The Gilded Years
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Janina Edwards
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By:
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Karin Tanabe
About this listen
Passing meets The House of Mirth in this "utterly captivating" (Kathleen Grissom, New York Times best-selling author of The Kitchen House) historical novel based on the true story of Anita Hemmings, the first black student to attend Vassar, who successfully passed as white - until she let herself grow too attached to the wrong person.
Since childhood Anita Hemmings has longed to attend the country's most exclusive school for women, Vassar College. Now a bright, beautiful senior in the class of 1897, she is hiding a secret that should have banned her from admission: Anita is the only African American student ever to attend Vassar. With her olive complexion and dark hair, the daughter of a janitor and descendant of slaves has successfully passed as white and now finds herself rooming with Louise "Lottie" Taylor, the scion of one of New York's most prominent families.
Though Anita has kept herself at a distance from her classmates, Lottie's sphere of influence is inescapable, her energy irresistible, and the two become fast friends. Pulled into her elite world, Anita learns what it's like to be treated as a wealthy, educated white woman - the person everyone believes her to be - and even finds herself in a heady romance with a moneyed Harvard student. It's only when Lottie becomes infatuated with Anita's brother, Frederick, whose skin is almost as light as his sister's, that the situation becomes particularly perilous. And as Anita's college graduation looms, those closest to her will be the ones to dangerously threaten her secret.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of the Gilded Age, an era when old money traditions collided with modern ideas, Tanabe has written a pause-resisting and emotionally compelling story of hope, sacrifice, and betrayal - and a gripping account of how one woman dared to risk everything for the chance at a better life.
©2016 Karin Tanabe. All rights reserved. (P)2016 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.Listeners also enjoyed...
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After four years as a military nurse, Charlotte Brown is ready to leave behind the devastation of the Great War. The daughter of a vicar, she has always been determined to dedicate her life to helping others. Moving to busy Liverpool, she throws herself into her work with those most in need, only tearing herself away for the lively dinners she enjoys with the women at her boardinghouse.
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More romance than history
- By RueRue on 08-17-16
By: Jennifer Robson
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The Magnolia Palace
- A Novel
- By: Fiona Davis
- Narrated by: Karissa Vacker
- Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Eight months since losing her mother in the Spanish flu outbreak of 1919, 21-year-old Lillian Carter's life has completely fallen apart. For the past six years, under the moniker Angelica, Lillian was one of the most sought-after artists' models in New York City, with statues based on her figure gracing landmarks from the Plaza Hotel to the Brooklyn Bridge
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This isn't my favorite but entertaining
- By Linda on 02-01-22
By: Fiona Davis
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Miss Wilton's Waltz
- By: Josi S. Kilpack
- Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
- Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Shy and timid Lenora Wilton has spent most of her life either behind the keys of her beloved pianoforte or in the shadow of her younger sister, Cassie. But when Lenora decides to travel to Bath to live with her Aunt Gwen and teach music at an all-girls' boarding school, she begins a journey of self-discovery that leads her to a surprising romance. Lenora must decide if she is willing to risk her heart for a chance to love and be loved in return.
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The follow up I had hoped for
- By Anonymous User on 06-13-18
By: Josi S. Kilpack
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The Ambassador's Daughter
- By: Pam Jenoff
- Narrated by: Joanna Daniel
- Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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Brought to the peace conference by her father, a German diplomat, Margot Rosenthal initially resents being trapped in the congested French capital, where she is still looked upon as the enemy. But as she contemplates returning to Berlin and a life with Stefan, the wounded fiancé she hardly knows anymore, she decides that being in Paris is not so bad after all. Bored and torn between duty and the desire to be free, Margot strikes up unlikely alliances: with Krysia, an accomplished musician with radical acquaintances and a secret to protect; and with Georg, the handsome, damaged naval officer who gives Margot a job.
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Book 0 in the series
- By Stevon on 12-12-17
By: Pam Jenoff
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Unwilling
- A Pride and Prejudice Vagary
- By: Elizabeth Adams
- Narrated by: Mark Topping
- Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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Mr. Bennet discovers his days are numbered, so he immediately begins to set his affairs - and his five unmarried daughters - in order. Knowing they will fare best should at least one of them find a suitable husband, he cannot refuse any respectable suitors. The high-spirited Elizabeth suspects something isn't right in the halls of Longbourn, but nothing prepares her for a certain haughty gentleman from Derbyshire.
