Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
39(39%)
4 stars
30(30%)
3 stars
31(31%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 14,2025
... Show More
Well, people are truly interesting, and these two individuals are extremely captivating. Archie, hailing from a wealthy background, found himself falling head over heels in love with Amelie, who was renowned as the greatest flirt of her era.

Their story is a remarkable one, filled with passion and drama. The way they interacted and the conflicts that arose between them make for a thrilling narrative.

Archie's wealthy upbringing may have initially attracted Amelie, but their relationship soon became much more complex. As they got to know each other better, their differences began to surface, leading to intense arguments and moments of heartbreak.

Despite the challenges they faced, their love for each other endured. Their story serves as a reminder that love can be both beautiful and tumultuous, and that even the most unlikely pairs can find themselves deeply connected.

Overall, the tale of Archie and Amelie is a fascinating one that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover what will happen next.
July 14,2025
... Show More
A book that is extremely rich in the descriptions of the gilded age.

The main characters within it possessed numerous flaws, and despite being based on the letters by Archie, it still left a certain amount to be desired from my perspective.

I found myself getting bored with it at times, yet I did manage to read the entire book.

The behavior of the Astor family, as represented in those times, truly piqued my interest and made me eager to know what actually happened.

So, in a sense, this book was more of a curiosity for me. It had its moments of engaging descriptions and the mystery surrounding the Astor family's actions kept me somewhat intrigued throughout the reading process, even though there were aspects that didn't fully satisfy my expectations.

Overall, it was an experience that had its highs and lows, but it did manage to hold my attention long enough to complete it.

Perhaps others might have a different take on it, depending on their personal interests and expectations.

Nonetheless, it offered a glimpse into the gilded age and the complex characters that inhabited that era.

July 14,2025
... Show More
It seems like this book would be 100% up my alley.

I was really excited to start reading it, thinking it would be a perfect fit for my interests.

However, it took me a solid 3 months to get through it, which proves otherwise.

The reading experience was rather disappointing.

On one hand, it simultaneously felt like way too much information was being thrown at me.

There were so many details and facts that it became overwhelming and made it difficult to fully engage with the story.

On the other hand, it also didn't have enough of the drama the other reviews promised.

I was expecting a thrilling and captivating plot full of excitement and twists, but it fell short in that regard.

Overall, this book didn't live up to my expectations, despite initially seeming like it would be a great read.
July 14,2025
... Show More
They were an earlier incarnation of Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.

She was a highly successful and bestselling novelist, captivating readers with her words and stories.

He, on the other hand, was an Astor orphan, a fact that perhaps contributed to his somewhat (and later, extremely) unstable nature.

Together, they formed a dynamic duo that seemed to effortlessly capture the headlines and fuel the gossip mills. Their relationship was a source of great interest and speculation, with the public eager to know every detail of their lives.

They were like a stormy romance that played out in the public eye, with their ups and downs becoming fodder for the newspapers and magazines of the time. Their story was one of passion, drama, and a touch of tragedy, making them an unforgettable pair in the annals of history.

July 14,2025
... Show More
Fairly interesting read.

It always amazes me how people of wealth and power find so little happiness. One would think that with all their material possessions and influence, they would be the epitome of contentment. However, it seems that the more they accumulate, the more they crave.

Perhaps it is because true happiness cannot be bought or achieved through external means. It lies within ourselves, in our relationships, our passions, and our sense of purpose.

Wealth and power can bring certain comforts and opportunities, but they do not guarantee inner peace or fulfillment.

It is important for all of us to remember this, regardless of our station in life. We should strive to find happiness in the simple things, and not let the pursuit of material gain overshadow what truly matters.
July 14,2025
... Show More
In the Gilded Age, a descendant of Robert E Lee, who was an infamous celebrity of her time, marries the heir to the Astor fortune.

It seems like a soap opera filled with sex, madness, loves that are won and then quickly lost, and fortunes that go up and down.

Is it like the Kardashians of yesteryear? Sadly, I just couldn't get into the story.

The writing simply failed to make me care.

Maybe it was the lack of depth in the characters or the predictability of the plot.

Whatever the reason, I found myself disengaged and uninterested.

Despite the potentially exciting premise, the story just didn't come alive for me.

I was left feeling disappointed and wondering what could have been done differently to make it more engaging.

Perhaps a more detailed exploration of the characters' motives and emotions would have helped.

