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Book Review of Mrs. Astor Regrets: The Hidden Betrayals of a Family Beyond Reproach

Mrs. Astor Regrets: The Hidden Betrayals of a Family Beyond Reproach
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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.