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Kaaren Christopherson

Decorum Paperback – March 31, 2015

by Kaaren Christopherson (Author)

34 ratings

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Kaaren Christopherson's brilliantly observed novel captures the glamour and grit of one of the world's most dazzling cities during one of its most tumultuous eras--as seen through the eyes of a singularly captivating heroine. . .

In 1890s New York, beautiful, wealthy Francesca Lund is an intriguing prospect for worthy suitors and fortune hunters alike. Recently orphaned, she copes by working with the poor in the city's settlement movement. But a young woman of means can't shun society for long, and Francesca's long-standing acquaintance with dashing Edmund Tracey eventually leads to engagement. Yet her sheltered upbringing doesn't blind her to the indiscretions of the well-to-do. . .

Among the fashionable circle that gathers around her there are mistresses, scandals, and gentlemen of ruthless ambition. And there is Connor O'Casey--an entirely new kind of New Yorker. A self-made millionaire of Irish stock, Connor wants more than riches. He wants to create a legacy in the form of a luxury Madison Avenue hotel--and he wants Francesca by his side as he does it. In a quest that will take her from impeccable Manhattan salons to the wild Canadian Rockies, Francesca must choose not only between two vastly different men, but between convention and her own emerging self-reliance.

Rules Of Decorum

A gentleman should not be presented to a lady without her permission being previously asked and granted. This formality is not necessary between men alone; but, still, you should not present any one, even at his own request, to another, unless you are quite well assured that the acquaintance will be agreeable to the latter.

If you wish to avoid the company of any one that has been properly introduced, satisfy your own mind that your reasons are correct; and then let no inducement cause you to shrink from treating him with respect, at the same time shunning his company. No gentleman will thus be able either to blame or mistake you.

The mode in which the avowal of love should be made, must of course, depend upon circumstances. It would be impossible to indicate the style in which the matter should be told. . .. Let it, however, be taken as a rule that an interview is best; but let it be remembered that all rules have exceptions. . .

Print length

512 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Kensington
Publication date

March 31, 2015
Reading age

18 years and up
Dimensions

5.63 x 1.16 x 8.24 inches
ISBN-10

9781617735219
ISBN-13

978-1617735219
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kaaren Christopherson has been writing and editing professionally for over twenty-five years and is a senior editor for a large Washington, DC, international development nonprofit. She has been active in writer's groups and workshops. She lives in Alexandria, VA.

Product details

ASIN : 1617735213
Publisher : Kensington (March 31, 2015)
Language : English
Paperback : 512 pages
ISBN-10 : 9781617735219
ISBN-13 : 978-1617735219
Reading age : 18 years and up
Item Weight : 12.8 ounces
Dimensions : 5.63 x 1.16 x 8.24 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #3,087,407 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #26,293 in Family Saga Fiction
- #43,088 in Family Life Fiction (Books)
- #67,081 in Contemporary Literature & Fiction

Customer Reviews:
34 ratings

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4 star		38%
3 star		12%
2 star		4%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

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H. A. Sauer

A Tale From the Golden Age

Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2015

Verified Purchase

The writing is excellent and the story develops well.Descriptions are vivid and leave no doubt as to how the scene looks.

The writing is excellent and carries the reader along as the story line develops. Each of the characters is developed into a fully believable person and the scene descriptions are vivid. The reader rapidly becomes immersed in the lives of each of the characters and can't wait to see how events play out. There are sufficient subplots intertwining throughout to maintain the readers rapt attention. I was left with a strong desire to have a sequel to this story to see how the "happy ever after" turns out.

One person found this helpful

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Elisha L. Nichols

Great Read

Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2017

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Great read that takes you from the east coast drawing rooms to the Rockie Mountains.

One person found this helpful

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Judy Curtis

Christopherson has produced a great first novel

Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2015

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Christopherson has produced a great first novel. Great use of her grandmother's book as a foil for the storyline. Description put one back in the period and character development makes them seem real for that period.

One person found this helpful

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J.G.O.

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2015

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A fun summer read! Enjoyed it.

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Mimi

Love this

Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2015

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This was a great read! Cannot wait for her next book

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Sally S. Stanfield

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2015

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Thoroughly enjoyed. Can't wait for more.

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Elspeth G. Perkin

A debut of matters for better or for worse in 19th-century New York society

Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2015

Decorum is an evocative portrait of late 19th-century New York City society, complete with all the glitz, privilege and of course the delicate balance of etiquette that one would expect of a novel set in this marvelous setting. With only a few pages this novel sweeps the reader into the alluring world of golden society circles of Old New York in the 1890's and introduces us to a set of characters that range from those born with silver spoons in their mouths to those on the outside looking in and finally the classic keyhole views of service. As a few more chapters pass by, the reader may soon realize that Decorum is more than a story of ornamented existences and social masks; this is a story of matters for better or for worse with a crumbling era serving only a pretty backdrop. This was probably not what the reader was expecting to hear and in Ms. Christopherson's debut, she further draws this lace curtain of comfort back and adds more events that take her multifaceted company and her readers on an unexpected journey of twisted avenues of "unpleasantness" and a possible search for something that matters and is worth more than gold.

In the end, this was an impressive read that transported this reader back to an era that I absolutely adore and can’t stop reading about. The 1881 edition of Decorum: A practical Treatise of the Etiquette and Dress of the Best American Society was a brilliant organized theme to follow and reined in everything so nicely within this story. I would have to say the beginning was my favorite and I couldn’t put it down especially when the first twists and surprises made an appearance and a veil of mystery fell over the story. If the potential reader loves a mystery, scandals and portents of misfortune; you will love the first half of Decorum. Perhaps the rest of the story the reader may not enjoy as much; I unfortunately did not.

Up until the last half I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next but by then I finally admitted to myself that I didn’t care for the central character and wanted to read more about other company. Throughout there were also odd abrupt changes within the chapters switching of point of views with no warning or lead up and it caused confusion many times to stop and reread to grasp who I was currently following. Certain exciting events were curiously brushed over and ultimately missed opportunities with this reader. There was a slight abundance of overtones that although very lovely just didn’t quite fit securely into this story and at times seemed to be competing with scenes. Finally the ending just shifted from everything I adored about the beginning, to disappointment of dropped beads of amusement; I hate to sound harsh but it just wasn’t my cup of tea and didn’t seem as polished as the beginning. Still I would happily recommend Decorum to others and eagerly look forward to Ms. Christopherson's next novel. There is a brilliant gem of talent here that would make Mrs. Edith Wharton and Mr. John Galsworthy proud with the attention to setting details, tone of dialogue and charismatic array of personalities that rounds out this lovely debut.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
*I would like to thank Kensington and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and enjoy Decorum

6 people found this helpful

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Kayla (The Bookish Owl)

Predictable and Dull

Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2015

Originally seen on The Bookish Owl (http://www.thebookishowl.net/?p=68200)

*A free digital copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Decorum follows wealthy New York socialite, Francesca Lund, and new money Irish immigrant, Connor O’Casey as they navigate the difficult waters of late 19th century society. Against this backdrop, a relationship between Francesca and Connor blooms but this is compromised by their different circumstances and society’s high expectations.

From the get-go, Decorum reminded me of Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence. Both novels have similar aspects – mainly, a relationship complicated by the rules and conventions of the public. I liked how Christopherson played with this obstacle, showing Francesca and Connor not as rebels perfectly willing to go against the tide but rather as society people who cared for both their happiness and their reputations.

The character of Connor O’Casey was definitely the best thing about Decorum. He was a paradox of qualities; ruthless but caring about the people close to him, gruff but endearing, strong yet vulnerable at the same time. I highly enjoyed reading the chapters told from his perspective.

My two main issues with Decorum was the plot and Francesca Lund. The plot was very linear with unsurprising and expected twists. There were no hard to guess story lines and no shocking turn of events. Unlike The Age of Innocence whose outcome I could never have predicted, it was pretty obvious in Decorum who the enemy was and who would end up with whom. To be honest, this straightforward plot made for dull reading.

Francesca Lund was the very thing that irked me in Decorum. She was too perfect – very intelligent, very nice, very beautiful – that she was a mere one-dimensional character. A hundred percent Mary Sue, to be honest. Her backstory was interesting but this was never explored to its fullest potential. Basically, she was a more pious, less hopelessly romantic version of Bella Swan.

In A Nutshell:

Decorum was an okay read but its issues were too many to overlook. Honestly, it was quite tedious and I cannot laud praises of it despite the rich historical detail and the interesting character of Connor O’Casey. Sadly, I also cannot recommend this to everyone since its slow-pacing and dull plot would probably compel most readers to throw it across the room in frustration.

One person found this helpful

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Decorum Paperback – March 31, 2015

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