Book Review: She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell

****--4 stars.
publication: April 2010
length: 398 pages
Amazon's book description:
For a young society woman seeking a favorable marriage in the late 1890s, so much depends on her social season debut. Clara Carter has been given one goal: secure the affections of the city's most eligible bachelor. Debuting means plenty of work--there are corsets to be fitted, dances to master, manners to perfect. Her training soon pays off, however, as celebrity's spotlight turns Clara into a society-page darling.
Yet Clara wonders if this is the life she really wants, especially when she learns her best friend has also set her sights on Franklin De Vries. When a man appears who seems to love her simply for who she is, and gossip backlash turns ugly, Clara realizes it's not just her heart at stake--the future of her family depends on how she plays the game.

My Review:  I was shocked by the realization that this time period wasn't all it's cracked up to be!! I've often thought about what it would be like to "come out" into society and attend balls, teas, parties, and be seen around town. I picture the beautiful dresses and handsome gentlemen flirting and trying to land a spouse. I envision the delicate foods and hear the orchestra playing, while taking in the decorations of the room. But it did not even occur to me that this time period was pure torture!! Those evil corsets, crushing the breath out of a girl; the pressure to land someone with money, regardless of love or even any affection towards the person at all; the many, many rules that are to be followed and which ones are allowed to be broken; the fake mask that one must wear at all times; the ignorance of things that really matter.

I was fascinated by this story and really got caught up in it. I liked that way that Lizzie and Clara tried to maintain their friendship. I could just picture Aunt--what a character!! Money trumps all in her opinion.

Content: clean.

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