't be sure if it's this bias that left me disappointed with this book; if my expectations were too high. So please take my review with a grain of salt, and please pick this one up to make your own opinion - you may love it much more than I did.
This is a fictional account of "what would have happened had Andrew Carnegie's mother had a lady's maid who he fell in love with and changed his view of the world?". An interesting concept for a romantic soul as myself.
I believe it's strongest point was how this book highlighted the social injustices of the time. It gives factual, historical evidence of how those in the lower classes were treated and forced to suffer during these times, all from the perspective of someone who is experiencing these injustices yet is thrown into the world of luxury and opulence. This juxtaposition of her two worlds lays heavily on her heart and truly demonstrates the difference between the upper and lower classes of the gilded age.
For a relatively short book, this took me an awful long time to complete. It's slower pace left me feeling a bit underwhelmed and I believe I read two other books from the time I picked this one up because I kept putting it down. As I mentioned before, my expectations may have been too high based on my personal experience. I would recommend this to historical fiction fans.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
However.
I can't be sure if it's this bias that left me disappointed with this book; if my expectations were too high. So please take my review with a grain of salt, and please pick this one up to make your own opinion - you may love it much more than I did.
This is a fictional account of "what would have happened had Andrew Carnegie's mother had a lady's maid who he fell in love with and changed his view of the world?". An interesting concept for a romantic soul as myself.
I believe it's strongest point was how this book highlighted the social injustices of the time. It gives factual, historical evidence of how those in the lower classes were treated and forced to suffer during these times, all from the perspective of someone who is experiencing these injustices yet is thrown into the world of luxury and opulence. This juxtaposition of her two worlds lays heavily on her heart and truly demonstrates the difference between the upper and lower classes of the gilded age.
For a relatively short book, this took me an awful long time to complete. It's slower pace left me feeling a bit underwhelmed and I believe I read two other books from the time I picked this one up because I kept putting it down. As I mentioned before, my expectations may have been too high based on my personal experience. I would recommend this to historical fiction fans.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2020
Just found out the author also wrote The Other Einstein and I have to say i enjoyed this one much more. The book follows Clara Kelly as she becomes a lady maid to Andrew Carnegie's mother and eventually develops a relationship with Andrew. I really liked Clara and was really rooting for her through out. I actually kind of wish the book had been longer and we had spent more time building up to the end. I don't know if it was that the end just felt kind of abrupt. The book does follow Clara as she spend more than a year at the least and it just felt like less time than that had passed but I do get why we might not just have more passages of Clara doing needle work. I guess it just felt like an anticlimactic ending and personally I don't have such high esteem for people like Carnegie's philanthropy so I may have just rolled my eyes at that epilogue. But yeah this was definitely a good read and I finished it in one sitting.
July 3, 2021
Ladies Choice.
Clara has just emigrated to the United States at the request of her poor Irish family who barely scraped her boat fare together. She and many others were crowded into the windowless bottom of the ship and her story as a resourceful survivor had me hoping for her success.
By using her wits, she finagles a position as a Lady’s Maid instead of the scullery kitchen job she was designated for. As she learns her new role, she takes an interest in the business dealings of the master of the house, Andrew Carnegie.
Carnegie’s Maid was well researched and intermixed facts about Andrew Carnegie and the iron industry with fictional character Clara. Set in 1867 on the cusp of The Gilded Age, I was personally drawn to the opulent architecture descriptions and fashions of the time period.
Although friends have praised Marie Benedict’s writing, this is the first I’ve read by her. I loved reading the author’s notes at the end as I always like to check if my interpretation is what the writer was attempting to portray.
More specifically, the author was interested in what inspired a ruthless self made tycoon to donate his money. Although Mr. Carnegie rose from impoverished immigrant status himself, he seemed to forget his roots among his commerce and new riches.
Downloaded as a four book package from Amazon, I’ve been sitting on it - unable to break out of my thriller mode until this fun buddy read with Debbie. Thank you for reading with me!
Clara has just emigrated to the United States at the request of her poor Irish family who barely scraped her boat fare together. She and many others were crowded into the windowless bottom of the ship and her story as a resourceful survivor had me hoping for her success.
By using her wits, she finagles a position as a Lady’s Maid instead of the scullery kitchen job she was designated for. As she learns her new role, she takes an interest in the business dealings of the master of the house, Andrew Carnegie.
Carnegie’s Maid was well researched and intermixed facts about Andrew Carnegie and the iron industry with fictional character Clara. Set in 1867 on the cusp of The Gilded Age, I was personally drawn to the opulent architecture descriptions and fashions of the time period.
Although friends have praised Marie Benedict’s writing, this is the first I’ve read by her. I loved reading the author’s notes at the end as I always like to check if my interpretation is what the writer was attempting to portray.
More specifically, the author was interested in what inspired a ruthless self made tycoon to donate his money. Although Mr. Carnegie rose from impoverished immigrant status himself, he seemed to forget his roots among his commerce and new riches.
Downloaded as a four book package from Amazon, I’ve been sitting on it - unable to break out of my thriller mode until this fun buddy read with Debbie. Thank you for reading with me!
January 11, 2018
Clara Kelley needed to help her family financially since their 20-acre farm in Ireland was slowly being sold to pay their bills.
The best place her father thought she could be of help was in America. Since she was educated and not really suited to be a farmer's wife, off to America she went in search of work, but she was not sure why it was to be in servitude.
Clara made it across the ocean and into the household of the Carnegie family in Pittsburgh. She became the lady's maid for Mrs. Carnegie.
While there, Mrs. Carnegie's son, Andrew, became enamored with Clara because of her intelligence and love of reading. They always talked about books and having a library that is free to the public and the working man.
CARNEGIE'S MAID takes us through the everyday life of Andrew Carnegie, his brother, Tom, and their mother as they build their fortune. Andrew Carnegie was very philanthropic in his latter years.
This was the first book I have read by Ms. Benedict. Ms. Benedict has a beautiful, pull-you-in writing style. I enjoyed her prologue explaining why she wanted to write about the Carnegies.
CARNEGIE'S MAID flowed smoothly and had perfect detail. I live in Pittsburgh and enjoyed hearing the names of towns and streets.
CARNEGIE'S MAID kept me interested and engaged in the story line. It was an excellent read even though the maid Andrew fell in love with and the woman who influenced him is fictitious.
A thoroughly enjoyable book for historical fiction fans and those who want to learn about Andrew Carnegie. 5/5
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher and NetGalley in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 22, 2018
Clara Kelley leaves for America seeking employment to help her family in Ireland. She hopes that she will earn enough to keep her family from losing their farm. Her journey by ship was tough and many fell ill and died on the voyage. When she arrives at the dock she hears her name being called by a gentleman seeking a different Clara Kelley. Deciding to take a risk, she follows him to Pittsburgh to take a job as a lady’s maid.
Clara finds herself working in the home of the Carnegie family. She has no training or experience about the responsibilities of a lady’s maid. She learns her role quickly and becomes indispensable to Mrs. Carnegie. She keeps her true identity a secret and one day catches the eye of her employer’s son. He becomes interested in her advice and eventually, a romance starts to form.
I enjoyed Marie Benedict’s first novel, The Other Einstein, so I could not wait to read this book. This was an engaging historical fiction novel about individuals whose lives are dictated by social classes.
Clara finds herself working in the home of the Carnegie family. She has no training or experience about the responsibilities of a lady’s maid. She learns her role quickly and becomes indispensable to Mrs. Carnegie. She keeps her true identity a secret and one day catches the eye of her employer’s son. He becomes interested in her advice and eventually, a romance starts to form.
I enjoyed Marie Benedict’s first novel, The Other Einstein, so I could not wait to read this book. This was an engaging historical fiction novel about individuals whose lives are dictated by social classes.
July 9, 2018
All I knew about Andrew Carnegie was that he had a hall named after him. This novel does intrigue me to know more about him. I was very lukewarm over the whole stretch of a dalliance with a maid. Having read The Other Einstein I do like that Marie Benedict enjoys bringing strong minded women to the forefront of her novels. I certainly enjoyed Clara Kelley's determination to support her family in Ireland and in the USA. It was a good fast read, but because it slowed down in the middle I am giving it a 3 star.
January 1, 2018
I was thrilled when I got the chance to read this book long before it was released. I mean as I write this review is it more than half a year left before the book is released. But, I just had to read it!
So, by the two stars rating have you probably figured that I did not truly love this book. Now, before I start to explain what worked and what did not work for me will I just tell you that I'm sure many will love this book. It's not badly written or anything. It's just that I'm pretty picky when it comes to romance, and that what in the end made this book fail for me.
Now, the book had potentials. The beginning was intriguing and I was eager to see how the story would develop. Now, I did know that this was a romance story. The blurb clearly stated it, but, despite not being a fan of romance books, do like to read romance in a historical setting. Clara is imagined characters, but that I didn't mind that even though I prefer reading historical romance stories between real-life characters. I did enjoy reading and learning more about Andrew Carnegie. Such a fascinating man. And, here is the problem, I would have loved the story to have been more about Andrew Carnegie's life and career and less about Clara, her tribulations and the romance between them. It just didn't work for me, I felt no sparks between them. To put it bluntly, Clara was not an interesting character and that made the romance pretty uninteresting.
And, the ending. I can't give it away of course. But, it felt very unbelievable. The beginning of the book clearly shows how it all would end. But, for my life can't I fathom that ending. It just doesn't make sense for me. Love always finds a way, and that ending was such a letdown to a story that already felt like a letdown.
I'm sorry to say, but this book was just not for me...
I want to thank Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
So, by the two stars rating have you probably figured that I did not truly love this book. Now, before I start to explain what worked and what did not work for me will I just tell you that I'm sure many will love this book. It's not badly written or anything. It's just that I'm pretty picky when it comes to romance, and that what in the end made this book fail for me.
Now, the book had potentials. The beginning was intriguing and I was eager to see how the story would develop. Now, I did know that this was a romance story. The blurb clearly stated it, but, despite not being a fan of romance books, do like to read romance in a historical setting. Clara is imagined characters, but that I didn't mind that even though I prefer reading historical romance stories between real-life characters. I did enjoy reading and learning more about Andrew Carnegie. Such a fascinating man. And, here is the problem, I would have loved the story to have been more about Andrew Carnegie's life and career and less about Clara, her tribulations and the romance between them. It just didn't work for me, I felt no sparks between them. To put it bluntly, Clara was not an interesting character and that made the romance pretty uninteresting.
And, the ending. I can't give it away of course. But, it felt very unbelievable. The beginning of the book clearly shows how it all would end. But, for my life can't I fathom that ending. It just doesn't make sense for me. Love always finds a way, and that ending was such a letdown to a story that already felt like a letdown.
I'm sorry to say, but this book was just not for me...
I want to thank Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
September 29, 2021
My second Benedict novel, and it didn’t disappoint!
The Carnegie’s Maid tells the story of Clara Kelly, an Irish farmer’s daughter who immigrates to Pittsburgh to help support her family. Clara arrives by boat and learns that another girl by the same name has died on the passage. After a moral deliberation, Clara decides to take her position as a Lady’s Maid for Mrs. Carnegie. She succeeds in hiding her true background.
Clara is introduced to Andrew Carnegie, who was a Scottish immigrant that became a wealthy and successful business man in the US by working in the iron and railroad market during the Civil War. As Clara and Andrew interact, they form a complex relationship.
The characters in the novel were very well developed. Clara was intelligent, confident, vigilant, and determined to help her family. She had brilliant business ideas. She learned the ins and outs of both high society and the business world in Pittsburgh and New York City.
