User:LLDM15/Draft of the Luxe

Plot summary
The Luxe takes place in 18th century Manhattan. The main character, Elizabeth Holland, is first introduced in the mist of a ballroom scene during her friend's party. Her sister, Diana, also at the party, is more defined in the second chapter, kissing an older gentleman.

In the next chapters of The Luxe, Penelope has to get over the fact that her best friend is now engaged to her lover. However, Penelope pretends to be okay when Elizabeth apologizes and goes about with the preparations for the most anticipated wedding of the new century. Henry feels reluctant about the marriage, which is arranged by his father. To make it worse, his father moves up the date of their wedding after Henry does not show up with Elizabeth at a second party. Later that night, Penelope visits the engaged Henry at home, in hopes of seducing him. She has no success.

The Luxe intensifies as Elizabeth's lover William Keller, decides he is going to California to make a fortune. Will writes Elizabeth a letter informing her of his departure. "I am going to California, and I can only pray that I will one day see you there." When the party Elizabeth attended was over, she is left to find that Will has already gone so she will have to endure Henry as a husband. When Lina discovers the letter she takes off to find Will, only to be stopped by the fact that she has no money, so returns to the Hollands' homestead feeling dejected. In the end of the book, however, Elizabeth manages to take a train to be with her one true love, Will.

Characters
 Elizabeth Holland- Mrs. Hollands daughter. She is well mannered. Miss Holland is engaged with Henry Schoonmaker, but is unfortunately in love with the coachmen. Diana Holland- Youngest daughter in the Holland family and is Elizabeth's sister. She is in love with her sister's fiancee, Henry Schoonmaker. She is sixteen. Diana dislikes rules, likes to fool around, and she smokes. Penelope Hayes- Rich, doesn't care about what or how others think or feel. Miss Hayes is a very ignorant high society teen with no interest of anything that doesn't involve her. She is also a two-faced backstabber. She will do anything to get what she wants, and in this case it is her best friend's fiancee. Henry Schoonmaker- Vile, insensitive, irresponsible. Henry is THE richest bachelor in Manhattan. He is engaged to Elizabeth Holland, but is in love with her little sister Diana Holland. William Keller- Elizabeth's lover. Will adores Elizabeth and was once the Holland family's coachman. In the end of the story, he runs away and he and Elizabeth unite in California.

Lina Broud- The Hollands' maid. Lina despises Elizabeth Holland anf enjoys the company of Elizbeth's lover, Will Keller. Lina has one sister. Buck- A very "healthy" (not the smallest) man. He is just Penelope's right hand man. Buck pretty much does all of the dirty work for her. Louisa Holland- Elizabeth and Diana's mother. She doesn't appear in much in the book, however. She only is really announced in small sections, usually by informing her daughters of events and letters. William Schoonmaker- Henry Schoonmaker's father. He also does not come up often in The Luxe, but he impacted the plot of the story by moving up Henry's and Elizabeth's wedding date, as well as moving up Elizabeth's death. Claire Broud- Another one of the Hollands' maids. She is Lina's sister. She doesn't enjoy gossip about the Hollands' and is not in the story much either.

Aunt Edith- Aunt of Elizabeth and her sister. Aunt Edith is a back ground character in this whole book. She is just there to reinforce Mrs. Hollands's rules and commands. Mrs. Schoonmaker- Henry's stepmother, young. She is like Aunt Edith, as in she is just a background character. She is mentioned a little any you get to "meet" her briefly.

Reception
Being on the New York Times Bestsellers list in December of 2007 for four weeks, The Luxe has had an overall positive effect on readers. However, there have been various opposing opinions stating the book has many flaws.