Depicted as the deathbed autobiography of arabella godwin, aka belle cora, the story begins with arabellas childhood in 1830s manhattan. At least the kind where the author takes a real person and then builds a life based on skeleton facts. Resonant of margaret mitchells scarlett ohara and edith whartons undine spragg, phillip margulies s belle cora is a fascinating, scenestealing protagonist, and his eponymous debut novel, a sweeping historical epic. The story traces arabella goodwin from her privileged upbringing in new york through the tragedies that set her life on a course that would place her at the center of the politics and controversies of. A sweeping historical novel based on the extraordinary life and times of belle cora, the daughter of a new york merchant who went on to become a millworker, a prostitute, a notorious madam, a murderess, and eventually one of san franciscos richest and most revered dowagers. Margulies, the author of numerous science and history books for young adults, strikes gold in his first novel. I had just finished amy tans the valley of amazement about courtesans in shanghai and had enjoyed it. Belle cora by phillip margulies, 9780307476036, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide.
I really wish more books were written like belle cora as long, detailed, slightly juicy, vivid portraits of the past. Jan 07, 2014 buy belle cora by margulies, phillip isbn. Buy the paperback book belle cora by phillip margulies at indigo. Depicted as the deathbed autobiography of arabella godwin, aka belle cora, the story begi. Depicted as the deathbed autobiography of arabella.
Share belle cora by phillip margulies 2014, paperback belle cora by phillip margulies 2014, paperback 1 product rating. But let there be no confusion, this is the legendary story of belle cora 18281919, who survived by her wits and made a fortune off the greed and lust of men. Fiction, historical doubleday, january 2014 i know a man who had a colossal stone mansion dismantled to be taken by sea from new york to california, with every block labeled and numbered so that the house could be reassembled at its destination. Phillip margulies is the author or editor of many books on science, politics, and history for young adults.
Books mentioned belle cora phillip margulies burial rites hannah kent the lifeboat charlotte rogan the color purple alice walker out of the easy ruta sepetys salt to the sea ruta. Based loosely on the life of the 19thcentury prostitute of the same name, the book is written in the form of a twovolume memoir by one of san franciscos richest and most revered dowagers. From the gritty, hardscrabble streets of early 19thcentury manhattan, to the brazen brothels and barrooms of gold rushera san francisco, readers will find author phillip margulies rollicking debut novel belle cora as exquisitely seductive as its enigmatic heroine. Review belle cora by phillip margulies thats what she read. See all books authored by phillip margulies, including belle cora, and science on the edge. Belle cora is the tale of a fallen woman who becomes the madam of the best parlor house in san francisco. Arabella goodwin has grown up in a life of privilege. Her words change appropriately depending on her circumstances and her condition. In 19thcentury san francisco, arabella godwin tracks her journey from merchants daughter to bordello owner to one of the citys most respected dowagers. Her life is already planned out for her, she will be a lady who marries and has. He has won two new york foundation for the arts fellowships.
I may not be a sucker for historical fiction but i am a sucker for. Jan 07, 2014 margulies choice of writing belle cora in the first person is a heroic choice. The muse descended upon author phillip margulies haphazardly, after he came across a curious anecdote about a san francisco madam in the pages of a history book. Opening in 1820s new york, the story spans decades and states, as the narrative follows belles maturation from naive daughter. In the grand tradition of moll flanders and vanity fair, this is the story of a good girl who became a bad woman. Phillip margulies a sweeping historical tale based on the life and times of the daughter of a new york merchant finds the orphaned belle suffering at the hands of a rival cousin before working as a prostitute and. Margulies recreation of arabellas milieu and astute observations of the hypocritical sexual mores of a bygone time lend resonance to this episodic epic. Kevin baker, author of the big crowd and paradise alley. Jan 07, 2014 belle cora is an enthralling historical drama, the story of a 19thcentury moll flanders, told with sympathy, feeling, humor, and accuracy. Belle cora ebook by phillip margulies 9780385532778. Belle cora prince william public library system overdrive. Discount prices on books by phillip margulies, including titles like belle cora. Belle cora ebook the seattle public library bibliocommons. Phillip margulies books list of books by author phillip.
Stunning new york times bestselling author kate alcott. The kernel of an idea grew and gradually bloomed into the fullfledged narrative that imagines her. In a cantputitdown historical epic filled with suspense, romance, keen wit, adventure and scandal, belle cora comes to life in full hd and 3d, to borrow modern media terms. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. Phillip margulies has taken the scant known facts about belle and created a magnificent heroine. At the old homestead her name is never spoken and her picture is. In the home where arabella godwin was raised it is forbidden to speak her name, and her picture is turned to the wall.
Phillip margulies is the author of several books on science, politics, and history for young adults. A sweeping historical tale based on the life and times of the daughter of a new york merchant finds the orphaned belle suffering at the hands of a rival cousin before working as a prostitute and transforming herself repeatedly to win the love and life she desires. Phillip margulies is the author and editor of many books on science, politics and history for young adults. Although not always a sympathetic figure, her frankness about her failings and her justification for the artful actions she is often forced to take to guarantee selfpreservation make her utterly compelling. Resonant of margaret mitchells scarlett ohara and edith whartons undine spragg, phillip marguliess belle cora is a fascinating, scenestealing protagonist, and his eponymous debut novel, a sweeping historical epic. Kurt andersen, author of heyday margulies strikes gold. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. But in the turbulent america of the 1850s, everyone knows her as belle cora, madam of san franciscos finest bordello. Belle cora a novel by phillip margulies by phillip margulies by phillip margulies by phillip margulies. Review belle cora by phillip margulies thats what she. But in the turbulent america of the 1850s, everyone knows her as belle cora, madam of san franciscos finest. A remarkable story publishers weekly that will captivate historical fiction fans library journal. Sep 27, 2016 books mentioned belle cora phillip margulies burial rites hannah kent the lifeboat charlotte rogan the color purple alice walker out of the easy ruta sepetys salt to the sea ruta. Longtime nonfiction author phillip margulies follows this format with belle cora, a rollicking first novel that tracks an american moll flanders on her rollercoaster ride from respectability.
Jan 20, 2014 belle cora by phillip margulies published by doubleday publication date. Belle cora is the tale of a fallen woman who becomes the madam of the best parlor house in san francisco and eventually is embroiled in the scandalous trial of her lover charles cora. Part love story, part scandal, part historical epic, philip margulies masterfully orchestrates a riveting tale, taking us from the hardboiled streets of new york city to the rich promise of californias goldmines. At its center is a complex, daring woman, a character i wont soon forget. Phillip margulies shares the journey of belle coras. Edward rutherfurd, author of paris in the home where arabella godwin was raised. I dont know how i can avoid it considering the number of books out there that are of that genre.
Belle cora phillip margulies, 2014 knopf doubleday 592 pp. Belle cora is the story of an extraordinary woman making her way through an extraordinary time. The couples mission is to convert san francisco miners, and since arabella has been intercepting agnes letters, jeptha remains, so far, ignorant of her fall from grace. He lives in new york city with his wife and two children. The kernel of an idea grew and gradually bloomed into the fullfledged narrative that imagines her life story, the novel belle cora. The story traces arabella goodwin from her privileged upbringing in new york through the tragedies that set her life on a course that would place her at the center of the politics and controversies of californias early days. Belle cora by phillip margulies published by doubleday publication date. Apr 05, 2014 in one of amazons emails they mentioned belle cora by phillip margulies. Tuck this gorgeous, alive story of america back on your book shelf. Phillip margulies might be best known for his childrens books about science and history, but here, in his first novel. Memorable at every turn and set against the backdrop of a 19th century america that was, like the novels protagonist, many different things all at once.
Read belle cora a novel by phillip margulies available from rakuten kobo. There is a large number of welldefined characters in the nearly 600page book, and margulies does a grand job of keeping track. A rich novel full of history and salacious details, i would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. Francis anderson, a wealthy and powerful dowager in san francisco society, leaves behind a scandalous memoir revealing her former life as a prostitute and madame. Were only into the second month of 2014, but belle cora, a first novel by phillip margulies, is not only this years best read, but last years as well. Although not always a sympathetic figure, her frankness about her failings and her justification for the artful actions she is often forced to take to guarantee. Belle cora is an enthralling historical drama, the story of a 19thcentury moll flanders, told with sympathy, feeling, humor, and accuracy. Phillip margulies books list of books by phillip margulies. I may not be a sucker for historical fiction but i am a sucker for stories about fallen women. If, like me, you long to visit nineteenthcentury new york and san francisco, i cant imagine a better timetravel substitute than belle cora. A convincing melodrama in which the victim takes charge. From the gritty, hardscrabble streets of early 19thcentury manhattan, to the brazen brothels and barrooms of gold rushera san francisco, readers will find author phillip margulies rollicking debut novel belle cora as exquisitely seductive as its enigmatic heroine disguised as a memoir, belle cora is actually an ornately constructed family saga tucked within a framework of well. Kevin baker, author of the big crowd and paradise alley pull awayif you can. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders.
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