Genre: Publication Date: March 31, 2015 Pages: 512 (paperback) Published By: Kensington Publishing Corp. Website Decorum on Goodreads Kaaren Christopherson My review copy: Received from publisher in exchange for an honest review
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Kaaren Christopherson's brilliantly
observed novel captures the glamour and grit of one of the world's most
dazzling cities during one of its most tumultuous eras--as seen through
the eyes of a singularly captivating heroine...
In
1890s New York, beautiful, wealthy Francesca Lund is an intriguing
prospect for worthy suitors and fortune hunters alike. Recently
orphaned, she copes by working with the poor in the city's settlement
movement. But a young woman of means can't shun society for long, and
Francesca's long-standing acquaintance with dashing Edmund Tracey
eventually leads to engagement. Yet her sheltered upbringing doesn't
blind her to the indiscretions of the well-to-do...
Among
the fashionable circle that gathers around her there are mistresses,
scandals, and gentlemen of ruthless ambition. And there is Connor
O'Casey--an entirely new kind of New Yorker. A self-made millionaire of
Irish stock, Connor wants more than riches. He wants to create a legacy
in the form of a luxury Madison Avenue hotel--and he wants Francesca by
his side as he does it. In a quest that will take her from impeccable
Manhattan salons to the wild Canadian Rockies, Francesca must choose not
only between two vastly different men, but between convention and her
own emerging self-reliance.
Rules Of Decorum
A
gentleman should not be presented to a lady without her permission
being previously asked and granted. This formality is not necessary
between men alone; but, still, you should not present any one, even at
his own request, to another, unless you are quite well assured that the
acquaintance will be agreeable to the latter.
If
you wish to avoid the company of any one that has been properly
introduced, satisfy your own mind that your reasons are correct; and
then let no inducement cause you to shrink from treating him with
respect, at the same time shunning his company. No gentleman will thus
be able either to blame or mistake you.
The
mode in which the avowal of love should be made, must of course, depend
upon circumstances. It would be impossible to indicate the style in
which the matter should be told... Let it, however, be taken as a rule
that an interview is best; but let it be remembered that all rules have
exceptions...
(Goodreads)
Our Gloomy Moods: We should subdue our gloomy moods before we enter society. To look pleasantly and to speak kindly is a duty we owe to others. Neither should we afflict them with any dismal account of our health, state of mind or outward circumstances. It is presumed that each one has trouble enough of his own to bear without being burdened with the sorrow of others. Decorum
Charades: There is no game that can afford so much amusement to a circle of friends as that of acting charades. It affords a scope for the exercise of both wit and ingenuity Decorum
The scene is New York, 1890, and the glitz and glamour of the time and setting, are the backdrop for this novel about Frankie, who is a young heiress, who tragically finds herself alone in the world. Frankie is a complex woman who thinks she knows what she wants and who she wants, but circumstances end up making her access what she really knows, and she can really trust.
Within a few chapters, this novel captivates the reader into the alluring world of golden society circles of Old New York in the 1890’s and introduces us to a set of characters that range from those born with silver spoons in their mouths to those on the outside looking in. Some are kind, yet others are conniving and untrust worthy. I loved the fact that this story wasn't just focused on Frankie, although she is depicted as the main protagonist. There were many other supporting characters that had their own story going on, until the author expertly weaves these characters together.
I loved the fact that each chapter began with a rule of etiquette, which was based upon the social norms of the time. The story gave me a glimpse of what it would have been like to live among the wealthiest and most prominent citizens. Being a woman in this time period was a much different life than we live now. I am drawn into this story so easier because of the complex character development of each and every person and the tremendous detail that is written regarding this era.
Of course, there is all is not perfect in this novel, Frankie is faced with many people who aren't what they seem on the surface. Our heroine must maneuver her way through treachery, greed, and scandal to find which of the two men in her life is her true love.
In the end, I found this read impressive and exciting as the author transports us back to an era that I absolutely adore and can’t stop reading about. This book was filled with twists and surprises and a veil of mystery that delves the reader into this novel from the beginning to the very end.