I found this novel fascinating! It was very well written and had many interesting elements that came together nicely. I felt I learned a lot about this time period (1863-1867) from the Industrial Age in America to the limited opportunities women had to the Fenian movement in Ireland and the Knickerbockers of NYC. It was also intriguing to learn about Mr. Carnegie’s extremely impactful philanthropic efforts and what might have inspired his change of course.
Though it took me a while to get through, I found this book engrossing! Benedict’s writing transports you back in time and captures this potentially fictional, but highly influential woman so vividly that you can’t help but wonder who she really was. I would definitely recommend this book to others!
The Carnegie’s Maid tells the story of Clara Kelly, an Irish farmer’s daughter who immigrates to Pittsburgh to help support her family. Clara arrives by boat and learns that another girl by the same name has died on the passage. After a moral deliberation, Clara decides to take her position as a Lady’s Maid for Mrs. Carnegie. She succeeds in hiding her true background.
Clara is introduced to Andrew Carnegie, who was a Scottish immigrant that became a wealthy and successful business man in the US by working in the iron and railroad market during the Civil War. As Clara and Andrew interact, they form a complex relationship.
The characters in the novel were very well developed. Clara was intelligent, confident, vigilant, and determined to help her family. She had brilliant business ideas. She learned the ins and outs of both high society and the business world in Pittsburgh and New York City.
I found this novel fascinating! It was very well written and had many interesting elements that came together nicely. I felt I learned a lot about this time period (1863-1867) from the Industrial Age in America to the limited opportunities women had to the Fenian movement in Ireland and the Knickerbockers of NYC. It was also intriguing to learn about Mr. Carnegie’s extremely impactful philanthropic efforts and what might have inspired his change of course.
Though it took me a while to get through, I found this book engrossing! Benedict’s writing transports you back in time and captures this potentially fictional, but highly influential woman so vividly that you can’t help but wonder who she really was. I would definitely recommend this book to others!
October 29, 2017
Andrew Carnegie, originally an Scottish immigrant grew to be the most powerful and richest man in America. He was assuredly a self made man, one who grew to control the steel industry in America and later became a philanthropist and is given credit for the concept of a free library where all could educate themselves through the reading of books. Having little formal education, he grew up in a family where education through books was valued. Andrew carried this throughout his life and believed that "There is no use whatever trying to help people who do not help themselves. You cannot push anyone up a ladder unless he be willing to climb himself."
The book Carnegie's Maid, is a fictitious account of a maid, Clara Kelly, and Irish immigrant who was supposedly the impetus behind Carnegie's philanthropy and the finding of free lending libraries. Clara assumes the name of another traveler to America who perished on the journey and becomes the personal mail to Mrs Carnegie, Andrew's mother. Clara is a noble soul, happy for the position in the household while worrying about the conditions at home faced by her family. Andrew befriends her seeing a woman who is both brilliant and true, not knowing her secret identity. He and Clara fall in love and of course the social strata between them prohibits this relationship. Mrs Carnegie, forgetting from whence she has come, is full of herself. She looks down upon the help and when she senses something between Andrew and Clara, she takes it upon herself to investigate Clara with dire consequences for Clara.
Told through Clara's point of view, this story tells us of the struggles of immigrants and the rise of the wealthy class in America. It portrays this society as elitist and at the opposite end shows the struggles of those in both Ireland and America who are dirt poor. Thankfully, Mr Carnegie after amassing his wealth, did whatever his money and fame brought him to help those in need.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an unbiased review.
The book Carnegie's Maid, is a fictitious account of a maid, Clara Kelly, and Irish immigrant who was supposedly the impetus behind Carnegie's philanthropy and the finding of free lending libraries. Clara assumes the name of another traveler to America who perished on the journey and becomes the personal mail to Mrs Carnegie, Andrew's mother. Clara is a noble soul, happy for the position in the household while worrying about the conditions at home faced by her family. Andrew befriends her seeing a woman who is both brilliant and true, not knowing her secret identity. He and Clara fall in love and of course the social strata between them prohibits this relationship. Mrs Carnegie, forgetting from whence she has come, is full of herself. She looks down upon the help and when she senses something between Andrew and Clara, she takes it upon herself to investigate Clara with dire consequences for Clara.
Told through Clara's point of view, this story tells us of the struggles of immigrants and the rise of the wealthy class in America. It portrays this society as elitist and at the opposite end shows the struggles of those in both Ireland and America who are dirt poor. Thankfully, Mr Carnegie after amassing his wealth, did whatever his money and fame brought him to help those in need.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an unbiased review.
January 27, 2019
A bit of mistaken identity, a bit of deception, and a newly arrived Irish immigrant is placed as lady’s maid to Mrs. Carnegie. Without any training or experience in wealthy homes, she immediately intuits all the knowledge she needs to win over the difficult Mrs. Carnegie and win the heart of Andrew Carnegie. Not only does she instantly master the expectations and needed skills of a lady’s maid, but she also solves business problems and recommends new business ventures for Andrew. I realize that I often find romances more fanciful than believable. But, beyond that, I disliked the writing. The author appears to think her reader is dumber than a box of rocks because she refuses to trust the reader to draw a single conclusion or to remember a single fact. Every chapter we were reminded that the heroine was functioning under a false identity, that her family needed her income, that she had heard tales of masters assaulting maids, etc. There was much in this book that did nothing to advance the story or develop the characters, but only served to allow the reader to gawk at the lives of the rich in mid-19th century America.
February 26, 2022
During the Irish potato famine, Clara Kelley immigrates to America, she's hoping to find her distant cousin Patrick and a job. Her family is struggling, she's the obvious one to emigrate to America being the smartest in her family and they desperately need her to send money home. Clara endures the long voyage to America on the Envoy, in steerage and it's a nightmare.
