Full Disclosure: I received early access to this book in exchange for writing an impartial review. Awarded 4 stars on Goodreads.

This is a skillfully written book that takes the reader deep into a world of unimaginable wealth and privilege — that of a family of wealthy Jewish bankers, living in Europe in the years leading to World War I. Partly based on the author’s own family history and influenced by the famous Rothschilds, HOUSE OF GOLD tells the story of the Goldbaum family whose various branches control some of the most powerful banks in the capital cities of Europe. They provide the money that not only fuels the expansion of industry, but also props up the very governments about to wage war. Yet, despite their economic importance,members of the family can never achieve complete acceptance in European upper-crust society where anti-semitism is rampant.

The lives led by the Goldbaums, though beyond extravagant, are also full of petty internal competition — particularly between richer branches and those considered less so. Marriages are arranged, with spouses chosen from among the available cousins, in order to preserve family wealth. The very idea of romance with an outsider cannot even be entertained.

Within the family, there is a sharp divide of responsibilities along gender lines. First-born sons MUST grow up to run the banks, regardless of interest or ability. And daughters are required to mold themselves into narrow lives defined by dutiful childbearing, expensive clothing, endless hosting responsibilities, and maybe, a few good works.

The marriage that is central to the novel is that of Albert, of the wealthier London Goldbaums, and Greta, of the less wealthy Vienna Goldbaums. Without giving anything way, let’s just say theirs is not a traditional romance. They must navigate challenges around marital consummation, family expectations, birth control, fear of childbirth, and long separations. There are also interesting secondary plot lines involving Greta’s brother Otto and their cousin Henri, of the Paris Goldbaums.

But this is much more than simply a novel about a rich family with economic power — because the story takes place before and during World War I. When Germany, France, England, Russia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire go to war in 1914 — members of the Goldbaums find themselves forced into different camps, weighing loyalty to homeland against loyalty to family interests.

Even more interesting to me was the chance to explore the war from the perspective of its economics. While we often hear stories of trench warfare and massive casualties, here is a look behind the scenes where the countries waging war are frantically maneuvering to secure loans to finance their armies and manipulating political situations to influence whether the United States enters the war. And smack in the middle of it all are the Goldbaums and their powerful banks.

For those interested in World War I, this novel presents quite an interesting, important, and fresh perspective. And the book paints a fascinating and lush picture of the final days of an indulgent lifestyle, propped up by legions of servants, that essentially disappeared after the war. (Think Downton Abbey.)

I read the book quickly, found it suspenseful and compelling, and felt that I learned a lot. I do have two criticisms. One has to do with the level of detail included about horticulture, which for me, became tedious. The second has to do with the character of Karl, who appears randomly and irregularly throughout the first part of the book, for no apparent reason I could discern, except perhaps as a reminder that not all Jews at this time lived well. While Karl eventually becomes part of a significant storyline, his integration into the novel felt clunky.

Neither criticism, however, is serious enough to keep me from recommending this book, especially to lovers of historical fiction. And I now plan to look for other books by Natasha Solomon.

It's a great book. It is a wonderful historical novel during an exciting time in history. The characters interact beautifully and the descriptions are amazing. Look for this on the New York Times Bestseller list.

This book follows the life of a young woman, Greta, throughout her life. It starts with her life as a young adult with her mother, father and brother. Then she is forced into marriage with a distant cousin, whom she has never met, and she must move to live with him in a whole other country. She decides to make the best of it and attempts to make a life for herself with her husband, and his family. Then World War I breaks out and her life, as well as the lives of everyone else, is completely changed forever. Greta, several months pregnant, is given the choice to either stay with her husband and his family, or flee to the country she came from. She must live with the decision she makes, which of course changes her life forever.
This story is loosely based on the author's research into the Rothchild family, which she changes to the Goldbaum family. This is a family which has banks in several countries in Europe and is in almost complete financial control. There lives are so controlled that they literally are forced into marriage within the family to keep the houses/banks/countries united. It's a crazy idea for this day in age, but the whole story really intrigued me and kept me interested throughout the book. This is a long read, almost 450 pages, but it's no problem for any lover of historical fiction!

