""Joy Street- once popular vintage fiction, though not exactly a classic- is an epic tale of one woman’s struggle to find love while overcoming the stereotypical role and stigma of the Bostonian wealthy social elite. Keyes’ story takes place during the period from 1937 to 1946.

As the story begins, Emily Thayer sees nothing wrong with living in her elitist bubble. She is the favorite grand-daughter of Mrs. Forbes who’s deceased husband was an Ambassador for the U.S. Government, and her uncle is a U.S. Senator. Mrs. Forbes owns about 5 estate properties including a lavish farm in the country. As each of her 6 children married, they were gifted a house along with an exquisite trousseau adorned with priceless furniture, art, china, and silver. Emily expects no less when she marries.

Her inner conflict begins when she becomes the wife of a man of decent social standing, but not quite smart enough, rich enough, or sufficiently clever to fit in with the elitists. Too proud to live off Emily’s trust fund, he is forced to take a job as a junior attorney in a second-rate law firm that also employs lawyers of Irish, Italian, and Jewish descent. Were you aware in the 1930s these nationalities were shunned by the elitists? Emily and her husband Roger decide they will break down the social barriers… or at least genuinely befriend Roger’s work associates and invite them to private social gatherings.

The wonderful thing about reading old fiction like "Joy Street" is the authenticity; the morals, social standards, etiquette, fashion, descriptions of décor, dialogue and colloquial language of the time. Frances Parkinson Keyes began producing fiction in 1919 and continued with her career until 1972. She authored over 50 books including memoirs, biographies, novels and inspirational writing. Joy Street was completed mid-way through her career. In 1950 it ranked second place as best-selling novel in the United States selling over 2 million copies. Keyes is a great story teller… but be prepared. You may find the politically incorrect references to the “socially undesirable” nationalities offensive. Keyes fictional work is not officially banned today, though most libraries have removed her books from the shelves. Perhaps it is just due to lack of interest in the outdated themes and long-winded descriptive writing style. ( )