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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
"The Magnolia Palace" by Fiona Davis takes some actual history related to the family of industrialist Henry Clay Frick and then adds a layer of fiction to produce a story that spans several decades. The novel touches upon the Fricks' lives, NYC mansion and art collection as well as on the lives of household staff members, racism and classism and more. When the book is good it's VERY good, but some of the dialogue feels flat and a few of the plot points are overly contrived. The premise is that a down-on-her-luck artist's model finds her way onto the Fricks' staff as a personal secretary to Frick's daughter Helen in 1919. That story is interspersed with the story of a 1960s model from England who accidentally gets locked in the Frick Mansion after an unsuccessful photo shoot.
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dear The Magnolia Palace,
You were so charming. I was completely transported into the world of the Frick Mansion and the twists and turns of the people who live within it's walls. I was enchanted with Lillian and the double life that she lived, torn between the world of figure modeling and legitimacy. I could not stop listening to you over the weekend. You drew me into your beautifully crafted world and exquisite characters. I loved the careful way the two timelines were drawn together, and how each one had its own intrigue. Fiona Davis is the queen of historical fiction.
You were so charming. I was completely transported into the world of the Frick Mansion and the twists and turns of the people who live within it's walls. I was enchanted with Lillian and the double life that she lived, torn between the world of figure modeling and legitimacy. I could not stop listening to you over the weekend. You drew me into your beautifully crafted world and exquisite characters. I loved the careful way the two timelines were drawn together, and how each one had its own intrigue. Fiona Davis is the queen of historical fiction.
I’m wondering whether I read the same book as all these glowing reviews describe. The beginning of this is dull. The 1966-based storyline is implausible. The Gilded Age dialogue is filled with modern turns of phrase that are ridiculously out of place in that era. Overall, the writing is on par with a talented college freshman, which makes me wonder if an editor did more than casually glance at this manuscript. Either way, the “New York Times Best Selling Author” appellation has clearly lost all cachet.
Historical fiction at its finest, this incredible story includes mystery, murder, betrayal and revenge all set among some the finest works of art in the world.
Lillian, also know as the renown model Angelica, hiding from a mistaken accusation of murder finds herself in front of bossy and difficult Helen Frick, who believes that she is there for a job interview. Miss Lilly begins to work with Miss Helen in the Frick residence, and she finds herself surrounded by secrets and lies.
Two timelines, from 1919 and 1966 intersect with an ending that merges the two time periods with a satisfying conclusion.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, the characters were interesting, and likable, even the bullish Miss Helen. I highly recommend this book to all fans of historical fiction.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to review an advance reader copy of this book.
Lillian, also know as the renown model Angelica, hiding from a mistaken accusation of murder finds herself in front of bossy and difficult Helen Frick, who believes that she is there for a job interview. Miss Lilly begins to work with Miss Helen in the Frick residence, and she finds herself surrounded by secrets and lies.
Two timelines, from 1919 and 1966 intersect with an ending that merges the two time periods with a satisfying conclusion.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, the characters were interesting, and likable, even the bullish Miss Helen. I highly recommend this book to all fans of historical fiction.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to review an advance reader copy of this book.
Like other books I've read recently, there are two stories within the novel. I enjoy that in the books I've read as I wonder how the stories will converge. The first storyline takes place at the early part of the 1900s and the other happens in the 1960s - far enough apart to be distinct but close enough that some characters eventually meet. Seeing where the lives of the two main characters twist and turn, where they land, how they converge, as well as solving the mystery that is behind those lives makes for a captivating story.
While the novel has actual elements and characters like Henry Clay Frick, the Frick museum and references to the artwork, it is not a book like Marie Benedict's where she researches and stays true to the real-life events. In this case Fiona Davis sets a totally fictional narrative against the backdrop of the Frick mansion. Davis clarifies this and tells readers what is based in fact and what she imagined and created in the afterword. The real people from history add a grounding in time; however, readers need to read that afterword or they may think they know more than they actually do from history. (That isn't a criticism, just an observation.)
I listened to the audio version of this novel and really enjoyed it. Karissa Vacker's narration was well done. She did a very good job of bringing the story to life as well as differentiating the characters. She made it quite enjoyable.
