Splendor: A Luxe Novel

Last updated
Splendor: A Luxe Novel
Splendor- A Luxe Novel (Cover).jpg
Cover of American hardcover
Author Anna Godbersen
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
SeriesThe Luxe Series
GenreYoung adult, Drama, Romance
Publisher HarperCollins
Publication date
27 October 2009
Media typePrint (hardcover)
Pages400
ISBN 978-0-06-162631-9
OCLC 436084539
LC Class PZ7.G53887 Sp 2009
Preceded by Envy: A Luxe Novel  

Splendor is a young adult novel by Anna Godbersen in The Luxe series. The book is the fourth and final [1] book in the series, and was published on October 27, 2009. [2]

A spring turns into summer, Elizabeth relishes her new role as a young wife, while her sister, Diana, searches for adventure abroad. But when a surprising clue about their father's death comes to light, the Holland girls wonder at what cost a life of splendor comes.

Carolina Broad, society's newest darling, fans a flame from her past, oblivious to how it might burn her future. Penelope Schoonmaker is finally Manhattan royalty—but when a real prince visits the city, she covets a title that comes with a crown. Her husband, Henry, bravely went to war, only to discover that his father's rule extends well beyond New York's shores and that fighting for love may prove a losing battle.

In the dramatic conclusion to the bestselling Luxe series, New York's most dazzling socialites chase dreams, cling to promises, and tempt fate.

Plot Synopsis

Elizabeth Holland

Elizabeth Holland is enjoying her role as Snowden Cairn's wife when she discovers a mysterious note delivered to Mr. Cairns by a menacing yet familiar stranger. The note is linked to her father's death. It is soon revealed that Edward Holland secured the lot for in which Will and Elizabeth lived in during their short time in the West for Will (It is never revealed why Mr. Holland did this but Elizabeth suspects that he knew about their (Elizabeth and Will's) relationship). She confronts Snowden about the note and realizes he killed Mr. Holland in the Klondike, had Will Keller killed and married Elizabeth to gain control of the lot. Seeing that he is found out, Cairns covers Elizabeth's mouth with some fluid and heavily sedates her on a regular basis. When Teddy Cutting visits Elizabeth, she tries to call out 'help' to him, but she is quickly sedated by Cairns. One night, she manages to leave the confines of her room and as she goes down the stairs, she spots Cairns in the stairwell. He moves to attack her but she pushes him off the stairs to his death.

The next day, some police officials arrive at the Cairns' home to investigate Snowden's death. Teddy arrives as Elizabeth is on the verge of confessing to the murder and he tells the officials that Snowden simply fell from the stairs. One of the policemen is the man who delivered the note and Elizabeth realizes why he was so familiar: he was one of the policemen who gunned down Will. She threatens to expose him unless he leaves her be. The man agrees and departs. Teddy returns Elizabeth to her home and she tells him the whole story of her and Will. Both of them declare their feelings for each other and share a kiss. Elizabeth asks Teddy to name her child, whether boy or girl, Keller Cutting.

Diana Holland

Diana Holland is in Cuba, having been rejected by the army because she was a girl. She still has short hair (which she previously cut short in Envy) and has put out a fake story of her going to a finishing school in Paris. She is working in a bar and is reunited with her one true love, Henry Schoonmaker. After embarking on an adventure in the rain, they both return to Henry's barracks and sleep together. The next morning, both of them awaken to find Henry's superior, Colonel Cooper, in the room. The Colonel recognizes Diana as the society girl in the pages who was supposed to be in Paris. Fearing for his career, Cooper sends the two lovers back to New York. Diana is punished by her mother for leaving them and makes Edith Holland her chaperone. Her mother also wants Elizabeth to give Diana proper scolding. Diana also finds out that Penelope has been in the company of the visiting Prince of Bavaria and gives the newspaper small pieces about them to spite Penelope. When she goes to Elizabeth's new home, Elizabeth tells Diana to leave New York with Henry for they will never be together in the city. Diana proposes the plan to Henry and he agrees.

Henry publicly reveals his plans with Diana to his father and his father has a heart attack. William Schoonmaker's death delays Henry and Diana's plans to elope and what Henry said to his father is spread throughout New York. As Diana is attending Schoonmaker Sr.'s funeral, most of the guests are looking at her and gossiping about her.

