Because I think that this is a really great Pittsburgh story, here is my review. the author has a Facebook page, so please get in touch, and buy a copy.
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Wealth and Privilege, a new effort by Dayton, Ohio
author Jeannette Watts, combines romance and the Industrial Revolution in
Western Pennsylvania. Ms. Watts lived
here for four years and thoughtfully researched the setting of her first novel,
finally developing a thoughtful historical novel that takes place in Pittsburgh
rather than the more popular settings of the Western or Southern states.
Our history shines through the supporting characters of
Henry Clay Frick, Andy Carnegie, and C. C. Hussey as they develop their steel,
coke and metal operations in Pittsburgh following the Civil War. Young industrialist Thomas Baldwin falls in
love with the raven-haired, black-eyed, intelligent Mrs. Regina Waring but
lives in a loveless marriage to naïve, blonde and dim Meredith Burke. Through the eyes of Thomas Baldwin, we
experience the smoke from the furnaces along the three rivers, the beauty of
homes in the Mexican War Streets and mansions in the East End, and the
struggles of growing industry during difficult economic times and the
development of labor unions.
Thomas is the surviving son of the owner of Olympus
Ironworks—a company that thrived by providing iron ingots to ammunition
manufacturers during the Civil War.
Favored son Benjamin was killed fighting for the Union Army. The more handsome of the brothers, the
reserved Thomas always seems to follow in the shadow of his deceased war hero
brother despite his efforts. The story opens with his 25th
birthday party, a grand evening affair designed to find young Thomas a
bride. In an effort to escape the
attention of every single young Pittsburgh female, he hides in the conservatory
and accidentally meets Mrs. Regina Waring.
Regina comes from Johnstown’s working class, but is well educated,
beautiful, and the source of gossip among the young ladies attending the
party. Thomas is bewitched by Regina,
and nobly follows her lead throughout their professional and personal
friendship.
Meanwhile, Meredith and her mother plot to trick Thomas into
a loveless marriage. Meredith entices him into the library and
they are discovered there by both of their mothers. Three months later, the two marry and move
into a small home on Buena Vista Street, but with separate rooms. Thomas even takes his meals in his library,
and speaks condescendingly to his wife when he speaks to her at all.
Regina becomes Thomas’ confidante and her husband becomes
Thomas’ champion. Later the two partner
in a joint venture designing winter gardens that are built worldwide of the
iron and glass manufactured by their own family businesses. Regina seems to blend into the
male-dominated industrial world of Pittsburgh.
She is admitted to the Duquesne Club, maintains a membership at South
Fork Hunting and Fishing Club, and later
travels to Europe with several Pittsburgh businessmen.
Historically, the novel inspires readers to further explore
the events of the book that include the Johnstown Flood, the business ethics of
Andrew Carnegie, and the riots against the Pennsylvania Railroad. Thomas’ unrequited love for Regina, disdain
for Meredith, and his celibacy are the romantic themes of the book. The novel reminds me of Western Pennsylvania author Agnes Sligh
Turnbull, who wrote of Pittsburgh’s history from its frontier days (The
King’s Orchard) to pre World War II (The Bishop’s Mantle) in the mid
Twentieth Century. Turnbull was a
favorite of mine from junior high school on.
I get the same feeling for Wealth and Privilege. Its historical content and chaste love story
might appeal to a romantic young teenager or to any reader who doesn’t feel
that sexual intimacy needs to be described in full detail in every book.
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