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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
This book didn’t wow me but as I am super unfamiliar with the late 1800’s/early 1900’s lavishly wealthy Americans, I found the historical parts interesting.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of “The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post” through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki tells the story of Marjorie Merriweather Post, the heiress to the Post cereal fortune and one of the wealthiest women in the United States. Growing up in Battle Creek, Michigan, Marjorie was inspired by her father's self-made success with the Post cereal company and went on to make a name for herself as a philanthropist, hostess, and advocate. Pataki provides a detailed look at Marjorie's life, including her role in the creation of the Post cereal company, her marriages, and her philanthropy.
One of the highlights of the book is the early sections on the creation of the Post cereal company. Pataki does a thorough job of exploring the history of the company and its impact on the American way of life. The amount and quality of treasures that Marjorie was able to bring home from Europe during her ambassadorship in the Soviet Union during WWII is also impressive and adds to the book's historical detail.
However, some reviewers found the book to be slow-paced at times and felt that the emotional impact was lacking. Marjorie's relationships and marriages, in particular, seemed to jump from one to the next and it was unclear why she was drawn to certain men. Despite this, Marjorie's life was still full of beauty and grandeur and Pataki does a good job of capturing this in her writing.
Overall, The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post is a worthwhile read for those interested in history, book clubs, and historical fiction. While the book may not always hit the emotional depth that some readers may be looking for, it is still a captivating look at the life of a powerful and influential woman.
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki tells the story of Marjorie Merriweather Post, the heiress to the Post cereal fortune and one of the wealthiest women in the United States. Growing up in Battle Creek, Michigan, Marjorie was inspired by her father's self-made success with the Post cereal company and went on to make a name for herself as a philanthropist, hostess, and advocate. Pataki provides a detailed look at Marjorie's life, including her role in the creation of the Post cereal company, her marriages, and her philanthropy.
One of the highlights of the book is the early sections on the creation of the Post cereal company. Pataki does a thorough job of exploring the history of the company and its impact on the American way of life. The amount and quality of treasures that Marjorie was able to bring home from Europe during her ambassadorship in the Soviet Union during WWII is also impressive and adds to the book's historical detail.
However, some reviewers found the book to be slow-paced at times and felt that the emotional impact was lacking. Marjorie's relationships and marriages, in particular, seemed to jump from one to the next and it was unclear why she was drawn to certain men. Despite this, Marjorie's life was still full of beauty and grandeur and Pataki does a good job of capturing this in her writing.
Overall, The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post is a worthwhile read for those interested in history, book clubs, and historical fiction. While the book may not always hit the emotional depth that some readers may be looking for, it is still a captivating look at the life of a powerful and influential woman.
3/5. I wanted to like this more than I actually did. I found her early life in Battle Creek and pre-marriages to be interesting, and her pioneering as a female board member of General Foods and input into the company. But I struggled with the focus on her marriages. Somehow I just didn’t care all that much about her relationships with her husbands beyond the basics. I just struggled to really identify or connect with her in any way. I found myself putting the book down easily and having to push myself to pick it back up.
I was fascinated to learn she built Mar-a-Lago (yes, THE Mar-a-Lago) - I did not realize that! After finishing the book I did look up more of the property’s history - she did sell it to the government to be a “Winter White House” after her death - but it was too costly to maintain so Congress chose to sell it later on. Trump bought it in the mid-80s. And then it, ironically, did sort of become an extension of the White House in a way.
I was fascinated to learn she built Mar-a-Lago (yes, THE Mar-a-Lago) - I did not realize that! After finishing the book I did look up more of the property’s history - she did sell it to the government to be a “Winter White House” after her death - but it was too costly to maintain so Congress chose to sell it later on. Trump bought it in the mid-80s. And then it, ironically, did sort of become an extension of the White House in a way.
I love narrative non-fiction. This was so interesting, I kept having to pause (I listened to it) and tell my friend who I was this another fun fact about Marjorie Post. It wouldn’t have been on my radar, but my cousin recommended it to me and I’m so glad he did. Highly recommend.
4.5 stars. I first heard of the incredible Marjorie post while watching The Foods that Built America on the History Channel. I was amazed at how much she had done, especially being a women during those times when women were typically not taken seriously or given chances to do great things. Her father brought her up teaching her the important things in running a business successfully. She had many unfortunate things happen, serious illnesses in the family, and especially her 4 failed marriages, but she persevered and did many wonderful things for the world. She brought to post company to what it is today, General Mills. Pushing to get things like frozen foods brought to fruition. Marjorie was also a philanthropist, helping out as many people as she could. She lived through two World Wars as well as the Great Depression . Her roles and connections she had during these difficult times were able to assist many people.
