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    The Secret Life of Violet Grant
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    The Secret Life of Violet Grant
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    The Secret Life of Violet Grant
    Audiobook14 hours

    The Secret Life of Violet Grant

    Written by Beatriz Williams

    Narrated by Kathleen McInerney

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    Passion, redemption, and a battered old suitcase full of secrets: the New York Times-bestselling author of A Hundred Summers returns with another engrossing tale of lost love and female ambition that crosses generations. 

    Manhattan, 1964. Vivian Schuyler, newly graduated from Bryn Mawr College, has recently defied the privilege of her storied old Fifth Avenue family to do the unthinkable for a budding Kennedy-era socialite: break into the Mad Men world of razor-stylish Metropolitan magazine. But when she receives a bulky overseas parcel in the mail, the unexpected contents draw her inexorably back into her family's past, and the hushed-over crime passionnel of an aunt she never knew, whose existence has been wiped from the record of history.

    Berlin, 1914. Violet Schuyler Grant endures her marriage to the philandering and decades-older scientist Dr. Walter Grant for one reason: for all his faults, he provides the necessary support to her liminal position as a young American female physicist in prewar Germany. The arrival of Dr. Grant's magnetic former student at the beginning of Europe's fateful summer interrupts this delicate détente. Lionel Richardson, a captain in the British Army, challenges Violet to escape her husband's perverse hold, and as the world edges into war and Lionel's shocking true motives become evident, Violet is tempted to take the ultimate step to set herself free and seek a life of her own conviction with a man whose cause is as audacious as her own.

    As the iridescent and fractured Vivian digs deeper into her aunt's past and the mystery of her ultimate fate, Violet's story of determination and desire unfolds, shedding light on the darkness of her years abroad . . . and teaching Vivian to reach forward with grace for the ambitious future--and the love--she wants most.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateMay 27, 2014
    ISBN9780698153479
    Unavailable
    The Secret Life of Violet Grant
    Author

    Beatriz Williams

    Beatriz Williams is the bestselling author of over a dozen novels, including The Beach at Summerly, Our Woman in Moscow, and The Summer Wives, as well as four other novels cowritten with Lauren Willig and Karen White. A native of Seattle, she graduated from Stanford University and earned an MBA in finance from Columbia University. She lives with her husband and four children near the Connecticut shore, where she divides her time between writing and laundry.

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    Reviews for The Secret Life of Violet Grant

