In 1924 Alice born to immigrant parents always considered herself white, despite the fact that her father was of Jamaican origin. This whiteness was always emphasized by her mother. Meeting Kip Rhinelander, and marrying him was bold by society’s standards especially since Kips family never ever would accept the marriage and were determined that the couple should divorce.
The marriage, the scandal and the tumultuous divorce that followed is a true story. It showed the sheer determination of the Rhinelander family to disassociate themselves from Alice Jones, and no amount of lawyers or court rulings were going to sway them. It did not help that Kip himself was weak, did not know how to live as a working man, nor could he stand up to his family. The Rhinelanders were overwhelming.
The conflict went on even after Kips death because his wife was determined to fight tooth and nail against any settlement, however meager to his ex wife.
The story outlined how weighted the system was against anyone not white, and the damage and emotional stress that the entire Jones family underwent during Alice’s ordeal. The story is told in two timelines when Alice’s niece takes up the narrative in 1941.
Recurring themes prevalent in society today of racism and bigotry amply spoken of in this story.
Sent by Kensington Books for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.
Sounds like Alice did not have an easy life. Sad that her husband didn't stick up for her.
ReplyDeleteI hope it works out well for her considering the time
ReplyDelete