The Luxe
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| The Luxe | |
 Cover of The Luxe |
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| Author | Anna Godbersen |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Karen Pearson |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Luxe series |
| Genre(s) | Young adult, Drama, Romance |
| Publisher | HarperCollinsPublishers |
| Publication date | November 20, 2007 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 448 |
| Followed by | Rumors: A Luxe Novel (Coming June 3,2008) |
The Luxe is a young adult novel by author Anna Godbersen. It follows the upper-class society of 1899 Manhatten. It follows five main characters: Elizabeth and Diana Holland, two sisters, Henry Schoonmaker, a wealthy young man, Penelope Hayes, Elizabeth's best friend, and Lina Broud, the spiteful maid of the girls. Other characters include the girl's mother, Will, their coachman, Penelope's friend, Issac Buck, and another bachelor, Teddy Cutting.
[edit] Plot summary
The Holland sisters are members of an upper-class family living in New York. 18 year old Elizabeth returns from Paris and readers learn that while most people think she is a pristine and proper young lady what she does in secret with Will the family coachman is hardly pristine and not proper to the eyes of her family and everyone around them. She's faced with an ultimate desision between the man she loves and the man she's being forced to marry. Introduced in her typical fashion is 16 year old Diana. Mostly know to break the rules instead of dancing with sutible young men at balls. She is making out in the coat room with older men. Really all Diana wants is romance and adventure, she gets it when she falls in love. Things seem great, right? Not when the man is her sister's fiance. Readers are also introduced to Penelope Hayes who's family is describe as "new money". Penelope seems to be Elizabeth's friend when in reality she is doing everything in her power to bring Elizabeth down and steal the handsome young bachelor. With that introducing Henry Schoonmaker. A major bachelor who if not at lavish party's and balls, he's at bars and betting on horses with friend Teddy. He's forced into a engagement with Elizabeth much to the dismay of Penelope and himself who finds Elizabeth dull. That changes when he meets her sister Diana but with the marriage coming up makes them both face feelings they were not expecting. The events lead up to Elizabeth's funeral.
[edit] Characters
- Elizabeth Holland - Every mothers dream to have a daughter like Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a proper young lady; the one which all of the boys want to dance with at balls. Described as very beautiful she has blonde hair and blue eyes. It's revealed that though she puts on a smile when she's out and about and when she's at balls that's not where she really wants to be. In her heart she want to be with the man she loves: Will the family coachmen. They have a relationship that could ruin her reputation. When she's forced into a engagement with bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, she's forced to choose between her happiness or her family's well being.
- Diana Holland - Described as having brown hair and brown eyes. Diana is the complete opposite of her sister. Not one to follow rules she longs for adventure and romance and can usually be seen with her nose in a book. Seeing them as her only getaway from what she thinks is a dull and ridiculous life. She is first introduced meeting an older man in a coat room wanting that fireworks kiss. She finally gets it when she shares a kiss with Henry Schoonmaker but is sad to learn he's engaged to her sister. After sharing some romantic moments they decide feelings like theirs can't be ignored for long.
- Penelope Hayes - Described as having dark hair and dark eyes. She's not known for being good. She frieghtens as well as facincates. She's a flirt as well as some what fast. Elizabeth Holland is her rival and therefore her only possible best friend. Her friend Buck does all her dirty work and she has an attachment to Henry Schoonmaker. She wants Henry for herself and would rather see Elizabeth dead before she marries Henry.