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Review on Unwilling by Elizabeth Adams
- By Yhen on 12-13-16
By: Elizabeth Adams
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The Quilter's Apprentice
- Elm Creek Quilts, Book 1
- By: Jennifer Chiaverini
- Narrated by: Christina Moore
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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An engaging tale full of warmth and wisdom, The Quilter’s Apprentice is the first novel in best-selling author Jennifer Chiaverini’s Elm Creek Quilts series. Sarah McClure takes a job helping elderly Sylvia Compson prepare her family estate for sale. Sylvia, a master quilter, agrees to share the tricks of the trade with Sarah. As the two women grow close, Sylvia shares her family’s tragic past, compelling Sarah to look at her own life more closely.
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A Mixed Bag
- By Potato Potato on 09-19-13
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The Houseguest
- A Pride and Prejudice Vagary
- By: Elizabeth Adams
- Narrated by: Brigid Lohrey
- Length: 13 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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When Georgiana Darcy comes to Netherfield to visit her brother, she becomes friends with a neighbor, Elizabeth Bennet. After Miss Darcy has returned to London, she invites her new friend to stay with her at the Darcy home in town, unbeknownst to Mr. Darcy.
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Maidens and Matrons
- By BHG on 12-21-16
By: Elizabeth Adams
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Up a Road Slowly
- By: Irene Hunt
- Narrated by: Jaselyn Blanchard
- Length: 4 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Julie would remember her happy days at Aunt Cordelia’s forever. Running through the spacious rooms, singing on rainy nights in front of the blazing fireplace. There were rides in the woods on Peter the Great, the races with Danny Trevort. Maybe best of all were the precious moments alone in her room at night, gazing at the sea of stars. But there was sadness too - the painful jealousy Julie felt after her sister got married, the tragic death of a schoolmate, and the bitter disappointment of her first love. Sometimes it all seemed like too much to handle.
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Coming of age in mid century
- By Mary A. Kozy on 01-17-21
By: Irene Hunt
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Russian Winter
- A Novel
- By: Daphne Kalotay
- Narrated by: Kathleen Gati
- Length: 14 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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In Russian Winter, the beautiful debut novel by critically acclaimed writer Daphne Kalotay, a famed ballerina’s jewelry auction in Boston reveals long-held secrets of love and family, friendship and rivalry, harkening back to Stalinist Russia. Called “tender, passionate, and moving” by Jenna Blum, the New York Times bestselling author of Those Who Save Us, Russian Winter is a perfect choice for fans of the novels of Debra Dean (The Madonnas of Leningrad), Ann Patchett (Bel Canto), and Ian McEwan (Atonement).
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Read this review; Sophisticated and wonderful!
- By Cookie on 01-15-12
By: Daphne Kalotay
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And After the Fire
- A Novel
- By: Lauren Belfer
- Narrated by: Xe Sands, Simon Vance
- Length: 12 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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In the ruins of Germany in 1945, at the end of World War II, American soldier Henry Sachs takes a souvenir, an old music manuscript, from a seemingly deserted mansion and mistakenly kills the girl who tries to stop him. In America in 2010, Henry's niece, Susanna Kessler, struggles to rebuild her life after she experiences a devastating act of violence on the streets of New York City. When Henry dies soon after, she uncovers the long-hidden music manuscript.
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Very disappointing
- By Margalarg on 06-28-19
By: Lauren Belfer
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The Lady of the Lakes
- The True Love Story of Sir Walter Scott
- By: Josi S. Kilpack
- Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
- Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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Walter Scott has three passions: Scotland, poetry, and Mina Stuart. Though she is young and they are from different stations in society, Walter is certain their love is meant to be. For years, he has courted her through love letters. She is the sunshine of his soul. Though Mina shares Walter's love of literature and passionate temperament, it's hard for her to know if she truly loves him or if she has only been dazzled by his flattery. When she meets the handsome and charming William Forbes, her heart is challenged. Who will she choose?
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Absolutely magnificent
- By Ben on 09-16-17
By: Josi S. Kilpack
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An Heiress at Heart
- By: Jennifer Delamere
- Narrated by: Jill Tanner
- Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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With An Heiress at Heart, Jennifer Delamere delivers the first in a historical romance series sure to set hearts aflame. After five years in exile for a youthful indiscretion, Lizzie Poole is given a second chance to join London society when her best friend, Ria, takes to her death bed and asks Lizzie to assume her identity. Ria wants Lizzie to carry out her final wishes, but neither knows that Lord Somerville has designs on Ria - and that maintaining the ruse will put Lizzie’s heart at risk.
