<p>Chicago in 1900 is bursting with opportunity, and Kitty Coakley is determined to make the most of it. The youngest of seven children born to Irish immigrants, she has little interest in becoming simply a housewife. Inspired by her entrepreneurial Aunt Mabel, who runs a millinery boutique at Marshall Field's, Kitty aspires to become an independent, modern woman. After her music teacher dashes her hopes of becoming a professional singer, she refuses to give up her dreams of a career. But when she is courted by not one, but two young men, her resolve is tested. Irish-Catholic Brian is familiar and has the approval of her traditional, working-class family. But wealthy, Protestant Henry, who is a young architect in Daniel Burnham's office, provides an entrée for Kitty into another, more exciting world. Will she sacrifice her ambitions and choose a life with one of these men? Beautiful Dreamer is a heartwarming coming-of-age story rich with historical details that bring turn-of-the-century Chicago to life.</p>

Beautiful Dreamer

Literature & Fiction

Naper, Joan

Genre Fiction

Allium Pr of Chicago

Twenty-year-old Kitty Coakley is a young woman ahead of her time. While her sister Margaret and the other girls in their neighborhood are content to settle into lives as mothers and housewives, spirited Kitty has bigger plans. The youngest of seven children born to Irish-Catholic immigrants, she’s determined to carve out a place for herself in bustling turn-of-the-century Chicago. When her music teacher douses her hopes of a career as a professional singer and pianist, Kitty sets her sights on becoming a kindergarten teacher. However, complications arise when she finds herself pursued by not one, but two young beaus—steady, Catholic Brian and ambitious, Protestant Henry. Ultimately, Kitty must choose between living a safe but predictable life or following her heart into the unknown. With its vivid portrayal of early twentieth-century America, Beautiful Dreamer is a heartwarming coming-of-age story about a thoroughly modern woman.

Contemporary

Createspace

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Naper, Joan. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Naper, Joan

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Naper, Joan. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Beautiful Dreamer

Beautiful Dreamer