Henry later goes to the Hollands' residence and tells Diana that he has inherited his father's estate and he wishes to marry her. Diana is overwhelmed and runs away from him. She writes Henry a note telling him that she will wait for him at the port so that they can go to Paris together. Henry receives the note a day late and he races to the port. He manages to catch Diana, tells her how much he loves her and proposes to her. Diana is overjoyed and accepts the proposal but is dismayed when Henry says they can stay here. She tells him that she wasn't threatening to leave New York because he didn't romantically propose to her but because she doesn't want to dine and see the people who think she is a tramp again and again. She finally says she wants to go to Paris. Henry says he will go wherever she goes but Diana says that he belongs in New York. She assures him that he will fall in love again and she will remember him forever as her first real love. They kiss passionately for the last time and she leaves on a boat for Paris.

Penelope Schoonmaker (née Hayes)

Society is wondering why Penelope is out and about while her husband is at war and why she has recovered quickly from her 'miscarriage'. Penelope is at a party in Carolina Broad's home when she sees the Prince of Bavaria. She notes that both of them have so much in common and goes to dance with him. Many of the guests are scandalized because she had the nerve to dance with him. The Prince seems to be attracted to her and regularly sends her flowers. As a result, Penelope becomes increasingly infatuated with the Prince.

When Henry returns, she continues to torment him with her knowledge of his and Diana's relationship. At a party, she threatens Henry once more to reveal the relationship to the public and Henry leaves her to go to his father. Penelope is quickly distracted by the arrival of the Prince and they dance again. The two go to a deserted corridor and kiss. But the prince seems to treat her as a trophy girlfriend because he kisses her roughly, as if he desires her body more than her, herself. Penelope dismisses this and continues to chase after him anyway.

After William Schoonmaker's funeral, she and the prince have a one-night stand in his hotel room. Henry wishes to divorce Penelope and she pays it no mind. She sends all of her things to her former home on Fifth Avenue and goes back to the hotel where the prince is staying at. She is informed by the hotel's staff that the prince left earlier that day for Bavaria. Outraged, Penelope begins to collapse and is humiliated when she hears one of the society ladies say 'the fallen Mrs. Schoonmaker'. She returns home in self-pity and humiliation but is surprised to find Henry there. She asks Henry why he is still there and Henry says Diana left without him. She becomes surprisingly sympathetic and comforts him. Henry asks her where the prince is and she tells him the prince used her. Henry remarks that they both made a mess of everything, which is why they deserve each other. Penelope agrees and they both drink to broken hearts.

Henry Schoonmaker

New York is under the impression Henry is off at war being a hero but he is actually in Cuba. His father had him stationed there because the place was isolated from the war and the place had minimal problems. Henry spends his days as a 'soldier' yachting with his superior, Colonel Cooper, whom he thinks is a blundering idiot. He is reunited with Diana Holland, his great love in a bar where Diana works. After embarking on a rainy day adventure, they return to his barracks and sleep together. Colonel Cooper recognizes Diana and has them both sent back to New York, fearing retribution from Henry's father. Upon his return, he is greeted as a war hero by society. He is disgusted that his father put out an image of him being a war hero while he was off in Cuba not having the military experience. His wife, Penelope threatens to make his and Diana's relationship public. Henry knows that Penelope is just incensed because his arrival claimed all of her attention. Diana tells Henry she wants to come away with him in order for them to be together. Henry finally summons up his courage to stand up to his father.

At a party, he is again threatened by Penelope but he dismisses this and tells her he wants to divorce her. When the prince arrives, he notices her distraction and goes off to his father. He finds him and tells him everything about his and Diana's relationship and that they are going to elope. Henry also tells his father what he thinks of his false public image and all the lies his father made. Schoonmaker Sr. is severely shocked and collapses. He later dies of a heart attack. Witnesses to Henry's declaration spread the story and society looks down on Diana. After the funeral, his father's will is read and states that the whole estate belongs to Henry. Henry goes to Diana to tell her that he has inherited his father's fortune and that he wants to marry her. Henry is dismayed when Diana runs away from him. He receives her note a day late but still manages to catch her. He proposes to her and an ecstatic Diana accepts. But when he says they will stay in New York, she returns the ring to him saying she cannot live like this in New York. She wants to go to Paris and Henry says he will go too. But she says that Henry belongs in New York and that he will fall in love again one day. She also tells him he will always be her first love. Before Henry can object, the boat starts to leave. He and Diana have one last kiss and she tells him goodbye.

