You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Marjorie Post. Who was she … really? This is a book that takes you into her world of substantial wealth, philanthropy and four marriages that ended in a divorce. One may speculate why this woman with great power in the world of business and high society affairs would have continued disappointments with her love life.
After her father’s death in 1914, she became the owner of the Postum Cereal Company. That was the beginning of making her the wealthiest woman in the U.S. And with the millions, she was able to contribute towards museums, hospitals, schools and many other places. She made friends in high places such as Eleanor Roosevelt and used her influence to help people. And yes, she lived in a mansion with her fine jewels, art, beautiful gardens and the works.
This was the first book that I’ve read by Allison Pataki. It won’t be my last. It’s appreciated that she brought to life a woman who accomplished worthy things – not just for herself but for others. I was impressed with the amount of research that was done to create the image of her childhood, family, husbands and Marjorie Post's world with the finest things. The story had a good timeline of events. It kept my interest and I suspect, it will stay with me for some time.
After her father’s death in 1914, she became the owner of the Postum Cereal Company. That was the beginning of making her the wealthiest woman in the U.S. And with the millions, she was able to contribute towards museums, hospitals, schools and many other places. She made friends in high places such as Eleanor Roosevelt and used her influence to help people. And yes, she lived in a mansion with her fine jewels, art, beautiful gardens and the works.
This was the first book that I’ve read by Allison Pataki. It won’t be my last. It’s appreciated that she brought to life a woman who accomplished worthy things – not just for herself but for others. I was impressed with the amount of research that was done to create the image of her childhood, family, husbands and Marjorie Post's world with the finest things. The story had a good timeline of events. It kept my interest and I suspect, it will stay with me for some time.
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Interesting story of Marjory Post, daughter of man who invented Post cereals (starting with Grape Nuts) and Postum. The company became General Foods. She was the wealthiest woman in America and lived an opulent life style. She also gave money to many causes. Married 4 times, once to a man who became ambassador to Russia just before World War II. Owned a dozen other businesses. She bought out a small frozen food company and named it Birdseye. Pioneered frozen foods for everyday people. She bought property in Florida and designed Mar-a-Lago and had it built!
emotional
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fast paced and interesting! Hard to believe this was based on a real person. I wish that the author put more emphasis on more of MMP’s relationships other than the romantic ones (daughters, friends etc.)
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
As a Michigan native who lives near “Cereal City” but doesn’t know much about it, this was such an interesting book to read! I didn’t realize at first that it was going to be about Marjorie Post of the Post/General Mills food company, so it was really cool to make connections early on to things that I somewhat already knew about the cereal brands that started out in Michigan. I also learned a ton — like she built Mar-a-lago?? What a shame that the house of a woman who worked so hard to use her wealth to benefit people ended up in the clutches of someone who doesn’t value that at all. Anyways, while parts of the book were a little slow, I really enjoyed learning about this remarkable woman who had flaws yet worked tirelessly to benefit her fellow man. I would definitely recommend this one!
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love my historical fiction books to be well researched. I like that beside having a great reading, I am also learning about the main character. Allison Pataki is especially great. The wrote a book named: The traitor's wife. It is about Benedict Arnold's wife and how she manipulated him to do what he did. We only know about what he did but not the why. But Pataki's research is so good that you end up feeling sorry for him.
This book is about the heiress of the Post (cereal) fortune. Is basically about the 4 husbands and her philanthropic life. But when we read about spending money, she was an expert. She gave away a lot of money but she will not think twice in spending millions in a house, boat or jewelry. And she was the original owner of Mar a Lago. If you like well resea ched historical fiction, Allison Pataki is your author
This book is about the heiress of the Post (cereal) fortune. Is basically about the 4 husbands and her philanthropic life. But when we read about spending money, she was an expert. She gave away a lot of money but she will not think twice in spending millions in a house, boat or jewelry. And she was the original owner of Mar a Lago. If you like well resea ched historical fiction, Allison Pataki is your author
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Overall, this was a wonderful piece of historical fiction which made me immediately want to know more about Marjorie Merriweather Post who, by the by, is even MORE fascinating than Allison Pataki makes her out to be. Pataki pays close attention to the fashions and furniture and habits of each time period and place that she moves through. Characters speak with clear voices and have their habits and quirks; some of them are noticeably deeper than others but that is bound to happen when you have an enormous cast that includes some pretty famous people. It's a lush book with a very real sense of grounding and reality.
What kept me from rounding up, though, was how very focused on the romances the book was. True, Marjorie managed to marry 4 times but she did an awful lot of other things that sometimes were glossed over. From a plot perspective, it felt like it was just a series of constant relationship hopping.
There was virtually no time in between or many other things happen. This path has its virtues (The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo proves this) but Marjorie was so much more and this wasn't just a romance novel. This was more of a fictional biography, you know?
Also it's not Pataki or Marjorie's fault that a certain one of Marjorie's homes now brings an instant gag reflex to my throat but there we go.
What kept me from rounding up, though, was how very focused on the romances the book was. True, Marjorie managed to marry 4 times but she did an awful lot of other things that sometimes were glossed over. From a plot perspective, it felt like it was just a series of constant relationship hopping.
There was virtually no time in between or many other things happen. This path has its virtues (The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo proves this) but Marjorie was so much more and this wasn't just a romance novel. This was more of a fictional biography, you know?
Also it's not Pataki or Marjorie's fault that a certain one of Marjorie's homes now brings an instant gag reflex to my throat but there we go.
What a fascinating life Marjorie Post had! While the book itself didn’t have the narrative I’m used to in a historical fiction, it was still well-researched and informative.
I think I loved learning about Marjorie more than the overall narrative itself. I found myself goggling endlessly to learn more about this American heiress, philanthropist, and business woman. This novel captivated me as I grew up in Palm Beach county and live in the DC area as Marjorie built Mar-a-Lago and came to reside at Hillwood Estate. I highly recommend you read this book and go visit Hillwood Estate to see all of her treasures!
I think I loved learning about Marjorie more than the overall narrative itself. I found myself goggling endlessly to learn more about this American heiress, philanthropist, and business woman. This novel captivated me as I grew up in Palm Beach county and live in the DC area as Marjorie built Mar-a-Lago and came to reside at Hillwood Estate. I highly recommend you read this book and go visit Hillwood Estate to see all of her treasures!