I really enjoyed this book! Simple, sweet and heartbreaking. As someone who works at a Carnegie library I like to think that someone like Clara could have inspired him. Great idea for a historical fiction book.

Clara Kelley leaves her Irish home and sails to America. Her goal is to find work and save enough money for passage to Pittsburgh to live with distant family. Once she arrives, someone she doesn’t know calls her name to board a carriage to Pittsburgh. With no other options, Clara climbs aboard and begins her life in America.
Once Clara arrives in Pittsburgh, she is sent to Mrs. Seeley. Mrs. Seeley’s job is to find domestic positions for the wealthy families in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, everyone believes Clara Kelley is another girl by the same name, a young woman who died on the passage to America. Our Clara becomes the dead girl and finds herself a lady’s maid to Mrs. Carnegie.
Clara is swept into the world of the Pittsburgh wealthy. She attends to her mistress’s needs and accompanies her on all outings. Clara learns the business of the Carnegie’s, immigrants themselves who started in the poor lower class and made their way into the upper class. She charts the businesses and tries to learn all she can while supporting her family in Ireland.
When Mr. Carnegie stumbles upon Clara’s studies in the library, he sees she has a wonderful mind and has made business connects he never thought of before. Together, they invest in business ventures and begin to develop a relationship. But this relationship becomes difficult, as it is between people of two separate worlds. And Clara still has a duty to help her family.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved Clara as a narrator and her struggle to learn how to be a lady’s maid under false pretenses. It really brought light to the struggle of immigrants to the States (my own family were immigrants during WWII). Clara sees the struggle of her relatives both in Pittsburgh and in Ireland, she also sees the extravagant living of the wealthy. She just got lucky.
I love the business mind of Clara as she tries to do what Andrew Carnegie did, to invest and make money. Her objective is to support her family back home, stripped of their land. She is bright and understanding.
The blossoming romance between Andrew and Clara is interesting. Of course, it was inappropriate as servant and master. But they both helped and changed each other for the good.

Carnegie's Maid receives 4 stars.

Carnegie's Maid by Marie Benedict is an awesome historical novel. Based on fact, the reader is treated to a cracking story.
To me, Andrew Carnegie was just a name of someone long gone. Carnegie's Maid has educated me to see the man behind the name.
The novel is written in the first person from the point of view of Clara, Carnegie's mother's maid. Both Clara and Carnegie's mother were poor immigrants, one from Ireland, one from Scotland. They both rose or fell using their own wits. They both cared deeply for their family and would do anything for them, although their methods differed.
Education brings freedom. In a land where the civil war was fought over freedom and the issue of slavery, no man can be truly free without education. Education must be available to all.
The novel has a huge social conscience. For some, money is a god. "No idol more debasing than the worship of money." Money on a pedestal is harmful. Money must be used wisely. Money brings choice. We must be good stewards of our money.
The leading ladies have both received education to survive in a man's world. "Your father educated you to think like a man." One lady uses her mind to help others. The other merely wishes to rise through the ranks and to keep the wolves from her door. Society can be a hard master and fickle - letting in only those who are useful and of benefit.
We all play roles in life. Basing our foundation on a lie surely means that sooner or later, we are destined to fall.
The leading lady is very much a modern woman in the mid nineteenth century with her business acumen, social conscience and education. She brings out the best in others and opens eyes to the plight of the poor.
Carnegie's Maid is an epic read. It educates the reader at the same time as entertaining. Andrew Carnegie is no longer just a name. He is a fully rounded person with a good heart.
Marie Benedict always writes novels that open the reader's eyes to famous historical figures. They became living, breathing figures that it is a pleasure to get to know.
Carnegie's Maid is a fabulous read and one that will remain long after the book is ended.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

As would be expected from Ms. Benedict, with her previous book <i>The Other Einstein</i>, this was an pleasurable read at the same time it was informative.

The fictional part presented by the author fits so perfectly with the historical personage of Andrew Carnegie that one must wonder if the story isn't an accurate one!

Historical fiction, romance, and a lot of fun. You'll want to add this to your libraries.

A delightful book for historical fiction fans and for strong women everywhere. What happens when your station in life conflicts with the love of your life? Book clubs and readers will be discussing this long after the last word is read.

VERDICT: Superb portrait of the US in the 1860s. A beautiful homage to immigrants, to the love of learning, and to libraries.
As a lover of books, I assume you are one if you landed on my book blog, you have probably entered a Carnegie library at least once in your life.
The first to offer free access to libraries for all, Andrew Carnegie was an important figure in the life of the author’s ancestors. In Carnegie’s Maid, Marie Benedict uses the skills she demonstrated in The Other Einstein to try to shed light on the transformation of the man, from a “tycoon, long-rumored to be heartless”, into “the world’s first philanthropist”.
She followed some historians’ theory that his metamorphosis may have been inspired by a personal relationship.

The book opens in 1868, with Andrew Carnegie writing a letter and trying to honor the memory of a certain Clara.
We then follow Clara from November 1863 to April 1867.
To help her desperate family losing farm land and fearing starvation in Ireland, a 19 year old crosses the Ocean in 42 days to find a job in Pennsylvania. Having no technical skills to offer, despite the excellent education she received at home, rare at the time for young girls, she uses her cleverness and ends up being hired as a lady’s maid at the service of Mrs Carnegie.
A smart observer, “elegant in her thinking” (chapter 15), she will straddle the difficult gap between servants and masters and do all she can to save her family. How will she manage, at what cost?
This is actually a superb portrait of life in the US in the 1860s, with all that’s going on:
the aftermath and impact of the Civil War, with the industrial forces at play
industrialization, with its horrors and filth; business dealings, iron, railway, telegraph; investing
the evolving situation of slaves
the difficult relationships between Catholics and Protestants
the situation also in Ireland
the circumstances of immigrants
the relationships between servants and masters, how downstairs and upstairs can or cannot mingle.

Mr Andrew Carnegie is presented as a complex character, difficult to understand. His evolution and his inner struggles made total sense. His relationship with Clara is shown with a lot of balance. This is NOT a historical romance, the author managed skillfully to avoid a possible trap.
I don’t want to give away anything. The book is smartly built, with a constant tension with dangers looming in Clara’s family, with the possibilities of losing her position, and the risks in her relationships with the Carnegie’s family, and how she uses her mind to come up with a solution, whatever the price.
I also enjoyed a lot the character of John Ford, the cook, a former slave.
The book is ultimately a homage to libraries, to books and to the love of learning in order to succeed in life and help others. We see the importance of books in the education and evolution of Clara and of the Carnegies.

Just as Marie Benedict gave voice to the unrecognized Mrs Einstein, here through a woman with a strong character, she superbly gives “voice to the otherwise silent stories of the thousands of immigrants who built our country. Then and now”.

New this month: Carnegie's Maid
**** 4.5 stars: Carnegie's Maid is historically insightful, touching and moving. The best book I've read this year!



Recommended readers:

If you like Juliana Gray or Diana Gabaldon
If you want a good mix of great characters, history and more
If you like historical fiction
Here's my Rankings:

5/5 for characters
4/5 for plot
4.5/5 overall
REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER:
Immigrant Clara Kelly arrives in America off a boat from Ireland. She shared a dirty, crammed steerage area with hundreds of others filled with disease and fear. Her family's last hope, she's been sent to America to find a better life. So when circumstances push her into the Carnegie home - as the lady of the house's maid - she does what's best.

In the fight for a better life at the end of Civil War America, Carnegie's Maid is historically insightful, touching and moving - all while sharing a peak into a revolutionary family's fascinating history and the potential inspiration behind one of America's greatest businessmen and philanthropist. Carnegie's Maid is a fascinating mix of history with a uniquely personal feel. It's a great read for nearly any historical fan.

New this month: Carnegie's Maid

I absolutely love this novel. It is an interesting read and very empowering for women who feel marginalized.

My Review of “Carnegie’s Maid” by Marie Benedict

I enjoyed reading “Carnegie’s Maid” by Marie Benedict. The Genres for this story are Historical Fiction and Fiction. I appreciate the way that Marie Benedict weaves the fictional and historical components of this story together, as in a marriage. The timeline for this story takes place in the 1860’s. The contrast between the have and have-nots, and the rich and poor is evident. The hardships on Immigrants as they entered the United States is shown, as well as the newly freed slaves and their problems.

