Gilded Age Books
When I heard that Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey, was creating a show about the Gilded Age, I squealed with delight. Gilded Age books have long been a favorite Historical Fiction sub-genre of mine.
The fantastical dresses, the unbelievable architecture, the Vanderbilts, the Astors, the 400, society rules, the nouveau riche… There are so many parts of this time period worth exploring.
The Gilded Age books below include both fiction and non-fiction books. There are romances, murder mysteries, and stories about the staff of the big houses for you to enjoy. Let us know if we missed any of your favorites!
The Best Gilded Age Books
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
The Best Gilded Age Book Set in NYC
The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis – Jump to section
The Best Gilded Age Novel Set in England
American Duchess by Daisy Goodwin – Jump to section
The Best Historical Fiction Gilded Age Novel
The Davenports by Krystal Marquis – Jump to section
The Best Nonfiction Gilded Age Book
Empty Mansions by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell, Jr. – Jump to section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Gilded Age Novels Set in New York City
The Lions of Fifth Avenue
Author: Fiona Davis
Year: 2020
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: August 2020 Good Morning America Book Club Pick, New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Laura is the wife of the NYPL’s superintendent and lives in an apartment within the historic institution. While already a mother, she is looking for more out of life and enrolls in journalism school. But when she’s out learning more about the world, she becomes more involved in the burgeoning women’s suffragette movement. Soon, she needs to determine where her loyalties lie.
In 1993, her granddaughter, Sadie is curious about her famous grandmother – particularly after she becomes a curator at the NYPL, solidifying her family legacy at the storied institution. When items from her exhibits go missing, she teams up with a private security expert to figure out who is behind the theft. But she’s not expecting the secrets to involve her family.
Trigger Warnings
Suicide
Why Kirsten loves it
This historical fiction novel about the New York Public Library is a dual-timeline mystery about rare books going missing from the library’s collection. Fiona Davis’s signature style had me basking in the vivid descriptions, making me feel as if I were standing inside the famed library. I adored the Gilded Age sections but was less enthralled by the present-day timeline.
Find this book in: Books About Libraries / Gilded Age Books / Books About Books
The Personal Librarian
Author: Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murphy
Year: 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: July 2021 Good Morning America Book Club Pick
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This fictionalized version of Belle de Costa Greene was wonderful! Greene was tycoon J.P. Morgan’s personal librarian and later the librarian for his heir. She was also a black woman passing as white. This biographical fiction story tells the story of her incredible rise to prominence and the sacrifices she had to make along the way.
Trigger Warnings
Racism
Why Kirsten loves it
It’s so upsetting to know that Belle couldn’t ever let anyone know about her real identity. It’s a blight on our country that such a remarkable woman had to keep her roots hidden to hold her job, but I’m glad her real truth is being told now.
Find this book in: Books set in Libraries / Biographical Fiction Novels / Gilded Age Books
The Magnolia Palace
Author: Fiona Davis
Year: 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Instant New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The story of Helen Frick and her assistant at a formative time in Helen’s life that coincides with Magnolia Diamond’s disappearance is riveting. As is the later timeline, told 50 years later, when a model and a Frick Museum intern are locked in the mansion overnight and on the hunt for the missing diamond.
Why Kirsten loves it
I’ve been big on Gilded Age books recently, so I knew I would love reading about the Frick family and their gorgeous mansion built in that time frame. I couldn’t put this jewelry novel down. It might be my first Fiona Davis, but it won’t be my last!
Find this book in: Dazzling Jewelry Novels / Books With Flowers in the Title
Our Kind of People
Author: Carol Wallace
Year: 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
This is a family drama set in gilded age NYC. The family loses and then regains their fortune in transit speculation when their girls are becoming debutantes. There are love stories but it’s really about how society was changing at the time with the old money vs. the newly rich.
Why Kirsten loves it
The author wrote a non-fiction book that was used for reference with Downton so she knows her stuff. I loved it! This Gilded Age book made me remember how much I love to read historical fiction books set in this era.