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A Captivating Read
- By Rita Henriquez-Green on 12-15-22
What listeners say about The Gilded Years
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- T. Hahn
- 11-08-23
When we know, we can do better.
This was a rich book to discuss at book club. I’m so glad I had the chance to read it. The denial of education of women, and specifically women/people of color, was not something I had thought about much. Graduating high school myself 100 years after the main characters did, makes me grateful for a privilege that I didn’t fully understand I had. This information was denied to me until now and will not only be discussed in book club, but also with my kids.
We can only do better by learning about our past and correcting the actions of generations before us. Learning about our history helps us live and act in a way which is best for our society as a whole.
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- Anon
- 01-28-24
Enjoyed story
Narration wasn't the greatest but enjoyed the story and would recommend if you enjoy historical fiction.
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- Irish Girl
- 04-23-19
Riveting!
Karin Tanabe has deftly conjured an experience so real I felt I was walking the Vassar campus just steps away from Anita Hemmings and her friends. With each chapter I felt the anxiety of discovery grow making this seemingly thought provoking piece of historical fiction become a page turner worthy of an all-nighter. An exceptional read for anyone who has held a secret of one’s own and for everyone who has known a person who is much more than first meets the eye.
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- avis strong
- 10-09-18
Inviting approach to a complicated truth
I found this work of historical fiction warm and romantic, despite the painful and controversial nature of its topic. I think the questions this novel raises about race, it's construction, perceptions, and implications are worth examining, but I appreciate how Tanabe doesn't linger only in ideas and theoretical discussions. Instead, she smoothly crafts a story that invites you into the heart of Anita, whose passion for learning and thirst for life I loved. Although the novel was slow at times, I was captivated by how Anita courageously navigated the waters of race, class, and elitism.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Diane B Patrick
- 07-01-17
Good historical fiction but narration a serious distraction.
I wish I had read rather than listened to this book. While the story was well-written, the voices and intonations given to the characters were cartoonish, and the mispronunciation of "Massachusetts" throughout the narration was jarring and really distracting.
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- Dan Kellogg
- 02-22-22
Loved it!
Loved this book. It is a great mixture of history, friendship and love. I really enjoyed learning about Anita.
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- Leanna Range Norwood
- 07-15-16
Intriguing Story
The story was fabulous! It caused me to do a little research of my own on 'passing'.
The pronunciation of the word 'Massachusetts' was extremely annoying! So much so, that I cringed when I expected it to come up in the story and almost stopped listening. If there is anyway to return this to the studio to have the word pronounced properly and sans lisp, it would be greatly appreciated!
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3 people found this helpful
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- Aaliyah O. Kee
- 08-30-18
Very Interesting book
This was a very interesting book on a subject that I find appealing because I am of African decent. Life and its rules made by man and how man deals with it always holds my interest.
Living my life as a black woman with its many facets and challenges has been a life worth living. It is a life that the creator has blessed me with and I am thankful.
Anita lived it to the fullest in her time and I enjoyed how it was illustrated with words in this book.
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- CC
- 10-12-23
Intriguing
I absolutely loved this story. I felt the author captured the essence of the characters.
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- Barbara
- 07-10-16
wonderful historical fiction
Would you listen to The Gilded Years again? Why?
If i ever re-listened to a book this would qualify. I loved it but since the story will stay with me a long time i'm not sure i need to listen again
What did you like best about this story?
loved the guts of a black woman to be the first to graduate from Vassar. the struggles to maintain the facade of a black woman in a white world were obviously intense. clearly the prejudices of the gentried class stood in her way but her will trumped all and she achieved her goal despite a vindictive roommate. sad it took so long for Vassar and other prestigious universities to admit women of color
Which scene was your favorite?
lots of great senes but i think the one where she meets her to be husband when they could both truly share how they felt living in a prejudiced world
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
no extreme reactions - the historical aspect of it was wonderful. didn't laugh or cry though i was sad to find out at the end they chose to live as white - to the point where their own children didn't even know of their black heritage. and her parents never spoke to them again. after all Anita achieved i hoped she and her husband would break down barriers and prove to the world their worth, not just as black but as people equal to everyone else
Any additional comments?
it's a great book - well written and beautiful imagery. a little Downton Abbey with the NY mansions descriptions (which were embellished as the author admits after the book ends)
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2 people found this helpful