House of Gold
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The book is loosely based on the Rotschilds. The Goldbaum family of Vienna owns huge banks all over Europe. The main protagonist is Greta, the daughter who dutifully marries another Goldbaum, Albert as expected. The marriage has a rough start, but eventually Greta and Albert learn to like, maybe even love each other. But then WWI interferes. There is way too much description of years before the war, politics in London and France, etc. This book definitely had potential, but at 448 pages, it is just too boring, I had a hard time getting through it. The transition between before the war and the war itself is so abrupt, I thought maybe I missed something. There is absolutely no accounting of what happened between 1914 and 1917. Greta’s passion for gardening is also discussed ad nauseam in boring detail. Overall, I am generous giving this book 3 stars at nest.
Thanks NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the advanced copy.

Thank you for providing this book for me to read and review. This book is based loosely on the Rothschild family dynasty. The novel draws you to a time of money, excess and what war can do to a family. The imagery of the gardens and how they weave into the story was wonderful. The story invites you into an intimate world of love and how it can bring a family together or in the case of Clement exiled because of his love of a woman outside the family. I felt that some of the characters were not well defined but in spite of this enjoyed the book.

The House of Gold is an epic family saga that takes place from 1911 and ends towards the end of WWI. We start by meeting Greta who is about to be married off to a distant cousin she has never met and quickly meet various members of the family and a few outliers. It's not a page turner of a story but it's more of a meandering path through a garden.

Overall I enjoyed my time with the Goldbaums and I liked getting to know all of them, most of all Otto. I really felt like the characters were well drawn and thought out. If I didn't know any better I'd say their homes actually existed in Europe.

The story is quite slow and never really goes quickly, while I did not I can see this being a good book to pick up and put down while you read a thriller or another book that's a bit heavy. While Gold has a few heavy moments, for the most part it's pretty easy going despite dealing with difficult matters from time to time.

This is a great book for anyone that likes historical fiction, especially WWI era books.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I received this book as an ARC book and I loved it. It did start out a little slow and it took a bit of time to come to appreciate the people in the book. The people are wealthy beyond most of our dreams but they are likeable people. Maybe because it was set in the 1920/1930's and historical fiction, the problems were serious unlike some of the books today that are filled with petty little first world problems. Many books are about WWII right now. This had an interesting historical perspective from a Jewish point of view and leading up to and through WWI. Enjoy this book and learn a bit of history along the way.

House of Gold by Natasha Solomons // 📘📘📘📘 // You guys know I love sweeping family sagas! In this one, we dive into the early 1900s when Europe was ruled by the wealthy Goldbaum family (loosely based on the real life Rothschilds family). The Goldbaum men were expected to work in the family banks, spread across the capitals of Europe. The Goldbaum daughters were expected to marry their cousins to keep the dynasty intact. Greta, the rebellious daughter of the Viennese Goldbaums, lives in a rarefied world along with her bookish brother Otto, who is her foil in all her adventures. She doesn’t want to marry someone she’s never met but eventually agrees and marries Albert of the London Goldbaums. She and Albert get off to a rough start as she tries to become the dutiful British wife Albert expects. It’s only when her mother-in-law gifts her a garden that their relationship begins to turn around. Otto, meanwhile, must abandon astronomy, his first love, and become the financier his father expects. Then there’s the dramas of cousin Henri and his love affair with the French actress and Clement and his chess. War is looming though and the Goldbaum bankers must decide whether to support their nations or their brothers. Greta’s garden distracts her while Albert is sent to fight for the Allies and Otto is sent to fight with Austria and Germany. Will the Goldbaum dynasty survive? // This was a fantastic story about loyalty and love and family obligation. I loved all the characters especially headstrong Greta. As far as structure goes, the story line of the orphan Karl was a pesky distraction until the last part of the book where he becomes a principal character. I almost would have preferred to have him appear without the prior backstory. It didn’t fit with the other stories. My only other critique was that the ending was very abrupt and I wanted a bit more closure. Overall, I found the book absorbing and Solomon’s portrayal of the history interesting. If you like historical fiction, you’ll enjoy this one! It will be released in October 2018. 📘📘📘📘 4/5 books

House of Gold
By Natasha Solomons
Starting in 1911 through WW1, this book follows the saga of Greta Goldbaum. Goldbaum is not just her surname but a financial empire of Jewish Bankers across Europe. Greta is not quite the Austrian debutant that her family wishes her to be but she dutifully marries her distant cousin in England. Marriage alone is challenging but combined with the lack of love, even like in their marriage Albert and Greta struggle. As their relationship develops talk of war stresses their budding relationship. War is pending and the family grows into the focus of drama putting the different houses of Goldbaum on different sides of the conflict.
I want to say that I liked House of Gold, but there were so many things that were maddening about this book that I cannot. This book started out slow for me, however, I was willing to oblige. Midway I wondered what point was going to be made to make this book. The characters were developing and their personal dynamics were changing leaving many valid options for the outcome. Instead a bit further in reading there is a black hole from 1914-1917 that apparently the characters have a turning point that is significant but not worthy of making it into the book. I had to go back twice to make sure I did not miss a section. Let’s skip to the end where I felt the author just stopped writing and nothing seemed to come to closure. I liked the historical aspects as well as the cultural dynamics but this book was more frustrating than enjoyable.

