Anna Godbersen’s The Luxe (2007), the first in a young adult historical tetralogy, is set in 1899 New York and follows sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland as they struggle to maintain their place in Manhattan’s elite after their father’s death exposes the fragility of their wealth and status. Told through multiple shifting perspectives, the novel depicts a glittering yet corrupt world where appearances outweigh morality. Caught between duty and desire, Elizabeth agrees to marry Henry Schoonmaker, while secretly in love with her family’s servant, Will Keller—unaware that her best friend Penelope is also scheming to win Henry. Meanwhile, Henry hides his forbidden love for Diana, and Elizabeth’s maid Lina seeks her own social ascent. The story loops back from Elizabeth’s funeral to the events leading to her mysterious death, leaving readers to question whether it was an accident, suicide, or murder. At its core, the novel explores how personal motives and private struggles transform into public spectacle within the destructive dynamics of high society.
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