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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
The Magnolia Palace is EXACTLY what I want and have come to expect from Fiona Davis. As with the best historical fiction, this is at its heart the story of strong women who affect and are affected by their time and place. Written with a dual timeline format, this novel switches seamlessly between the 1920s and the 1960s and is almost exclusively set in what is now The Frick Collection in New York.
The earlier timeline shares a window into post-war early 20th century society and vulnerabilities associated with wealth and power. The later timeline allows a decades old mystery to be solved and a satisfying end to both stories. It takes a very talented storyteller to create two stories that are equally intriguing, and Fiona Davis is a master.
Personally, I especially enjoyed the descriptions and analyses of some of the Frick collection and consider that a bonus!
Read it.
And thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in return for my unbiased opinion.
The earlier timeline shares a window into post-war early 20th century society and vulnerabilities associated with wealth and power. The later timeline allows a decades old mystery to be solved and a satisfying end to both stories. It takes a very talented storyteller to create two stories that are equally intriguing, and Fiona Davis is a master.
Personally, I especially enjoyed the descriptions and analyses of some of the Frick collection and consider that a bonus!
Read it.
And thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in return for my unbiased opinion.
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved the two points of view and the look into turn of the century art/wealth. The ending felt rushed.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Okay so this book took a direction I wasn't expecting. It ain't sapphic for one and two well it wasn't sapphic.
The Magnolia Palace truly had the potential to have been something great. Set in the end of one of the greatest eras in New York's history while on the cusp of one of the most influential periods of human history I was going in expecting that old era rich people drama.
And I got it kinda.
Honestly it feels like Fiona Davis rushed a lot of the scenes trying to get to her plots and sadly that made it hard to care for her characters beyond a "Oh yeah that's sad" level.
While I loved the plot and got hooked towards the end in the beginning it was a totally different story filled with flat characters and a messy story flow.
By the middle it was entertaining and at the end it became messy again.
I also feel as though this could have benefited being longer just to see Lillian's life after she fled or to hear more of Helen's struggles after her Father's death.
Overall though I really enjoyed this book and if you want just a quick read to satisfy a desire to read about the Gilded Age of New York then I highly reccomend this.
The Magnolia Palace truly had the potential to have been something great. Set in the end of one of the greatest eras in New York's history while on the cusp of one of the most influential periods of human history I was going in expecting that old era rich people drama.
And I got it kinda.
Honestly it feels like Fiona Davis rushed a lot of the scenes trying to get to her plots and sadly that made it hard to care for her characters beyond a "Oh yeah that's sad" level.
While I loved the plot and got hooked towards the end in the beginning it was a totally different story filled with flat characters and a messy story flow.
By the middle it was entertaining and at the end it became messy again.
I also feel as though this could have benefited being longer just to see Lillian's life after she fled or to hear more of Helen's struggles after her Father's death.
Overall though I really enjoyed this book and if you want just a quick read to satisfy a desire to read about the Gilded Age of New York then I highly reccomend this.
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this audiobook, I would actually rate the book in 2-3 ways!
narration was strong, I thought the voice actor did a strong job with the story and added to the enjoyment. 4 stars
plot, for me the plot was fine, somewhat predictable in terms of the direction the story went in with romance and family tension and the mystery, 3 stars
the detail and grounding in art history and context, 4.5 stars, I have to step back and say that while I did not love the plot the research and details in this story are to be highly commended.
narration was strong, I thought the voice actor did a strong job with the story and added to the enjoyment. 4 stars
plot, for me the plot was fine, somewhat predictable in terms of the direction the story went in with romance and family tension and the mystery, 3 stars
the detail and grounding in art history and context, 4.5 stars, I have to step back and say that while I did not love the plot the research and details in this story are to be highly commended.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This novel has dual timelines, alternating between 1919 and 1966. The 1919 timeline focuses on Lillian, a young woman who was a model for artists who created her likeness in many sculptures in New York City. After her mother’s death, she is down on her luck, and stumbles into a job as private secretary to Helen Frick. In 1966, British Veronica is starting a career as a model, and has an assignment at the Frick museum. During a snowstorm, she is accidentally locked inside the museum with an intern. After discovering some clues, they hunt for the missing Magnolia diamond.
I’ve visited the Frick Museum before, and I loved reading about its origins and the Frick family. I was interested in both timelines, and thought the characters were well developed (especially in the 1919 timeline). The mystery and romance elements contributed to the plot but I thought they could have been developed more. The ending was satisfying, although I don’t necessarily like it perfect with a bow.
This is the first novel I’ve read written by Fiona Davis, and I suspect it won’t be my last.
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes