{"product_id":"9781250095473","title":"A Well-Behaved Woman: A Novel of the Vanderbilts","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe riveting novel of iron-willed Alva Vanderbilt and her illustrious family in as they rule Gilded-Age New York, from the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eZ: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 1883, the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e prints a lengthy rave of Alva Vanderbilt’s Fifth Ave. costume ball—a coup for the former Alva Smith, who not long before was destitute, her family’s good name useless on its own. Marrying into the newly rich but socially scorned Vanderbilt clan, a union contrived by Alva’s bestfriend and now-Duchess of Manchester, saved the Smiths—and elevated the Vanderbilts.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom outside, Alva seems to have it all and want more. She does have a knack for getting all she tries for: the costume ball—no mere amusement—wrests acceptance from doyenne Caroline Astor. Denied abox at the Academy of Music, Alva founds The Met. No obstacle puts her off for long.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut how much of ambition arises from insecurity? From despair? From refusal to play insipid games by absurd rules? —There are, however, consequences to breaking those rules. One must tread carefully.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnd what of her maddening sister-in-law, Alice? Her husband William, who’s hiding a terrible betrayal? The not-entirely-unwelcome attentions of his friend Oliver Belmont, who is everything William is not? What of her own best friend, whose troubles cast a wide net?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlva will build mansions, push boundaries, test friendships, and marry her daughter to England’s most eligible duke or die trying. She means to do right by all, but good behavior will only get a woman so far. What is the price of going further? What might be the rewards? There’s only one way to know for certain…\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"St. Martin's Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47034284114160,"sku":"9781250095473","price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781250095473_p0.jpg?v=1763702078","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781250095473","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}