Rating: 
Summary: An insufferable woman does nothing.
Review: An articulate and intelligent letter writer, the heroine nevertheless is a silly, shallow, snobbish woman who lives through much of the twentieth century but barely notices anything about it and is unaffected by it. She does nothing interesting except travel, but seems to learn very little and has little to say about what she sees. She has no discernible sense of humor, although she does turn a good phrase now and again.
Rating: 
Summary: Classical Rolemodel
Review: Bess Steed, the book's main character, embodies the type of feminist who has been sligthly lost in the feminist movement. She shows remarkable strength and fortitude in the face of adversity, while upholding and celebrating the important notion that to be 'traditionally' feminine has retained its beauty over time. This is a book you can give your grandmother to thank her, your mother to discuss with, and your daughter as you help her to grow.
Rating: 
Summary: A Narrow Narrative
Review: Despite rave reviews, I thought Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey's A Woman of Independent Means was a weak story. For one thing, the life of the protagonist Bess was only explored through her correspondence over the years. It is impossible to reveal a whole life through letters only. There are other nuances to a character that cannot possibly be revealed through letters; those are only what Bess chooses to write about. It's true that a life through letters gives the novel character, but also it does not expose as much as an omnicient narrator would. Also, it seems that Hailey adds dimension to her novel by introducing a string of tragedies. It is very uncommon that Bess's husband and son die within her lifetime, her house burns down, her daughter is struck by a car and later befriends a count, etc. Such events were constantly inserted into the story until it became unrealistic and maudlin. It may be true that Bess lives a life scarred by tragic events, but these happenings are so plentiful it is almost fantastical.
To sum it all up, if you're interested in exploring the life of a very colorful lady, read this. But if you're looking for a novel that will leave you awed, you'd better head back to the bookshelf.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding,
Review: I have read "A Woman of Independent Means" at least 15 times!!! I read it first in 1990 and could not put it down. I got totally lost in the life of this amazing woman. I can read this story over and over and never tire of it.
Rating:
Summary: A Model Guide for Women of all Ages
Review: I have read and re-read this book over the years, and again this summer found it in my Beach Pack. For any age, EFH has produced a kind, gentle view of life as a woman who grew up knowing her place in the world, and yet being able to go beyond what her times would have expected of a woman. It is very much like finding old letters in a trunk, and I came to think of the writer as a matron of her times, giving to herself and all women the understanding that taking care of one's self, being able to be truly independent, is a key to freedom in every sense. Read it ladies. I read it at 20 and 30, and it reads just as well into the 40s and 50s. My mother's good friend in her 70s came upon it on my bookshelf, and it has become her favorite book of all times. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Classic...Timeless..Wonderful.
Review: I just finished this book, of which I could not put down for a moment. It is an excellent read! I cried several times throughout the book. I was amazed by this woman, Bess. She was the obvious life-force behind her marriage and family. She always asked questions and made comments about life that were ahead of its time...classic...timeless! She was such a progressive thinker for her time.
The letters spanned from the beginning of the 20th century to the 1940s. Time and time again she surprised me with her observations and decisions: We should just do, instead of waiting for something to happen, since the future is unknown. She commented about philosophical concepts that many of us ponder today. Her thoughts on children-rearing were so refreshing too; that we shouldn?t lose ourselves in our children; that raising children doesn't necessarily mean one has to make it her sole occupation.
Her perception of life was so positive, even in the face of so many unbelievable tragedies. She treated death like an enemy, which forced her to live her life to the fullest. A very interesting, positive, way to look at things, especially in an age where a lot of us have become complacent about death. Her question about why society expects us to spend our lifetime of experiences with one person, is one that I'm sure many of us ask ourselves today! She sees the complexities of people and of life in general, which makes her so understanding, and so tolerant. Even her subtle way of introducing social change is brilliant, leaving a lasting impression. It was inspiring to read those letters, and reminded me of how important writing is...so much more thought goes into words when one writes them down. The written word can often be so much more powerful than words which are spoken.
It occurred to me that this book was written in 1978, which may explain why there's so much progressive thought here. However, history shows us that many women felt the way Bess felt. It was so thrilling for me to read these letters, imagining the setting of America in the 20s, 30s and 40s.
Most importantly though, I believed in this character. I felt for her deeply and her letters really moved me. Her life was astonishing...a wonderful read. I would recommend this book to every mother, daughter, grandmother...and every father, son and grandfather for that matter!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book!
Review: I normally don't like this "type" of book, I'm a die hard mystery fan, but this book was great! I've had it laying around from years, some gave it to me saying I had to read it, and I just could not put it down. It is the story of a woman, throughout her life through a series of letters. A very touching story.
Rating:
Summary: Still terrific after all these years
Review: I read A WOMAN OF INDEPENDENT MEANS when it first was published, and it stayed with me for all these years. When I recently re-read the book, I found its message timeless. In part because the novel always was a period piece, it doesn't show any age. The heroine, Bess, could be a model for all women. Yet she also proves (if one needs proof) how empowering money can be. Because she is written as, indeed, "a woman of independent means," she has an easier time making life choices than those who are not independent would have--and this was even more true in the era in which the story is set. Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey's structure of letters is amazing. To have told such a complicated story only in the form of correspondence is a feat rarely matched. In fact, I think that Sandra Dallas's novel THE DIARY OF MATTIE SPENSER, in which an equally complicated story unfolds in diary entries, is the only challenger for this kind of technique. Read this! Bess will become your friend forevermore.
Rating:
Summary: Still terrific after all these years
Review: I read A WOMAN OF INDEPENDENT MEANS when it first was published, and it stayed with me for all these years. When I recently re-read the book, I found its message timeless. In part because the novel always was a period piece, it doesn't show any age. The heroine, Bess, could be a model for all women. Yet she also proves (if one needs proof) how empowering money can be. Because she is written as, indeed, "a woman of independent means," she has an easier time making life choices than those who are not independent would have--and this was even more true in the era in which the story is set. Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey's structure of letters is amazing. To have told such a complicated story only in the form of correspondence is a feat rarely matched. In fact, I think that Sandra Dallas's novel THE DIARY OF MATTIE SPENSER, in which an equally complicated story unfolds in diary entries, is the only challenger for this kind of technique. Read this! Bess will become your friend forevermore.
Rating:
Summary: This was one of my favorite books.
Review: I read this book many years ago and loved it ! It is well written and in a format of letters that makes it even more special. It is as if you found an old trunk of letters in the attic and a life's story unfolds that is romantic and wonderful! I recommend it.
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