“Here is the captivating story of a contemporary young woman navigating the expectations of family, the traditions of Charleston’s elite, and the fierce pull of her own heart. You will revel in her humor and humanness, her poignant takes on love and loss, her stunning look at power and privilege, but mostly in her brave quest to become herself. This is a beautiful debut novel.”
—Sue Monk Kidd, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Reading In Polite Company is like visiting a college friend from downtown Charleston—the one who brings you to all the glamorous, old-fashioned events you might not otherwise get invited to. But it’s not all parties. . . . Gervais Hagerty’s keen insights on the quagmires of the modern South set it apart from other summer reads. I loved this book.”
—Katie Crouch, New York Times bestselling author of Embassy Wife and Girls in Trucks
“Gervais Hagerty’s compelling debut novel allows us a fascinating glimpse into an elite Southern society trying to hold on to age-old traditions and values in a rapidly changing world. Caught in the middle is a daughter of old Charleston, a young woman struggling to find her place without rejecting all she holds dear. This is the kind of highly readable, richly populated, and beautifully written book you will be eager to recommend to others!”
—Cassandra King, award-winning author of Tell Me a Story: My Life with Pat Conroy
“In a stunning debut, Gervais Hagerty’s voice rings with authenticity as she reveals a moving story of love, births, deaths, privilege and discrimination behind the veil in historic Charleston. Gorgeously written, heartfelt and true, In Polite Company is a must-read this summer—and any time of the year.”
—Mary Alice Monroe, New York Times bestselling author of On Ocean Boulevard
“This terrific debut lifts the veil on the charming old city of Charleston and a prominent Lowcountry family to deliver an entertaining story about becoming yourself without totally rejecting your past. Plus: debutante balls! I love this novel.”
—Lauren Weisberger, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Devil Wears Prada and When Life Gives You Lululemons