Embers of Childhood by Flora Millers Biddle

This is a haunting book about a childhood of great privilege and luxury. Flora, the granddaughter of Gertrude Whitney lived a Downton-Abbey style life surrounded by servants, partly in the Deep South and partly in the Arondiracks.  It wasn't really idyllic, however, because her parents were busy with their own artistic and somewhat Bohemian lives and left her to her own devices. She really led a rather lonely childhood, although she enjoyed hunting and fishing with her parents. She only learnt to become more assertive much later in life - bullying and loneliness left her with some scars.

Nevertheless, Flora describes her childhood and teenage years lyrically and with much affection. I was mostly interested in the Vanderbilts, I must admit, but Flora was very likeable and it is an enjoyable autobiography.

I received this free ebook from Edelweiss.plus in return for an honest review.