When she arrives, she is mistaken for another woman, they have the exact same name but they come from very different social backgrounds! Taking a big chance, she doesn't mention she isn't the Clara Kelley and she's soon on her way to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Clara's to be the new ladies maid for Mr Andrew Carnegie's rich Scottish mother and she has no idea how she will manage! Mrs. Carnegie's is difficult to please, set in her ways and being her lady's maid isn't a easy job. Clara is kept busy all day, into the evening attending to Mrs. Carnegie's needs and she's learns very quickly how to keep her mistress happy.
Due to her position as a lady's maid the other staff employed at the mansion are not very friendly to Clara and the only person that's nice to her is the cook. Clara is home sick, misses her family terribly and is anxiously waiting to hear from them. Clara finds herself in a unique situation, due to her duties as a maid, she's present when the Mrs. Carnegie and her son Andrew discuss details about the family business. Andrew Carnegie is a interesting man, he can be friendly, happy and he's not a snob. But he's ruthless in his business interests, he's rich, powerful and he never want's to be poor again.
He discovers Clara visiting the library in the mansion, he asks her questions and is shocked the find out how well educated she is. They start to talking to each other, they secretly meet while Clara is running errands for Mrs. Carnegie and it becomes very obvious that Andrew has feelings for Clara.
Clara is very cautious, she's heard so many stories about poor Irish girls being taken advantage of by rich men and she also has to maintain her cover. She can't let her guard down, her family are only just surviving on her money she sends them and can she trust Andrew Carnegie? Soon she and Andrew are discussing business ideas, ways to make money and what would Mrs. Carnegie think about her son considering marrying her maid.
I enjoyed Carnegie's Maid, it makes you think about what it's like to be poor, how hard it is to escape poverty and what lengths you would go to save your own family. Would you tell the truth or would you jump at the chance of taking a well paid job and hide your secret? It's the first book I have read by Marie Benedict, I loved it and I gave it four stars. I shared my review on Goodreads, Twitter, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Australian Amazon and my blog.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
When she arrives, she is mistaken for another woman, they have the exact same name but they come from very different social backgrounds! Taking a big chance, she doesn't mention she isn't the Clara Kelley and she's soon on her way to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Clara's to be the new ladies maid for Mr Andrew Carnegie's rich Scottish mother and she has no idea how she will manage! Mrs. Carnegie's is difficult to please, set in her ways and being her lady's maid isn't a easy job. Clara is kept busy all day, into the evening attending to Mrs. Carnegie's needs and she's learns very quickly how to keep her mistress happy.
Due to her position as a lady's maid the other staff employed at the mansion are not very friendly to Clara and the only person that's nice to her is the cook. Clara is home sick, misses her family terribly and is anxiously waiting to hear from them. Clara finds herself in a unique situation, due to her duties as a maid, she's present when the Mrs. Carnegie and her son Andrew discuss details about the family business. Andrew Carnegie is a interesting man, he can be friendly, happy and he's not a snob. But he's ruthless in his business interests, he's rich, powerful and he never want's to be poor again.
He discovers Clara visiting the library in the mansion, he asks her questions and is shocked the find out how well educated she is. They start to talking to each other, they secretly meet while Clara is running errands for Mrs. Carnegie and it becomes very obvious that Andrew has feelings for Clara.
Clara is very cautious, she's heard so many stories about poor Irish girls being taken advantage of by rich men and she also has to maintain her cover. She can't let her guard down, her family are only just surviving on her money she sends them and can she trust Andrew Carnegie? Soon she and Andrew are discussing business ideas, ways to make money and what would Mrs. Carnegie think about her son considering marrying her maid.
I enjoyed Carnegie's Maid, it makes you think about what it's like to be poor, how hard it is to escape poverty and what lengths you would go to save your own family. Would you tell the truth or would you jump at the chance of taking a well paid job and hide your secret? It's the first book I have read by Marie Benedict, I loved it and I gave it four stars. I shared my review on Goodreads, Twitter, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Australian Amazon and my blog.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
September 9, 2021
I must admit that I was late to the party in reading Carnegie’s Maid but as the saying goes…better late than never. Hats off to Marie Benedict for penning this extraordinary historical fiction novel with such strong, vulnerable and complex characters. This was the second book by Marie Benedict that I have had the pleasure of reading. In Carnegie’s Maid, Marie Benedict was able to weave the fictional account of Clara Kelly’s life as lady’s maid to Andrew Carnegie’s mother with the true aspects of Andrew Carnegie’s successful business dealings and his metamorphosis from cutthroat businessman to America’s first philanthropist. The early immigrant experiences and aspects of the Civil War were sprinkled in as well. It took place in Pittsburgh in the 1860’s. Clara’s family had sent Clara from Ireland to America by boat to work so she could send some of her wages home to help her struggling family. Fate was on Clara’s side when she was mistaken for another Clara Kelly. She was driven to Pittsburgh where she quickly adapted to her new role, perfected her speech, and became the indispensable lady’s maid to Andrew Carnegie’s mother. Andrew saw something in Clara immediately that he both admired and respected. As time went on, a romance began. Would society and the class of people Andrew Carnegie associated himself with accept Clara, a maid, into their world?
I listened to the audiobook of Carnegie’s Maid that was well narrated by Alana Kerr Collins. It was fast paced, impeccably researched and well written. I learned a lot about Andrew Carnegie, his family, and his many business endeavors. There were elements of drama, romance, class distinctions, strong family ties and struggles throughout the book. The characters from Carnegie’s Maid were strong and memorable. I still find myself thinking about them. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
I listened to the audiobook of Carnegie’s Maid that was well narrated by Alana Kerr Collins. It was fast paced, impeccably researched and well written. I learned a lot about Andrew Carnegie, his family, and his many business endeavors. There were elements of drama, romance, class distinctions, strong family ties and struggles throughout the book. The characters from Carnegie’s Maid were strong and memorable. I still find myself thinking about them. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
February 22, 2020
With this book, I have now read all of the books written by Marie Benedict. I have enjoyed each one. I have been impressed with her skills as an historical novelist. Many years ago, I took a summer course at the University of California on how to do research, both on site and off, for writing historical fiction. The course was taught by Irving and Jean Stone. I was amazed at the amount of work and detailed investigation that goes into writing historical fiction. In those days Irving Stone was the leading historical novelist. They worked as a team; he did the writing and she did the research. Over the years I found myself comparing historical novelist against the standards set by Stone. In my opinion, Benedict rates up at the top.