Find this book in: Gilded Age Books / Books Like Downton Abbey
The Parting Glass
Author: Gina Marie Guadagnino
Year: 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
The Parting Glass takes us from the mansions of park avenue to the streets of Irish New York during the Gilded Age. As the story unfolds Maire, a lady’s maid, hides her love for her employer, the debutant Charlotte, as Charlotte has an illicit affair with Maire’s brother who serves as the stableboy.
Why Kirsten loves it
Easily one of the most unique historical fiction books I’ve read in a while. Class, religion, sexual orientation, and more were all explored. And can I just say thank goodness I didn’t have to wear one of those crazy gowns?
Find this book in: Gilded Age Books
The Engineer’s Wife
Author: Tracey Enerson Wood
Year: 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
I had no idea that a woman was so instrumental in the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. Emily Warren Roebling is the focus of this historical fiction novel.
I loved learning about New York at the time of the bridge building and how hard Emily fought for her right to be part of the building.
Why Kirsten loves it
It’s also humbling to understand the dangers of building in the 1860s and 70s. Men risked their lives for the betterment of society. On the lighter side, all the scenes with P.T. Barnum made me smile. I used to work for the circus after all!
Find this book in: Books Set in New York / Gilded Age Books
Gilded Age Books Set in England
The Stranger I Wed
Author: Harper St. George
Year: 2024
Genre: Historical Romance
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
More: The Doves of New York #1
Plot
To gain access to her dowry and escape the New York gossip about her legitimacy, Cora Dove decides to head to England in search of a husband. There she collides – literally – with the Earl of Devonworth and the two strike up a bargain.
Marriage for a few years will help Cora secure her dowry and launch her sisters into society, for Leo, it means acquiring the desperately needed funds to help his political causes. But their attraction means this platonic marriage could be doomed from the start.
Why Kirsten loves it
Leo and Cora positively sizzled in this book, the first in a new Gilded Age series from Harper St. George. Their STEAMY romance was rooted first in friendship, which I always enjoy in a romance novel. It was also fun to see some of my favorite characters return from St. George’s previous novels.
Find this book in: Gilded Age Books / Best Historical Fiction of 2024 / Harper St. George Books in Order
The Heiress Gets a Duke
Author: Harper St. George
Year: 2021
Genre: Historical Romance
More info: Gilded Age Heiresses #1
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Taking place in the Gilded Age ballrooms of London, this new historical romance series is filled with steamy scenese and the fun exploits of the upper crust. When American heiress, August Crenshaw heads to England at her parent’s insistence, she is reluctant to allow them to force her younger sister to marry unless she’s in love. Meanwhile, Evan, the Duke of Rothschild needs to marry an American heiress to get her dowry to help restore his estates to their former glory, so he very much wants to be in the running for her little sister’s hand.
Why Kirsten loves it
Like most of the rest of the world, I binged Netflix’s Bridgertons on Christmas Day. The regency romantic drama ended and I needed more! I immediately turned to this book to fill my need for a historical romance. It was steamy and funny and I think I have a new favorite historical romance series!
Find this book in: Gilded Age Books / Best Historical Romance Novels / Books Like the Crown / Harper St. George Books in Order / Books like Bridgerton / Books Like Downton Abbey
American Duchess
Author: Karen Harper
Year: 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This particular biographical fiction book spans the same time period at Downton Abbey. It too features an American Heiress wed in London society to infuse a ducal estate with much-needed funds.
Unlike Lady Cora, the heroine of this story is a real historical figure. Consuelo Vanderbilt’s wedding to the Duke of Marlborough was considered the wedding of the century at the time, but their marriage left something to be desired.
Why Kirsten loves it
In the story, Consuelo is forced to take up the mantle of duty for her estate and title, and in doing so, she finds her inner strength. I really connected with this powerhouse woman who is responsible for keeping her husband’s family afloat.
Find this book in: Biographical Fiction Novels / Gilded Age Books / Books Like the Crown / Books Like Downton Abbey
The American Heiress
Author: Daisy Goodwin
Year: 2011
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Goodwin’s debut novel about Cora Cash, an American Heiress on the hunt for a titled husband and a big estate. But once she gets everything she wished for, she needs to decide if it’s what she wants after all.
