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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Having recently visited Hillwood, one of Post's estates, the release of this book was timely to satisfy my curiousity about the owner. Pataki has much ground to cover, from Post's girlhood through four marriages and all the business deals, jet-setting, and wild spending in between. I found the earlier chapters more intriguing, with Post upending the perception of women of the era through her business skills and charitable endeavors. The latter half of the book tends to be more repititive as she cycles through husbands and seemingly loses all personality beyond a greediness to acquire more beautiful things, whether that be houses, art, or men. Doubtless a woman with an interesting life, but not sure Pataki's storytelling embellishes her image in the right way.
A woman in my Book Club said it best: “If Marjorie had been a man, there would’ve been dozens of books about each era of her life.” & that’s really it for me: three stars only because I wanted so much MORE. I wanted more in depth on her battle to be in the boardroom, on Kellogg v Post, on the company acquisitions; more on her father, her mother, her stepmother; more on her time in Russia, on the purchasing of the Romanov family jewels; more on her wartime efforts, the commissioning of her ship, her kitchens in NYC; more on the public perception of her, on her children; and yes, even more on her marriages. What magnificent lives indeed, but I was left craving
more than just a biographical overview.
more than just a biographical overview.
Rich woman with daddy issues repeats the same patterns for 400 pages. **insert grimacing emoji here**
It's supposed to be historical fiction about Marjorie Post, so I assumed I might learn something but the book's delivery of events was so fantastical and the authorial choices so poor (looking at you: first person POV, starting the book when Marjorie was a child, and, in general, diction) that I could never trust the author's credibility. It read like historical fanfic where the author used Marjorie Post and her social status to highlight and heighten her own worldview. About the only interesting thing this book offers is the ability to apply the concept that books always reflect the time in which they're written.
Save yourself the time and just read some wikipedia articles.
It's supposed to be historical fiction about Marjorie Post, so I assumed I might learn something but the book's delivery of events was so fantastical and the authorial choices so poor (looking at you: first person POV, starting the book when Marjorie was a child, and, in general, diction) that I could never trust the author's credibility. It read like historical fanfic where the author used Marjorie Post and her social status to highlight and heighten her own worldview. About the only interesting thing this book offers is the ability to apply the concept that books always reflect the time in which they're written.
Save yourself the time and just read some wikipedia articles.
This was really interesting. Found myself wanting to learn more about her life and how it intersected with other famous people and presidents.
3.5 I appreciated learning about this important woman in US history; I had never previously heard of her. The writing was solid, but also very straightforward and a little boring; I did not like the first person narration. It reads more like an autobiography than historical fiction, so I was left feeling as though I should have just picked up a biography.
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved learning about the history of Marjorie and her company, but wow what a life! I loved the details about the homes she built and the men she entrusted her heart to, all of them failing her. I think just at this time in the world it was hard for a man to come to terms with a woman having so much power. My favorite parts were when they were in Russia and just hearing about all the people she came into contact with.
Probably my favorite historical fiction I’ve read to date. They weren’t kidding about the magnificent lives of Miss Marjorie
I enjoyed learning about the extravagant and extraordinary life of Marjorie Post. What an amazing story! What a life she led! Such an inspiring woman - indulgent and unapologetic about it. A woman who led at a time when women didn’t and couldn’t lead. A philanthropist, an amazingly generous person who knew everyone, held the most sought after parties. Married too many times! Just really LIVED. Good read
This biographical fiction piece reads as though Marjorie Post had written it herself. It makes me want to learn more about this fascinating person.
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated