One of the best parts of reading historical fiction is getting to sink into a different time or place. Renee Rosen is one of my favorite authors for bringing women’s stories to life in immersive novels. Though published more than a dozen years ago, I recently picked up and got lost in What the Lady Wants, a novel about Marshall Field and the Gilded Age in Chicago.
Starting with the Great Chicago Fire and told from the point of view of 17-year-old Delia Spencer, the novel follows her first interaction with dry goods merchant Marshall Field through their unconventional love affair. Spanning more than three decades, the reader experiences the ups and downs Delia and her family experienced, feeling the hope of a new relationship, the hurt of gossip, and the devastation of so many different losses.
With emotional details written as only Renee can, readers will find themselves connecting with Delia, rerooting for her and Marsh. This novel would provide great material for book club discussions, and it includes a reader’s guide. The audiobook was narrated fabulously by Kirsten Potter, if you prefer that format. Either way grab a copy and get lost in the past with What the Lady Wants.
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