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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It’s okay. I like the mystery element. Not my favorite book of the year but not the worst book I’ve ever read. Not usually the type of book I read either, so that’s probably impacting my review.
I tried with this book, I really tried, but i just can’t focus on the storyline with this one (or really figure out what it is at all?). I usually finish a book of this length in 1-2 days; it’s been 6 weeks and I’m only 25% of the way through because I keep drifting off. I think it’s just not meant to be. Maybe I’ll try again next year.
Young model Lillian’s whole world is turned upside down when her mother dies from the Spanish flu in 1919. Not knowing where to turn, she gets a job working for Helen Frick. Helen is the very demanding daughter of the Frick family, who is known for their large and unique art collection. Decades later, another young model named Veronica inadvertently gets swept up in the Frick family’s secrets when she is locked into their mansion during a photo shoot.
What a beautifully written historical fiction novel! The alternating viewpoints of Lillian and Veronica work well together to unfold their stories and solve a few mysteries along the way. Even though their stories were decades apart, the story flowed seamlessly back and forth without being confusing. The girls were so relatable and my heart really went out to both of them. I loved how the author wove their stories together to tell this tale.
This was my BOTM pick for January and I’m so glad I finally read it! This review will be shaded to my Instagram blog books_by_the_bottle shortly☺️
What a beautifully written historical fiction novel! The alternating viewpoints of Lillian and Veronica work well together to unfold their stories and solve a few mysteries along the way. Even though their stories were decades apart, the story flowed seamlessly back and forth without being confusing. The girls were so relatable and my heart really went out to both of them. I loved how the author wove their stories together to tell this tale.
This was my BOTM pick for January and I’m so glad I finally read it! This review will be shaded to my Instagram blog books_by_the_bottle shortly☺️
An intriguing historical fiction novel about the Gilded Age based on the Frick family of New York City. The story is told in two time periods about two protagonists. In 1919, Lillian is working as a muse and model for many artists when she accidentally stumbles into a job as the personal assistant to Helen, the spinster daughter of the wealthy Frick family. She only hopes to make enough money to get to Hollywood to pursue an acting career but she soon becomes deeply embroiled in family drama and quickly becomes their scapegoat.
In 1966, Veronica who is a new model from England hopes to break into her career by doing a photo shoot at the Frick mansion, now turned museum. The shoot goes poorly for Veronica with the day ending in her accidentally getting left behind and locked in the mansion when the other models leave during a snowstorm. With no working electricity or phones, Veronica soon discovers that she is not alone as an intern working in the basement is also trapped. The two of them find the clues for a scavenger hunt written by Helen in 1919 and spend their time completing it and discovering a long lost treasure.
Both storylines come together towards the end of the book with ancient mysteries solved and happy endings all around. I found myself getting drawn into both stories which were unpredictable. The main characters were likable and well-developed. I did feel like the ending was just too tidy and the message seemed to be that wealth can fix problems. I had to remind myself that the Frick family members actually had pretty tragic lives in spite of their money and how Helen used it to make the other characters’ wishes come true.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the Advanced Reader Copy.
In 1966, Veronica who is a new model from England hopes to break into her career by doing a photo shoot at the Frick mansion, now turned museum. The shoot goes poorly for Veronica with the day ending in her accidentally getting left behind and locked in the mansion when the other models leave during a snowstorm. With no working electricity or phones, Veronica soon discovers that she is not alone as an intern working in the basement is also trapped. The two of them find the clues for a scavenger hunt written by Helen in 1919 and spend their time completing it and discovering a long lost treasure.
Both storylines come together towards the end of the book with ancient mysteries solved and happy endings all around. I found myself getting drawn into both stories which were unpredictable. The main characters were likable and well-developed. I did feel like the ending was just too tidy and the message seemed to be that wealth can fix problems. I had to remind myself that the Frick family members actually had pretty tragic lives in spite of their money and how Helen used it to make the other characters’ wishes come true.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the Advanced Reader Copy.
It’s tough to come off an Erik Larson read and into the two dimensional world of “The Magnolia Palace.” I think I would’ve appreciated this book more if the second narrative arc (Veronica’s storyline) wasn’t included; the timeline hop-scotch between the two main characters was wonky and forced.
As Fiona describes in the afterword, she was most inspired by the Frick women after her visit to the NYC museum in 2019. Joshua, Veronica, Polly, and even the older versions of Helen and Lilian felt contrived, out of place, and, pardon the comparison, like they belonged in a Danielle Steel novel.