Why Kirsten loves it
When I first saw Downton Abbey, I had to look to see if this was the same Cora from the show. I thought for a brief moment that this book must have been a sort of prequel to the show. I was incorrect, but it is certainly the perfect book for Downton fans today. You can clearly see that Goodwin would go on to great things with this fantastic debut.
Find this book in: The Gilded Age / Books Like Downton Abbey
Historical Fiction Gilded Age Novels
The Davenports
Author: Krystal Marquis
Year: 2023
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Age: 15+
More info: The Davenports #1
Plot
The Davenports is a Gilded Age story about a successful Chicago Black family who made a name for themselves after slavery was abolished. Now the talk of the season, the three Davenport children are all looking for their spouses and trying to buck societal norms in the process!
Be warned! This story ends on a cliffhanger!
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Classism, Slavery
Why Kirsten loves it
What a fun read! I was eager to start a new Historical Fiction romance series and the cover of this one drew me right to it. I was rooting for all the characters and have been eagerly awaiting the second book in the series.
Find this book in: Coming-of-Age Books to Teens / Beach Reads 2023 / YA Historical Fiction / Books like Bridgerton / Fun Books for Teens / Best YA Romance Books
The Lady Tempts an Heir
Author: Harper St. George
Year: 2022
Genre: Historical Romance
More info: The Gilded Age Heiresses #3
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Max, the heir to the Crenshaw fortune, is being forced to marry or risk his sister’s newest project. He decided to enter into a fake engagement with Lady Helena that turns into a lust-fueled relationship.
Why Kirsten loves it
The third book in the historical romance series that is giving me the gilded age book vibes I’ve been craving since watching the new HBO series. I loved the push-and-pull of their hearts and heads. We all know where this historical romance novel is ending, but the journey was oh-so-good.
The Downstairs Girl
Author: Stacey Lee
Year: 2021
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
More info: Late Summer 2021 YA Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Age Range: 14+
Plot
This is a story of a lady’s maid turned advice columnist (under a pseudonym). Her column becomes very popular and she uses her pen to try and fight against the things she does not like in society. As people try and figure out who she is, she begins to draw unwanted attention.
Jackie’s Thoughts
Some YA historical fiction books are incredibly appealing to adult readers, and other YA stories fall flat. Unfortunately, the latest Reese’s Book Club pick falls into
Find this book in: YA Historical Fiction Books / Reese Witherspoon 2021
The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba
Author: Chanel Cleeton
Year: 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Cuba Saga #4
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Chanel Cleeton is back with a prequel to the Perez family story. This time, she examines their ancestor, Marina during the 1896 war between Spain and the US on Cuban soil. This is one of our favorite Gilded Age books set internationally.
Evangelina Cisneros, dubbed The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by the New York newspapers, and journalist Grace Harrington’s stories are also the focus of this biographical novel.
Trigger Warnings
War
Why Kirsten loves it
Cleeton’s vivid imagery and captivating stories make learning about Cuba’s tragic history compelling and helps give context to the Cuba we know today.
Find this book in: Gilded Age Books / Biographical Fiction / Chanel Cleeton Books
The English Wife
Author: Lauren Willig
Year: 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
I found this story so engaging. Annabelle is rumored to be having an affair. On the night of the ball, her husband is found dead and she goes missing.
Why Kirsten loves it
Told across 2 timelines, both set only a few years apart, this Gilded Age book had everything I look for in a novel. It had interesting characters and an engrossing mystery. It was a wonderfully done historical fiction novel.
Nonfiction Gilded Age Books
Skirts: Fashioning Modern Femininity in the Twentieth Century
Author: Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell
Year: 2022
Genre: Nonfiction
Age Range: 16+
Plot
From the ankles being shown post-WWI, Dior’s new look in WWII, the shoulder pads donned by career ladies in the 80s, and more, it was inspiring to see how fashion tells the story of female empowerment. This is a perfect place to start if you are looking for nonfiction books for beginners.
Why Kirsten loves it
I often find myself drawn to non-fiction books about fashion and women’s careers. I found this history of modern feminism through the changing of hemlines to be quite interesting!