I enjoyed reading this historical fiction novel about Marjorie, helping me realize the scope of what she’d done during her long life. It’s a wonderfully written story and I recommend it to anyone wanting to read about this strong woman who changed history.
I enjoyed reading this historical fiction novel about Marjorie, helping me realize the scope of what she’d done during her long life. It’s a wonderfully written story and I recommend it to anyone wanting to read about this strong woman who changed history.
A little long and the extravagance of everything was overwhelming (although I appreciate her humanitarian efforts).
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I didn't love this one. That is a little disappointing, because I really enjoyed a previous book by this author. I read this one for book club. It's hard to say why I didn't enjoy it.
For one thing, I really didn't like the main character. Yes, Marjorie could be generous, but she also could be mean and liked to lord her money over others—especially her husbands. She had 4 failed marriages and none of the failures were in any way her fault—just ask her! What I don't know is this: was Marjorie really this person, or is this just how she is written in this novel?
I also didn't enjoy the writing. Sometimes it got repetitive. For example, when something happened, Marjorie would tell the story and add "I noted. I also just felt like the novel was too long. I feel like it could have been shortened by about 50 pages.
On the good side, it did do what good historical fiction does—it motivated me to use google to learn more! But some of what I learned took away from the story. For example, at the very beginning Marjorie tells us that she and her family have befriended many Presidents. Marjorie tells us that her father was a good friend of Abraham Lincoln from their time in Springfield, Illinois (where Marjorie was born). However, a simple google search told me that C.W. Post was born in October 1854. Abraham Lincoln left Springfield to serve at President by March 1861—when C.W. was 6½ years old! Lincoln was assassinated in April 1865, when C.W. was 10½. It's not likely there were good buddies! I also have reservations about some of Marjorie's implied claims that her husbands owed their success to her. Just one example: Her second husband, E.F. Hutton, was doing well in the world of finance before their marriage. He stepped away to take over the Helm of Post Foods, since as a woman, Marjorie could not. And after their divorce, he returned to finance and did very well. "When E.F. Hutton talks...."
This was not a successful read for me, but I am not giving up on this author. If you enjoy reading about the Gilded Age, you might really enjoy this book.
Here is a link to discussion questions.
https://allisonpataki.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Marjorie_Post_Book_Club_Kit.pdf
My rating: 3.5.
I read a copy checked out from my local library.
For one thing, I really didn't like the main character. Yes, Marjorie could be generous, but she also could be mean and liked to lord her money over others—especially her husbands. She had 4 failed marriages and none of the failures were in any way her fault—just ask her! What I don't know is this: was Marjorie really this person, or is this just how she is written in this novel?
I also didn't enjoy the writing. Sometimes it got repetitive. For example, when something happened, Marjorie would tell the story and add "I noted
On the good side, it did do what good historical fiction does—it motivated me to use google to learn more! But some of what I learned took away from the story. For example, at the very beginning Marjorie tells us that she and her family have befriended many Presidents. Marjorie tells us that her father was a good friend of Abraham Lincoln from their time in Springfield, Illinois (where Marjorie was born). However, a simple google search told me that C.W. Post was born in October 1854. Abraham Lincoln left Springfield to serve at President by March 1861—when C.W. was 6½ years old! Lincoln was assassinated in April 1865, when C.W. was 10½. It's not likely there were good buddies! I also have reservations about some of Marjorie's implied claims that her husbands owed their success to her. Just one example: Her second husband, E.F. Hutton, was doing well in the world of finance before their marriage. He stepped away to take over the Helm of Post Foods, since as a woman, Marjorie could not. And after their divorce, he returned to finance and did very well. "When E.F. Hutton talks...."
This was not a successful read for me, but I am not giving up on this author. If you enjoy reading about the Gilded Age, you might really enjoy this book.
Here is a link to discussion questions.
https://allisonpataki.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Marjorie_Post_Book_Club_Kit.pdf
My rating: 3.5.
I read a copy checked out from my local library.
I really enjoyed this book! I wasn’t on the edge of my seat reading it but I found it very interesting. Probably my gateway drug into an obsession with learning about Marjorie Post. The book weaves it’s way nicely through so many interesting historical events. Would recommend to fans of historical fiction!