#aimee crocker

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

The Thirteenth Husband by Greer McCallister

Okay….mixed feelings and thoughts:

* Truth weirder than fiction – yes

* Mother without motherly feelings – yes

* Earthy? Yes

* Naïve? Yes, in the beginning but way too savvy later in life

* Privileged offspring with money – hedonist? More than likely

* Wrote her own autobiography – I believe, so…why read a novelized version?

* Into occult/spiritualist and anything else that came her way? Yes,,and so of the times with spiritualists abounding

*  Willing to keep status/face by toeing the line? Not so much

* Did money liberate her? Yes and no

* Did she reconnect with self or her children? Not sure because I gave up on the book at 16% and read about this unusual and interesting woman online and got the gist of the book that was based on her life in this book…till I quit

* Writing and storytelling was wonderful and drew me in but…not enough to make me keep reading

Did I finish the book No

Would I read more books by this author? Yes…enjoyed two previous books by her

NOTE: The author said that she adjusted and adapted, switched things around, and probably found this woman fascinating but, as other reviewers have mentioned…why put time and effort into the life of a woman long gone and perhaps not relevant to the present? I cannot relate to Amy…though I have seen her ilk in other women of the era or even now… I did not finish this book but might revisit it in the future because It was well written and it could be ME and not the Story.

Thank you to NetGalley and SourcebooksLandmark for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3 Stars

BLURB

"A whirlwind…A truly wonderful read."

—Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Spectacular

From the acclaimed author of The Arctic Fury:

Based on a real woman from history, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo meets The Haunting of Hill House in this fictional tell-all narrated by the glamorous Aimee Crocker, revealing everything from her mischievous days in German finishing school to dinners with Hawaiian royalty to lavish Astor parties in Manhattan. But behind Aimee's public notoriety, there's private pain.

When Aimee is ten years old, as the night dips into the witching hour, the Woman in White appears to her. Minutes later, Aimee's father is dead—and Aimee inherits a fortune. But the Woman in White never really leaves Aimee, appearing as a sinister specter before every tragedy in her life. Despite Aimee's wealth, her cross-continental travels, and her increasingly shocking progression through husbands, Aimee is haunted by the unidentifiable Woman's mysterious motivations.  

Tearing through millions of dollars, four continents, and a hearty collection of husbands, real-life heiress Aimee Crocker blazed an unbelievable trail of public scandal, private tragedy, and the kind of strong independent woman the 1880s had never seen. Her life was stranger than fiction and brighter than the stars, and she whirled through her days as if she was being chased by something larger than herself. Greer Macallister brilliantly takes us into her world and spins a tale that you won't soon forget.

[bucolicbook]

The Thirteenth Husband: A Novel by Greer Macallister 

US pub date - 8/6/24

Women living their lives will often attract judgment and ire, that Aimee Crocker could afford to live her life as she chose in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, cocooned in the safety of her inheritance didn’t exempt her from that judgment, but she was also in possession of a nature that didn’t care for the opinions of society. Crocker lived her life in such a way that made for ideal historical fiction.

I had not previously heard of Aimée Crocker and looked her up once I began reading The Thirteenth Husband. The story is well written and engaging and showcases the heiress’s life intriguingly (I googled quite often during my reading of this).  

The story pulled me right, held my attention, and kept me turning the pages. 

Thank you to Landmark and NetGalley for the DRC 

[eyepool]

[Aimée Crocker's] crowning achievement as “Entertainer of Entertainers” which received press all over the world would be “The Dance of all Nations.” The program that evening featured the very frank “Salome” dance, the curious Vienna Viggle, and the “cannibal” dancer Dogmeena, whose costume consisted of coconut oil and a red sash, and who enthusiastically danced in La Danse des Igorrotes. Crocker, appearing in pearls “that would clothe a baby and ransom a king,” delighted the company when she danced La Madrilena, an Argentine tango (then denounced and forbidden by the Catholic Church) with one of her most recent admirers. A little later, with a twelve-foot snake twined round her neck, she appeared in La Danse de Cobra. When her guests backed away from the snake's emerald eyes and darting tongue, she exclaimed, “It's as gentle as a powder puff."

From the Wikipedia article about Aimée Crocker (1864-1941), a fascinating Californian heiress, world traveler and unashamed libertine. I’m reading her memoir And I’d Do It Again, which is great fun, recounting her tours of the “Orient” in the 1880s. It would make a phenomenal TV series if given the full HBO treatment, including filling out all the sexy details she had to gloss over.

[drunkdish]

Ep. 47: Sneaky Sneaky, Boozy Woozy

Ep. 47: Sneaky Sneaky, Boozy Woozy

Welcome to Episode 47! The dishes start off by discussing their favorite Girl Scout cookies. Then, they dive into the story of Ada “Coley” Coleman, the inventor of the Hanky Panky cocktail. Aimee tells us about Toll House cookies, and Kate shares a recipe, but not from Betty Crocker’s Box (gasp). https://open.spotify.com/episode/1so1dLfipPMmb43VWHMMTQ?si=H8c5omsRQveScXfhnQI9jg The featured…

[beanstalk-sims]

Been in the mood to make sims recently. This is Aimee Crocker. 

