The Colony Club: A Novel by Shelley Noble

 

When young Gilded Age society matron Daisy Harriman is refused a room at the Waldorf because they don’t cater to unaccompanied females, she takes matters into her own hands. She establishes the Colony Club, the first women’s club in Manhattan, where visiting women can stay overnight and dine with their friends; where they can discuss new ideas, take on social issues, and make their voices heard. She hires the most sought-after architect in New York, Stanford White, to design the clubhouse.

As “the best dressed actress on the Rialto” Elsie de Wolfe has an eye for décor, but her career is stagnating. So when White asks her to design the clubhouse interiors, she jumps at the chance and the opportunity to add a woman’s touch. He promises to send her an assistant, a young woman he’s hired as a draftsman.

Raised in the Lower East Side tenements, Nora Bromely is determined to become an architect in spite of hostility and sabotage from her male colleagues. She is disappointed and angry when White “foists” her off on this new women’s club project.

But when White is murdered and the ensuing Trial of the Century discloses the architect’s scandalous personal life, fearful backers begin to withdraw their support. It’s questionable whether the club will survive long enough to open.

Daisy, Elsie, and Nora have nothing in common but their determination to carry on. But to do so, they must overcome not only society’s mores but their own prejudices about women, wealth, and each other. Together they strive to transform Daisy’s dream of the Colony Club into a reality, a place that will nurture social justice and ensure the work of the women who earned the nickname “Mink Brigade” far into the future.

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About The Author

SHELLEY NOBLE is the NEW YORK TIMES Bestselling Author of historical fiction, THE TIFFANY GIRLS, and women's contemporary fiction, BEACH COLORS, STARGAZEY POINT, BREAKWATER BAY, WHISPER BEACH, PICTURE PERFECT AUTUMN among others.

As SHELLEY FREYDONT she is the author of the CELEBRATION BAY FESTIVAL MYSTERIES,The Gilded Age Newport Mystery series and the Lady Dunbridge, Gilded Age Manhattan mysteries.

A former professional dancer and choreographer, she most recently worked on the films, Mona Lisa Smile and The Game Plan. Shelley lives near the New Jersey shore where she loves to discover new beaches and indulge her passion for lighthouses and vintage carousels.

 

My Review

 

I really enjoyed this read, and according to the author's notes, it is based on fact, but there are some fictional characters that are woven into this book that makes the story complete.
We begin with honoring the woman that really had the idea to build this Women's Club, Daisy Harriman, and she is being interviewed by a reporter about her accomplishments and how it came about, the year is 1963.
The story begins in early 1900's, when Daisy needs to return to NYC for some shopping, she can't stay at the men's club, so now where can she go? What a journey we embark on to bring the Colony Club to fruition, and all the obstacles that are put in their path.
This is also about a female architect and the firm that hires her, a man that saw her potential, and that tragedy that follows him. We also meet Elsie de Wolfe, an actress that changes her life and with a great eye she becomes an interior designer, and makes this club opulent with style.
This is such an interesting historical read!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher William Morrow, and was not required to give a positive review.