
The Parting Glass
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Narrated by:
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Cassandra Campbell
“Downton Abbey meets Gangs of New York…a gem of a novel to be inhaled in one gulp” (Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author) about a devoted maid whose secretive world is about to be ripped apart at the seams - a lush and evocative debut set in 19th-century New York that’s perfect for fans of Sarah Waters’s Fingersmith and Emma Donoghue’s Slammerkin.
By day, Mary Ballard is dutiful lady’s maid to Charlotte Walden, a wealthy and accomplished belle of New York City high society. But Charlotte would never trust Mary again if she knew the truth about her devoted servant’s past.
On her nights off, Mary sheds her persona as prim and proper lady’s maid to reveal her true self - Irish exile Maire O’Farren. She finds release from her frustration in New York’s gritty underworld - in the arms of a prostitute and as drinking companion to a decidedly motley crew consisting of members of a dangerous secret society.
Meanwhile, Charlotte has a secret of her own - she’s having an affair with a stable groom, unaware that her lover is actually Mary’s own brother. When the truth of both women’s double lives begins to unravel, Mary is left to face the consequences. Forced to choose between loyalty to her brother and loyalty to Charlotte, between society’s respect and true freedom, Mary finally learns that her fate lies in her hands alone.
A captivating historical fiction of 19th century upstairs/downstairs New York City, The Parting Glass examines sexuality, race, and social class in ways that feel startlingly familiar and timely. A perfectly paced, romantically charged “story of the sumptuous world of the privileged and the precarious, difficult environs of the immigrant working poor is highlighted by vibrant characters and a well-paced plot, which will pull readers into the tangled tale” (Publishers Weekly).
©2019 Gina Marie Guadagnino (P)2019 Simon & SchusterListeners also enjoyed...




















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Fantastic!
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loved it!
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Brilliant
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What does GWTW have to do w/ "The Parting Glass"? AFAIC, everything. The amt of historical research that enabled the writing of this book is mind-boggling. And like Scarlett O'Hara, Mary Ballard is a complicated character, a mixed bag of emotions & intentions, who largely reveals her true self between the lines of her observations of the world around her. (At this point, I cannot praise vocal actress Cassandra Campbell's stellar performance of this book enough; after listening to the book twice back-to-back, her voice has replaced much of my own normal inner voice, lol). To cut to chase, I collect books, mostly for their value as antiques, but I also have to own the actual pages of works that make a measurable impact on me personally, so to that end, I have also bought a hardcover copy of "The Parting Glass" to add to my library. What more can I say? I have loved every minute that I have spent w/ this book. To me, it's the GWTW of the experience of 19th century immigrants in NYC. And to think that I only selected it bc it seemed to be something vaguely queer that might keep me company while doing yardwork, etc.
"The Parting Glass"
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Could Not Even Make It Thru Half
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