    4/5

    222 ratings48 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Very good historical fiction. This book is two stories in one and sometimes it seems like one story leaves out details Andy also the main character (Vivian) makes some leaps to conclusions but overall a good book. I am definitely reading the other two books in the series and anything else I see by Beatriz Williams.
    • 3/5
      Vivian Schuyler receives a parcel containing a suitcase. But it is not hers, it belongs to Violet, who Vivien has never heard of. She discovers that Violet was her aunt, missing since the war. But the contents of the suitcase only provide a mystery of who Violet was and what happened to her. Vivian considers it her responsibility to get to the bottom of the story - whether the family want her to or not!Alongside this is Vivian's very complicated relationship with Dr Paul who she met at the Post Office.The story of Vivien and her quest, and relationship, are interwoven with the unfolding story of what did happen with Violet.The beginning of the story was very interesting, but by the end I was just confused as to who was really who and who were the good guys and who were the bad guys. A disappointing end to a promising story.
    • 3/5
      Well, I definitely appear to be in the minority here, but I was not enthralled with this book. I found Vivian to be aggressively flippant and obnoxious. I enjoyed her Aunt Violet's story far more. In telling Vivian's side of the tale, which takes place in 1964, the author used terms like "sashay," "valise," "rapscallion," "knees up," and "great guns," terms that didn't seem suited to that era at all. Also, and this is true of nearly every Beatriz Williams' book, her obsession with detailing her characters' smoking habits became extremely annoying to me. Despite all of that, Violet's underlying story (not Vivian's) was pretty interesting, and I was fairly satisfied with the ending. Not one of her best books, in my opinion.
    • 4/5
      This was a wonderful story of paralleled lives. I loved the different eras this was written in.Beautifully written with wonderful characters
    • 4/5
      Really good story. Niece becomes intrigued with aunt when a suitcase is forwarded to her. Their lives are parallel even though they are about 50 years apart. Niece finds aunt and solves mystery. Writing good and clear, but lacking je ne sais quoi.
    • 4/5
      A good read with two intertwined stories set in two eras - pre-WWI Europe and 60's New York City. A mystery unfolds as a suitcase from 1914 Berlin arrives for Vivian Schuyler in 60's NYC, complete with competitive scientists, an adulterous husband, and a spy trying to prevent the outbreak of war. This is a great read for historical fiction fans.
    • 4/5
      This was a fairly good story. As the editor that I should have been I feel at least 150 pages ofthe book could have been edited out. Way too much lovey,dovey stuff! Yea,we got the picture!Also the 1964 character Vivian's dialogue was a bit too clipped,Rosalind Russel in The Front Page stylefor my taste. It made her seem not altogether a real,living person.This is only one of three novels that involve three sisters. I would probably read the other two asbeach,vacation reads. There appear to be other novels that are about some characters mentionedin this novel. I would read them also.
    • 1/5
      I didn't enjoy this book at all, and didn't finish it. What a waste of time.
    • 1/5
      I really didn't enjoy this book at all. I kept reading it but I'm not sure why. None of the characters appealed to me.Vivian Schuyler comes across as naive and well, stupid. How she put up with the men like she did - I'm not sure. Her great aunt Violet was no better. I kept trying to give her the benefit because her character was set in 1914 when women scientists weren't exactly respected. But really, she just put up with too much abuse.I ended up finishing the book, hoping it would get better - it had some moments of promise, but I'm sure I won't look for another Beatriz Williams book.
    • 4/5
      Ok, so I might have found a new era that I love. The 60s. I have never read anything by this author but OMG I just fell in love with this book. Vivian and Violet may come from different eras but they are both strong women. However I want to call on Vivian as she had tons of spunk. She is a modern woman. A good role model. Instantly I felt a connection with her. Also there is the on again off again relationship between her and the sexy, charming Dr. Paul. They did share something. The more familiar I became with Violet, the more I liked her as well. She was not a quitter either. In fact, the more someone tried to put her in her place, the stronger she grew. A lovely story in a wonderful time era. I got lost in this story that at 448 pages this book did not seem that long but a quick read.
    • 3/5
      I was fortunate enough to win this book via Goodreads First Reads giveaways. Beatriz Williams writes an enjoyable read with a twin story line. The modern protagonist Vivian Schuyler resides in 1960's NYC while her counterpart, (Great Aunt) Violet Schuyler's story takes place right before the start of WWI. What binds the story of these two women together is their fierce determination to live a life outside of the expected role of the typical female of their time. What ensues is the struggle and road blocks each woman comes across in her pursuit to achieve her dream. Vivian's story centers around her investigation of Violet's life after receiving a battered suitcase and tries to ascertain what really happened to Violet prior to her disappearance. This is all done for her benefit, using the story as a stepping stone towards her goal of becoming a writer at a popular magazine. Violet's story centers on her struggles to become a respected scientist through her marriage to Dr. Walter Grant.Ms. Williams tells us the story of the life of these two women and their loves in quick, easy to read prose. Characters are believable and distinct. The language of each woman's story is written in a style reflective of that time period; Violet's is more halting and eloquent while Vivian's is more brash and loose. I found this added to the credibility of the story. The author keeps with the plot and is able to provide the reader with a story that has it's moments of surprise and suspense.A good read.
    • 5/5
      They say time is supposed to lengthen when you're in shock, that your body shuts itself down, but I felt the opposite. I felt as if the seconds were racing by, sharp with unnecessary detail, the molecules of air pinging separately and rapidly against me.After reading A Hundred Summers and absolutely living it I knew that Beatriz Williams was an author that I wanted to read more of. When this book came earlier this year I put it on my to be read list and have now finally gotten around to reading it. Beatriz Williams manned to write another captivating historical fiction read that I really enjoyed from start to finish.This book switches point of view between Vivian, who is mysteriously sent a piece of luggage that belonged to a great-aunt she didn't know she had, and Violet (Vivian's great-aunt), a women in the early 1910's who is a scientist unhappily married to an older professor of hers. I enjoyed reading about both women but I have to say that I liked Vivian more than Violet because I just loved Vivian's sense of humor and her sarcasm.You would think with all that Violet goes through, with her husband and Lionel, that her storyline would completely overshadow Vivian's storyline but that is not the case. You get more mystery from Violet but there are some twists and turns in Vivian's life. I so wanted to see Vivian happy and for the longest time I was angry at how she gets jerked around.I did enjoy the ending and where the characters ended up. It did get a bit sugary sweet at the end but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. I really look forward to reading more from Beatriz Williams.
    • 4/5
      The book goes back and forth between two young women:

      Vivian Schuyler is now in possession of a suitcase that once belonged to her aunt Violet. Vivian didn't even know she had an aunt Violet. With a quick phone call to her aunt Julie she learns that Violet was a scientist who murdered her husband in Berlin in 1914 and ran off with her lover and no one has heard from her since. Vivian is determined to find out about this mysterious aunt of hers that no one has ever mentioned and that no one has heard from in fifty years.

      Violet Schuyler has fought her way to England to pursue her dream of becoming a physicist. As the only woman studying at the institute and being in a different country, she is lonely. Her mentor, Dr. Grant, has been very good to her and she feels obligated to go along with his wishes which quickly leads to their marriage and a move to Berlin. It's not only the beginning of World War I that will turn Violet's life upside down.

      I loved Vivian's spunk. I loved both women's stories. It's one of those books I didn't want to put down but couldn't wait to finish. I wanted to know what happened to Dr. Grant and I want to devour everything else Williams has written - her writing is mesmerizing.
    • 3/5
      I received an ARC through the publisher.
      ---
      I rather enjoyed reading this book, I actually grew to enjoy it more and more as the life of Violet starts to reveal itself before my eyes and we get to know her as more than a one dimensional person.

      Vivian is so sassy and interesting that she absolutely stands out, no wonder people are drawn towards her. When Vivian receives Violet's long ago missing suitcase, it opens up the door to the great mystery of her great aunt from before WWI began. Between her daily life and her investigation into Violet's life, there is never a dull moment. I admire her for going after what she wants and even willingly give up Dr. Paul to get it.

      Violet, at first she was very mousy and almost wall flower like. But the more I read about her, her life and her scientific researches, she became so much more interesting. It was horrifying to find out the type of person Dr. Grant really was, although there were hints here and there. Thank goodness things ended up for the best for Violet