The book is well written and researched. Our protagonist is a fictional person placed into a real situation. She is a young Irish girl who works as a maid for Andrew Carnegie. I have read a number of biographies about Carnegie so was interested in how Benedict was going to weave her fictional person into his life. Benedict does a great job painting the pictures of life as a tycoon during the industrial revolution. I believe some referred to this period as the Gilded Age. Benedict brings the period to life. I highly recommend this book.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eight hours and one minute. Alana Kerr Collins does an excellent job narrating the book. Collins was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She is the winner of an Audie Award and numerous other narration awards. She is an actress, singer and audiobook narrator.
The book is well written and researched. Our protagonist is a fictional person placed into a real situation. She is a young Irish girl who works as a maid for Andrew Carnegie. I have read a number of biographies about Carnegie so was interested in how Benedict was going to weave her fictional person into his life. Benedict does a great job painting the pictures of life as a tycoon during the industrial revolution. I believe some referred to this period as the Gilded Age. Benedict brings the period to life. I highly recommend this book.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eight hours and one minute. Alana Kerr Collins does an excellent job narrating the book. Collins was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She is the winner of an Audie Award and numerous other narration awards. She is an actress, singer and audiobook narrator.
December 14, 2021
Andrew Carnegie came from humble beginnings in Scotland, and in America, he became an iron magnate and the richest man in the world. He used his wealth to improve society, creating free libraries. He sparked philanthropy with pouring money into education and scientific research.
Nevertheless, some accused him of being ruthless. And that’s what this story explores, his character.
Clara Kelley (fictional character) is a very moral, likeable and interesting character. She comes from humble beginnings like Carnegies, but from Ireland. Her father encouraged women's education when it was unseen for family of her status to do so. She is observant of Andrew’s character. She likes his equal treatment of all men, but she is bothered by his determination for success. She questions, does the end justify the means? She witnesses family conversations and is allowed access to their library, where she puts pieces together of a 28 year old ambitious Andrew Carnegie.
The story is set between 1863-1867, during a time when opportunities for women were very limited; either in household or marriage; serving as a nurse or working as a telegraph operator was something new and rare.
It is set mostly in industrial Pittsburgh of Pennsylvania, but it also touches upon the Knickerbockers of NYC – a very tight society of Dutch settlers, who amassed fortunes in trade, railroad and stocks. They had no status in Europe, so to make themselves very important; they invented rules of society and didn’t want to let any outsider in, especially immigrant, no matter how rich.
The story is grasping, progressing with good pace, and infused with depth.
Nevertheless, some accused him of being ruthless. And that’s what this story explores, his character.
Clara Kelley (fictional character) is a very moral, likeable and interesting character. She comes from humble beginnings like Carnegies, but from Ireland. Her father encouraged women's education when it was unseen for family of her status to do so. She is observant of Andrew’s character. She likes his equal treatment of all men, but she is bothered by his determination for success. She questions, does the end justify the means? She witnesses family conversations and is allowed access to their library, where she puts pieces together of a 28 year old ambitious Andrew Carnegie.
The story is set between 1863-1867, during a time when opportunities for women were very limited; either in household or marriage; serving as a nurse or working as a telegraph operator was something new and rare.
It is set mostly in industrial Pittsburgh of Pennsylvania, but it also touches upon the Knickerbockers of NYC – a very tight society of Dutch settlers, who amassed fortunes in trade, railroad and stocks. They had no status in Europe, so to make themselves very important; they invented rules of society and didn’t want to let any outsider in, especially immigrant, no matter how rich.
The story is grasping, progressing with good pace, and infused with depth.
December 1, 2018
3.5 stars
I don't normally read much historical fiction that takes place prior to the 1900s but I knew a little bit about Andrew Carnegie from watching history programs with my husband, so I thought I'd give this one a chance. I wouldn't say this is a must-read but I found it to be charming in its own little unique way.
I think it's important to note the author chose to base this novel on why Andrew Carnegie ended up donating so much of his fortune. This historical fiction novel is comprised much more from the author's imagination rather than strictly facts. I thought it was a clever idea for a story because it seems recently it has become trendy for some of the richest people in the world to announce most of their money will go to charities rather than family members when they die. Maybe some of them were inspired by Carnegie and the legacy he left. I think all of us readers need to give a bit of thanks to Andrew Carnegie as he played an important role in establishing free public libraries in America.
I think it is a valid criticism to say not much actually happens in the novel. Yet, I still enjoyed reading it especially the interactions between Clara, the maid, and Andrew. They were both immigrants but obviously in entirely different social classes and yet had so much in common. I'll admit I was slightly disappointed when reading the Author's Note to discover how much of the book was fiction rather than fact. However, I do appreciate the author's creativity in developing what I found to be an interesting story. Maybe it isn't a book for everyone, but I'm glad I read it.
I don't normally read much historical fiction that takes place prior to the 1900s but I knew a little bit about Andrew Carnegie from watching history programs with my husband, so I thought I'd give this one a chance. I wouldn't say this is a must-read but I found it to be charming in its own little unique way.
I think it's important to note the author chose to base this novel on why Andrew Carnegie ended up donating so much of his fortune. This historical fiction novel is comprised much more from the author's imagination rather than strictly facts. I thought it was a clever idea for a story because it seems recently it has become trendy for some of the richest people in the world to announce most of their money will go to charities rather than family members when they die. Maybe some of them were inspired by Carnegie and the legacy he left. I think all of us readers need to give a bit of thanks to Andrew Carnegie as he played an important role in establishing free public libraries in America.
I think it is a valid criticism to say not much actually happens in the novel. Yet, I still enjoyed reading it especially the interactions between Clara, the maid, and Andrew. They were both immigrants but obviously in entirely different social classes and yet had so much in common. I'll admit I was slightly disappointed when reading the Author's Note to discover how much of the book was fiction rather than fact. However, I do appreciate the author's creativity in developing what I found to be an interesting story. Maybe it isn't a book for everyone, but I'm glad I read it.
March 15, 2022
Marie Benedict provided a delightful and credible scenario beautifully written and engaging. There are a surprisingly small amount of main characters that are well cast. There’s also a beautiful, forbidden love story in between the master and maid, which makes the story exciting and sad at the same time. Clara, the main character, is a good person, became interested in the affairs of Carnegie and listened attentively to his ideas and opinions. The thrill of the story lies with Clara might have had a hand in changing history with a hidden past and a fear of being exposed. She concealed her origin and took cover for another, Clara, who is to be hired as the lady’s maid. The story has a bittersweet ending that I did not favor but understand from the point of reality in history.
August 9, 2021
Clara Kelley arrives in America to have a better life and to help her family back in Ireland financially. When she arrives at the dock she hears her name being called. Who could this be? She is not expecting anyone to meet her. The man calling her name is very well dressed and distinguished He couldn’t be anyone for her. She decides to go along with this and tells him she is Clara Kelley. Obviously she is the wrong Clara Kelley. She secures a job as a ladies maid for the Carnegie family. Clara has no experience as a ladies maid but is determined to be successful. Clara meets Andrew Carnegie and becomes very interested in his business endeavors. Clara and Andrew develop feelings for each other but Clara is very cautious. Her family must come first. She can not jeopardize her job and lose her earnings. Clara feels she can never tell Andrew the truth about who she really is. Andrew is very persistent and peruses her all the more.
This is a wonderful historical fiction tale of Clara an Irish immigrant. Clara is fictitious character but tells her story of living in poverty in Ireland.
This is also the story of Andrew Carnegie who was a Scottish immigrant and how he found his fortune, but also became a philanthropist.
This a a very compelling read and very well written.
I highly recommend it.
This is a wonderful historical fiction tale of Clara an Irish immigrant. Clara is fictitious character but tells her story of living in poverty in Ireland.
This is also the story of Andrew Carnegie who was a Scottish immigrant and how he found his fortune, but also became a philanthropist.
This a a very compelling read and very well written.
I highly recommend it.
May 28, 2023
This well-done historical fiction is the story of the early years of Andrew Carnegie's life, the building of his empire, and an interesting glimpse into the glaring inequities of life between the lives wealthy and the poverty stricken during the gilded age. The story is told from the perspective of his mother's fictitious lady's maid. By the time Carnegie was 35 he had decided to give away all of his money and one of his most enduring gifts to the U.S. was the building and furnishing of over 2,500 free libraries. The story is an entertaining and uplifting fast read full of love, sacrifice, and overall good moral character. I will be reading more by this author!
August 25, 2019
Wow... This was a great read for me. :))) I really want to talk about this book's ending and if I talk about it I would give spoilers so I won't say anything about that. :)) I would recommend to everyone who likes historical fiction. And this book was the first book that goes on my favorites list that published this year or will be published. Don't miss it. It isn't published yet but will be published on 01 Jan 2018.
The story happens in the 1860s (fixed :). This story begins with giving us the little glimpse of how it will end and just with this first and last time we will see from Andrew's POV how he feel about all the things happened. The way he thinks was enough for me to like him from the beginning. Even though Clara was gone and he didn't have any idea why she left him and why she didn't say anything to him, he seemed to keep his words. This is one of his thoughts make me feel like this.
After this, we go to the beginning of Clara's story and we just read the story from her POV. I would love to read time to time from Andrew's (Mr. Carnegie) POV. Well, it doesn't matter I loved it anyway. Clara leaves her country for America because of the family's financial difficulties and her over cleverness for a farm girl so she wasn't suitable for to be farmer wife. After the journey on the ocean, she arrived in America and with luck (this come to me little too much luck to be believable but I think it can happen not impossible) she began working as a Mrs. Carnegie's Maid even though she didn't have any clue how she can be one. Even though she struggles with her duties as a maid she handles it with luck (her Mrs. doesn't have any clue too about how a maid should act :)), with a great effort and cleverness. After a while, she began to talk with Mr. Carnegie (Andrew) and then the story goes on with they began to like each other (even though she doesn't accept he was really direct about it with words).
I loved Andrew and Clara as a person and the way they act towards each other. There was a lot of side characters even though they weren't well known for us with the way they act in the story they were real for me. I don't know anything about how was America in the 1860s (history not my province) but the story makes me feel like it was real. I loved how she handles with problems by observing everything. She was a lovely character and strong girl who doesn't satisfy with just what she has but always search a way to improve herself and saves her family. Even when she was angry towards Andrew she shows empathy towards him and judges herself too. I loved the way Andrew talk with her and care what she feels about anything he does how they improve each other and how easily he accepts her cleverness. In shortly I loved anything about this book, I just wanted it to be longer and to read from Andrew's POV too :))))
NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available! :))
The story happens in the 1860s (fixed :). This story begins with giving us the little glimpse of how it will end and just with this first and last time we will see from Andrew's POV how he feel about all the things happened. The way he thinks was enough for me to like him from the beginning. Even though Clara was gone and he didn't have any idea why she left him and why she didn't say anything to him, he seemed to keep his words. This is one of his thoughts make me feel like this.
"This is precisely the sort of status-seeking, greedy thinking that Clara would have loathed. He had vowed to her that he would carve out a different path from those materialistic industrialists and society folk, and he would keep that vow, even though she was gone."
This was what he think to himself.
