A Good Woman: A Novel

By Danielle Steel

From the glittering ballrooms of Manhattan to the fires of World War I, #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel takes us on an unforgettable journey in this spellbinding tale of war, loss, history, and one woman’s unbreakable spirit. . . .

Nineteen-year-old Annabelle Worthington was born into a life of privilege, raised amid the glamour of New York society, with glorious homes on Fifth Avenue and in Newport, Rhode Island. But everything changed on a cold April day in 1912, when the sinking of the Titanic shattered her family and her privileged world forever. Finding strength within her grief, Annabelle pours herself into volunteer work, nursing the poor, igniting a passion for medicine that would shape the course of her life.

But for Annabelle, first love, and a seemingly idyllic marriage, will soon bring more grief—this time caused by the secrets of the human heart. Betrayed, and pursued by a scandal she does not deserve, Annabelle flees New York for war-ravaged France, hoping to lose herself in a life of service. There, in the heart of the First World War, in a groundbreaking field hospital run by women, Annabelle finds her true calling, working as an ambulance medic on the front lines, studying medicine, saving lives. And when the war ends, Annabelle begins a new life in Paris—now a doctor, a mother, her past almost forgotten . . . until a fateful meeting opens her heart to the world she had left behind. Finding strength in the most unlikely of friendships, pulling together the broken fragments of her life, Annabelle will return to New York one more time—this time as a changed woman, a woman of substance, infused with life’s experience, building a future filled with hope . . . out of the rich soil of the past.

Filled with breathtaking images and historical detail, Danielle Steel’s novel introduces one of her most unique and fascinating characters: Annabelle Worthington, a remarkable woman, a good woman, a true survivor who triumphs against overwhelming odds. For Annabelle’s story is more than compelling fiction, it is a powerful celebration of life, dignity, and courage—and a testament to the human will to survive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Feb 25, 2009
• ISBN: 9780440339106

Danielle Steel

Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's most popular authors, with over 650 million copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include Property of a Noblewoman, Blue, Precious Gifts, Undercover, Country, Prodigal Son, Pegasus, A Perfect Life, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.

Reviews for A Good Woman

[lindahallmann · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Annabelle Worthington's world changes with the sinking of the Titanic. To work through her grief she becomes involved in volunteer work in New York City hospitals and discoveres her love of medicine. A seemingly ideal first marriage is ended in scandal and Annabelle flees to France during World War I.There she begins a new life and attends medical school.

[moonshineandrosefire · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Born into a life of luxury and raised among the privileged classes of New York society, nineteen-year-old Annabelle Worthington has spent the majority of her life mingling with the afluent and cherished elite, as a part of the glittering world and the glamorous ballrooms of the Manhattan social set. With glorious family homes on Fifth Avenue and also in Newport, Rhode Island, Annabelle has been raised to expect only the best that life has to offer - taught to rely on her family's name and their stellar reputation to pave her way in life. Yet Annabelle's life as she knows it is irrevocably swept away on a bitterly cold day in April of 1912, when the sinking of the Titanic shatters her life forever. Drawing on an indomitable source of strength from somewhere deep within her grief, Annabelle pours herself into volunteer work.It is while nursing the poor, that Annabelle finds her true purpose - igniting a desire in medicine, a passion that will never be extinguished - something which will inevitably shape the course of her life far into the future. But for Annabelle, it is her first love, and a seemingly idyllic marriage which will soon bring her yet more grief and an incalculable heartbreak. Devastated and betrayed by the revelation of her husband's deepest secrets, Annabelle flees New York for war-ravaged France, pursued by a scandal she does not deserve. Hoping to lose herself in a life of service, Annabelle will dedicate herself to the fulfillment of others.There in the heart of war-torn France - at the height of World War I - in a ground-breaking field hospital run entirely by women, Annabelle finds her true calling. Working as an ambulance medic on the front lines; studying medicine; tending to the gravely sick and grievously wounded; doing what she can to save lives. And when the war ends, she begins her new life in Paris - as a respected doctor, a mother, and with her past put firmly in its place; her devastating memories almost entirely forgotten...until a fateful meeting opens her heart to the world she had left behind.Finding strength in the unlikeliest of friendships, pulling together the broken fragments of her life, Annabelle will return to New York once more - this time as a changed woman; a woman of rare substance; someone who was forged by life's experiences; and infused with her hard-won knowledge of harsh circumstances. Annabelle will finally find joy in building a future filled with hope...growing out of the rich, fertile soil of the past.I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; I found it to be well-written, richly detailed and well-grounded in the historical period. In my opinion, this was slightly different from Ms. Steel's usual work, and Annabelle Worthington was a vibrantly strong character, who I immediately related to - and felt for - as I read further into the story. I would certainly give A Good Woman by Danielle Steel an A+!

[soosthemoose · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent. Takes place around WW1

[pankaj.kumar-2 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Struggle of a women in marriage,career and relationship

[leseratte30 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really liked the storyline. However, Steel's writing is horrible: so repetitive. In every chapter she has to remind the reader what happend previously. After reading about 10 times that Annabelle can't go out socially for a year after a death in the family, I get the idea. I don't need to read it x times more.

[justablondemoment · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

 Another good book from Steel. I honestly don't know if she can write a bad one. Rich in character development and scenery, but not so much to give you the 'come on already' feeling. I didn't find to many surprises in this book as everything went smooth and was easy to guess what was to come. This usually disturbs me but with this book it didn't. It was like eating your favorite meal....having seen it you KNOW what it is...having eaten it a few time you KNOW the taste...the knowlege of this doesn't lessen your senses it acts quite the opposite. It's what makes your tastebuds water and want more. Great read....Recommend

[suzanne5002 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not your typical, cheese-y by Steel. I think her historicals are the best. It was great from the beginning. A woman in the early 1900's whose husband & her family had died & she had to choose what she wanted to do with her life. She went to medical school and became a doctor. She opened her own practice & took care of her son. She had to overcome some situations since she was female.

[pluggedinlibrarian · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm so glad we got passed what a jerk Annabelle's husband was and on to a more interesting story. Neat story with its historical aspects - but I don't know how true to history the background was. Annabelle turned into a strong character, but a bit unbelievable.