The author describes her characters as complicated and complex. Some are ambitious for power, and wealth. Others are ambitious to survive. Clara Kelly, a young Irish immigrant arrives after a long dangerous voyage, where other immigrants died. A woman calls her name, and Clara Kelly answers, finally realizing that it is another Clara Kelly the woman is seeking. Clara goes with her and finds herself in the employment of the prominent Carnegie family, and becomes Mrs. Carnegie’s personal maid. Clara sends whatever funds she has home to Ireland to her desperate family.

Clara is fascinated by books, and meets Andrew Carnegie, who appreciates her literary tastes. Andrew gets to look forward to discussing literature with Clara. The two are attracted to one another, but being from different classes, Clara is very cautious. As Clara sees how ruthless and successful Andrew can be in business, she becomes aware of the people who have lost their jobs because of his financial dealings.

Somehow, the author describes that Andrew Carnegie becoming a famous Philanthropist, paving the way for free libraries, and education, from possibly Clara’s influence. I would recommend this novel to readers of Historical Fiction. I received an Advanced Reading Copy for my honest review.

What a great way to start 2018. This story was phenomenal and had me hooked to the very end. Clara Kelley is one of the most interesting characters I have come across. A well-researched and fascinating way to weave the ending of the Civil War, the building of the Carnegie empire, and the immigration of a young Irish girl as she takes on the role of a ladies maid. It's reminiscent of the drama in Downton Abbey. A must read.

I recently started watching Downton Abbey (finally), and this book reminded me of some of those episodes with the Service learning their role, maintaining appropriate relationships, and completing their tasks. I enjoyed the historical views of the Carnegie family and individuals who came to America looking for work.

Deep down this book is a heartfelt and well written immigrant story. However, I would have enjoyed this story so much more had there not been a love story. I found that to be the least believable part of the story and honestly the most annoying part as well. Part of what bothers me is that Andrew Carnegie is a real person and main character. He did marry and his grandchildren are still living. If this were a story about my grandparent, I’d be upset. It’s one thing to say his experience with his mother’s ladies maid encouraged his philanthropy, but I felt this book laid it all at Clara’s feet making the story seem more preposterous. If these had been entirely fictitious characters I would have really enjoyed the book. I appreciate that the author included a letter to the reader at the beginning to explain why she did what she did, but my skepticism got the best of me. I still gave the book three stars because it is so well written and enjoyable if you can look past the aforementioned issues.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.

This is a historical fiction novel focusing on a maid in Andrew Carnegie’s household during Carnegie’s rise to a tycoon of industry. I’ve always been interested in that time in American history and with Benedict writing it (I loved her first book, The Other Einstein) I knew this would be a good one. Clara is from Ireland and while her family survived the famine, there are other enemies. Her father decides to send her to America in hopes of being an additional source of income. When she lands, an opportunity falls in her lap to take the identity of another woman (with the same name) that vanished during the crossing. If she pulls it off and becomes Mrs. Carnegie’s (Andrew’s mother) maid, she will be able to truly support her family. What follows is a transformation of not only Clara, but also Andrew Carnegie. Clara struggles to find herself in her new situation and identity. But what she does is keep Carnegie grounded in where he came from and not just constantly follow the almighty dollar. What this book does so well is show the injustices of the time. We see not only Irish immigrants and other lower class people, but in another way we see how “new money” like the Carnegie’s, try to fight their way into the “old money” upper class. Within all of this, we see the interactions between all of these classes and just how much the world was changing at the time. I loved that Clara was intelligent and was willing to use her smarts. I would highly recommend this book for anyone, especially if you like strong female characters that live bigger than their times.

I was delighted when I stumbled across Carnegie's Maid on NetGalley. Featuring a beautiful cover and a unique setting/premise, I devoured the book quickly, enchanted within its pages. It pleasantly surpassed what I expected and took me on a beautiful journey with Clara Kelley from Ireland to Pittsburgh and into the Carnegie household.