PRAISE
“Reminiscent of Washington Square but with a more modern heroine, Decorum illuminates the dark world beneath New York society. …” - RT Book Review, 4 stars
“Christopherson provides the reader with a fully-realized world of brazen and aspiring women, ambitious men and strict expectations regarding how to conduct one's private and/or social life. The characters are so beautifully drawn that I felt like I could start casting the mini-series the minute I put the book down. And, this book would make a wonderful TV series with settings ranging from early New York City to the Canadian Rockies. …I loved every minute.” - Nancy, Goodreads reviewer
“…the novel is remarkable in its similarities to the work of Edith Wharton. The reader feels drawn into a world of glamour, glitz, and supreme hypocrisy. Everything is permissible as long as one does not get caught. It is a drama of manners and the stakes are high—one misstep could mean social oblivion. … This novel will appeal to a wide range of readers, particularly those who enjoy period novels such as Age of Innocence and The Portrait of a Lady." - The Historical Novel Society
“New York, 1890, and the glitz and glamor of the time and setting, are the backdrop for this novel about a young heiress who suddenly finds herself alone in the world. I loved how each chapter began with a rule of etiquette based upon the societal norms of the time. The story gave me a glimpse of what it would have been like to live among the wealthiest and most prominent citizens. Of course, all is not perfect, for the heroine must maneuver her way through treachery, greed, and scandal to find which of the two men in her life is her true love. I thoroughly enjoyed how the characters interacted, and how authentic they felt to me. Lots of wonderfully rich descriptions of places and gowns really brought the era to life. … I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys New York in the Gilded Age. A good historical read!” - Mirella Patzer, Historical Novel Review
"A fantastically engaging book with everything you need for a really good read, probably best summed up as the American Downton Abbey meets Jane Austen. It starts a little slowly, but when it gets going, it really is difficult to put down. The plot and the various subplots are fascinating, with so many twists and turns, it never stops weaving a new thread. You constantly feel that the story will be coming to an end, but then there is more... and more... and more. The characters are well-developed, credible and, though not always likeable, possessing some magical quality that makes us feel like we know them so well. The central character manages to make herself someone to admire and someone we almost want to dismiss at the same time, whilst she metamorphoses throughout the novel, constantly changing on her journey of discovery. She presents a sense of strength and courage as she is faced with the most heart-wrenching and, often, downright embarrassing situations, yet she wins through in the end, despite overwhelming odds against a woman at this time. Throughout the novel, there is a quality that makes it feel like a movie—and this would make an excellent movie, without a doubt. The pace is just right and it keeps you gripped until the end. Excellently written and a thoroughly enjoyable read.” - Annemarie Macken, Goodreads review
"In this remarkable first novel, Christopherson takes us back to 1890s New York -- to tell a tale so pitch perfect it hurts. Bridging the divide between historical fiction and literary fiction, the story of the rising immigrant Connor and the unlikely pairing with orphaned socialite/settlement house worker Francesca is beset with conflict from her devious fiance Tracy, Connor's lover the scandalous Blanche and Francesca's meddling guardians the Jeromes. Some of the most gorgeous scenes are set in an art warehouse examining paintings that have just arrived from Paris, a hat shop, a delightful tea house and of course, tangled in the bedsheets! Between murder, trials, and lies, this tale takes us to Argentina and Louisiana, Ireland and Chicago, the lower east side to the upper west side and finally to a real resort in Banff Canada where our unlikely pair will finally get a chance. Or will they?" - Booksmart, Amazon review
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kaaren Christopherson is the author of Decorum—a novel about Gilded Age New York—that began taking form in 1999 during a course on writing historical fiction. From that moment, Connor O’Casey (who had been rattling around in her brain for months) finally appeared one night and said, “All right, woman. Here I am. What are you going to do about my story?” So she began to put his words on paper, and he hasn’t kept quiet since. Soon Francesca, Blanche, Tracey, Vinnie, and the rest of the characters began arguing, gossiping, loving, and forming themselves into Kaaren’s first novel.
Kaaren has had a professional career writing and editing for over 30 years and is a senior editor for an international development nonprofit organization in Washington, DC.
She has written fiction since her school days, story poems, children’s books, historical fiction, and time travel, and continues to be active in writer’s groups and writing workshops. In addition to her career as a writer, Kaaren was the owner of a decorative painting business. She loves to travel and prowl through historical sites, galleries, and museums. She is active in several churches in DC and in her local Northern Virginia community, where she shares her home with feline brothers, Archie and Sammy.
A Michigan native, Kaaren received her BA in history and art and her MA in educational administration from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. For more information visit Kaaren Christopherson's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
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