Or maybe a more unique and unexpected storyline would have captured my attention.

As it stands, I'm left with a sense of missed opportunity.
July 14,2025
... Show More

It's always fascinating to read about the extremely wealthy, especially during the gilded age. It becomes an even greater bonus when these individuals are completely out of their minds. The Astor family, for instance, was truly a hoot. They were crazy people! Their extravagance and eccentricity knew no bounds. From their opulent mansions to their lavish parties, they lived a life that was both envy-inducing and jaw-dropping. The Astors seemed to have a disregard for the norms and conventions of society, which made them all the more interesting to read about. Their stories are filled with drama, scandal, and larger-than-life personalities. Whether it was their wild antics or their outrageous spending sprees, the Astor family always managed to make headlines. Reading about them is like taking a peek into a world that is both glamorous and absurd. It's a world that most of us can only dream of, but one that the Astors inhabited with abandon.

July 14,2025
... Show More
This work presents an interesting subject matter that catches the reader's attention.

The research behind it is evident, with a wealth of information and details that add depth to the topic.

However, one area where it falls short is in the narrative flow.

The story seems to jump from one point to another without a smooth transition, making it a bit difficult for the reader to follow.

This lack of连贯性 can disrupt the overall reading experience and make it harder for the reader to fully engage with the content.

Despite this flaw, the interesting subject matter and solid research make it a work that has potential.

With some improvements in the narrative flow, it could become an even more engaging and enjoyable read.

Perhaps adding more transitional phrases or reordering the content to create a more logical progression would help to address this issue.

Overall, it is a promising work that just needs a bit of polish to reach its full potential.
July 14,2025
... Show More
Bizarre couple - an Astor heir and his bodice-ripper author wife.

It's a rather strange combination, isn't it? The Astor heir, with all his wealth and privilege, and the bodice-ripper author wife, known for her steamy and often scandalous novels.

But for some reason, I really couldn't get too interested in either of them. Maybe it's because something about the problems of the obscenely wealthy just leave me cold.

Their lives seem so far removed from the reality of most people, filled with excess and drama that I can't quite relate to.

Sure, it might be interesting to read about their glamorous lifestyles and the scandals that inevitably follow them, but at the end of the day, it doesn't really touch me on a deeper level.

Perhaps it's a case of being too jaded or too focused on my own concerns to truly care about the lives of these two individuals.

But whatever the reason, I find myself more or less indifferent to this bizarre couple and their antics.

July 14,2025
... Show More
This kind of really disappointed me.

I had expected more from the book, but I didn't think their lives were all THAT interesting and truly worthy of a book that fawns over them to such an extent.

However, to be fair, it did manage to keep me interested.

The reason for this was that through reading it, I got to know a bit of United States and New York history.

Maybe I'm just too used to reading juicy historical fiction, which often presents a more exciting and engaging version of events.

But still, this book had its redeeming qualities in terms of providing some historical insights.

It made me realize that sometimes, even in a seemingly uninteresting story, there can be valuable information and a chance to learn something new about the past.

Overall, while I was initially disappointed, I did end up getting something out of reading this book.
July 14,2025
... Show More
The story doesn't have a great deal of action taking place. As a result, the pacing is a bit sluggish.

However, what makes it somewhat engaging are the descriptions. They are so vivid and detailed that they truly draw you in.

You find yourself getting lost in the words, imagining the scenes as if they were playing out right in front of your eyes.

Even though the plot may not be full of excitement and rapid-fire events, the power of the descriptions compensates to a certain extent.

It's as if the author is painting a picture with words, and you can't help but be captivated by the beauty and intricacy of that picture.

So, while the slow movement might initially seem like a drawback, the allure of the descriptions makes it a worthwhile read.
July 14,2025
... Show More
The most fascinating aspect of this book was indeed related to the origins of Roanoke Rapids, NC, which happens to be my hometown. It was truly captivating to read about how this place came into being.

However, aside from that, the book was rather sluggish in its pacing. It delved into an excessive amount of detail regarding John Armstrong Chaloner, a descendant of the renowned New York Astors, and Amelie Rives. These two individuals were quite eccentric, and their lives were meticulously chronicled within the pages of this book.

While the in-depth exploration of their lives might have been interesting for some, it often felt as if the story was dragging on. Nevertheless, the section about the beginnings of Roanoke Rapids made the book worth reading for me, as it provided a unique perspective on the history of my beloved hometown.
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.