Monday Give Away: THE LAST DAYS OF NIGHT

A long time ago, in an office building far, far away, I worked at a law firm. That firm was named after a man called Paul Cravath. (Or, as we sometimes called it amongst ourselves, “Uncle Paul’s Playhouse”). I hadn’t thought I’d encounter Mr. Cravath again (other than at the annual firm alumni bash). But then, a year or so ago, an ARC for a book called The Last Days of Night landed in my lap….

Here’s the official blurb:

Last Days of NightNew York, 1888. Gas lamps still flicker in the city streets, but the miracle of electric light is in its infancy. The person who controls the means to turn night into day will make history—and a vast fortune. A young untested lawyer named Paul Cravath, fresh out of Columbia Law School, takes a case that seems impossible to win. Paul’s client, George Westinghouse, has been sued by Thomas Edison over a billion-dollar question: Who invented the light bulb and holds the right to power the country?

The case affords Paul entry to the heady world of high society—the glittering parties in Gramercy Park mansions, and the more insidious dealings done behind closed doors. The task facing him is beyond daunting. Edison is a wily, dangerous opponent with vast resources at his disposal—private spies, newspapers in his pocket, and the backing of J. P. Morgan himself. Yet this unknown lawyer shares with his famous adversary a compulsion to win at all costs. How will he do it?

In obsessive pursuit of victory, Paul crosses paths with Nikola Tesla, an eccentric, brilliant inventor who may hold the key to defeating Edison, and with Agnes Huntington, a beautiful opera singer who proves to be a flawless performer on stage and off. As Paul takes greater and greater risks, he’ll find that everyone in his path is playing their own game, and no one is quite who they seem.

For a chance to win my advance copy of The Last Days of Night, here’s your question: what’s your favorite book or movie set in Gilded Age New York?

The winner will be announced on Wednesday.

38 Comments

  1. Marguerite on May 15, 2017 at 9:06 am

    Thanks

  2. Erika Messer on May 15, 2017 at 9:12 am

    Great Gatsby or the House of Mirth – read both of those in college and loved them. It would be hard to decide. I love the blurb though, this sounds amazing! I think Gatsby is probably closer to what this book contains with all the glitz and glamour. Sounds awesome and thank you for this chance! 🙂

  3. Tracy on May 15, 2017 at 9:18 am

    I’m not sure I’ve read a book set during the gilded age except The Great Gatsby. I would love to read The Last Days of Night.

  4. Anna D. on May 15, 2017 at 9:18 am

    The House of Mirth

  5. Betsy Whitehead on May 15, 2017 at 9:34 am

    Ok I have several – hard to choose!
    The Forgotten Room
    A Certain Age
    Time and Again
    Little Women

  6. Kierstin on May 15, 2017 at 9:38 am

    A Certain Age by Beatriz Williams

    • Sharlene on May 15, 2017 at 1:27 pm

      Such a great book, you are going to love Cocoa Beach.

  7. Debbie Mitchell on May 15, 2017 at 9:38 am

    The Forgotten Room

  8. Michelle Springer on May 15, 2017 at 9:57 am

    The Age of Innocence. The movie, not the book though- I need to revisit the book.

  9. Carrie Morrell on May 15, 2017 at 10:12 am

    I just finished The Forgotten Room last night – AMAZING!!! The Great Gatsby was intriguing, but not a favorite. I did enjoy the YA series Luxe – entertaining read!

  10. Andra on May 15, 2017 at 10:16 am

    I love The Age of Innocence, book and movie. 🙂

  11. Diane stiles on May 15, 2017 at 10:30 am

    The Forgotten Room or A Certain Age…

    Thanks for the chance!!

  12. Kaelin on May 15, 2017 at 10:43 am

    Carrie. I took a Guilded Age course in college. It was horrible reading The Guilded Age, so low, but LOVED Carrie!

  13. Kristen on May 15, 2017 at 11:26 am

    The Great Gatsby hands down! The opulence, the costumes, the life of the fabulously wealthy. It shows women coming into their own and speaking their minds through Daisy and the downfall of the wealthy, like Jay, with plenty of time and money on their hands and no real purpose in life.

  14. Amanda on May 15, 2017 at 11:55 am

    The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

  15. elizabeth on May 15, 2017 at 12:08 pm

    A Certain Age (but can’t forget Age of Innocence). Thank you!

  16. LynnS on May 15, 2017 at 12:55 pm

    I loved Sara Donati’s The Gilded Hour. I can’t wait the next one. I don’t think I have read too many Gilded Age novels, other than The Age Of Innocence, which I also liked.

  17. Sharlene on May 15, 2017 at 1:26 pm

    The Forgotten Room, I loved that book.

  18. Amber on May 15, 2017 at 1:45 pm

    Gatsby

  19. Luci on May 15, 2017 at 2:28 pm

    The Knickerbocker Club series by Joanna Shupe. Absolutely brilliant.

  20. Connie Lee on May 15, 2017 at 2:35 pm

    I don’t think I’ve read a book like this, but I sure would love to read The Last Days of Night, sounds like a wonderful book!

  21. Jenny Collins Belk on May 15, 2017 at 2:44 pm

    My favorite era. The Forgotten Room, A Certain Age, The Gilded Hour, What The Lady Wants. All were fantastic books.

  22. Carla on May 15, 2017 at 2:52 pm

    Yours!

  23. Amanda on May 15, 2017 at 4:49 pm

    The American Hieress by Daisy Goodwin

  24. Kristin on May 15, 2017 at 5:52 pm

    I have to admit that I haven’t explored the Gilded Age very much. Need to remedy that, stat! The Age of Innocence (film) was probably my first introduction to it and I’ve always meant to read the book.

  25. Dianne Casey on May 15, 2017 at 5:53 pm

    “The Forgotten Room” by the 3 W’s.

  26. Sylvia Buonanni on May 15, 2017 at 6:44 pm

    The Age of Innocence

  27. Catherine Ristola Bass on May 15, 2017 at 7:32 pm

    A Certain Age

  28. Molly Laird on May 15, 2017 at 7:50 pm

    Great gatsby or a certain age

  29. Molly Laird on May 15, 2017 at 7:52 pm

    A certain age or Great gatsby

  30. Sue on May 15, 2017 at 8:01 pm

    Any Tasha Alexander Lady Emily book. Or Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody books.

  31. Maria on May 15, 2017 at 8:29 pm

    The Forgotten Room. This book looks so good I keep looking for it on overdrive.

  32. Jessica Lowe on May 15, 2017 at 11:29 pm

    Am I a total nerd if I say Sven Beckert’s Monied Metropolis? Does that count?! 🙂

  33. Amy m on May 16, 2017 at 12:10 am

    Book- The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton

  34. Daniele K on May 16, 2017 at 12:14 am

    Oh, I suppose Gatsby is near the top of the list. Thank you for the chance to win.

  35. Tara on May 16, 2017 at 5:12 am

    Best 1920s movie: Chicago.

  36. Betty Strohecker on May 16, 2017 at 8:34 pm

    Great Gatsby. Love Tasha Alexander’s books. Also, The Forgotten Room.

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