Following The Other Einstein, her debut novel about Albert Einstein's first wife, author Marie Benedict once again centers a stirring historical tale on a one-of-a-kind woman. In Carnegie's Maid, Benedict creates a fictional woman who influences Andrew Carnegie's transformation from industrial tycoon to the creator of thousands of free lending libraries, resulting in an imaginative story of forbidden love and the injustice of social classes.

Clara Kelley, an immigrant farm girl from Ireland, arrives in industrial 1860s Pittsburgh and expects to work in a mill to support her family back home. Instead, just off the ship, she assumes the identity of a different Clara Kelley, a second-class passenger who did not make the voyage, and finds herself the lady's maid to Andrew Carnegie's mother. Using her quick wit and family-taught education, Clara soon becomes indispensable, but she endangers her position by forming an ever-deepening relationship with Andrew, learning his business secrets and sharing ideas.

Benedict evokes the time period through her graceful writing style, which can seem stiff at first but soon immerses readers in "Downton Abbey"-esque drama. With meticulous historical detail, the luxury of the Carnegies' world is juxtaposed with the destitution of the poor, as Clara balances her place among the elite while sympathizing with her family, sending money to them overseas and bringing her cousins food on her scarce holidays.

Though Clara is fictional, it's as important as ever to have stories of the strong women behind men, reminding us of the invisible feminists throughout history.

 

This article was originally published in the January 2018 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

In 1863, Clara Kelley, a farm girl from County Galway, sails to America to procure employment, hoping to send money back to her impoverished family in Ireland. When she answers a call for a girl of the same name who perished aboard ship, Clara quickly assumes the identity of this unfortunate, which leads her to obtaining a better position than she could have hoped: lady's maid to Mrs. Carnegie, mother of the successful, talented businessman Andrew Carnegie. Clara quickly renders herself indispensable to her employer. However, her good sense and intelligence come to the notice of Andrew, and a bond formed over talk of commerce turns to a deeper affection. Unfortunately, Mrs. Carnegie learns of Clara's true origins. Can Andrew's love withstand learning her secret—or should Clara simply leave it all behind? Benedict's (The Other Einstein) second novel captures the rush of industry that accompanied the American Civil War and the men like Andrew Carnegie, who were truly self-made. VERDICT With its well-drawn characters, good pacing, and excellent sense of time and place, this volume should charm lovers of historicals, romance, and the Civil War period. Neither saccharine nor overly dramatized, it's a very satisfying read.—Pamela O'Sullivan, Coll. at Brockport Lib., SUNY

Andrew Carnegie's impetus to take up philanthropy is explored in this excellent historical novel. Benedict (The Other Einstein) begins with Carnegie's letter to himself from December 1868, in which he pledges most of his fortune "for benevolent purposes." The story then turns to farmer's daughter Clara Kelley, who travels in steerage from Ireland; upon landing in Philadelphia in 1863, she is mistaken for an identically named fellow passenger who has died during the passage. Desperate to improve her family's fortune, she assumes the other Clara's place as a lady's maid to the formidable Margaret Carnegie, mother to brothers Andrew and Tom. Clara's education and sharp wit allow her to carry off the deception and, indeed, her intellect brings her to Andrew's attention. She earns his respect and even affection, but differences in status make any prospect of a relationship unlikely. While there are elements of Cinderella, Benedict doesn't let herself or her characters stray from historical realities. The true reason for Carnegie's transformation from industrialist to builder of libraries for all remains a mystery, but Benedict's imagination supplies a delightful possibility. Agent: Lauren Dail, Lauren Dail Literary Agency. (Jan.)