      While the climax was a little predictable, nevertheless the story is still exciting. After all, we had to have known Lionel would have survived being the excellent spy that he was. The only twist was who had betrayed them at the border that completely threw me through a loop. Ultimately, spies, scientists and seduction certainly makes for a very entertaining read!
    • 4/5
      Oh boy! I got the special chance to receive an ARC of this book early! I absolutely love all books by Beatriz Williams and this one did not leave me disappointed. I loved that it involved two story lines, one set in 1914 and one set in 1964, so modern wasn't really so modern. The characters were very well developed and the plot kept you guessing until the end. The only hard part to get through for me was the science straight into the book, just a personal thing for me, I hated science in school, but I rallied on and so happy I did!
    • 5/5
      This book charmed me from the first sentence. I don't remember the last time I enjoyed a book this thoroughly. From the first page to the last all the characters are charming and well developed. I couldn't wait to see what Vivian would say next and what Violet was going to do next in her journey. And it even managed to surprise me a few times. This book was absolute perfection. It is going on my wish list to take a place on my bookshelf for much re-reading.
    • 4/5
      Although, I enjoy novels that are told from different character's perspectives, the first half of the book was a struggle to get through. It was interesting to have one half of the story take place in 1914 and the other half take place in the 1960s. I liked the book, and after the first half the storyline picks up, but it wasn't my favorite book of Beatriz Williams.
    • 2/5
      I really wanted to like this book. I loved the premise of the book but I just couldn't get through it. It went on and on and on. I finally put it aside. Perhaps one day I will pick it up again.
    • 3/5
      This book is rather long winded and I struggled through parts of it. The need to know the details surrounding Violet's disappearance was the only thing that held my attention and interest in this book. Though the writing of two different points of view came across very fluidly and was enjoyable. I think this book will be a good fit for book clubs and historical fiction fans.
    • 4/5
      Beatriz Williams, author of A Hundred Summers, has another potential hit on her hands. The story begins with Vivian Schuyler receives an unusual suitcase in the mail; what's unusual is the fact that it was addressed to Violet Schuyler and was mailed decades ago. Now Vivian is so intrigued knowing that there has to be a story in here somewhere. It seems Violet was considered the family scandal and was never spoken about, at least not to Vivian's knowledge. It turns out that Violet, Vivian's aunt, married a famous scientist, Walter Grant, just before WWI, and then disappeared a few years later after allegedly shooting her husband and running off with her lover. No one ever heard from her again. But . . . . did she really shoot him and where did she disappear to? That's what Vivian tries to find out. Told from two points of view, Vivian's and Violet's, in two different time frames, 1960's and 1912-1914, the real story is revealed.I enjoyed the book, perhaps not as much as A Hundred Summers, but still it is a good read. The main character, Vivian, was a tad brash for my liking but I did enjoy Violet's story and the mystery surrounding her disappearance.
    • 5/5
      This has been my favorite summer read this year. First and foremost, I loved the two strong female leads of the story and the fact that they made their own rules and lived their own lives--despite the times they lived in. The story alternates between Vivian In the 1960s who has recently graduated college and is living on her own -- despite her parents wishes. She parties hard and sets her own rules. She receives a mysterious suit case, which turns out to be one of her relatives she has never met--Violet Grant from 50 years before. The story flashes back and forth between the two characters. Violet is a scientist and defies her parents to study in her discipline. She lives a big life and is caught in intrigue just before the war. When Vivian receives the suitcase, she sets out to solve the mystery and write an article for the magazine she works for. The story slowly unfolds with a lot of twists. I enjoyed the parallels between the characters and how the story wove together. Worth the read! Reader received a complimentary copy from Library Thing Early Reviewers.
    • 4/5
      The Secret Life of Violet Grant is a two for one story, starting with the discovery of an old suitcase by Vivian Schuyler, an ambitious society woman in Manhattan of the late 1950s. Eager to launch a major writing career at the magazine where she currently works as a researcher, Vivian dives into the mystery surrounding her long lost aunt Violet, who disappeared during the start of WWI, under suspicion of murdering her husband.As Vivian explores the hidden depths of this family scandal, she is distracted in more ways than one by Dr. Paul,whose romantic interest in her threatens to derail her literary career before it's begun(as well as destroy a good friendship). Her plight has similarities with Violet's, as both women wanted to use their intelligence for more than cocktail party banter. Violet's unintended romance with Walter Grant, a fellow scientist who claimed to be "progressive" lead to their unhappy marriage along with a reluctant affair with Lionel Richardson, a friendly rival of her husband's. Despite the gossip swirling about their illicit relationships, the truth is far more shocking.Beatriz Williams' follow-up to her excellent novel A Hundred Summers is an engaging and smartly written story that showcases how the more some things change, in many ways they can stay the same only if you let them.
    • 5/5
      As an early review book, this was a fun but compelling read. Not everyone will like the back and forth of the story. The chapters alternate between Vivian in 1964 and Violet 1913-14. Others may be annoyed at the East Coast, wealthy language such as "Mums", but I think some of that is a bit "tongue" in cheek. The story begins with Vivian being sent a suitcase that belongs to her Great-Aunt Violet whom she never knew existed. The story is she went to England to study atom particles (remember this is 1913) with a leader in the field, Walter Grant, whom she married. The story continues that she killed her husband, ran away with her lover and has not been heard of since. Vivian works for a top magazine in New York City and is determined to learn more of this story and write an article for the magazine that will make her career. As this is going on, Vivian is also involved in a relationship. Parts of her life somewhat mirror Violet's life. There are several twists in the story that do not come to life until the very end. Vivian talks to the reader, as if having a conversation. Could see this as a "Caper" (think fun, active, romance, mystery) movie. Extremely enjoyable.