House of Gold
by Natasha Solomons

I truly loved this book. I felt as if I were on a zipline flying overhead watching all the activity below. It was that smooth and quick a ride. The story flowed beautifully.

In her story, which is rooted in World War I, Ms Solomons includes the important topic of prejudice against Jews. This multi generational, multi cultural family, though very affluent, suffers from this religious bias.

While some may have issues with the wealth and lifestyles of the story’s characters, I found them to be endearing. Their riches do not shield them from the experiences, good and bad, that we all face: family obligations before personal happiness, failure, sadness, death, loneliness, success and joy.

The author’s knowledge of botany and entomology is astounding. I felt as though I stood in every garden she described.

The only weak point, as I see
it, is the ending of this fantastic family saga. I don’t object to what happened, but rather, how it came about. It left me wondering if the protagonist was dreaming or facing reality, which is not a conclusion I can appreciate after such a well written novel. I prefer something more concrete, but other readers may find this finale very satisfying.

I would like to write a more comprehensive review soon. However, I’d like to share my thoughts about this story while it’s fresh in my mind.

This is the kind of historical saga that allows you to get lost within a period of time and empathize with many different characters. I was also able to learn so much about this time period, especially as it pertained to Jewish people during this time period. Their experiences in Europe show why our country was, and should still be, a beacon of hope and opportunity for so many people.

I loved the relationship between the main protagonists. They were both so intriguing to read about and I loved the development of their relationship. Yet, I couldn’t help wanting their interactions to be a little more developed during most scenes throughout this story. I found myself a bit frustrated by this feeling again and again,

Yet that parts that where their storyline was included had that tension and chemistry that made me reread several passages just to enjoy them again. I loved that they were both headstrong people who didn’t just give in to the dictates of society in every way. I think the challenges they presented to one another made them stronger people and more interesting to one another (and to ther reader, as well).

A more in-depth review will be posted on justjane1813.com.

I love the way multiple storylines were developed throughout the book too. I thought the sibling relationship between Greta and Otto was so beautiful, as well as the various disappointments faced by certain characters. They were very thought-provoking. I wish Greta’s relationship with her mother would have been developed more, because it felt like it kind of faded away and I think it was an important relationship to explore, especially as the war affected it.

Like another reader suggested, I’d love a sequel too, based on Greta’s daughter or even Greta’s life. Although the story had some areas that I would have liked to have seen crafted differently, this was the type of story that will stay with me because I loved these characters!! For me, that’s a great recommendation for a book!!

This is a great saga!! It is about the Goldbaum family and is loosely based on the Rothschild family. The Goldbaums are a wealthy Jewish family. The book is based around Greta Goldbaum and opens with her impending marriage to Albert - a distant cousin she has never met. Following Greta throughout this story is wonderful. Her character has spunk and independence and is easy to like.

Greta's marriage starts at odds and continues as the family faces political and financial distress as the Great War begins. It is beautifully written - the descriptions are such that you feel as if you are there. The change in the story as the Goldbaum's head into the Great War and a new reality is well-done and real.

Everything about this book is worth reading! You will think about it after you are done.

Fabulous read! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!

Loved this book. Interesting characters, in a dangerous time period. A family of Jewish bankers, before and during World War I, caught up not only in the politics of the time, but also the economics of it. As well as an intriguing protagonist, a member of the Austrian branch of the family, who marries into the British branch. I can only hope that it’s the first book of a series so we can follow these characters into the future.

