Vera P. (verap) reviewed Mrs. Astor Regrets: The Hidden Betrayals of a Family Beyond Reproach on + 30 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
'Mrs. Astor Regrest' is a thorough account of Brooke Astor's final years, and the scandal that erupted as her grandson sued her son for neglect/abuse of Mrs. Astor, and misuse of her funds.
'Mrs. Astor Regrets' is not bad, but it's definitely not great either. From page one, it becomes painfully obvious that Meryl Gordon's forte is writing articles, and not entire books. The concise language and meticulous attention to details might serve Gordon well in her journalistic career, but in this book they translated to 336 pages of dry material and rambling narrative. Facts are needlessly repeated over and over again, and names are thrown around without any explanation as to who these people are. This book could have been easily shortened to half its size, and achieved the same purpose.
'Mrs. Astor Regrets' is not bad, but it's definitely not great either. From page one, it becomes painfully obvious that Meryl Gordon's forte is writing articles, and not entire books. The concise language and meticulous attention to details might serve Gordon well in her journalistic career, but in this book they translated to 336 pages of dry material and rambling narrative. Facts are needlessly repeated over and over again, and names are thrown around without any explanation as to who these people are. This book could have been easily shortened to half its size, and achieved the same purpose.
Claudia reviewed Mrs. Astor Regrets: The Hidden Betrayals of a Family Beyond Reproach on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
This is a tragic story of love, greed and revenge, a love-hate relationship between mother and son that permeates a family and continues to the next generation. With more than 200 interviews plus exhaustive research including medical records and court papers, this biography leaves no stone unturned in exploring the world of renowned socialite Brooke Astor.
However, this book truly shines when the author gets down to business investigating how Ms. Astor lived during the last years of her life and whether or not there was elderly abuse. Anecdotes and recollections of her son and his lawyers are contrasted starkly with those of her grandsons, close friends, business associates, and former employees. Key documents, long-forgotten letters, family pictures, and meticulous notes taken by her nurses (often in code) help paint a vivid picture of what happened behind closed doors.
Although intriguing in that it provides a behind-the-scenes insiders look at what really goes on in New York old-money society, it struggles a bit with keeping a coherent flow as interviews and flashbacks are interwoven throughout, in a valiant effort to be objective and get all points of view of the parties involved. Things do pick up once you get past the first half of the book and you have a better sense of whos who. A glossary of people or index in back would have helped.
Given that this book focuses a lot on the years following Mrs. Astors 100th birthday, readers hoping to get a complete biography of her life may be disappointed (The Last Mrs. Astor by Frances Kiernan might has much background of her early years, although it skims over the guardianship lawsuit).
In all, Mrs. Astor Regrets is interesting read, with lessons to be learned about what could have and should have been. Was she the true victim? Was it revenge? It will keep you reading till the end.
However, this book truly shines when the author gets down to business investigating how Ms. Astor lived during the last years of her life and whether or not there was elderly abuse. Anecdotes and recollections of her son and his lawyers are contrasted starkly with those of her grandsons, close friends, business associates, and former employees. Key documents, long-forgotten letters, family pictures, and meticulous notes taken by her nurses (often in code) help paint a vivid picture of what happened behind closed doors.
Although intriguing in that it provides a behind-the-scenes insiders look at what really goes on in New York old-money society, it struggles a bit with keeping a coherent flow as interviews and flashbacks are interwoven throughout, in a valiant effort to be objective and get all points of view of the parties involved. Things do pick up once you get past the first half of the book and you have a better sense of whos who. A glossary of people or index in back would have helped.
Given that this book focuses a lot on the years following Mrs. Astors 100th birthday, readers hoping to get a complete biography of her life may be disappointed (The Last Mrs. Astor by Frances Kiernan might has much background of her early years, although it skims over the guardianship lawsuit).
In all, Mrs. Astor Regrets is interesting read, with lessons to be learned about what could have and should have been. Was she the true victim? Was it revenge? It will keep you reading till the end.
Susan D. (selmasue) reviewed Mrs. Astor Regrets: The Hidden Betrayals of a Family Beyond Reproach on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is a great look into the secret life of a wealthy US family. It definitely illustrates that money does not bring happiness for all. There's a narcissistic mother, a neglected son, and a lifetime of pain; the book is fast paced and I could not put it down.
Aries reviewed Mrs. Astor Regrets: The Hidden Betrayals of a Family Beyond Reproach on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book focuses mainly on the later years of Brooke Astor's life, including the scandal of elder abuse involving her son, Tony. Meryl Gordon interviews most of the main players involved in the scandal, including Brooke's son Tony, her daughter-in-law and Tony's wife, Charlene, her grandsons Phillip and Alec, Brooke's friends, David Rockefeller and Annette de la Renta, among other insiders. All of these differing perspectives make this book an insightful and compelling read. Gordon takes a very even-handed approach, presenting a warts-and-all protrait of Brooke and Tony, making her account all the more believable.