Find this book in: Books About Fashion / Good Nonfiction Books for Beginners / Gilded Age Books
Plot
Maiden Voyages looks at the ladies who worked Ocean Liners like the Titanic and the unbelievable challenges they faced. I was in awe as I listened to this story of ships being sunk by icebergs and wartime submarines.
Why Kirsten loves it
The stories of unruly passengers, hurricanes, and the sacrifices of leaving their families to help others were unbelievable. I was so engrossed that I kept forgetting the book was non-fiction. If you love women’s history, the history of travel, or stories about the Titanic, this is the book for you!
Find this book in: Books Set in the 1920s / Gilded Age Books / Books like Downton Abbey / Feel-Good Nonfiction / Boat Books
Plot
Natalie Livingstone laid out the rise of the Rothschild family through the lens of the women in the family. Each of the women profiled left an indelible mark on their legacy and success.
Why Kirsten loves it
Meticulously researched, and spanning two centuries, this non-fiction book had me yearning to watch Downton Abbey or another period drama to immerse myself in the various eras.
Find this book in: Books Like Downton Abbey / Gilded Age Books / Books like Bridgerton
The Season: A Social History of the Debutante
Author: Kristen Richardson
Year: 2020
Genre: Nonfiction
Age Range: 14+
Plot
I was looking for a non-fiction read when I stumbled across the gorgeous cover of this book. I’m a huge fan of the period romance and have read my fair share of coming-out parties, debutante balls, and other aristocratic functions.
I thought this book would help me understand more about the customs of the monied elite. Books like Bridgerton and like it are filled with references to the rules of society that his book explains.
Why Kirsten loves it
I learned all I would ever need to know on the topic. I found it to be interesting but at times a bit dry, still it gave me a better understanding of the crazy rules.
Find this book in: Books Like Downton Abbey / Gilded Age Books / Best Nonfiction Books / Books Like Bridgerton
Empty Mansions
Author: Bill Dedman, Paul Clark Newell, Jr.
Year: 2013
Genre: Nonfiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 14+
Plot
The book outlines her life, her struggles, and the people who took advantage of her good nature. I couldn’t put it down! The splendor of her life reads like a soap opera and the photos of her homes included in the book are jawdropping.
Empty Mansions reads like a novel for sure. Huguette Clark’s life was one of opulence and riches, but she died a recluse with a $300 million dollar estate and a vast number of decrepit homes in her portfolio.
Why Kirsten loves it
If it’s the houses in the Gilded Age you are most interested in and it is definitely one of the books that will make you think about it long after you have finished it. It reminds me of the Downton Abbey house or the Russell’s house in The Gilded Age.
Find this book in: Books Like Downton Abbey / Gilded Age Books / Best Nonfiction Books / Thought-Provoking Books
More Gilded Age Books
Expert Tip
The Gilded Age was a time of prosperity in America, spurred on by the newly developed railroad industry. Americans were traveling to new frontiers out west or over to Europe where wealthy parents hoped to buy a title for their children.
- This period of change was very focused on society and the rules of society. Try reading a nonfiction story to learn more about the norms of the time.
- Pick a romance if you want to lean into the glitz of the period.
- Consider a fiction if you want to learn more about the changing role of women, the growth of new industries, or happenings in a specific location.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Gilded Age?
The Gilded Age took place between the 1870s and the 1900s. It was a time of great prosperity in American History. Fortunes were made and social classes were in flux with the “Old Money” set against the “New Money.”
We’ve seen many Gilded Age book lists with stories from the 1920s on them, but that is a separate period.
Is The Gilded Age series based on a book?
No! While Julian Fellowes was influenced to write Downton Abbey by a book, that was not the case with his latest series, The Gilded Age. He did take some inspiration from Edith Warton’s novels once the series production began.
Related Content
Epilogue
Books set in the Gilded Age are some of my favorites to read, especially in the lead-up to the newest season of the Julian Fellowes hit show, Gilded Age, the newest season of which starts in the summer of 2025. Did you find any gilded age books to read?
This was a very good article! I love HBO’s Gilded Age. Thank you for recommending “Carolina Built”. I am very excited to read it.
I’m so glad you like the post. Let me know what you think of the book when you read it.