Henry returns home resigned and miserable. He finds Penelope in the same state and they comfort each other. At the end of the novel, they both drink to broken hearts.

Carolina Broad (Lina Broud)

Carolina is society's darling and is enjoying a life she once thought impossible. She is in love with Leland Bouchard, a wealthy man who lives down the street. Although she is living in pure bliss, there is a threat to her glamorous life: Tristan, a former Lord & Taylor salesman who still has feelings for her. He tells her he is unhappy that she gets everything she wants while he remains empty handed. He reminds Carolina that were it not for him, she would never be where is she is now. He also threatens to expose her true origins to the public unless he is paid handsomely for what her did for her. Even after Carolina pays him, he still stalks her wherever she goes, especially when she is in the company of Leland Bouchard. As she is about to be exposed by Tristan, she dismisses him and Leland warns him never to come near her again.

Carolina accidentally confesses her feelings to Leland and he says that he feels the same way. He invites her to meet his family and she nervously agrees. When she meets the Bouchard family, they love her instantly. Leland arrives late and proposes to Carolina in front of his family. Wedding plans are made and Carolina invites her sister Claire to the wedding. On the day of the wedding, Tristan visits her again and threatens her. Leland bursts into the room and begins to beat Tristan. When he is about to give the final blow, Carolina screams for him to let Tristan go. Tristan leaves and Leland demands to know why Tristan is following them. She tells him the whole story and Leland leaves. Afterwards, the wedding is cancelled.

Leland returns and tells her what he thinks. He does not care whether she was a maid or not, but he was angered when he knew she lied to him about being an only child and that she didn't know Tristan. He tells her that he needs to be away from her for a while. Carolina is hurt and begs him to stay, saying she loves him. Leland responds by saying ' And I loved'you'

Word gets around that Carolina is not what everyone thought she was. One paper describes her act as the beginning of an age of wealth without class. She is devastated by the turn of events and Leland's departure and isolates herself in her home. Claire goes to her sister's home, hoping to comfort Carolina. But the sight of Claire makes Carolina even more ashamed because she had asked Claire to attend the wedding as a maid. Claire comforts Carolina and tells her that she cannot let what people think get in her way. She also says that the paper said that Carolina's act, although deceitful, would be the beginning of the future. Carolina brightens a bit at this. Her and Claire become the new social elites and the beginning of a new era.

Related Research Articles

<i>Proof</i> (play) American play looks at potential descent of mathematical genius into mental illness

Proof is a 2000 play by the American playwright David Auburn. Proof was developed at George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, New Jersey, during the 1999 Next Stage Series of new plays. The play premiered Off-Broadway in May 2000 and transferred to Broadway in October 2000. The play won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play.

<i>A Delicate Balance</i> (play) 1966 play written by American Edward Albee

A Delicate Balance is a three-act play by Edward Albee, written in 1965 and 1966. Premiered in 1966, it won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1967, the first of three he received for his work.

<i>On the Town</i> (musical) 1945 musical by Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green

On the Town is a musical with music by Leonard Bernstein and book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, based on Jerome Robbins' idea for his 1944 ballet Fancy Free, which he had set to Bernstein's music. The musical introduced several popular and classic songs, among them "New York, New York", "Lonely Town", "I Can Cook, Too", and "Some Other Time". The story concerns three American sailors on a 24-hour shore leave in New York City during World War II, 1944. Each of the three sailors meets and quickly connects with a woman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark of Cornwall</span> Husband of Iseault in Arthurian legend

Mark of Cornwall was a sixth-century King of Kernow (Cornwall), possibly identical with King Conomor. He is best known for his appearance in Arthurian legend as the uncle of Tristan and the husband of Iseult who engages with Tristan in a secret liaison, giving Mark the epithet "Cuckold King".

