Rare Objects - Paperback

by Kathleen Tessaro (Author)

In Depression-era Boston, a city divided by privilege and poverty, two unlikely friends are bound by a dangerous secret in this mesmerizing novel by the New York Times bestselling author of The Perfume Collector -- now the inspiration for the film starring Katie Homes.

Maeve Fanning is a first generation Irish immigrant, born and raised among the poor, industrious Italian families of Boston's North End by her widowed mother. Clever, capable, and as headstrong as her red hair suggests, she's determined to better herself despite the overwhelming hardships of the Great Depression.

However, Maeve also has a dangerous fondness for strange men and bootleg gin--a rebellious appetite that soon finds her spiraling downward, leading a double life. When the strain proves too much, Maeve becomes an unwilling patient in a psychiatric hospital, where she strikes up a friendship with an enigmatic young woman, who, like Maeve, is unable or unwilling to control her un-lady-like desire for freedom.

Once out, Maeve faces starting over again. Armed with a bottle of bleach and a few white lies, she lands a job at an eccentric antiques shop catering to Boston's wealthiest and most peculiar collectors. Run by an elusive English archeologist, the shop is a haven of the obscure and incredible, providing rare artifacts as well as unique access to the world of America's social elite. While delivering a purchase to the wealthy Van der Laar family, Maeve is introduced to beautiful socialite Diana Van der Laar--only to discover she's the young woman from the hospital.

Reunited with the charming but increasingly unstable Diana and pursued by her attractive brother James, Mae becomes more and more entwined with the Van der Laar family--a connection that pulls her into a world of moral ambiguity and deceit, and ultimately betrayal. Bewitched by their wealth and desperate to leave her past behind, Maeve is forced to unearth her true values and discover how far she'll to go to reinvent herself.

Front Jacket

Maeve Fanning, who was raised in Boston's North End by her widowed Irish mother, is determined to better herself despite the hardships of the Great Depression. However, she also has a dangerous fondness for strange men and bootleg gin--a rebellious appetite for experience that leads to a downward spiral in New York City and an involuntary admission to a remote psychiatric hospital upstate.

Upon her release, Maeve returns to Boston and lands a job at an antiques shop catering to the city's wealthiest and most peculiar collectors. Run by an elusive English archeologist, the shop is a haven for the obscure and incredible, supplying one-of-a-kind artifacts to its customers while providing Maeve with unique access to New England's social elite. While delivering a purchase to a wealthy family, Maeve is introduced to beautiful and charming socialite Diana Van der Laar--and recognizes her from the hospital.

Reunited with the increasingly unstable Diana and pursued by Diana's brother James, Maeve becomes more entwined with the Van der Laar family. Bewitched by the family's wealth and power, and desperate to leave her own past behind, Maeve is forced to confront just how far she's willing to go to reinvent herself.

Back Jacket

Maeve Fanning, who was raised in Boston's North End by her widowed Irish mother, is determined to better herself despite the hardships of the Great Depression. However, she also has a dangerous fondness for strange men and bootleg gin--a rebellious appetite for experience that leads to a downward spiral in New York City and an involuntary admission to a remote psychiatric hospital upstate.

Upon her release, Maeve returns to Boston and lands a job at an antiques shop catering to the city's wealthiest and most peculiar collectors. Run by an elusive English archeologist, the shop is a haven for the obscure and incredible, supplying one-of-a-kind artifacts to its customers while providing Maeve with unique access to New England's social elite. While delivering a purchase to a wealthy family, Maeve is introduced to beautiful and charming socialite Diana Van der Laar--and recognizes her from the hospital.

Reunited with the increasingly unstable Diana and pursued by Diana's brother James, Maeve becomes more entwined with the Van der Laar family. Bewitched by the family's wealth and power, and desperate to leave her own past behind, Maeve is forced to confront just how far she's willing to go to reinvent herself.