    • 4/5
      A good story, engrossing and very much a page turner. Told in alternating chapters of events taking place in the lives of a great aunt (1914) and in her niece (1964). The setting in Berlin and New York. The first book I have read by this author. A perfect summer 'beach read'.
    • 4/5
      Secret lives intrigue me from the onset! Here, young Vivian, certainly a go-getter for 1964, lovely, blithe, headstrong and used to getting her own way is in contrast to an aunt, Violet, from the 1914 era. Great Aunt happens to embody many of the same qualities as Vivian, except she is NOT vain and is extremely smart, a woman scientist at a time when it was unheard of! Their lives converge on a saturday afternoon at the Post Office when Vivian receives a package from Violet.This opens a mystery Vivian is determined to solve and decides to use it as a story for the Metropolitan Magazine where she works. Alternating chapters about each of their lives help the mystery deepen and unfold until, finally, they converge! You do find out the secret, the reason, the aftermath and some added surprises as well! I feel this story had the potential to be amazing, but I had trouble relating to Vivian and the story overall dragged at times. Also, the subplot of Vivian's boyfriend, the Doctor, felt too forced and not believable to me. For that reason, I gave it a 31/2 out of 5!
    • 4/5
      Vivian Schuyler is struggling to make it in 1960s publishing. She receives a notice to pick up a package at the post office and.meets a young doctor, Paul, while waiting for it. The package contains an old battered suitcase that belonged to Vivian's great aunt, Violet Grant, who disappeared in 1914 and was believed to have killed her husband. Violet was a scientist who went to Europe to study, who also struggled to make it in a man's world. The two stories were told in alternating chapters that kept me reading. I loved this book!
    • 4/5
      I received this book for free through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers.This book had a little bit of everything. There's romance, history, mystery, sass, and international travel. I loved Vivian. She was such a fun character and always said the most interesting things. Violet's story was the more captivating of the two, and it was filled with adventure. Overall this was a good book with a little something for everyone.
    • 4/5
      This was a fun beach read -- a little more meaty than your standard chick lit with split storylines running parallel to each other throughout the novel. Other reviewers have done a great job of describing the two interwoven plots so I won't do that again here. I enjoyed the 1914 plot more than the more modern one. The main character was more likeable -- an educated and career motivated woman in an era when that was neither appreciated nor, for the most part, respected. She was forced to compromise herself to achieve her goals. In the modern storyline, the main character seems to compromise herself for no reason at all. The author was trying to draw the reader in with a portrait of a Holly Golightly-type modern girl of her era but in the end made her a little bit more of a caricature than a character. Vivian's mother is a tawdry character who seems to be an alcoholic (which we're supposed to find funny for some reason) with little interest in being faithful to her husband. All in all, the story still kept me returning because of my interest in the 1914 plotline and the mystery that wrapped up satisfyingly in the very last pages of the novel.
    • 4/5
      I'm fluctuating between 3.5 and 4 stars on this book, so I guess I will just settle for a middle rating of 3.75! The Secret Life of Violet Grant is the story of two women: Vivian Schuyler who lives in Manhatten in the 1964 and her aunt Violet Grant, a scientist in Europe in 1914. The novel alternates between these two women's stories chapter by chapter. Vivian receives a package in the mail containing a mysterious suitcase, which leads her on a journey to discover the secrets of Violet's past (enter the murder mystery). And in the process, she also happens to meet the love of her life (enter the romance/chick lit). This book is hard for me to categorize. It reads like chick lit, with a little bit of (slightly trashy) romance, murder mystery and historical fiction thrown in as well. For the most part, I really found myself enjoying the story. And I really loved the character of Vivian, especially her bold, spunky, sarcastic dialogue! She may not be for everyone, but I found her interesting, perhaps because she is the exact opposite of me in every way!I read a lot of novels that use this style of writing with the story alternating between two characters and time periods. Generally, I don't enjoy this style as I tend to only care about one story/time period and not the other. However, in The Secret Life of Violet Grant, I genuinely was interested in both Vivian and Violet, and I never groaned in disappointment when the chapters switched. So that's definitely a plus!Thinking of the negatives, I felt the plot to be contrived and unbelievable at times. There is a love at first sight storyline that just didn't work for me. If I stop to think about the whole story, especially the ending, I'm not sure that the whole thing holds together soundly. I didn't love the ending.I think this was a decent summer beach read; a fairly light read with a mystery involved that adds some suspense and intrigue. (To some of my friends who may be reading this, I will warn you that this is not a wholesome read. It is a bit graphic at some times, especially with some parts related to sexual abuse).
    • 5/5
      Have you ever read a book so real that you could actually hear the characters speaking the words that are on the page? This book was that well written. The story alternates between Violet Schuyler Grant and 1964 with Vivian Schuyler, a niece that she had never met. Violet receives a battered old suitcase in the mail that belonged to her Aunt Violet, and she begins investigating the mystery surrounding her, slowly unravelling the threads of her past. Thoroughly enjoyable, this book is a must read.