<i>The Man with Two Left Feet</i> 1917 short story collection by P. G. Wodehouse

The Man with Two Left Feet, and Other Stories is a collection of short stories by British author P. G. Wodehouse, first published in the UK on 8 March 1917 by Methuen & Co., London, and in the US on 1 February 1933 by A. L. Burt and Co., New York. All the stories had previously appeared in periodicals, usually The Strand Magazine in the United Kingdom and The Red Book Magazine or The Saturday Evening Post in the United States.

<i>Service with a Smile</i> 1961 novel by P. G. Wodehouse

Service with a Smile is a novel by P. G. Wodehouse, first published in the United States on 15 October 1961 by Simon & Schuster, Inc., New York, and in the United Kingdom on 17 August 1962 by Herbert Jenkins, London. A condensed version of the story had previously been published in two parts in the Toronto Star Weekly, on 26 August and 2 September 1961.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chuck Bass</span> Fictional character

Charles Bartholomew Bass is a fictional character in the novel and television series Gossip Girl. In the TV series, he is portrayed by British actor Ed Westwick. Although he is a secondary antagonist in the original book series, the TV series elevates him to an antiheroic main character, and the male lead of the show, where he is noted for his financial ambition, hedonism and personal style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Betty Suarez</span> Fictional character

Beatriz U. Suarez is the protagonist of the American comedy-drama series Ugly Betty. She is portrayed by America Ferrera, who won a 2007 Golden Globe Award and 2007 Screen Actors Guild Award for her portrayal of the character, as well as the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the role at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards and was nominated again in the same category at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards. AOL named her one of the 100 Most Memorable Female TV Characters.

Henry Grubstick is a fictional character portrayed by Christopher Gorham and featured in American comedy-drama Ugly Betty.

<i>The Luxe</i> 2007 novel by Anna Godbersen

The Luxe is a 2007 young adult novel by author Anna Godbersen. It follows the lives of two upper class sisters in Manhattan during 1899. There are four books in the Luxe series including Luxe, Rumors, Envy, and Splendor.

<i>Rumors: A Luxe Novel</i> 2008 novel by Anna Godbersen

Rumors is a young adult novel by author Anna Godbersen. It is the second book in The Luxe series.

<i>Envy: A Luxe Novel</i>

Envy: A Luxe Novel is the third book in The Luxe Series, a New York Times Best Selling Series by author Anna Godbersen. Published in 2009 by HarperCollins, the novel delves into the intricate relationships and societal pressures of young adults in the historical backdrop.

<i>Tres mujeres</i> Mexican telenovela

Tres mujeres is a Mexican telenovela produced by Roberto Hernández Vázquez for Televisa in 1999-2000. When it came out it was such a success that they added 3x the normal amount of chapters. There are 280 Chapters when there are normally about 100 chapters. The Telenovela ended in 2000, which made it the longest Telenovela produced by Televisa until Clase 406.

<i>Sinners in the Sun</i> 1932 film

Sinners in the Sun is a 1932 American pre-Code romantic drama film directed by Alexander Hall, and starring Carole Lombard, Chester Morris, Adrienne Ames, and Alison Skipworth. It was produced and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

<i>Some Other Place. The Right Place.</i>

Some Other Place. The Right Place. is a novel by Donald Harington which was published in 1973. It is a story about growing up and understanding how the world works. There are many aspects to life and all must be realized before true growth occurs. It was adapted into the film Return in 1985.

<i>Faults</i> (film) 2014 American film

Faults is a 2014 dark comedy psychological thriller film written and directed by Riley Stearns in his feature film debut. The film stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Leland Orser, Jon Gries, Beth Grant, Chris Ellis and Lance Reddick. The film premiered at the 2014 SXSW on March 9, 2014, and was picked up by Screen Media Films for theatrical release on March 6, 2015.

<i>Diana</i> (musical) 2019 musical

Diana is a musical with music and lyrics by David Bryan and Joe DiPietro, and a book by DiPietro, based on the life of Diana, Princess of Wales. A filmed performance was added to the streaming service Netflix on October 1, 2021, to negative reviews.

References

  1. Letters from Anna , retrieved 2009-09-01
  2. Splendor:A Luxe Novel by Anna Godbersen , retrieved 2009-08-14