After this, we go to the beginning of Clara's story and we just read the story from her POV. I would love to read time to time from Andrew's (Mr. Carnegie) POV. Well, it doesn't matter I loved it anyway. Clara leaves her country for America because of the family's financial difficulties and her over cleverness for a farm girl so she wasn't suitable for to be farmer wife. After the journey on the ocean, she arrived in America and with luck (this come to me little too much luck to be believable but I think it can happen not impossible) she began working as a Mrs. Carnegie's Maid even though she didn't have any clue how she can be one. Even though she struggles with her duties as a maid she handles it with luck (her Mrs. doesn't have any clue too about how a maid should act :)), with a great effort and cleverness. After a while, she began to talk with Mr. Carnegie (Andrew) and then the story goes on with they began to like each other (even though she doesn't accept he was really direct about it with words).
I loved Andrew and Clara as a person and the way they act towards each other. There was a lot of side characters even though they weren't well known for us with the way they act in the story they were real for me. I don't know anything about how was America in the 1860s (history not my province) but the story makes me feel like it was real. I loved how she handles with problems by observing everything. She was a lovely character and strong girl who doesn't satisfy with just what she has but always search a way to improve herself and saves her family. Even when she was angry towards Andrew she shows empathy towards him and judges herself too. I loved the way Andrew talk with her and care what she feels about anything he does how they improve each other and how easily he accepts her cleverness. In shortly I loved anything about this book, I just wanted it to be longer and to read from Andrew's POV too :))))
NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available! :))
May 6, 2022
Carnegie’s Maid - Marie Benedict is about the Carnegie family primarily the eldest son as he builds public libraries. He supposedly takes many of his ideas from Irish born lady maid of his mother, Clara Kelly. The story was interesting and kept me interested. Historical romances or romances in general are not my interest. It will certainly be more enticing to those who do enjoy. As always Marie Benedict’s book is very well researched and stayed with the times. I love learning about history through HF books.
November 16, 2017
2.5 stars
Hailing from Pittsburgh's East End, I was eager to read this book — overeager, after having loved the author's previous historical novel, The Other Einstein.
The central theme is the same (the man's legacy is due to the woman), but the basis of the plot differs: the other stems from debate; this one is invented.
I would not have minded, if it were realistic, but it isn't. At the 78% mark, I was done suspending disbelief.
It took me several sittings just to get that far. After a strong start, (1) the narrative becomes as monotonous as Clara's job (I laughed when I thought to myself, How many times must I read of her darning?!, and then saw, "Sometimes I felt like needlework was all I did."), and (2) the author doesn't weave the facts into the story but rather tosses them in — often in conversations that one almost needs to chart as Clara does, in order to follow.
Perhaps it's my bad for anticipating the author would deliver another story revolving around historical figures, not one in which they serve to frame what's more the story of immigration (and slavery) during the Fenian era (at the end of the American Civil War) using made-up characters.
For anyone interested more in Andrew Carnegie than in fictional characters under his mother's employ, there is a host of nonfiction books. Here is my short list (the latter half are personal faves):
Carnegie's autobiography
Nasaw's biography of Carnegie
The Tycoons
The World's Richest Neighborhood
The Johnstown Flood
Fallingwater Rising
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the ARC.
Hailing from Pittsburgh's East End, I was eager to read this book — overeager, after having loved the author's previous historical novel, The Other Einstein.
The central theme is the same (the man's legacy is due to the woman), but the basis of the plot differs: the other stems from debate; this one is invented.
I would not have minded, if it were realistic, but it isn't. At the 78% mark, I was done suspending disbelief.
It took me several sittings just to get that far. After a strong start, (1) the narrative becomes as monotonous as Clara's job (I laughed when I thought to myself, How many times must I read of her darning?!, and then saw, "Sometimes I felt like needlework was all I did."), and (2) the author doesn't weave the facts into the story but rather tosses them in — often in conversations that one almost needs to chart as Clara does, in order to follow.
Perhaps it's my bad for anticipating the author would deliver another story revolving around historical figures, not one in which they serve to frame what's more the story of immigration (and slavery) during the Fenian era (at the end of the American Civil War) using made-up characters.
For anyone interested more in Andrew Carnegie than in fictional characters under his mother's employ, there is a host of nonfiction books. Here is my short list (the latter half are personal faves):
Carnegie's autobiography
Nasaw's biography of Carnegie
The Tycoons
The World's Richest Neighborhood
The Johnstown Flood
Fallingwater Rising
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the ARC.
March 21, 2020
Wonderful storyline ! !
Thanks to Netgalley and respective publishers for providing copy for me.
Comprehensive, exceptionally written book.
Great HISTORICAL FICTION AND ROMANCE.
I've not read any good Historical fiction after prolong time period.
A novel, merely described about life of Immigrants especially about leading characters and how they flew with their masters.
I like whole description of each and every character as well as flow of story.
So many wishes for the Author.
Thanks to Netgalley and respective publishers for providing copy for me.
Comprehensive, exceptionally written book.
Great HISTORICAL FICTION AND ROMANCE.
I've not read any good Historical fiction after prolong time period.
A novel, merely described about life of Immigrants especially about leading characters and how they flew with their masters.
I like whole description of each and every character as well as flow of story.
So many wishes for the Author.
