Book Review: Carnegie's Maid

This audio book's cover blurb lured me: "Downton Abbey fans should flock to this charming tale." I'd say this is for Downton Abbey fans who wish for a more wholesome version of the upstairs/downstairs story. I enjoyed this historical tale very much. The author uses her imagination to explain the shift in Andrew Carnegie's perspectives. She weaves a believable and entertaining possibility. A servant might have impressed Carnegie to reach out to the lower classes and provide them with access to libraries and schools.

Imagine landing alone on American soil and hearing your name called for passage to a job in Pittsburgh, a job that rightfully belongs to someone else who shares your name. Clara Kelley cannot pass up this opportunity. And if the real Clara died on the ship's crossing, what harm could it do to impersonate a lady's maid and secure a station in her new life. Clara is a quick learner and steps into the shoes of this other Clara well enough to keep the job. Her family depends on the income she sends back to Ireland, so Clara cannot risk stepping out of line. But the allure of Andrew Carnegie's affections, his desire to treat her as an equal, his recognition of her business sense, all overwhelm her.

The book explores democracy, education, class conflict, and philanthropy. While Carnegie's business ventures succeed, they harm the poor. Clara forces Andrew to face the implications of his involvement with merging companies and widespread layoffs. Will the two become a team on equal footing or will Clara's past catch up with her? Marie Benedict offers a plausible fictional scenario for Carnegie's rise in philanthropy.