Marie Benedict does a splendid job of characterization from Clara to Mrs. Carnegie to Mr. Ford. Clara in particular was a real treat, as her story developed from having no one and fitting nowhere, to feeling like she fit with Mr. Carnegie. I also enjoyed Clara's family's backstory, especially Benedict's reference to the Fenians, which I have always thought was an under appreciated moment of history. Benedict also brilliantly intertwines history with her story, painting the picture of the Civil War, the end of the Industrial Revolution, the plight and beginning of America's mass immigration, and even the biography of Andrew Carnegie himself. The finale of the book was well executed, with a beautiful epilogue that was both satisfying to the reader but also left some questions unanswered.

In the end, Marie Benedict's story of two people inexplicably intertwined yet divided because of social class and loyalties was a beautiful read. Her story is well-researched, bravely written and excellently woven with the different characters, motives and historical placements. Carnegie's Maid paints a beautiful picture of the strong Clara Kelley who forged her own way with the cards life had dealt her, in contrast with Andrew Carnegie, who very much did the same. Five out of five stars!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.

A very touching and sweet story. It was interesting to learn a bit of Carnegie's background.

November 4, 1963, irish immigrant Clara Kelley steps on an American soil for the very first time with only one bag in her hand and no place to go. Strangely enough, she hears her name called. There is a confusion, another girl with the exact same name never got off the boat, and Clara decides to take her place. She has no idea where she is going and what is waiting for her when she will get there.

Fortunately for our young Ms. Kelley, she is being employed as a lady's maid by a very nice and respectful family. Clara builts a great relationship with her mistress... and with her son - Andrew Carnegie. Years go by and the friendship between Andrew and Clara grows. He shares his business wisdom with her, and Clara seems to be very eager to learn. Together, with Clara's ideas and Andrew's money they open a new business that keeps growing. Something else is growing in Andrew and Clara's relationship... their feelings towards each other. The young girl has been warned about servant/master relationship multiple times by her only friend in the house, a cook Mr. Ford and her cousin and his family that live in the same town. This type of "friendship" never ends well. Clara is a smart girl herself, she understands that any type of relationship with Mrs. Carnegie's son can lead to her losing a job which is her only source of income. Andrew is very persistent. However, there is something else that stands between them... her little secret... she never told anyone that she is impersonating another girl, a girl that died on the ship and who place Clara has taken.

Mr. Ford and Clara's cousins were right. Everything comes to an end. Mrs. Carnegie discovers both of Clara's secrets, and the young girl is being ordered to leave the residence immediately. Clara has no other choice but to follow Mrs. Carnegie's order. She leaves her job, love of her life and her future in Carnegie's Pittsburgh mansion.

I wish the author would tell us more about what has happened to Clara. Where did she go? How her life turned out to be. The last chapter gives us a few tiny clues. But I wish to learn more... There should be a second part of the book when our wonderful writer answers all our unsettled questions.

Sometimes, the least expected person can help you find yourself again...

Andrew Carnegie is well known as a steel magnate and philanthropist; however, not much focus has been put on his life as an immigrant before his success, or the circumstances which led to his philanthropic efforts. Perhaps he was a naturally altruistic person, or had those values instilled in him by his family. In Carnegie's Maid, however, Marie Benedict explores a different option - the idea that there might have been a someone to influence him, and that someone could have been his mother's lady's maid, the fictional Clara Kelley.

The relationship between the wealthy and their servants is one that has been explored many times before (Downton Abbey, for example); in my opinion, though, Marie Benedict's approach to the matter was wholly original. This is a beautiful story of hard work, determination, and always remembering your roots. It also hones in on the idea that you can forge your own path and rise in the ranks, no matter your starting circumstances. It's a lovely read, written in the format of Clara's personal account.

Also, major Downton vibes. I might just go rewatch the series now!

After reading The Other Einstein I knew Marie Benedict had a particular passion for writing about historical figures with a female perspective, that didn't and doesn't revolve around who they're sleeping with. So when I saw Carnegie's Maid was up for grabs, I grabbed it. While written about a true historical figure, it is told from the perspective of Clara, and fictional Clara's are always sweet and soft spoken, yet Marie's Clara is somehow the voice for all Irish immigrants in this novel. She's somehow the catalyst for Andrew's free libraries, and quite honestly I got Beauty and the Beast vibes a few times. Ms. Benedict delivers a second well researched novel, giving us an insight on the Irish immigrant experience in America at the time, while also giving us a realistic view. There is a love story in this novel, but it doesn't feel forced and it isn't the sole focus. Clara is a passionate character, and it is hard to distill the legacy of the Carnegie's and not see the compassion and philanthropy shown by Andrew. I cannot wait to read what she writes next.

