Having grown up in Pennsylvania, the name Andrew Carnegie is not an unfamiliar one. Rather, it’s a name that is synonymous with Pittsburgh, steel and also with philanthropy. I remember finding him fascinating and I was quite enthralled to see he would be in this novel. I am also a woman who has ancestors who made the arduous journey from Ireland and very well may have struggled as the immigrants in this particular book did. Mine made their way to New York but I have always found it fascinating. I wish I knew more about them. If memory serves me correctly, one was a tinsmith. I don’t think I had a relative who worked as a maid. (I did learn that I have a great aunt who was an abolitionist though!)

Our narrator is Clara Kelley who is traveling from her home in Ireland to hopefully make her way in America in order to help her family, who may lose their farm. She is unsure of what to expect or to do when she arrives since no one is going to be there to pick her up. Imagine her surprise when there is someone awaiting her! Or rather, someone with the same name. Taking hold of the opportunity presented, Clara’s journey leads her to the Carnegie’s service.

It’s a curious few years for her but using her smarts, she is able to acclimate to her new role and achieves some success. Mrs. Carnegie, Andrew’s iron-willed mother, begins to trust her and Clara catches the eye of Andrew himself, further leading her somewhat precarious situation into one wrought with anxiety, fear, triumph and ultimately, a twist of fate.

This is a somewhat short read but it’s an intoxicating one, bringing you into Clara’s world and we also glimpse into society and their rules and thoughts; the struggles of the poor and the audacity and savageness in which Andrew built his company. His guile ultimately pays off but in the meantime, will she prevail? Will she save her family and find her own piece of mind? Will she achieve everything that she wants or will she end up sacrificing her own happiness? I promise you that you’ll enjoy this book and you’ll find yourself rooting for Clara, just as I was. You’ll cringe at the way that most men treated women back then and how women were thought to best be at home, receiving callers, gossiping and generally having empty-headed banter about dresses and useless information.

Mrs. Carnegie, however, is not one of those women. Whilst she does take part in the usual women’s position, she is a keen-minded woman who debates business with her sons and their partners with ease. Clara studies the business and learns quite a bit too. They’re unusual for their time, however. I liked Mrs. Carnegie, despite the fact that there is a coolness about her that if turned on you, could stop your blood in its veins. I found her, Clara and Andrew to be well developed. I’d have liked to learn more about the ‘younger Mr. Carnegie’, Thomas. I’d have also liked to know more about the staff, particularly Mr. Ford, though he is vibrant enough. He’s also the only member of the staff who seems to like Clara.

There’s an Downtown Abbey sort of feel to this book, with the Upstairs/Downstairs staff and the tension. Ms. Benedict portrayed this perfectly. She also did a stunning job of making us understand the vast difference in lifestyles that Clara had come to know; the richness surrounding her at the Carnegie’s home and the barren life in Ireland that many felt. There is one scene in particular that illustrates this perfectly.

Ms. Benedict is a hell of a writer, bringing this world alive. I lost myself in this Industrial Revolution era based tome and found I was anxious for more. I am glad I didn’t live back then, given the smog and heavy smoke from all the factories. Nor would I have wanted to try to break into the upper society, they all were so snooty and stuck on themselves. It was rather disgusting how the length of one’s sleeves could have everyone talking about you. (There’s a scene at a Music Hall that will have you understanding this reference.)

Having read her last novel about Einstein’s first wife, I was already a massive fan. This cemented her as an author whose novels I will always read; what a stunning read.

Though she has written only two novels, Ms. Benedict has become one of my “must read” authors. Having just finished “The Other Einstein” a few weeks ago, I was so pleased to see that NetGalley was offering her newest book as an ARC option. While reading “Carnegie’s Maid” I was once again transported back in time as I followed Clara Kelley and her journey as she arrived in America as a determined Irish immigrant and became part of the Carnegie world as a ladies maid. This novel had me from the Prologue to the Epilogue; in fact it’s one of the few times that I can say a story grabbed me from the “Letter from the Author”. I had a feeling after reading Ms. Benedict’s letter her newest story would take me away, and it did. Following the story of Clara and Andrew, Mrs. Carnegie, and even the cook Mr. Ford… it’s where I have been.

The Carnegie library part of this story was special for me. As a library clerk, I am someone who has always believed of the importance that libraries provide our society, and of the opportunities they create for other potential “Andrew Carnegie’s” to succeed in their dreams.

