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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5 stars. Although this started out slowly for me, once the mystery was introduced, I enjoyed the way it unfolded in both timelines. Davis skillfully overlays a fictional story on real historical facts, people, and art. I thought Helen and Lilly’s relationship was particularly interesting, but some other characters felt a bit flat.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
The Frick museum in NYC is a personal fave and I was looking forward to reading some Gilded age historical fiction. This book gave a brief and wonderful history of the building and its art, but otherwise, for me, the story fell somewhat flat.
Overall, I was fairly entertained by this book and got through it quickly. The time-hopping format works well and helps to unify the overall narrative.
Unfortunately, I found the plot a little weak. It reads a bit like a game of “Clue.” I think the overall story would’ve been enhanced had the works of art (and the stories behind them) been further incorporated into the narrative. Davis starts down this line but doesn’t complete the endeavor.
The premise is compelling, but I really would’ve enjoyed more depth in the characters. Some of them appear and disappear without much consequence. The ones that do have some dimension only have it at the end by an assortment of random pieces of personal information that are tossed in as afterthoughts. This lack of detail makes the motivations and actions of some characters difficult to understand. The ending is rushed with important tidbits merely tossed in to tie a neat bow on the story.
It was not my personal favorite, but would be a good one for a plane trip or a day by the pool.
Overall, I was fairly entertained by this book and got through it quickly. The time-hopping format works well and helps to unify the overall narrative.
Unfortunately, I found the plot a little weak. It reads a bit like a game of “Clue.” I think the overall story would’ve been enhanced had the works of art (and the stories behind them) been further incorporated into the narrative. Davis starts down this line but doesn’t complete the endeavor.
The premise is compelling, but I really would’ve enjoyed more depth in the characters. Some of them appear and disappear without much consequence. The ones that do have some dimension only have it at the end by an assortment of random pieces of personal information that are tossed in as afterthoughts. This lack of detail makes the motivations and actions of some characters difficult to understand. The ending is rushed with important tidbits merely tossed in to tie a neat bow on the story.
It was not my personal favorite, but would be a good one for a plane trip or a day by the pool.
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Magnolia Palace is a historical fiction set in New York. Loosely based on true characters this dual timeline novel set in 1919 and 1966 it is the story of Lillian, Miss Helen Frick and Veronica. Lillian is a muse to many sculptors but still lives in a kind of anonymity because the society considers being a model unsavory whereas Miss Helen comes from money but still is trapped and Veronica is struggling to make the ends meet. The three ladies though of different strata and times have lot of things in common and the author portrays these struggles so well.
I read this novel in a day travelling for the holidays and it kept the interest alive throughout. The ending ties up the loose ends neatly. The author's note at the end sums up this novel wonderfully. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. 4.5 Stars
I read this novel in a day travelling for the holidays and it kept the interest alive throughout. The ending ties up the loose ends neatly. The author's note at the end sums up this novel wonderfully. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. 4.5 Stars
Fiona Davis has written another wonderful historical fiction novel. This one is again set in 2 different eras, but the stories transition beautifully. Lillian Carter is being sought wrongly for a charge of murder when she lands a job at the Frick mansion. 50 years later Veronica Weber ends up by chance at the Frick mansion and lands in the middle of a decades old mystery. Davis' writing enables you to picture life in New York in 1919 and 1969. Lovely!