The Colony Club by Shelley Noble

 The Colony Club by Shelley Noble imagines the story of three captivating women at the beginning of 20^th-century New York.

 

Daisy Harriman makes her mark as a trailblazer in creating first women’s club when such spaces were meant only for men. It all began when she was refused a room at the Waldorf in 1902 because she was not accompanied by a man. 

Daisy turned this obstacle into action. However, founding a club at a time when women needed man’s permission for nearly any action wasn’t easy. It took two years for the club to be fully formed, as some women were forbidden by their husbands to join. But Daisy persisted, seeing the bigger picture. She envisioned a place where women could be themselves without chaperones, where they could freely discuss the issues that mattered to them. She wanted women to have a voice.

After two years of struggle to establish the Colony Club, both in name and physical form, Daisy’s privileged life contrasts sharply with that of Nora, a fictional character representing the women of her time who aspired to be architects but found it difficult to secure permanent positions. Many worked as independent contractors, a reality portrayed through Nora’s story.

At the end of Nora’s study, she enters a competition that she wins, leading her to independent work with McKim, Mead and White. At the time, Stanford White was the most sought-after architect in New York, and Daisy hired him to design the clubhouse. When Nora becomes involved in the project, her path crosses with Elsie de Wolfe. Elsie, known more for her fashion than her acting, was encouraged by her powerful agent, Bessie Marbury, to pursue interior decorating. Thus, two creative minds - Nora and Elsie - come together. Elsie, though gifted in design, lacks the ability to draw, which is where Nora’s skills come in. Elsie’s lavish imagination is translated onto paper by Nora. 

The story follows the actions of these three women. Daisy engages in philanthropic efforts, and during her time in France, she learns about progressive law of ten-hour workdays for children, hoping to pass something half as enlightened in the States. Elsie’s opulent and costly decorative pursuits offer a vivid glimpse into the Gilded Age New York. Meanwhile, Nora faces hostility and sabotage from her male colleagues as she fights for recognition in her field.

As the Colony Club is taking shape, the lives of the three characters are suddenly shaken by the murder of Stanford White, whose scandalous personal life comes to life during his trial. 

The novel embodies determination, the overcoming of prejudices, and the coming together of individuals to fulfill a dream with a larger purpose – a place that nurtures social justices. 

Written with engaging prose, this fascinating story reveals a rich historical background and explores the intriguing mystery of a man whose life’s work is tarnished by revelations that emerge after his death.

 

Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com

Published in October 2024 

Source: William Morrow Paperbacks