---
product_id: 40566086
title: "The Gilded Years: A Novel"
brand: "karin tanabe"
price: "€ 27.67"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 11
url: https://www.desertcart.fr/products/40566086-the-gilded-years-a-novel
store_origin: FR
region: France
---

# The Gilded Years: A Novel

**Brand:** karin tanabe
**Price:** € 27.67
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Gilded Years: A Novel by karin tanabe
- **How much does it cost?** € 27.67 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.fr](https://www.desertcart.fr/products/40566086-the-gilded-years-a-novel)

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- karin tanabe enthusiasts

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## Description

The Gilded Years: A Novel

## Images

![The Gilded Years: A Novel - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81169TF2L5L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Historical Fiction At Its Finest
  

*by A***E on Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2016*

I can say without reservation that if you like historical fiction, The Gilded Years is a must read. Anita Hemmings, the first African-American to graduate from Vassar College, has a story that should be widely known, yet until now she has passed through the annals of US History with little fanfare. Thankfully, author Karin Tanabe has made a giant step in rectifying this error of omission with an insightful, poignant novel about one woman straddling two worlds in order to achieve her greatest ambition: an education.While The Gilded Years thoroughly engaged me, it was difficult to watch the blatant hypocrisy displayed by many characters. Erstwhile friends, teachers, and suitors alike are depicted as being part of an ostensibly liberal world, one in which they give lip service to social justice as if it were a passing fashion, but when confronted with the truth of Anita’s situation, they reveal their inner prejudices (some more virulently than others).The book is rich in detail, and if you are not familiar with the Gilded Age, Tanabe provides a thorough grounding with her research to see you through. There is an almost cinematic quality to the writing whereby you can imagine scenes as if they were playing in front of you at the movie theatre. I suppose much of that is due to the author’s brilliant dialogue, which sparkles and jumps off the page. For what it’s worth, I’d also like to throw my hat in support for a Bessie Baker sequel! I loved the friendship between her and Anita, and I would be interested to know more about her experiences with higher education, especially since she did not pass while attending Wellesley.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Engaging Story Based on Fact
  

*by W***S on Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2018*

This is a well researched and very engaging novel based on the life of Anita Hemmings, the first African-American to graduate from Vassar College. As a Vassar Alum, I found it especially interesting, and I'm grateful that Tanabe sorts out fact from fiction for her readers in the afterword. I'm not proud of the fact that Vassar was the last of the "Seven Sisters" colleges to admit blacks. Anita gained her degree in 1897 only by passing as white. But that, of course, is what made this novel so suspenseful!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    An Emotional Story
  

*by E***. on Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2016*

I found this story to be both challenging and emotional. The story of Anita Hemmings the first African American to graduate Vassar College. Going back in time to an era when people had to hide the fact that they were African-Amercan and those with lighter skins (almost white) had to cross over the color lines, be accepted as white, so they could get better educated, was an emotional read.  Yet, it is a must read.As I put myself in the shoes of Anita Hemmings, I felt her difficulties,her frustration and her trepidation that she would be found out and not only be humiliated but dishonor her family.  The fact that yes there were other higher institutions allowing African-Americans to enroll, it was not the same at Vassar College, the place Ms. Hemmings dreamed of going to since she was a little girl. The prejudice of that college and some of their students was shameful.  It was good to know that not everyone felt the same, but they were not the majority .Once the truth of her ethnicity surfaced, the inner prejudices of her so-called friends also surfaced. I cannot imagine living between two worlds, not be true to oneself and always looking "over your shoulder" lest you be found out and ostracized. Yet to the credit of Vassar College, she was allowed to complete her education and graduate with her class.While reading the book I took to google to read about Ms Hemmings and while her story was fictionalized, the author remained true to her research and to Ms. Hemmings. The book was excellent,one I couldn't put down.

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*Product available on Desertcart France*
*Store origin: FR*
*Last updated: 2026-03-04*