He counts how long it takes to unlace boots, for example, and ponders building a machine to help others use the time for other things. His mind is analytical, but with the intention to help others. He's very much the absent-minded professor, checking out of Polite Conversation and financial discussion to think about inventing things. There's a very poignant quote almost halfway through the book that really struck me: 'She was afraid of the whole jagged-edged world, with its trapdoors and sticky webs and predators whose claws never released their prey.' It perfectly encapsulates Alva and her idea of the world after her history, as well as this: 'He was light, and she was bruises and sharp edges and shadows, and people like her didn't get to have people like him.' It's utterly heartbreaking. Webster, bruises hidden by clothing, and Alva having to remind herself constantly that her memories are just that. Spousal abuse is alluded to in the helpless demeanor of Mrs. Alva had distinguished but distant parents more concerned with reputation and appearance, then a husband and his twin brother who thought themselves entitled to her wealth and soul. The Widow of Rose House is set in the Gilded Age of New York, with a Gothic Victorian aura reminiscent of the movie 'Crimson Peak.' There is the glitter and gold of the upper class, and it hides the darkness that can reside deep in their hearts. He was the only one to delve into the secrets locked away in Liefdehuis, as well as try to know Alva. He was wild and eccentric, just what she didn't need, but he was part of the nationally known Moore family of scientists. Stories told of it being haunted, which she didn't believe, and Professor Samuel Moore offered to get to the bottom of the stories. When he died, this allowed her to return to New York and try to restore the Hyde Park mansion Liefdehuis as well as her reputation. Martin's Griffin 978-1250297853Īudio, ebook, print (352 pages) gothic romanceĪlva Webster left her abusive husband in 1872 and spent the next three years being pilloried by the press. A free book was provided for an honest review. 1)Īmazon affiliate links are used on this site. Biddington made an outraged gestured towards Alva and began to complain in a voice piercing enough to be heard clear across the room. Biddington, gray-haired battle-axe and leader of society, flagged her waiter down eight, the maitre d'hotel crossed to her table nine, Mrs. Alva knew because she'd counted them out: one, no one had noticed her yet two, casual glances to see who had just come in sharpened three, people began to nudge their neighbors four, the whispers started five, they turned anger six, Mrs. Henry Biddington asked the maitre d'hotel to throw her out.

Alva Penrose Rensselaer Webster had been inside Delmonico's for nine seconds before Mrs.

The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller