Gina Marie Guadagnino- The Parting Glass

In the vein of Disobedience  by Naomi Alderman—but sexy, unique, and Irish—comes The Parting Glass by Gina Marie Guadagnino , an evocative historical fiction debut about a 19th century love triangle between two Irish-immigrant siblings and a young heiress. Booklist recommends it to fan of All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.  By day, Mary Ballard is lady’s maid to Charlotte Walden, and Mary loves her with an obsessive passion that goes beyond a servant’s devotion. But on her nights off, Mary sheds her persona as prim lady’s maid to reveal her true self: Irish exile Maire O’Farren.

Meanwhile, Charlotte is having an affair with a stable groom, unaware that he is actually Mary’s brother. When the truth of both women’s double lives begins to unravel, Mary is forced to choose between loyalty to her brother and loyalty to Charlotte, and between society’s respect and true freedom. The Parting Glass captures the delicate exuberance of 19th century high society, while examining sexuality, race, and social class in ways that feel startlingly familiar and timely.  

Gina Marie Guadagnino holds a BA in English from New York University, and an MFA in Creative Writing from the New School. She is currently a graduate student of Irish Studies at NYU. Her work has appeared in the Morris-Jumel Mansion Anthology of Fantasy and Paranormal Fiction, Mixed Up: Cocktail Recipes (and Flash Fiction) for the Discerning Drinker (and Reader). She lives in New York City with her family. 

Photo Credit: L.M. Pane