The Improper Life of Bezellia Grove: A Novel

The Improper Life of Bezellia Grove: A Novel

Nobody in Nashville has a bigger name to live up to than Bezellia Grove.Â As a Grove, she belongs to one of cityâ€™s most prominent families and is expected to embrace her position in high society.Â That means speaking fluent French, dancing at cotillions with boys from other important families, and mastering the art of the perfect smile.Â
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Also looming large is her given name Bezellia, which has been passed down for generations to the first daughter born to the eldest Grove.Â The others in the long line of Bezellias shortened the ancestral name to Bee, Zee or Zell.Â But Bezellia refuses all nicknames and dreams that one day she, too, will be remembered for her original namesakeâ€™s courage and passion.
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Though she leads a life of privilege, being a Grove is far from easy.Â Her mother hides her drinking but her alcoholism is hardly a secret.Â Her father, who spends long hours at work, is distant and inaccessible.Â For as long as she can remember, sheâ€™s been raised by Maizelle, the nanny, and Nathaniel, the handyman.Â To Bezellia, Maizelle and Nathaniel are cherished family members.Â To her parents, they will never be more than servants.Â Â
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Relationships are complicated in 1960s Nashville, where society remains neatly ordered by class, status and skin color.Â Black servants arenâ€™t supposed to eat at the same table as their white employers.Â Black boys arenâ€™t supposed to make conversation with white girls.Â And they certainly arenâ€™t supposed to fall in love.Â When Bezellia has a clandestine affair with Nathanielâ€™s son, Samuel, their romance is met with anger and fear from both families.Â In a time and place where rebelling against the rules carries a steep price, Bezellia Grove must decide which of her names will be the one that defines her.

From the Hardcover edition.
Country USA
Brand Broadway Books
Manufacturer Crown
Binding Paperback
ItemPartNumber Refer to Sapnet.
Color Multicolor
ReleaseDate 2011-08-02
UnitCount 1
EANs 9780307395047

Country	USA
Brand	Broadway Books
Manufacturer	Crown
Binding	Paperback
ItemPartNumber	Refer to Sapnet.
Color	Multicolor
ReleaseDate	2011-08-02
UnitCount	1
EANs	9780307395047

The Improper Life of Bezellia Grove: A Novel

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