At the end of the historical novel the gilded years washington square press, 379 pp. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the gilded age, an era when old money traditions collided with modern ideas, tanabe has written an unputdownable and emotionally compelling story of hope, sacrifice, and betrayaland a gripping account of how one woman dared to. Karin tanabe audio books, best sellers, author bio. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the gilded age, an era when old money traditions collided with modern ideas, tanabe has written an unputdownable and emotionally compelling story of hope, sacrifice, and betrayaland a gripping account of how one woman dared to risk everything for the chance at a better life. If youre looking for a book to throw into your beach bag this summer, look no further than karin tanabe s the gilded years. Passing meets the house of mirth in this utterly captivating k. I should point out though that my response sits in contrast to the wave of adoration this. In 1893more than 40 years before vassar began openly. Karin tanabe is the author of the new novel the gilded years, a fictional version of the story of anita hemmings, an african american student who passed for white at vassar college in the late 19th century. The gilded years soon to be adapted for film in a white lie, a tristar major motion picture, starring and produced by zendaya in collaboration with reese witherspoons hello sunshine. Anita is the only africanamerican student ever to attend vassar. The gilded years by karin tanabe my rating one sentence summary. Karin tanabe is a fiction writer and former politico reporter whose writing has appeared in the chicago tribune, the miami herald, and the washington post among many other publications.
Anita hemmings, a real person, was the first black woman to graduate from vassar college. There is an almost cinematic quality to the writing whereby you can imagine scenes as if they were playing in front of you at the movie theatre. The gilded years karin tanabe 9781501110450 netgalley. Karin tanabe is the author of the gilded years, the price of inheritance, and the list.
The gilded years is a historical novel based on the true story of anita hemmings, the first black woman to graduate from vassar college in the late 1890s. June 7, 2016 in turnofthe20thcentury new york, a woman passes as white to attain a college education. Today, were thrilled to feature an interview with karin tanabe, author one of my favorite books of 2016 yes, yes, im calling it the gilded years. The gilded years by karin tanabe the story of anita hemmings who. Its a fictionalized look at the life of anita hemmings, and i had the opportunity to ask karin about writing the book, and more. The gilded years is an fictionalized story about anita hemmings, who in real life was the first black woman to graduate from vassar. She is interested in history and the intersections of race and feminism in historical retellings. Before turning to fiction, karin worked as a journalist covering politics and celebrities. Give the gilded years a try if youre drawn to any of the following. Now, a bright, beautiful senior in the class of 1897, she is hiding a secret that would have banned her from admission. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the gilded age, an era when old money traditions collided with modern ideas, tanabe has written an unputdownable and. The list, the price of inheritance, the gilded years, and her most recent book, the diplomats daughter, which was published in 2017. She has made frequent appearances as a celebrity and politics expert on entertainment tonight, cnn, and the cbs early show.
The gilded years by karin tanabe based on the true story of the first africanamerican woman to ever go to vassar college. The gilded years by karin tanabe in 1897, anita hemmings begins her senior year at the exclusive, allgirls vassar college. Zendaya and reese witherspoon are joining forces for the. This book is about anita hemmings, the first africanamerican to graduate from vassar college in 1897. Anita spent her first three years at vassar flying under the radar. I loved it but since the story will stay with me a long time im not sure i need to listen again what did you like best about this story. A former politico reporter, her writing has also appeared in the miami herald, chicago tribune, newsday, and the washington post. But because vassar, at the time, did not admit african americans, she was able to attend and graduate only by passing as a white woman. Karin tanabes a hundred suns is a cinematic historical. Karin tanabe s vassarset novel, the gilded years, brings a littleknown historical figure to life.
In 1897, anita hemmings was a senior at vassar college alongside some of the best and brightest girls in the country. Karin tanabe is the author of four novelsthe historical fiction books the diplomats daughter and the gilded years as well as the list and the price of. This is a detailed, wellresearched book, and yet theres something unconvincing about tanabes depiction. Karin s third novel is based on the true story of anita hemmings, the first african american woman to attend vassar, in the class of 1897, by passing as white. An elegant and extremely gratifying imagining of one remarkable womans life. The book is rich in detail, and if you are not familiar with the gilded age, tanabe provides a thorough grounding with her research to see you through.
A graduate of vassar college, karin lives in washington, dc. Karin tanabes a hundred suns explores indochina of the. Karin tanabes vassarset novel, the gilded years, brings a littleknown historical figure to life. Novel about first black vassar grad teaches a valuable lesson. During her first three years, she distinguishes herself by academic achievement and participation in many extracurriculars, as well as being known as one of the great beauties of the school. At the end of the 19th century, anita hemmings, the first. The gilded years karin tanabe passing meets the house of mirth in this utterly captivating kathleen grissom, new york times bestselling author of the kitchen house historical novel based on the true story of anita hemmings, the first black student to attend vassar, who successfully passed as white. Anita, who passed as white through most of her college career, was outed by her roommate in her final semester. She focuses on anitas senior year of college, when her roommate was lottie taylor, in tanabe s telling a millionaire manhattan socialite. Throughout the course of the book and in the wonderful afterward you.
But many of the colleges of the time are not integrated, and anita is africanamerican. Tanabe immerses the reader in a world of romance and manners, but also leaves you gripping the edge of your seat. In 19 thcentury new england, hemmings is a brilliant student, and she longs to attend vassar college. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the gilded years. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. While the synopsis immediately grabbed my attention, karin tanabe s the gilded years did not live up to my expectations. The gilded years by karin tanabe fantastic fiction. That she attended as a white woman, passing and always at risk of exposure, drives the plot and allows tanabe to tell a rich, complicated story about race, gender, education, love, and belonging in the gilded. The film is based on karin tanabe s 2016 novel the gilded years, a psychological thriller based on the college years of anita hemmings. While there, hemmings passed as white, and she almost got away with it until a. The gilded years about the first africanamerican graduate of vassar college, who passed as white until her lie was exposedwill soon be adapted as a major motion picture entitled a. Everyone in our book club found the book interesting and entertaining, primarily because of our. The gilded years by karin tanabe book cover, description, publication history.
Karin tanabe is the author of the gilded years, out june 7, 2016. She was a member of the glee club and a fierce debater, but hemmings also held a secret that should have banned her from admission. Karin tanabes the gilded years focuses on the true story of anita hemmings. Lotties characterization is probably the most vivid throughout the book, and her. Since childhood, anita hemmings has longed to attend the countrys most exclusive school for women, vassar college. This is a book of secrets, but not of great subtlety. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the gilded years. Karin tanabe s the gilded years focuses on the true story of anita hemmings. Karin tanabe s a hundred suns explores indochina of the 1930s this isnt tanabe s first historical novel.
1431 486 1153 1530 1287 677 963 476 498 1432 1093 86 1523 1224 514 126 552 778 853 1512 1271 1141 832 1434 7 1131 1167 509 1309 83 343 1052 1473