Shout-out to my sons, their wives, and my stepdaughter, as well as to my brothers and sisters-in-law: you might not all read my books, but you’re all great cheerleaders and that counts for more than I can say.
Being an author full-time is a solitary occupation, but I am fortunate to have an array of fellow writers whose companionship, though often virtual, buoys me and reminds me there’s fun to be had outside the walls of my home office. (You know who you are.) Queen among them is Sharon Kurtzman, who’s been there for me since early in my journey to become a novelist, and whose friendship has been truly invaluable.
Earlier still in that journey was John Kessel, the first real-life, honest-to-god author I ever met, professor of literature and creative writing, first to tell me (in 2000) that I might, if I worked at it, have what it takes to write publishable fiction. He is my Oliver. The journey was long, the path twisted, but Reader, I married him.
ALSO BY THERESE ANNE FOWLER
Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald
About the Author
THERESE ANNE FOWLER is the author of the New York Times bestselling novel Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald. Raised in the Midwest, she moved to North Carolina in 1995. She holds a BA in sociology/cultural anthropology and an MFA in creative writing from North Carolina State University. Visit www.thereseannefowler.wordpress.com to learn more, or sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Epigraph
Pearls
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Her Second Act
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Alloy
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Constellation
Chapter I
Chapter II
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
Also by Therese Anne Fowler
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
A WELL-BEHAVED WOMAN. Copyright © 2018 by Therese Anne Fowler. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.stmartins.com
Cover design by Kerri Resnick
Cover photograph @ Richard Jenkins
The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:
Names: Fowler, Therese, author.
Title: A well-behaved woman: a novel of the Vanderbilts / Therese Anne Fowler.
Description: First edition. | New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2018.
Identifiers: LCCN 2018019687 | ISBN 9781250095473 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781250202758 (international) | ISBN 9781250095497 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Belmont, Alva, 1853–1933—Fiction. | Vanderbilt family—Fiction. | Socialites—Fiction | United States—Social life and customs—1865–1918—Fiction. | GSAFD: Biographical fiction.
Classification: LCC PS3606.O857 W45 2018 | DDC 813/.6—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018019687
eISBN 9781250095497
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First Edition: October 2018
A Well-Behaved Woman Page 41