A bit over the top historical romance with nice writing, good plot points but sadly lacks something overall to make me love it completely.


I think that everyone that enjoys a slower paced historical romance and can overlook the moments that are a bit over the top will defiantly love this book.

The writing is good, the characters alright and the plot itself is nicely done. So all in all overall a good book in my option.

For my personal taste there were a handful of things that just didn't quiet fit to make it a great book, but depending on the type of reader you are, this will either be something you can overlock without problems or be something that bothers you to no end (it bothered me)

For example there is this little coincidence that on the ship from Ireland to America there is not just one girl named Clara Kelly but two. Isn't that just a perfect coincidence?
And why not just take that identity if its so easy to slip into it with the same name and all that? Who cares that a poor irish immigrant without the right education should not actually be able to fulfil the role she takes on without problem? its FICTION! (me... it bothered me!)

Its not a huge thing and if you are someone that doesn't mind a bit of a... lets call it stupid start? To a story to get the entire plot moving and rolling and add a bit of a drama into it than you will LOVE this!

Personally didn't work that great for me. Especially since those little moments of overdoing it kept piling up throughout the story.
Who wouldn't expect Clara to be a business mind? I mean, sure! Who in her situation isn't? And which rich guy does NOT listen to his mothers maid in business ideas??

As i said... the actual book itself is good.

I just thought the author sometimes got a bit... over enthusiastic with some of her ideas that where rather far fetched.
Still there is the perfect audience out there for the book since even for me- and my tastes and over specific ideas of what my perfect historical fiction has to have- this book was fun and a good read.

So if you want to give this book a try?
Defiantly do!

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - 1863

Clara Kelley is part of a group of Irish immigrants being processed into America. A gentleman she does not know tells her a Mrs. Seeley is expecting her. Confused, she goes along with it thinking she might be able to get a job. It turns out she is to be posted as a lady’s maid to the wealthy Mrs. Margaret Carnegie. Clara realizes that they were expecting someone else because hers is a common name. But she stays quiet about the mix-up knowing that the other Clara Kelley must have died on the voyage.

Clara works hard to impress Mrs. Carnegie. On her first day off, Clara visits with her mother’s cousin whose family lives in dire straights. On her return to the Carnegie home via the train, she meets Andrew Carnegie, the older son. They enjoy stimulating conversation about the events of the day and find that they have similar interests and beliefs. But while they continue to share intelligent conversations, Clara realizes she must be very careful or people may think she is pursuing him.

Clara’s father had encouraged her to read in-depth and learn about all kinds of subjects. Therefore, she has a sharp mind. Her occasional chance to talk with Andrew is always enjoyable to them but she does all she can to keep her friendship secret from his mother. The woman is a very hard taskmaster and would take great delight in firing her.

When Andrew tells Clara that a company has been started with her as a shareholder, she is thrilled. The money she could make from the shares would more than enable her to bring her family over from Ireland. Andrew wants Clara to be with him but she knows that it would be impossible for them to be accepted as a couple so she turns him down. However, due to his interests in helping people, Andrew Carnegie turns out to be quite the philanthropist throughout his life.

I realize this is a piece of fiction which shows the author has a great imagination for which I commend her. I can’t help but feel that Clara could have gone on to find her way in the man’s world to make her own wealth. It brings to mind the old saying: “If you’re so smart, why ain’t you rich?” But this is fiction so there is no need to do anymore than enjoy the story for what it was meant to be.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Famine threatens the livelihood of Irish men and women, forcing them to seek better, yet unknown opportunities abroad in America. It was not uncommon to see a young girl on her own, sometimes the family’s only hope for income, and starting a better life. Clara is just such a girl; coming from a family of 5, her mother and father deemed her the best fit to starting life in America on her own. Clara’s older sister, Eliza, is set to be married, and her younger sister is, well, too young.