While the novel has actual elements and characters like Henry Clay Frick, the Frick museum and references to the artwork, it is not a book like Marie Benedict's where she researches and stays true to the real-life events. In this case Fiona Davis sets a totally fictional narrative against the backdrop of the Frick mansion. Davis clarifies this and tells readers what is based in fact and what she imagined and created in the afterword. The real people from history add a grounding in time; however, readers need to read that afterword or they may think they know more than they actually do from history. (That isn't a criticism, just an observation.)
I listened to the audio version of this novel and really enjoyed it. Karissa Vacker's narration was well done. She did a very good job of bringing the story to life as well as differentiating the characters. She made it quite enjoyable.
I enjoyed this book but was disappointed that the ending was too sugary and neat.
I've tried several books from this author and they all end the same - great premise but terrible follow through, they end up waffling and boring by the halfway mark. DNF and I'm not going to try again with this author.
There's some really good parts to this book: the influence art has over the storyline and character backgrounds, the backstories of many character, the prose. I felt that it was a little too slow and the climax/resolution happened extremely quickly at the end, but it's a good read if you are someone who likes lighter historical fiction.
The Magnolia Place captures the fictionalized account of what would have happened if a 1910 super-model became the personal secretary to Henry Clay Frick's adult daughter, Helen Clay Frick.
I received an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Lillian Carter, the 1910 super-model has been featured in various famous statues throughout the city. Lillian, 21 years old, just recently lost her mom, Kitty to the Spanish flu and is struggling to find work and pay her rent.
Mr. Watkins, her landlord, and his wife have been known to get into frequent fights and he's been hauled off to jail on several occasions. On this morning, he and his wife were in a screaming match and Lillian hopes he is hauled off to jail so that she can buy herself a few more days to earn the rent. Ironically, Mrs. Watkins was murdered and somehow Lillian is believed to have a relationship with Mr. Watkins and wanted for questioning in her murder. Lillian decides to go into hiding and through a series of uncanny events ends up with a job at the Frick house.
Simultaneously, we are introduced to Veronica in 1966, who is at the Frick house for a modeling shoot. Somehow Veronica manages to get locked into the house by herself during a major snowstorm and has no way out. However, she comes to find out that Joshua Lawrence, the Frick collection archivist, is also in the house.
The novel alternates between Lillian and Veronica's story during which we learn more about the Frick family, some of the skeletons in their closet and overall love and devotion to the art world. Ironically, despite the different time periods, we see some similarities the challenges faced by Veronica and Lillian.
Although the novel does include some factual events, the author does take some license with creating a story wrapped up with lies, deception, murder, friendship and family loyalties. I found the overall book enjoyable/exciting and would recommend it - especially if you enjoy strong female characters.
I received an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Lillian Carter, the 1910 super-model has been featured in various famous statues throughout the city. Lillian, 21 years old, just recently lost her mom, Kitty to the Spanish flu and is struggling to find work and pay her rent.
Mr. Watkins, her landlord, and his wife have been known to get into frequent fights and he's been hauled off to jail on several occasions. On this morning, he and his wife were in a screaming match and Lillian hopes he is hauled off to jail so that she can buy herself a few more days to earn the rent. Ironically, Mrs. Watkins was murdered and somehow Lillian is believed to have a relationship with Mr. Watkins and wanted for questioning in her murder. Lillian decides to go into hiding and through a series of uncanny events ends up with a job at the Frick house.
Simultaneously, we are introduced to Veronica in 1966, who is at the Frick house for a modeling shoot. Somehow Veronica manages to get locked into the house by herself during a major snowstorm and has no way out. However, she comes to find out that Joshua Lawrence, the Frick collection archivist, is also in the house.
The novel alternates between Lillian and Veronica's story during which we learn more about the Frick family, some of the skeletons in their closet and overall love and devotion to the art world. Ironically, despite the different time periods, we see some similarities the challenges faced by Veronica and Lillian.
Although the novel does include some factual events, the author does take some license with creating a story wrapped up with lies, deception, murder, friendship and family loyalties. I found the overall book enjoyable/exciting and would recommend it - especially if you enjoy strong female characters.
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes