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Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey

A Woman of Independent Means Paperback – Deluxe Edition, May 1, 1998

by Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey (Author)

291 ratings

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A bestselling sensation when it was first published by Viking in 1978, A Woman of Independent Means has delighted millions of readers and was the inspiration for the television miniseries starring Sally Field.

At the turn of the century, a time when women had few choices, Bess Steed Garner inherits a legacy—not only of wealth but of determination and desire, making her truly a woman of independent means. From the early 1900s through the 1960s, we accompany Bess as she endures life's trials and triumphs with unfailing courage and indomitable spirit: the sacrifices love sometimes requires of the heart, the flaws and rewards of marriage, the often-tested bond between mother and child, and the will to defy a society that demands conformity. Now, with this beautiful trade paperback edition, Penguin will introduce a new generation of readers to this richly woven story. . .and to Bess Steed Garner, a woman for all ages.

Print length

304 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Penguin Books
Publication date

May 1, 1998
Grade level

12 and up
Reading age

18 years and up
Dimensions

7.6 x 5 x 0.6 inches
ISBN-10

9780140274363
ISBN-13

978-0140274363
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Inspired by her grandmother's life, Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey wrote A Woman of Independent Means for her daughters, Brooke and Kendall. Since its publication, Hailey has had the pleasure of seeing Brooke make her TV acting debut in the miniseries, portraying the eldest grandchild, as well as the publication of Kendall's first book. The author of Home Free, Life Sentences, and Joanna's Husband and David's Wife, Hailey lives in Studio City, California.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0140274367
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Books; 20th Anniversary ed. edition (May 1, 1998)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780140274363
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140274363
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 12 and up
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.6 x 5 x 0.6 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #142,400 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #114 in Epistolary Fiction (Books)
- #229 in Historical Erotica (Books)
- #768 in Literary Criticism & Theory

Customer Reviews:
291 ratings

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Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey

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5 star		66%
4 star		23%
3 star		8%
2 star		1%
1 star		2%

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Hannah Yakin

One of the best books I know - and I know many....

Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2015

Verified Purchase

I am 82 today, and my husband is 90. I just read "A Woman of Independent Means" aloud to my husband, who does no longer see well enough to read books for himself. For me it was the 4th time I read the book, for him the first. Every time I read Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey's book, it seems to me to have become better than I remembered it. I hope Elizabeth, who in terms of age could be my daughter, reads this revue. Thank you, Betsy, for this masterpiece. I have already bought it 5 times second hand in Jerusalem, and I keep lending it to friends who never give it back. It is simply TOO GOOD. People want to keep it and I do not blame them. So this time I bought it on Kindle. It is an absolute must for everybody, but most of all for women as they get old, older, oldest.

57 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Nostalgia for a childhood pen-pal relationship

Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2021

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As a kid, I considered a constant pen-pal one of my closest friends. This book brought back so many positive memories of that relationship - albeit this time the writing is all between adults. I absolutely loved this book. I found the main character to be bossy and presumptive in telling those around her what she wanted them to do on her behalf - yet at the same time I fell in love with the way she dug into emotions, putting on paper things that we all so often feel but are not comfortable saying. My congrats to the author for a wonderfully written, thought provoking tale!

Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2017

Verified Purchase

I loved this book. I literally could not put it down. It is the story of a strong, independent woman born about the turn of the twentieth century. It is the story of women's lib before the days of women's lib. The story is told through her letters to the important people in her life. She leaves college to marry her true love, raises a family, encounters tragedies, survives and adapts. The story is so realistic that you truly begin to believe she is a real woman. She lives to a ripe old age, through the nineteen sixties, so she sees a lot of change in her life. She reminded me of my own grandmother. I can't wait to give this book to my mother for Christmas. I think she will love it as much as I did.

6 people found this helpful

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Marcella S

Domestic feminism portrayed through letters

Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2017

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EFH wrote this book in part to tell her grandmother's story, which was a precursor to the feminist movement. The letters of Bess Steed Garner, which make up the whole of the book, tell the story of an incredible lifetime. Even with the trappings of privilege and wealth, she bore plenty of life's burdens with strength and dignity. I highly enjoyed this book, made more so by the elegant quality of the writing.

7 people found this helpful

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klutz

Thought provoking

Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2017

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Beautifully written, this book challenges those of us who came to feminism in the 1960's and 70's to rethink the history of feminism and to realize it is more cyclical than absolute. Despite my graduate degree and professional life, it seems that the principle had the legacy of wealth to sustain her. That financial independence made the book and its character much less identifiable than the women I know. But this book is worth the read for its insights into interpersonal relationships.

2 people found this helpful

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Katie-girl

A great book for women who came of age during the Women's lib movement

Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2013

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This book moved my heart. It tells the story of an amazing woman, and the journey she makes during her life. She partly precedes the movement, but is determined to be a strong and independent woman. I read the book years ago when I was fresh out of college, and read it over and over. I lent it to many women over the years. As a result, I lost track of it. Imagine my delight in owning again. True to form I have read it 3 times again. As I said, it really, really, appealed to me. You will feel as though "Bess" is one of your very best friends.

11 people found this helpful

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MusicMom13

A Model Guide for Women of all Ages

Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 1998

Verified Purchase

I have read and re-read this book over the years, and again this summer found it in my Beach Pack. For any age, EFH has produced a kind, gentle view of life as a woman who grew up knowing her place in the world, and yet being able to go beyond what her times would have expected of a woman. It is very much like finding old letters in a trunk, and I came to think of the writer as a matron of her times, giving to herself and all women the understanding that taking care of one's self, being able to be truly independent, is a key to freedom in every sense. Read it ladies. I read it at 20 and 30, and it reads just as well into the 40s and 50s. My mother's good friend in her 70s came upon it on my bookshelf, and it has become her favorite book of all times. Enjoy.

5 people found this helpful

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Arleen D.

even better than i expected

Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2022

Verified Purchase

this has long been a favorite book but i have never owned a copy. i wanted it now to share with my 18 year old granddaughter who is reading several of my favorite books.
i love that the seller has inserted his written translations for some of the letters that are in french. that's a very thoughtful touch although Jazzy has studied french for 4 years and should have no trouble.
value enterprises will be my first go to for used books!

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