I am curious which story from history you will be unearthing next Ms. Benedict!

Overall an enjoyable historical fiction and romance novel.

While in some ways, this story seems almost fairy-tale like, it was intriguing until the very end. Because real life is never like the stories. Inspired by Benedict's own family history, Benedict is able to bring a genuine quality - a starkness and vividness - of the poverty and perils of the time. These qualities seemed even more lifelike and moving in Carnegie's Maid as Benedict illustrates how Clara got to where she was, and the struggles her family faces.

I don't read much about US history but this one had such an interesting premise that I couldn't resist. The author creates a fictional maid, Clara Kelly, who instills in Andrew Carnegie the idea that he should engage in philanthropic endeavors. It was a really nice concept that this woman he loved was the reason behind Carnegie's generosity. Clara was an awesome character; she was intelligent and tenacious and I enjoyed seeing her strive to improve her position in life. Overall, I really enjoyed the story but I so wished it could have ended in a different way. The ending felt too rushed and while realistic, I just wished it could have been happier. 3 1/2 stars.

Clara Kelly has come to America in an effort to find work to send to her family in Ireland. She is alone and unsure of her next step when she decides to take on the identity of a passenger aboard her ship who passed away during the crossing. This begins a life of serving the mother of Andrew Carnegie.

As a descendant of Irish immigrants and a lover of historical fiction I really enjoyed this book. Andrew Carnegie has always been fascinating to me and this fictional story about a maid changing his view on the world was intriguing.

While there is a romance in this story I wouldn't classify it as a historical romance and I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

<http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=65272>

I thought this was exceptional. The story sucked me in completely and I read the entire book over the course of a weekend. This is historical fiction, but the premise is speculation as to what caused Andrew Carnegie to write a letter to himself reminding him of the need to give back to the community and not get lost in all of the money. And then set up all of those Carnegie Libraries, many of which still exist (there is one on the Syracuse University campus). The author came up with a scenario whereby Carnegie meets an extraordinary young woman working as his mother's maid. She makes him want to be a better person and then disappears from his life. (The book opens with the fact that she's gone, so not a spoiler.) It's a quick read and it's well written. I definitely recommend it.

The story is well and good, but I have a bone to pick with Clara Kelley. So much double standards and she still went around feeling righteous. It was important that Andrew be a forthright man, but okay for her to lie and hide? And boy, can she make excuses for herself! "What choice did I have?" "What choice did Mrs Carnegie leave me?" She was only confident and upright when it suited her purpose. An extremely unreliable narrator, if there ever was one.

I enjoyed this story, but I didn't read it with an annoying "could this even be historically plausible?" voice in my head. If you know a lot about the Carnegies and have trouble suspending belief, this may not be the book for you. If you enjoy a good story, following "Clara Kelley's" journey to the US as she negotiates employment under another woman's name and labors to support her family back home will be worth it.

"Carnegie's Maid" is a perfectly written work of historical fiction. It is the story of Andrew Carnegie, an entrepreneur of humble beginnings, who becomes involved with his mother's aide, Clara Kelly. Clara is not the experienced helper she professes to be but someone who has assumed the life of someone else, in a desperate attempt to help her poor family back in Ireland.
Clara has an amazing grasp of business and through her uncanny insight is able to help Carnegie in his endeavors. It's a fascinating read and a good book club selection.

I received this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

I enjoyed this book greatly. I read it in over a day...it was quick and fast paced. I am a sucker for historical fiction especially based on real life people and I find it fascinating to read. While I know the main character is fictional, it was an interesting story based on the time period and historical information.

I actually didn't know much about Andrew Carnegie but liked what I learned about him, his family, and background. There was an underlying love story but it did not over power the rest of the story about a young girl immigrating from Ireland in search of a better life and to send money home to her family who is struggling Ireland after the potato famine.

I would actually give this book 4.5 stars...only because it ended too soon and I would have loved to read more about these characters!

A captivating read with great characters, a well-developed story. The story's main focus is on Clara sent from Ireland to America in order to aid her family financially because of the Irish potato famine. She ends up with a job at the Carnegie household as a lady's maid. This book also takes us through the daily lives of Andrew Carnegie, his brother Tom, and their mother as they make their fortune. A relationship between Andrew and Clara develops.

