The Second Mrs. Astor

By Shana Abe,

Book cover of The Second Mrs. Astor: A Heartbreaking Historical Novel of the Titanic

Book description

"Abé is an exquisite storyteller. Rich in detail and deeply moving." —Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Palace

"One of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. A gorgeous, phenomenal novel I won’t soon forget.” —Ellen Marie Wiseman New York Times…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked The Second Mrs. Astor as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Among the many stories about the mysterious Titanic sinking during the romantic, gilded age, this tale melted my heart and made me wonder how distorted the why of the event has been, as it is often told. Not all of what we hear or learn is fact. This mysterious event has left us grasping for answers and wondering about what happened to those whose fates were sealed beneath a watery grave. This story may help satisfy your thirst for that knowledge. It did mine. 

I love reading biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. This is a well-researched, enjoyable biography about the young Madeleine Force and her courtship and marriage to John Jacob Astor IV, a man 30 years her senior. The book follows their year-long honeymoon and ill-fated journey back to New York on RMS Titanic's maiden voyage. It also features Madeline’s life after Titanic.

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