The Colony Club
A Novel
Published on 21. November 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-0-06-325248-6 (ISBN)
Description
From New York Times bestselling author Shelley Noble comes an inspiring historical novel about the inception of the Colony Club, the first women's club of its kind, set against the dazzling backdrop of Gilded Age New York.
When young Gilded Age society matron Daisy Harriman is refused a room at the Waldorf because they don't cater to unaccompanied females, she takes matters into her own hands. She establishes the Colony Club, the first women's club in Manhattan, where visiting women can stay overnight and dine with their friends; where strong women can discuss new ideas, take on social issues, and make their voices heard. She hires the most sought-after architect in New York, Stanford White, to design the clubhouse.
As "the best dressed actress on the Rialto" Elsie de Wolfe has an eye for decor, but her career is stagnating. So when White asks her to design the clubhouse interiors, she jumps at the chance and the opportunity to add a woman's touch. He promises to send her an assistant, a young woman he's hired as a draftsman.
Raised in the Lower East Side tenements, a world away from the city's elite, Nora Bromely is determined to become an architect in spite of hostility and sabotage from her male colleagues. She is disappointed and angry when White "foists" her off on this new women's club project.
But when White is murdered and the ensuing Trial of the Century discloses the architect's scandalous personal life, fearful backers begin to withdraw their support. It's questionable whether the club will survive long enough to open.
Daisy, Elsie, and Nora-forming an unlikely friendship born from crisis-have nothing in common but their determination to carry on. But to do so, they must overcome not only society's mores but their own prejudices about women, wealth, and each other. Together they strive to transform Daisy's dream of the Colony Club into a reality, a place that will nurture social justice and ensure the work of the women who earned the nickname "Mink Brigade" far into the future.
When young Gilded Age society matron Daisy Harriman is refused a room at the Waldorf because they don't cater to unaccompanied females, she takes matters into her own hands. She establishes the Colony Club, the first women's club in Manhattan, where visiting women can stay overnight and dine with their friends; where strong women can discuss new ideas, take on social issues, and make their voices heard. She hires the most sought-after architect in New York, Stanford White, to design the clubhouse.
As "the best dressed actress on the Rialto" Elsie de Wolfe has an eye for decor, but her career is stagnating. So when White asks her to design the clubhouse interiors, she jumps at the chance and the opportunity to add a woman's touch. He promises to send her an assistant, a young woman he's hired as a draftsman.
Raised in the Lower East Side tenements, a world away from the city's elite, Nora Bromely is determined to become an architect in spite of hostility and sabotage from her male colleagues. She is disappointed and angry when White "foists" her off on this new women's club project.
But when White is murdered and the ensuing Trial of the Century discloses the architect's scandalous personal life, fearful backers begin to withdraw their support. It's questionable whether the club will survive long enough to open.
Daisy, Elsie, and Nora-forming an unlikely friendship born from crisis-have nothing in common but their determination to carry on. But to do so, they must overcome not only society's mores but their own prejudices about women, wealth, and each other. Together they strive to transform Daisy's dream of the Colony Club into a reality, a place that will nurture social justice and ensure the work of the women who earned the nickname "Mink Brigade" far into the future.
Reviews / Votes
"With The Colony Club, Shelley Noble has given us a trio of trailblazing heroines. Daisy's dream, Elsie's vision, and Nora's determination combine in a dazzling story about the creation and construction of the first social club for women. In these uncertain times, this book is a reminder that we stand on the broad shoulders of those courageous women who have gone before us." - Alix Rickloff, author of The Last Light over Oslo"This is the ultimate female empowerment story. Shelley Noble has unearthed a delicious sliver of history that will delight her readers. Fashioned after the exclusive men's clubs of the day, The Colony Club explores the formation of the first women's social club in Manhattan during the Gilded Age. Despite commissioning the project to the celebrated architect, Stanford White (later involved in the Murder of the Century), it's the women who triumph and make this dream a reality. Noble's cast of iron-willed heroines take up the charge with astounding passion and determination that shines on every page." - Renee Rosen, USA Today Bestselling Author of Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl
"The Colony Club is an inspiring, powerful tribute to the Gilded Age women who broke through barriers to create their own place in the world. This impeccably researched story features real events and people in history, spotlighting the amazing feats women can accomplish when they support each other." - Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Keeper of Hidden Books
"Noble's latest, The Colony Club, is a well-researched novel full of fascinating and empowering characters. Through the eyes of three female protagonists, the Gilded Age of New York comes alive in the creation of the famous women's only Colony Club. A powerful reminder that when women work together, they can not only achieve great things, but smash through barriers. A delightful read. Well done!" - Eliza Knight, USA Today and international bestselling author of THE QUEEN'S FAITHFUL COMPANION
"A fascinating look into the history and personalities behind the Colony Club-the first women's club of its kind. Noble skillfully brings her characters and setting to life, spinning a tale that is both poignant and startlingly relevant. She shines a light on three women and their achievements who should be better known. Simply enthralling." - Anna Lee Huber, USA Today bestselling author
"Each page opens possibilities for a musical or movie, and the three lead characters are irresistible." - Historical Novel Society
"This novel is a masterful work that fully captures the challenges, drama and excitement of the establishment of New York's first ultra-exclusive, invitation-only membership-based women's social club built during the Gilded Age by Stanford White." - BookTrib
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 137 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
339 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-06-325248-6 (9780063252486)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Shelley Noble is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Whisper Beach, Beach Colors, and The Tiffany Girls, the story of the largely unknown women artists responsible for much of Tiffany's legendary glasswork, as well as several historical mysteries. A former professor, professional dancer and choreographer, she now lives in New Jersey halfway between the shore, where she loves visiting lighthouses and vintage carousels, and New York City, where she delights in the architecture, the theatre, and ferreting out the old stories behind the new. Shelley is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Women's Fiction Writers Association, and Historical Novel Society.