It was an excellent read even though the maid Andrew fell in love with and the woman who influenced him is fictional.

This book was impossible to put down. Such a wonderful story of immigration, history, secrets, and hard work. Beautifully written, insightful and heartfelt.

Firstly I must confess to not having read The Other Einstein - however when I saw the synopsis for this novel I knew that I had to read it.  It's been a little while since I've indulged in my love of historical fiction, and I was excited to get stuck into Carnegie's Maid.  My usual historical fiction preferences often centre around the 1930's and 1940's, so I was looking forward to branching out - I was not disappointed.

I know very little about American history, or important figures in American history - my passion is for British history and the monarchy.  It was therefore nice to read about a time in American history that I know very little about.  For this reason I am unable to comment on any of the factual historical events that are referred to within the novel.  I know that Andrew Carnegie existed, so I like the idea that Marie Benedict used a real person in American history, and made his story her own by creating a reason for him becoming the philanthropist he is eventually known to be.

Clara Kelly may be a fictional character, but her plight to save her family in the wake of the Irish Potato Famine is very real.  With the death of more than one million people, the famine was devastating to so many Irish families, and Clara's emigration to America was a very viable option.  Weaving a fictional story amongst so much fact cannot be easy, however I really felt that Marie Benedict achieved this seamlessly: Fact and fiction become one, with the lines between the two barely visible.  Clara's predicament really resonates with the reader as she is left with secrets to hide, a love that she truly wants to blossom and a family that she desperately wants to save.

The journey that both Clara and Andrew embark on is a beautiful one, and the setting they do it within only highlights the difficulties of these journeys all the more.  I wanted them both to succeed, and I wanted them to do it together.  This is such a lovely novel, and it has encouraged me to find out more about this industrial period in America's history, as well as to learn more about the issues faced by the Irish in such a bleak period of their history.  I highly recommend this novel, and I will be reading The Other Einstein in the not too distant future.

A very interesting take on the Carnegies and their relationship with an Irish ladie's maid, who turned the head of the family upside down with her intelligence. Very good descriptions and factual notes. I wasn't very keen on the later development and conclusion of the story.

This is a really well written and researched story and I liked it a lot. If you ever wanted a mental picture of the difference between the upper and lower classes of the 1860’s, then this is a read not to be missed.

The characters, some fictional and some not, found themselves in situations, albeit fictional, very real and relatable. Despite the book being shorter than I anticipated, the story was well told and the characters fully developed. The pace was slower than some might like, however I thought it just perfect because it allowed me to dig more deeper into the setting and characters.

If you’re a fan of Downton Abbey, you’ll definitely like this story. It is filled with a wonderful array of intriguing, fun and entertaining characters just like DA.

Melanie for b2b

I found it hard to get into it the beginning but it soon kicked off. It's very well written and I liked learning more about carnage and seeing his relationship with Clara grow.

Thank you SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for providing me with a digital copy of Carnegie's Maid by Marie Benedict via NetGalley.

Carnegie's Maid is a "research based fictional story" about Andrew Carnegie's transformation from a ruthless business tycoon into the world's first philanthropist based upon the author's own family history during the time period. The prologue of the book opens with the writing of a historical letter which Andrew Carnegie wrote at the end of 1868 and kept for the rest of his life pledging "to focus on the education and 'improvement of the poorer classes'." What follows is the story of the fictional Clara Kelley, a destitute Irish immigrant, arriving fresh off the boat in Philadelphia in 1863 where an serendipitous case of mistaken identity--embellished by more than a little dishonesty--places her in the service of the Carnegie family as Mrs. Carnegie's ladies maid.

I enjoyed this book, though I felt like the first person narrative felt a little melodramatic at times. I liked that the author used her own family's history as inspiration for Clara's story. I also thought that the author's expressed desire "to give voice to the otherwise silent stories of the thousands of immigrants who built our country" was well executed as you get a good perspective of the upstairs/downstairs dynamic within the Carnegie's household, the hierarchy present between the servants, the societal gender limitations, and even the social differences between the aristocratic Kickerbockers and the nouveau riche.

First off look at this COVER! I loved this book but I’m sad my copy is an ebook because now I think I need to get the hardback version. This was one of the books on our January to March upcoming releases list. The story revolves around Andrew Carnegie’s housemaid and their fictional relationship. It was fascinating to learn about life in Pittsburg during the 1860s.