The Silver Baron's Wife by Donna Baier Stein

Lizzie Tabor was no shrinking violet despite being born in the 1850s. She did not follow the conventions of the day. When her husband sank into despondency, drinking and drugs refusing to work or make something of their lives, she herself did the unthinkable. She got into the mines with the men working to salvage whatever she could to make a life for herself. When Harvey turned out to be a total disappointment, she divorced him. That too was unheard of and got her ostracized from society almost completely. When she remarried a wealthy silver baron this time she gained further notoriety (the priest refused to sign the marriage certificate despite formalising the marriage)and battled it alone, with the loving support of her husband. When their world of wealth came crashing down, she lost everything she had. She also had two daughters who were spoilt and who could not and would not accept the riches to rags story their life had become. She was alone once more when her husband died. And she remained alone, almost forgotton by all especially her daughters for thirty five years until she died. A story of a courageous woman, who defied convention and based on a real life story. Sad but true one. The book was sent by Serving House Books courtesy of Netgalley for an unbiased review. Thank you.