Genre: Book
Grade: A-
Notable People: Marie Benedict
Title: Carnegie’s Maid
Review: Benedict has taken on a personal mission of wiring historical fiction about the woman behind the scenes of historically significant giants/moments. He ability to weave her created characters into very accurate historical narratives is superb and her writing style immensely engaging. After taking on Heddy Lamar’s role in the Nazi empire (Only Woman in the Room) and Einstein ‘s wife (The Other Einstein)-she turns her attention to the post-Civil War era of the Gilded Age of American Industrialization with this wonderful novel in which she skillfully introduces us to Clara Kelly, a young, solo Irish immigrant to America, in the 1860s, who unexpectedly becomes the maid to Andrew Carnegie’s mother. Clara becomes close to eldest son, Andrew Carnegie, and helps to make him America’s first philanthropist. Th story is full of captivating twists and turns and unexpected romance, and lifts up the often unsung role of women in history. Great invented a real character portrayals and a compelling tale of courage in the emergence of modern America.