The Second Mrs. Astor

By: Shana Abe

Narrated by: Lauren Ezzo

Madeleine Talmage Force is just 17 when she attracts the attention of John Jacob "Jack" Astor. Madeleine is beautiful, intelligent, and solidly upper-class, but the Astors are in a league apart. Jack's mother was the Mrs. Astor, American royalty and New York's most formidable socialite. Despite their 29-year age difference and the scandal of Jack's recent divorce, Madeleine falls headlong into love - and becomes the press' favorite target.

On their extended honeymoon in Egypt, the newlyweds finally find a measure of peace away from photographers and journalists. Madeleine feels truly alive for the first time - and is happily pregnant. The couple plans to return home in the spring of 1912, aboard an opulent new ocean liner. When the ship hits an iceberg close to midnight on April 14th, there is no immediate panic. The swift, state-of-the-art RMS Titanic seems unsinkable. As Jack helps Madeleine into a lifeboat, he assures her that he'll see her soon in New York....

Four months later, at the Astors' Fifth Avenue mansion, a widowed Madeleine gives birth to their son. In the wake of the disaster, the press has elevated her to the status of virtuous, tragic heroine. But Madeleine's most important decision still lies ahead: whether to accept the role assigned to her or carve out her own remarkable path....

©2021 Five Rabbits, Inc. (P)2021 Tantor

Next Book Please

A very good read. I wished it had been longer. I also wish that it had had a different ending, being a happy one.

Great for this Genre.

I thought I was purchasing a biography but this is a romanticized story built upon the skeleton of the true story. So , I was disappointed and angry at myself and the teaser (still)for buying this. I don't like this genre at all but I surprised myself by being able to finish the book. I appreciated the perfect narratiion and the beauty of the writing. It is an true story of a very young girl being thrust into a marriage and traumatic event that must have called upon emotions and maturity that few possess at twice her age.

The Titanic parts were interesting

Overly romanticized! The historic bits were interesting. The reader was too dramatic for my tastes.

Terrific narration

Loved the narrator and the writing. Just a few years out this woman’s life but how fascinating. The Titanic section was particularly riveting.

love

this was good enough I went to find out more about her life and history. When a book causes you to look into the life of someone from years back, that is always a win in my opinion!

Very Enjoyable book.

While based on the lives of real people , this fictional story opens the door to the wealth and glamour of early 20th century life in Manhattan NY. It recreates the horror of the sinking of the Titanic , the terrible losses and heartache of the survivors . Life amongst the very wealthy is not as easy as it might appear to those who are not so fortunate. .

Beautifully written

Exquisite story with bigger than life characters. However the narration was one of the worst I’ve listened to. The story was so well written that I continued and was aware the entire time how much I disliked the narrator. This would be a better story read, not listened to.

Titanic

Well-written story. I love audiobooks, but I really struggled with this narrator. Her voice often pulled me from the story, and I think I would have enjoyed a lot more with a different narrator. Still, it was a great book.

Engaging

I enjoyed the narrating and the story kept my interest throughout the book. I will read her again.

Wonderful

Beautifully written and beautifully spoken. A lovely experience…..history, love story, the people, the events…it’s all a great read.