The City of Masks

"The City of Masks" by George Barr McCutcheon is a story that reveals the complicated lives of aristocrats in New York City, where things aren't always as they seem. The novel begins in the midst of a blizzard, setting a dramatic scene as the Marchioness prepares for a high-society dinner party and welcomes Lady Jane Thorne, a governess with a surprising noble past: these two must navigate a world dominated by appearances and social climbing. As counts, princes, and even a Turk gather, the book introduces a world of intrigue and hidden identities. Through this setting, the author examines the differences between social class and the masks people wear, and the importance of independence in the face of society expectations.