Title: The Velvet Box
Author: Tracy Grandlinger
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 9781524694494
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 184
Reviewed by: Liz Konkel
Pacific Book Review
In The Velvet Box, Sophie Gordon’s actor father re-enters her life after almost a decade and requests that she lives with him. Despite her father’s disapproval, Sophie descends into the glamorous world of theater. She catches the attention of theater owner, Richard Neville who is immediately smitten by her and gives her a chance at stardom. Sophie is captivated by the glamorous lifestyle and the eccentric actors, pulling her further into a world of jealousy, flirtation, and possible fame. As she embarks on her new life, she discovers love where she least expects it.
Set during 1800s, The Velvet Box explores the gritty London of the past, viewed through the eyes of the characters with the details of the time being fairly tapered down and grounded. On the surface the theater comes across as an idealistic daydream, specifically through Sophie’s perspective, but darkness lurks underneath the so-called glamour. The characters are in depth and layered, bringing to life the past and reflecting it in a modern sense. Author Tracy Grandlinger touches upon several themes which are multi-generational as they hit home today. Prejudice is subtly addressed throughout, but its presence speaks volumes in the story. Since Sophie’s mother was Russian, she experiences several snide comments from those around her, while her father’s housekeeper, Mrs. Croft, deals with the same description because her mother came from India.
Women’s rights are heavily addressed through several women characters which are a part of Sophie’s life. Sophie’s Aunt Isobel leaves her hostile and abusive husband when he threatens to disown her and leave her with nothing, after he reveals that his mistress is pregnant. Grandlinger defines Isobel as more than a woman of the time. She’s also strong, caring, and has a subtle brazen will about her. The other women aren’t as well- defined as Isobel, but their role shines a light on so much and clearly lays out the conditions and dangers women face. Mrs. Croft and actress Charlotte both struggled to be with the men they loved, but ultimately lost their husbands through horrible instances while two unseen characters die in childbirth.
Romance plays a complicated part in Sophie’s life as it sneaks up on her and sweeps her away in the same daydream way that the theater does. While she has a brief flirtation with another actor, it’s barely focused on and can be summed up as an immature infatuation. Then she meets the handsome Ian Lennox who dazzles her with the same fantasy and charm as the theater. This creates an interesting love triangle with Richard as the age gap between them makes her see him in a more lighthearted friendship way. While she’s seeking first love and stardom, he’s looking for someone to settle down with him and his son. A bond does form between them, and a slow romance eventually blossoms. The love triangle is fitted to the time period, but also has humor and charm.
Sophie’s identity plays an essential part in her coming of age journey. As a child, her parents gave her the pet name Sonya, marking her childhood, then she becomes Sophie which represents her London identity. Then when she enters the theater world she reinvents herself as Sonia, a more brazen personality. The Velvet Box is a journey of discovery, first love, romance, mistakes, and dreams that ultimately lead her to discover where her heart lies and what her dreams are.
