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Title details for The Second Mrs. Astor by Shana Abe - Wait list

The Second Mrs. Astor

by Shana Abe
Lauren Ezzo
Audiobook
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Madeleine Talmage Force is just seventeen when she attracts the attention of John Jacob "Jack" Astor. Madeleine is beautiful, intelligent, and solidly upper-class, but the Astors are in a league apart. Jack's mother was the Mrs. Astor, American royalty and New York's most formidable socialite. Despite their twenty-nine-year age difference and the scandal of Jack's recent divorce, Madeleine falls headlong into love—and becomes the press's favorite target.

On their extended honeymoon in Egypt, the newlyweds finally find a measure of peace away from photographers and journalists. Madeleine feels truly alive for the first time—and is happily pregnant. The couple plans to return home in the spring of 1912, aboard an opulent new ocean liner. When the ship hits an iceberg close to midnight on April 14th, there is no immediate panic. The swift, state-of-the-art RMS Titanic seems unsinkable. As Jack helps Madeleine into a lifeboat, he assures her that he'll see her soon in New York . . .

Four months later, at the Astors' Fifth Avenue mansion, a widowed Madeleine gives birth to their son. In the wake of the disaster, the press has elevated her to the status of virtuous, tragic heroine. But Madeleine's most important decision still lies ahead: whether to accept the role assigned to her or carve out her own remarkable path . . .

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    August 31, 2021

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781666115413
      • File size: 310125 KB
      • Duration: 10:46:05

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Lauren Ezzo's narration evokes compassion for this fictionalized version of real-life socialite Madeleine Force, who married John Jacob Astor at 18, only to lose him with the sinking of the TITANIC seven months later. Their 29-year age difference and Jack's remarriage shortly after divorcing his first wife caused controversy. After their honeymoon in Europe and Egypt, their passage on the TITANIC was meant to be their homecoming. Madeleine was rescued from a TITANIC lifeboat. Ezzo's narration mitigates the novel's slow start, and subtle fluctuations in her tone enhance her portrayals of the characters. She is especially good at communicating relationships and intentions. For example, she delivers knowing tones among sisters, a social climber's eager conversation with Madeleine, and the caring but firm tone of Madeleine's mother. A.L.C. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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