This is a wonderfully engrossing story that showcases a lifestyle that most of us cannot even imagine. It is the story of Greta Goldbaum who was born to the Vienna branch of the family, the Goldbaum's who were the bankers of Europe. She grew up in an ultra privileged home, along with her beloved brother Otto. The Goldbaum's were the world's most preeminent Jewish family and they only married within the branches of the family and so Greta was sent to England to marry Albert Goldbaum. The descriptions of their home, their gardens, their servants and everything about their way of life are utterly amazing, but despite all their wealth and influence they always remembered that as Jews they were never entirely accepted. Then the war came and destroyed their way of life, pitting the Austrian side of the family against the English side, leaving Greta torn between them. Their fortune could not protect them from the horrors of the war and especially for Greta who was considered by many to still be the enemy. This book gave me a glimpse of what life was life for the rich and famous in pre-World War I Europe and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Highly recommended book for lovers of historical fiction. It is loosely based on the Rothschild family before WWI.
It shows us a side of life from a feminine point of view and Greta's lack of choice and then making her own way. I could not put it down and look forward to a sequel about her daughter. .

House of Gold by Natasha Solomons is a beautifully told, engrossing family saga. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction!

This was an interesting novel of the Jewish aristocracy during wartime. I liked the main character, Greta, but the book was pretty heavy and dark overall. When Greta agrees to an arranged marriage, she does not expect to still be a virgin a year after her wedding. She and her husband are not getting along, but her favorite brother is determined to help save the marriage. Just as they are coming to terms with their differences, the war steals him away. I did not expect to spend so much time with the soldiers which is difficult for my taste. Greta's garden is a microcosm of freedom and love, and she learns how to live through the gardening process. The book was sometimes difficult to read as this early copy had formatting and typo problems, but it was well written. If you like seeing the home side of the war, this will be right up your alley. Not my favorite.except for Greta and her garden.

The Goldbaums in this story are loosely based on the Rothschilds, once the wealthiest family in Europe and the world.

The story starts in Vienna, 1911, with the most influential family of its time.

Greta Goldbaum is told she is to be married to her cousin Albert in England.

While on her way to London, she stops in Paris. There she meets Emilie Floge, an Austrian fashion designer and a life companion of the painter Gustav Klimt. Emilie’s designs are bold and way ahead of her time. But this is what gives Greta wings. She realizes that she didn’t have a say in her marriage, but she wants to take control of her decisions.

Once in England, her marriage has a rocky start. What gives her consolation is designing a 100 acre garden.

All this is set against brewing antisemitism in Russia.

1914, Austrian crown prince is shot by Serbian rebel group, which leads to WWI.

As war shows its priorities even in hospitals, wounded soldiers over unmarried mothers, Greta sees the limited options for unmarried mothers and tries to find a way to help them by extending gardening program to them.

The story starts fairly interesting. But it is too drawn out and as a result half way through I slowly started losing interest in the story. At 70% of the book, I just couldn’t wait to be over with it.

What made the story interesting for me was injection of such facts as the background of rising antisemitism and the fate of unmarried women, and introduction of such fashion icon as Emilie even if for a brief moment. But all those facts made the story progressing forward.

What made the story disengaging was the family drama. At those points the story was still.

How long do we have to wait for the sequel?

You'll love it from start to finish. "House of Gold" is loosely based on the Rothschild family of banking fame, highlighting the family's effort to halt the first world war. The Goldbaums have a similar story--the sons of one baking family settling in major centers of Europe and launching banks. Greta Goldbaum is part of the Viennese branch, and she is to marry Albert of the British branch. The Goldbaums marry other Goldbaums, keeping the cousins as distant as possible but still part of the family. They're all Jews, of course, and even though the British are more open minded than the Austrians, Jews still walk a tightrope between being invited to tea and being run out of the country on the next train.

I loved "The Song of Hartgrove Hall" and "House of Gold" delivers a similar level of satisfaction. "House of Gold" leave lots of characters' fates up in the air at the end with WWI not yet over. You will crave knowing what happens to them. The Goldbaum story must go on!

This is a wonderfully engrossing story that showcases a lifestyle that most of us cannot even imagine. It is the story of Greta Goldbaum who was born to the Vienna branch of the family, the Goldbaum's who were the bankers of Europe. She grew up in an ultra privileged home, along with her beloved brother Otto. The Goldbaum's were the world's most preeminent Jewish family and they only married within the branches of the family and so Greta was sent to England to marry Albert Goldbaum. The descriptions of their home, their gardens, their servants and everything about their way of life are utterly amazing, but despite all their wealth and influence they always remembered that as Jews they were never entirely accepted. Then the war came and destroyed their way of life. Their fortune could not protect them from the horrors of the war and especially for Greta who was considered by many to still be the enemy. This book gave me a glimpse of what life was life for the rich and famous in pre-World War I Europe and I thoroughly enjoyed it.