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Thursday, January 11, 2018

Carnegie's Maid by Marie Benedict


Clara Kelley needed to help her family financially since their 20-acre farm in Ireland was slowly being sold to pay their bills.

The best place her father thought she could be of help was in America.  Since she was educated and not really suited to be a farmer's wife, off to America she went in search of work, but she was not sure why it was to be in servitude.

Clara made it across the ocean and into the household of the Carnegie family in Pittsburgh.  She became the lady's maid for Mrs. Carnegie.

While there, Mrs. Carnegie's son, Andrew, became enamored with Clara because of her intelligence and love of reading.  They always talked about books and having a library that is free to the public and the working man.

CARNEGIE'S MAID takes us through the everyday life of Andrew Carnegie, his brother, Tom, and their mother as they build their fortune.  Andrew Carnegie was very philanthropic in his latter years.


This was the first book I have read by Ms. Benedict.  Ms. Benedict has a beautiful, pull-you-in writing style.  
I enjoyed her prologue explaining why she wanted to write about the Carnegies.

CARNEGIE'S MAID flowed smoothly and had perfect detail.  I live in Pittsburgh and enjoyed hearing the names of towns and streets.

CARNEGIE'S MAID kept me interested and engaged in the story line.   It was an excellent read even though the maid Andrew fell in love with and the woman who influenced him is fictitious.

A thoroughly enjoyable book for historical fiction fans and those who want to learn about Andrew Carnegie. 5/5

This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher and NetGalley in return for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.



25 comments:

  1. An enjoyable read.

    I hope you get to read it.

    Thanks for stopping.

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  2. I bet my book club would love this book.

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    Replies
    1. It was very good, Kathy.

      Thanks for commenting.

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  3. I loved this one too. And isn’t the cover wonderful!

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    1. The cover is gorgeous.

      Thanks for commenting, recca.

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  4. I just read her book ”The Other Einstein” which I liked. Saw she had written this one as well and wanted to read it. I thought though that the character was real. In the above book it says it is based on real events, although I am not sure about the interpretaion. My review of the book will come soon.

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    1. I believe it is based on Andrew Carnegie, but read that the maid was not real.

      I may be incorrect.

      The book was GREAT.

      I liked The Other Einstein too.

      Thanks for commenting, Lisbeth.

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    2. I wrote a note to the author to ask about the maid.

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  5. This one sounds good! I'm adding it to my list!

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    1. ENJOY!! It was an excellent read.

      Thanks for commenting, Kim.

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  6. Great review! I have been drawn to the cover...and now I am intrigued by the story. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. The cover is gorgeous, and the book was marvelous.

      Thanks for commenting, Laurel.

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  7. Replies
    1. LOL...no you can't. :)

      Thanks for stopping, Lloyd.

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  8. You always read the most interesting books!! I've seen this book, but haven't read it. I'll be adding it to my ever growing reading wishlist. Cheers and happy reading to you!

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    1. I have to agree with you. :)

      I love the books I choose.

      Thanks for commenting, Captivated Reader.

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  9. Sounds like good historical fiction. I've never been to a Carnegie library but if I ever see one I'll visit. Not sure if any are in my area.

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    1. I live in Pittsburgh so I am close to the "original" one. :)

      Thanks for commenting, Mary.

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  10. That does sound very interesting.

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    1. It was an excellent read.

      Thanks for commenting, Ellen.

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  11. I have been waiting to see what you thought of it. I really like the premise, although I'm not so sure about the fact the maid is fictional. Thank you for your review.

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    1. Let me know if you read it, Roberta, and what you think.

      Thanks for commenting.

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  12. Ordered this up just now - thanks!

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    1. ENJOY...it was very good.

      Thanks for commenting, Carole.

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