Everyone in the book gets a happy ending. Fiona tries to put a ribbon on her story in the last twenty pages and the story just completely crumbles. What should’ve been a novel critiquing the value of “art” and contemporary forms of beauty suddenly becomes a high speed chase to a nursing home (I’m not kidding).
I did love the setup of this novel. The setting of a story in the Frick family home is ingenious. I drew many comparisons to “The Personal Librarian,” a novel about Belle da Costa Greene, JP Morgan’s personal librarian and the inspiration behind the Morgan Museum. Instead of “The Magnolia Palace,” this novel could’ve been titled “The Personal Secretary.” Of these two parallel reads, “The Personal Librarian” offers a more holistic and satisfying story.
As Fiona describes in the afterword, she was most inspired by the Frick women after her visit to the NYC museum in 2019. Joshua, Veronica, Polly, and even the older versions of Helen and Lilian felt contrived, out of place, and, pardon the comparison, like they belonged in a Danielle Steel novel.
Everyone in the book gets a happy ending. Fiona tries to put a ribbon on her story in the last twenty pages and the story just completely crumbles. What should’ve been a novel critiquing the value of “art” and contemporary forms of beauty suddenly becomes a high speed chase to a nursing home (I’m not kidding).
I did love the setup of this novel. The setting of a story in the Frick family home is ingenious. I drew many comparisons to “The Personal Librarian,” a novel about Belle da Costa Greene, JP Morgan’s personal librarian and the inspiration behind the Morgan Museum. Instead of “The Magnolia Palace,” this novel could’ve been titled “The Personal Secretary.” Of these two parallel reads, “The Personal Librarian” offers a more holistic and satisfying story.
The Magnolia Palace is historical fiction with elements of romance and mystery blended cohesively.
Set at the Frick mansion in New York City, the story is told alternatively between the two timelines: In 1919, the Frick mansion was a home to the wealthy Frick family. Lilian, a model also known as Angelica, is wanted for the murder of her landlord, becomes a private secretary to Miss Helen Frick by accident, gets tangled up with their family drama, and is accused of extorting money from and poisoning her father and stealing jewelry from the family. In 1966, the Frick mansion is an art museum. Veronica, a fashion model from England, is hired for a photo shoot that takes place at the Frick. After arguing with the photographer, she gets kicked out of the photo shoot and gets stranded in the Frick in the middle of a blizzard. There, she discovers hidden messages. She follows the clues with Joshua, an archivist intern at the Frick collection, eventually helping solve the 1919 murder mystery.
I much prefer the 1919 story to the 1966 story. Also, while the 1919 timeline had a lot of historical references, I didn’t feel the same for the 1966 timeline. It reads like it could have been today. However, the two timelines come together nicely at the end with a satisfactory ending.
The first two-thirds of the book also felt slow, but it picked up the pace starting around Chapter 13 and was unputdownable after that. This is my first Fiona Davis's book, but I will definitely read other books by her.
Set in 1919 and 1966, The Magnolia Palace centers around the Frick mansion in New York. In 1919, Mr. Frick was in failing health and trying to keep his daughter, Helen, under his thumb, even as he knew his death was looming. Lillian, Helen’s personal secretary becomes part of Mr. Frick’s plan which ultimately leads to some dire consequences for Lillian
In 1966, Veronica, a model who was on a photo shoot, gets stuck in the Frick mansion during a blizzard along with one of the interns from the mansion, Joshua. Veronica stumbles upon a set of scavenger hunt clues that take them around the house, ultimately in search of a valuable diamond thought to have been lost ages ago.
Fiona Davis did a masterful job with all of the characters’ development. I typically enjoy one timeline over another but with each shift, I couldn’t wait to find out more about where we had left off previously.
I highly recommend this historical fiction book to fans of The Personal Librarian.
Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
In 1966, Veronica, a model who was on a photo shoot, gets stuck in the Frick mansion during a blizzard along with one of the interns from the mansion, Joshua. Veronica stumbles upon a set of scavenger hunt clues that take them around the house, ultimately in search of a valuable diamond thought to have been lost ages ago.
Fiona Davis did a masterful job with all of the characters’ development. I typically enjoy one timeline over another but with each shift, I couldn’t wait to find out more about where we had left off previously.
I highly recommend this historical fiction book to fans of The Personal Librarian.
Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Unlikeable characters and an uncompelling plot made it quite boring to read.