September 5, 2017
Having been born in Pittsburgh, PA I am very familiar with the name Andrew Carnegie. I was pleased as punch to be approved for this book. Very fascinating story of a young girl, one of the many Irish immigrants coming to America to find work after the potato famine. Having a very common name of Clara Kelly she poses as the Clara Kelly who dies on the ship on her way to America. That Clara Kelly was on her way to a well paying position as a ladies maid for Mrs. Carnegie, Andrew Carnegie's mother. She became that Clara. Times were desperate in Ireland and she does what she must to survive . Mrs. Carnegie may suspect she was not really a ladies maid for the finer homes in Ireland but being a recent immigrant herself she is still feeling her way around proper society. Clara learns her duties as she works and tries not to let on how impressed she is by the opulence in the Carnegie home. Andrew Carnegie catches her reading in the library of his home several times and is impressed with her mind and they read poetry together. He starts to have feelings for her but she can not act on the feeling she may have for him. After all she is his mother's maid, a lowly servant in her own eyes. She can not risk anything happening to her station in life. Her family depends greatly on her sending money back home to Ireland so they can even eat. Her father has lost his job and her sister's take in sewing barely keeping food on the table and now they have lost their farm. A relationship with her employer is just out of the question. None of the other servants besides a Mr. Ford like her in the Carnegie home. Andrew's feeling burn for her for years and he is ready to marry her and tell his mother. But......... Mother spends hours away from home without Clara and she always takes Clara with her when she goes out so Clara can help her. Secrets are uncovered.lies are unearthed and miseries rise to the surface. This I was so sad to see I really wish it could have had a different outcome. I loved reading about all the many Pittsburgh towns and streets that I am familiar with. I do wish more depth was put into the writing about the Carnegie Free library . This was hardly spoken of and it is such an important part of who Carnegie was and what Pittsburgh is. Overall I am so glad to have read this fascinating book.
Pub Date 01 Jan 2018
Thank you to NetGally and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for a eview copy in exchang for my honest opinion.
Pub Date 01 Jan 2018
Thank you to NetGally and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for a eview copy in exchang for my honest opinion.
April 5, 2018
3-1/2 Stars
Will the real Clara Kelly please stand up?
I’m finding that I am enjoying historical fiction more and more as of late. I am always curious as to which aspects of the book are true. Which is funny because I was never interested in history during school!
Carnegie’s Maid is a fictional love story that was fun to read. I never knew much about Andrew Carnegie before reading this but after reading it I looked up a few things and he had an interesting life.
I recommend this when you are in the mood for a historical love story.
Will the real Clara Kelly please stand up?
I’m finding that I am enjoying historical fiction more and more as of late. I am always curious as to which aspects of the book are true. Which is funny because I was never interested in history during school!
Carnegie’s Maid is a fictional love story that was fun to read. I never knew much about Andrew Carnegie before reading this but after reading it I looked up a few things and he had an interesting life.
I recommend this when you are in the mood for a historical love story.
March 23, 2018
Clara Kelley was onboard a ship from Ireland to America. As many families in Ireland, Clara's family was struggling to support themselves so Clara was chosen to travel and work overseas. Upon arrival, Clara hears her name being called at the port. Realizing that this other miss Clara Kelley died onboard, she takes a chance and takes her place. Clara is told that she is to be a lady's maid, a position that she has no prior knowledge of. She winds up in the household of Andrew Carnegie, being the lady's maid to his mother. Clara must become indispensable to Mrs. Carnegie as her family is counting on her.
Set in Pitttsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1860's, this narrative was a nice and pleasant read. Clara Kelley hears her name being called out in the port and realizes this could be her opportunity to gain goood employment. Sent over to America with the explicit purpose of earning money and sending it back home, Clara takes a chance by pretending to be someone that she is not. Clara learns on the job how to be a lady's maid, a job more complex than initially expected. As she tends to Mrs. Carnegie, Clara is introduced to Andrew Carnegie. She quickly learns of Mr. Carnegie's business and takes an avid interest in it. Soon both, Andrew and Clara, find themselves drawn to each other but social conventions dictate that they not have a close bond. I have read Benedict's previous work "The Other Einstein" and have to say I enjoyed this book so much more. The tone was light but informative. It was also an easy and quick read. Overall, I enjoyed it.
Clara Kelley is the author's invention. In reality, she was a means to give an insight into Andrew Carnegie's life. The name Carnegie is synonymous with steel and iron. An industrialist, businessman and one of the world's first philantropists, Carnegie has a vast and complex history. An immigrant from Scotland, Andrew Carnegie is a "self-made" man. Working his way up from a telegragh messenger to the superintendent of the Western Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company to an investor and ultimately owner of several businesses, Carnegie became one of the richest men. I had previous knowledge of his business but had no idea how vast his philanthropy went. Andrew Carnegie has a special place in reader's hearts as it was this man that funded the public library. In total, about 3,000 libraries were built and funded by Andrew Carnegie both in America and abroad. Having had the opportunity to visit Colonel James Anderson's private library as a teen, Carnegie wanted everyone to have this experience. As there is no telling what exactly made Carnegie turn to philanthropy, Benedict created Clara.
Set in Pitttsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1860's, this narrative was a nice and pleasant read. Clara Kelley hears her name being called out in the port and realizes this could be her opportunity to gain goood employment. Sent over to America with the explicit purpose of earning money and sending it back home, Clara takes a chance by pretending to be someone that she is not. Clara learns on the job how to be a lady's maid, a job more complex than initially expected. As she tends to Mrs. Carnegie, Clara is introduced to Andrew Carnegie. She quickly learns of Mr. Carnegie's business and takes an avid interest in it. Soon both, Andrew and Clara, find themselves drawn to each other but social conventions dictate that they not have a close bond. I have read Benedict's previous work "The Other Einstein" and have to say I enjoyed this book so much more. The tone was light but informative. It was also an easy and quick read. Overall, I enjoyed it.
Clara Kelley is the author's invention. In reality, she was a means to give an insight into Andrew Carnegie's life. The name Carnegie is synonymous with steel and iron. An industrialist, businessman and one of the world's first philantropists, Carnegie has a vast and complex history. An immigrant from Scotland, Andrew Carnegie is a "self-made" man. Working his way up from a telegragh messenger to the superintendent of the Western Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company to an investor and ultimately owner of several businesses, Carnegie became one of the richest men. I had previous knowledge of his business but had no idea how vast his philanthropy went. Andrew Carnegie has a special place in reader's hearts as it was this man that funded the public library. In total, about 3,000 libraries were built and funded by Andrew Carnegie both in America and abroad. Having had the opportunity to visit Colonel James Anderson's private library as a teen, Carnegie wanted everyone to have this experience. As there is no telling what exactly made Carnegie turn to philanthropy, Benedict created Clara.
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