What do readers think of The House of Velvet and Glass by Katherine Howe? Write your own review.

The story gets off to a slow start, fitting to the leisurely pace of life just before WWI in upper-crust Boston.
But once it gets going, it really gets going!
The three threads, 1915 present, the last night of the Titanic and Lan's shipping days, at first seem disparate, but by the end, they come together, and the reader realizes they were all necessary for the story to be complete.
And heartbreaking.

The House of Velvet and Glass - which alternates between late 19th century China and 20th century Boston in the years during and just after the Titanic disaster - is detailed as a Henry James novel. Readers who appreciate a leisurely pace will enjoy various aspects of the period, from art nouveau furnishings to social mores of the elite, though some may find that the main conflict takes a long while to surface. Characters range from raffish to cultured, and the most complex among them include the main protagonist, Sybil. Recommended for the unusual take on grief and its effect on family relationships, and for the deeper aspects, which include some of the views of the time that are now regarded as unpleasant (such as Orientalism/exoticizing) or curious (such as séances.)

1868 Shanghai ...
April 12, 1912 Titanic ...
1915-17 Boston ...
Each plot had the potential to be a engaging novel. However, taken as a whole, this novel left me unsatisfied.

I enjoyed this book very much. Loved the images Ms Howe's words painted of pre WWI Boston, old Shanghai and the Titanic. This is the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic and the book is timely. It tied in well with my recent reading of "The Technologist" by Matthew Pearl.

I couldn't wait for the next cliff hanger to resolve itself. The characters, complex, and enjoyable kept me turning pages to know more about them. Historical details made the novel feel like nonfiction.

I enjoyed reading this book by Katherine Howe. The characters in the book are described very well. As I have read in her first novel, The Physick book of Deliverance Dane, she ties in the lives of the characters extremely well. Once again, this author has written a great historical novel and I would recommend this book for book clubs or anyone that would enjoy a great historical read.
I am glad that I was able to read this first impression book, thank you for the opportunity.

In The House of Velvet and Glass author Katherine Howe takes readers back to the early 1900s of Boston and, as further background, to the opium dens of China in the late 1800s. Readers travel through the eyes, thoughts, and actions of Sibyl Allston as she learns truths about her family and deals with the ever-changing reality of a new century--all in the tragic shadow of the sinking of the Titanic.

This reading experience, for me, started slowly. It took a good 100 pages to become invested in these characters and their stories. There were times that I wanted the story to just move along; other times, I loved the long, descriptive paragraphs that put me right into the front parlor of a Beacon Hill mansion.

All in all, I rate this a solidly positive reading experience, and I thank the First Impressions program at BookBrowse for making the ARC of The House of Velvet and Glass available to me.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Every time I had a few spare minutes I wanted to get back to it. I would ordinarily not choose a book with a paranormal subplot, but Sybil's experiences were riveting. The elegant writing style, the rich language, and the masterful character development all added to the pleasure of reading. The wonderfully vivid visual imagery brought both people and places to life. This novel is a winner on all levels!