What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedA Well-Behaved Woman
Therese Anne Fowler · Book · 2018
If you loved A Well-Behaved Woman, start with The Gilded Age (Julian Fellowes, 2022) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 1 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to A Well-Behaved Woman across media.
You were captivated by the fierce ambition of Alva Vanderbilt and how she navigated restrictive social hierarchies to secure power.
Films on the same thread
The Housemaid
Paul Feig · Film · 2025
Shares a thread with A Well-Behaved Woman: Class Conflict.
Like the protagonist of A Well-Behaved Woman, Millie navigates the treacherous power dynamics of a wealthy household where every move is calculated to maintain a fragile, precarious social standing.
Little Women
Greta Gerwig · Film · 2019
Shares a thread with A Well-Behaved Woman: Social expectations.
If the female agency in A Well-Behaved Woman resonated with you, these sisters provide a similar look at women carving out their own paths during a transformative American era.
Colette
Wash Westmoreland · Film · 2018
Explores: creative ghostwriting, literary marriage, female self-actualization.
Colette mirrors the journey found in A Well-Behaved Woman, focusing on a woman using her intellect and grit to transcend societal expectations and define her own artistic identity.
Gone with the Wind
Victor Fleming · Film · 1939
Shares a thread with A Well-Behaved Woman: Class Conflict.
Much like the heroine of A Well-Behaved Woman, Scarlett O'Hara uses her indomitable spirit and strategic social maneuvering to survive and thrive amidst the shifting tides of American history.
Series on the same thread
The Gilded Age
Julian Fellowes · Series · 2022
Explores: Social Class, New Money vs. Old Money, American Dream.
This series captures the exact Gilded Age tension of new money versus old money that defined the life of the Vanderbilt family in A Well-Behaved Woman.
Podcasts on the same thread
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
While A Well-Behaved Woman explores the Gilded Age, this series provides the essential historical context regarding the systemic foundations of the society that Alva Vanderbilt sought to conquer.
Nice White Parents
Serial Productions & The New York Times · Podcast · 2022
Explores: systemic inequality, educational reform, privilege and power.
If you enjoyed the exploration of social power in A Well-Behaved Woman, this investigation offers a modern look at how privilege and influence shape the institutions around us.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is A Well-Behaved Woman based on a real person?
Yes, A Well-Behaved Woman is based on the life of Alva Vanderbilt. The book depicts her journey from a destitute Southern family into the wealthy Gilded Age dynasty of the Vanderbilts, focusing on her determination to gain social respect despite being shunned by old-money circles.
What is the primary historical setting of A Well-Behaved Woman?
A Well-Behaved Woman is set during the American Gilded Age. The narrative follows Alva Smith as she marries into the Vanderbilt family and navigates the challenges of social standing and wealth in New York during this specific era of American history.
Who is the central character in A Well-Behaved Woman?
The central character in A Well-Behaved Woman is Alva Smith. After her family becomes destitute following the Civil War, she marries into the Vanderbilt family and works to establish her place in New York society by designing and building nine residences while facing intense social scrutiny.
Is A Well-Behaved Woman a New York Times bestseller?
Yes, A Well-Behaved Woman by Therese Anne Fowler is a New York Times bestseller. The book is recognized for its depiction of Alva Vanderbilt, a woman described as being ahead of her time who refused to be second best within the rigid social structures of the era.