3.5 stars

Clara Kelly has come to the US from Ireland. When she gets off the boat, she is mistaken for another Clara Kelly and ends up in a much better place than she otherwise would have been – as a lady’s maid to Mrs. Carnegie (yes, Andrew Carnegie’s mother). She quickly learns what she needs to know to make her way and falls for Mrs. Carnegie’s oldest son, Andrew. Clara, though a farmer’s daughter in Ireland, was well-read, thanks to her father, and is smart. She and Andrew have some good conversations, including business conversations and fall for each other, though Clara, especially, tries to fight her feelings.

I liked this. I listened to the audio and had no problem following what was going on. In the author’s note at the end, we learn that Clara was, of course, a fictional character, as the author wanted to imagine what might have changed him from the business tycoon he was to the philanthropist he became (paying for libraries and museums that anyone could enjoy), regardless of monetary wealth or social class. ( )

Clara Kelley arrives as an Irish immigrant in 1863. Her family has scrimped to send her over with hopes of her being able to help the rest of the family. At the docks, she responds to a man calling her name looking for an Irish girl arriving for the position of lady's maid. She takes other deceased girl's identity and job. She becomes lady's maid to Mrs. Margaret Carnegie, mother of Andrew. Her educated background and quick thinking help her quickly learn the job. She also meets Andrew and they are drawn together due to similar backgrounds and quest for advancement. The characters are believable, neither is whitewashed and it seems the times were depicted accurately. Looking forward to other works by this author. ( )

Marie Benedict is a descendant of Irish immigrants who came to America seeking a better life. Her ancestors made their living as domestic servants, factory laborers, and coal miners, but they hoped that their children would do better financially, socially, and professionally. "Carnegie's Maid" is the fictional tale of Clara Kelley, a nineteen-year-old woman whose destitute family lives in Ireland and relies on the money she sends home to survive. In 1863, thanks to an improbable mix-up, she lands a coveted position as a lady's maid to Margaret, Andrew Carnegie's mother. Clara is relieved to have this job, and prays that the secret she is keeping from her employer is never revealed.

A predictable but implausible romance blossoms between Andrew Carnegie and Clara. It turns out that Clara is educated, intelligent, and has keen business sense. As Clara and Andrew secretly get to know one another, they discuss literature, human rights, mergers, and ideas for new ventures. Inevitably, their attraction to one another grows. The author paints a diverting picture of everyday life in a privileged household during the late 1800s. In addition, Benedict touches on such themes as the evils of slavery; the chasm between rich and poor; discrimination against Catholics; and the suffering of penniless immigrants arriving in a new land with few prospects.

Sharp-eyed Clara does not miss a trick. Although she is falling in love with Andrew, she discerns a streak of ruthlessness in this man from Scotland. He worked his way up to become fabulously wealthy, thanks to fierce determination, shady practices, and financial savvy. He and his mother are shrewd and self-serving, but Clara prevails on Andrew to remember his roots and use his wealth to help the indigent and those who, like him, arrived from Europe hoping to prosper someday. The book poses a question that is still timely: Do affluent people have a responsibility to help the underprivileged, or should the poor be expected to climb out of poverty without assistance? Although this is a conventional tale of haves and have-nots, Clara is so likeable, smart, and goodhearted that readers will grow to care about her. Enjoy "Carnegie's Maid" for its setting, period detail, fine descriptive writing, and history lesson about Irish immigration and the era of the Robber Barons. ( )

"Why didn’t anyone tell me that industrialization would look like biblical hell?"

"I learned that when you’ve gone astray, a helping hand will always emerge from the darkness.�

"As Mrs. Barrett Browning says, ‘The world of books is still the world.’�

"As long as he met his objectives and furthered his family’s goals, he viewed his behavior favorably."

"The most important factor in his decision-making, however, was the requirement that he had insider knowledge about the company and its dealings."

“We all tell tales, Clara. Sometimes for ourselves, and sometimes for others.�

Carnegie's Maid follows Clara Kelley, an Irish immigrant who becomes a maid for Andrew Carnegie in the 19th century. The novel explores themes of ambition, class disparity, and the immigrant experience, with Clara navigating her new life and forming a complex relationship with Carnegie. I really enjoyed this book and ended up looking up several points to learn more about them. ( )

Violet LOVED this book ( )