Clara seems to be at terms with her change in life. She does what’s best for herself on the voyage over to America; keeps to herself, avoids those who are sick; so that she may have the best opportunity for a job. Clara is settled on having either to work for a mill, or a seamstress- when your family owns a farm, there’s not much to choose from when it comes to work, seeing as she wasn’t trained for anything. Clara’s father, however, saw to it that his 3 daughters would be taught as men; reading, having an opinion, etc. It is because of her father that Clara developed her sharp wit, that puts her at an advantage to stand out.

Surviving the voyage across the sea was a feat upon itself, arriving in Philadelphia, Clara’s biggest concern is quarantine. If one person on the boat is deemed unhealthy, then the entire boat is at risk; setting back the hopes and dreams of finding a job and earning a living. And of course human beings are still separated according to class, like prize chattel going to the slaughter. Our Clara is lower class, not that that seems to bother her one bit. The only promise Clara has at this point is a second cousin already residing in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania- scraping what little money she has together, her plan is to make it to her family and find what little work is available.

By some luck, a Clara Kelley from a “higher class” is missing- and readers are left to guess that the name Clara Kelley is very popular across the seas. Clara hesitantly comes forward ( I mean it is her name and all) to see what exactly they are looking for. It turns out the other Clara was promised for “high end” maid work; judging how unkempt our Clara is from her trip overseas, the valet is questioning if she is who she says. Without any options of proving her validity, the valet whisks her and two other girls off in a carriage.

Ironically Clara is taken to Pittsburgh to start a trial employ with Mrs. Carnegie. Quite a difference in scenery for an Irish farm girl.

Mrs. Carnegie is a tough mistress to work for. She likes things the way she expects them to be preformed, and if you deter from that expectation you are dismissed from service. Clara professed she was a quick learner- picking up on her mistress’ mannerisms, she becomes the ideal lady’s maid. Mrs. Carnegie also takes a liking to Clara, and it is in the private moments between the two of them that she softens, and asks Clara her opinion on societal trends.

As Clara gains confidence in her stolen role, she is reminded of everything she left behind. Receiving letters from home paints a sad picture of what life on the farm has become. She is further reminded of what her life could have been by visiting her relatives. Seeing how destitute a life working in the mill is, Clara bolsters her resolve to do whatever she could to restore her family’s farm. Taking the train home, she breaks down. Missing her family, keeping up her assumed appearance, she sobs in front of complete strangers. That is when her mistress’ son, Andrew Carnegie talks to her.

Stemmed by Carnegie’s generosity of bridging the servant-master gap, Clara starts observing his business practices, and the two secretly exchange business deals to further the Carnegie name. How far can a lady’s maid succeed in business?

Here we are again, with a book breaking the stereotypes of history classes. All throughout high school we are inundated with men: presidents, inventors, business proposals. Reading these historical fiction books however, gives me hope that ideally, women are the backbone of everything these men did. Goading them on in lucrative business proposals, pushing for presidency because they had a good heart, making friends in that inner most circle to gain a vantage point. What if, most (I’m giving men the benefit of the doubt here) men’s brilliant ideas, stemmed from a simple pillow talk with their wife?

In a time where women were more for tea parties, and social events, it’s encouraging to think that woman were just as forward thinking as we are today. It angers me to know that in the past people like me, who are openly opinionated, and not full of decorum, would be looked down upon because I couldn’t keep a comment to myself. Granted, that comment would be dripping with cynicism, but that’s who I am. And I know for a fact I wouldn’t last long in that time period.

Just like in “The Other Einstein”, it feels that for far too long men have been running with ideas stemmed from women and reaping the benefits. All the while women have been scraping nothing but bottom, trying to carve out a place for themselves. I love hearing untold stories of women, even if they are historical fiction.

Again, Marie Benedict knocks it out of the park with “Carnegie’s Maid”. I earnestly hope that he continues her work with untold stories of great women hidden in the monstrous shadows of men.

Look for “Carnegie’s Maid” hitting shelves January 16th! You can pre-order here. I was chosen to receive an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review. Given that fact, it has not altered my opinion on the book at all.