Carnegie’s Maid by Marie Benedict

I guess I’ll start with, this book made me cry. A good cry, the kind readers yearn for. I’d been worried recently because I hadn’t been able to find a book that seemed to touch me so deeply I’d cry for the characters. To me it is the surest sign of a soul touching novel. To know that while these characters are only real because of ink they are written upon, in that moment to the reader they become more real than the world around us.

Perhaps how deeply I was touched was because of my background. As the great-great-granddaughter of german and scotch-welsh immigrants this story hit me to the core. I had family who homesteaded, and family that worked and continues to work in mines and oil fields. The same areas that Mr. Carnegie and his family ran and controlled. In Carnegie’s Maid I saw the the growth of our country, and how both those who worked to build the country and those who orchestrated the building saw the world around them.

I was able to watch as a young immigrant with no stop worked his way up to the upper echelons, and as another immigrant worked so her family could survive. It made me reflect. I thank my lucky stars that my family who immigrated worked so hard, and I’m thankful to be here. And I send my love to all those families who are trying to do the same. Our country truly is one of immigrants.

Now, pulling away from my reprieve, I simply adored this novel. An artfully woven story of the dirty truths of immigrants and the pursuit of wealth. And how anyone is able of inspiring generosity and benevolent change within society.

I love reading ARCs,  and this had none of the fledgling feel which is prevalent in many ARCs that are trying to become finished novels. I was drawn in from the beginning and then surrounded by well-rounded characters who were sure of their voice. Benedict does a phenomenal job of describing what industrial Pittsburgh would have looked at, and it seemed as if I could see the haze of the burning coal entrenching the world they inhabited.

My anticipation of Clara being found out kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I read. I also enjoyed the literary device of using letters within the story. it allows for an artful telling, giving background and context while allowing for an exploration and understanding of the feelings of our cast.

While I feel as if I could continue on explaining how this book touched me, and continues to sit with me even after the last page has been turned, instead I’ll leave you to go and find out for yourselves. And when you do read it, please let me know if you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Thank you to NetGalley, Marie Benedict, and Sourcebooks for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

You can get Carnegie’s Maid here through Bookshop.org, which supports local independent bookstores!

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