[brightbeautifulthings]

My favorite cookbook is this super old Betty Crocker's cookbook. It's basic, but it has pretty much everything in it.

For books about food, I'd say The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender and To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han. I wanted to snack the whole time I was reading them. TATBILB has so. much. baking. It definitely needs companion recipes!

Weekly Bookish Question #50 (November 12th - November 18th): 

Do you have a favorite cookbook or book about food? If so, what is it? 

[fashionshoesworlds]

Marchesa Spring ’18 NYFW Means It’s Time to Get Used to Florals

Floor-sweeping gowns with cascading silk satin and feathery floral details sailing down the runway could only mean one thing: a Marchesa New York Fashion Week show has hit the runway. For spring 2018, designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig were inspired by American explorer Aimee Crocker’s travels to Japan and her affinity for extravagant parties, lustrous pearls and eccentric art. Styles from the runway at Marchesa’s spring ’18 show. The design duo created an alluring and romantic runway display today featuring gowns with swelling kimono sleeves and golden leaf thread work topped with multi-layered pearl necklaces, reminiscent of pearl divers of the Far East. Meanwhile, tulle lotus flower ruffles and silk satin in ombré wisteria were meant to give a coy nod to Crocker’s well-documented collection of lovers. Styles from the runway at Marchesa’s spring ’18 show. Feather flowers in shades of blush and 3D tulle cherry blossom embroideries kept NYFW’s floral theme alive and well at Marchesa. For the footwear, house shoe designer Annelie Hofstrom complemented the whimsical gowns with strappy heels — most of which laced up at the ankles — in silver, black, nude, purple and blush tones. Of course, floral moments persisted as many of the heels were accented with leafy details. Click through

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[aimeecrocker]

The Pond. Then + Now.

Some travelers carry books. Some readers travel via books. And I'd Do It Again + I take journeys together around the world. Some are vicarious adventures from 100 years ago, some adventures are in the present, and all of them embrace the spirit of living without regrets.

These photos show Aimée Crocker’s final residence, the Savoy-Plaza Hotel. It overlooked Central Park at 5th Avenue & 59th Street, New York. Aimée dreamt her final dream there in 1941, the building was demolished in 1965, but her spirit continues to intrigue + inspire. 

[drunkdish]

Ep. 46: Luck be a Lumper (potato)

Ep. 46: Luck be a Lumper (potato)

Welcome to Ep46, where we’ve officially dealt with 365 days of pandemic bullshit! In this episode, Melissa shared a very brief history of vodka in the United States, and Aimee talks about the history of potatoes. Kates shares a recipe from Betty Crocker’s box for some party potates. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Ffi4TM3t50aNYGuyGGSVV?si=x_IENs_gQ3S_kTmBk-vekQ The featured drink this episode…

[drunkdish]

Welcome to Ep46, where we’ve officially dealt with 365 days of #pandemic bullshit! In this episode, Melissa shares a very brief history of #vodka in the United States, and Aimee talks about the history of #potatoes. Kate shares a #recipe from Betty Crocker’s box for some #party potates (wtf is a party).   The featured drink this episode is the Vodka #Martini.   Show Music by Andrew Huang. Don't forget to rate and subscribe! . . . #podcast #foodhistory #comedy #spotifypodcast #googlepodcasts #applepodcasts #podbean #cocktails https://www.instagram.com/p/CMccCXblbon/?igshid=13tcbnq3vm0ql

[drunkdish]

Ep. 44: Nesslerodes, take me home

Ep. 44: Nesslerodes, take me home

Welcome to Ep44, where we talk about chocolate. Seth and Jamal from the Thanks for Coming podcast joins us and are out of control. Melissa fills us in on the glamorous history of the chocolate martini and its Hollywood roots. Aimee covers a brief history of chocolate and its tie to Valentine’s Day. Kate tells us what the hell Nesselrode is and shares another recipe from Betty Crocker’s…

[drunkdish]

Ep42: Betty Crocker's Box

Ep42: Betty Crocker’s Box

Welcome to Ep42, where we talk about this history of pizza. Melissa continues her journey into the world of Campari, Aimee gets real defensive about Lunchables, and Kate tells us about a truly disgusting pizza with an all-meat crust! https://open.spotify.com/episode/53gqgyXM0oFaHI5PNs0gwY?si=n0aOgEvJTIawuOiV3h5CAA The featured drink this episode is the Cardinale. Music by Andrew Huang. Don’t…

[aimeecrocker]

"Living is the Highest Form of Art" A girl's story about inspiration, travel & love.

Aimee Crocker. Wanderlust. Soul.

[aimeecrocker]

Crocker ephemera…just a glimpse of what you can see at The Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento. 

[aimeecrocker]

Oscar Wilde was a good friend & frequent guest at Aimée Crocker’s San Francisco home. You can read about their drinking games in her 1936 memoir “And I’d Do It Again"