Forged: A Novel

Fanny Bartlett runs away from home in Canada to find her sister in Cleveland. It isn’t long before she is taken advantage of and learns quickly that you have to fend for yourself in America. She finds her way into the Garth household, working as a maid. She befriends the Garths’ daughter Mae and soon they are plotting and scheming. As a result, Kitty Warren is forged from the ashes of Fanny Bartlett. She works her way through society to becoming a forger and con artist, living the life she’s always wanted.

The way this story is written, you could easily believe it’s a true story. You can’t help but root for Fanny as she reinvents herself and manages to outwit the bankers and the wealthy. Describing her as a feminine blend of Jay Gatsby and Tom Ripley sums it up perfectly. Even when she is rich, albeit falsely, she doesn’t just live for herself, but treats her servants and the poor extravagantly well. Fanny’s quick wit and intellect help her go far in a world dominated by wealthy men. If you enjoy stories of the Gilded Age, this book is for you.