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A review by evalynnfarkashasanbasri
The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis
I would realistically like to give this book a 4.5 stars. I really, really loved a grand majority of it. The Magnolia Palace is the first book in a very long time, that I had the energy to stay up all night reading. I made it to page 303, put it down intending to savor the ending, and found myself picking it right back up again to finish the last 30 or so pages.
What I loved: The setting, the gilded descriptions, the link to Pittsburgh, the history, the women in this book getting mostly happy endings, the mystery, and being able to/knowing I can go explore The Frick in Pittsburgh after reading this book.
What I did not like/what felt off: Though I chalk it up to the era(s), I did not love the weight talk/body and age shaming, or the sentiment of women being washed up at very young ages. Though this may well have been the truth in patriarchal society/men's eyes then, especially as women grow not only older but WISER, more self-advocating, and less likely to be willing to be objectified and exploited. Even more so when the men in this book, possibly the art world then, and still today seem to prefer to gaze and prey upon young, underdevoloped, "perfect" female bodies. I was very grateful for Lilly's perspective, for her acknowledgment of the value of her work as an artistic model, for the moments where she finally stood up for herself and took back her life, and for her and Archer's conversation about how removed the rich are from the work/nudity not being shameful/the human aspect of the body used to create the most beloved works of art we have today.
I also loved Veronica, her standing up not only for herself but other women, the overall acknowledgment of poverty and the difference money could make in both her and Lilly's lives, and in the end, valuing brains/wit over body and beauty. I wish we had heard from Veronica more, honestly.
My biggest complaint is how quickly the ending came, tying everything up into a neat bow that didn't feel rushed but too perfect, with it all seeming to happen so fast and too conveniently. Though I will say, everything that this writer does put into this book, there are small references to leading up to the end, where if you had to go back into the story you could go, "I suppose this makes sense, with Veronica mentioning x, y, and z," or "Yes, I suppose I did see Lilly running away with the organist and how that could be the safest, most loving, honest option." But with all her money and vindictiveness, I do not see why Helen Clay Frick would not have found Lilly and Archer sooner with them having conveniently and partially unrealistically, moved so close to where they escaped. Or upon receiving a letter years later, not going there to exact her revenge or further investigate immediately. Though without the technology of today, it may have been much easier to disappear.
Lastly, the middle romance was my least favorite bit. I found it frustrating and a surprise, but not a good one. Though it served to advance the story, I felt it unnecessary. I would, however, liked to have taken the scavenger hunt Helen designed myself.
What I loved: The setting, the gilded descriptions, the link to Pittsburgh, the history, the women in this book getting mostly happy endings, the mystery, and being able to/knowing I can go explore The Frick in Pittsburgh after reading this book.
What I did not like/what felt off: Though I chalk it up to the era(s), I did not love the weight talk/body and age shaming, or the sentiment of women being washed up at very young ages. Though this may well have been the truth in patriarchal society/men's eyes then, especially as women grow not only older but WISER, more self-advocating, and less likely to be willing to be objectified and exploited. Even more so when the men in this book, possibly the art world then, and still today seem to prefer to gaze and prey upon young, underdevoloped, "perfect" female bodies. I was very grateful for Lilly's perspective, for her acknowledgment of the value of her work as an artistic model, for the moments where she finally stood up for herself and took back her life, and for her and Archer's conversation about how removed the rich are from the work/nudity not being shameful/the human aspect of the body used to create the most beloved works of art we have today.
I also loved Veronica, her standing up not only for herself but other women, the overall acknowledgment of poverty and the difference money could make in both her and Lilly's lives, and in the end, valuing brains/wit over body and beauty. I wish we had heard from Veronica more, honestly.
My biggest complaint is how quickly the ending came, tying everything up into a neat bow that didn't feel rushed but too perfect, with it all seeming to happen so fast and too conveniently. Though I will say, everything that this writer does put into this book, there are small references to leading up to the end, where if you had to go back into the story you could go, "I suppose this makes sense, with Veronica mentioning x, y, and z," or "Yes, I suppose I did see Lilly running away with the organist and how that could be the safest, most loving, honest option." But with all her money and vindictiveness, I do not see why Helen Clay Frick would not have found Lilly and Archer sooner with them having conveniently and partially unrealistically, moved so close to where they escaped. Or upon receiving a letter years later, not going there to exact her revenge or further investigate immediately. Though without the technology of today, it may have been much easier to disappear.
Lastly, the middle romance was my least favorite bit. I found it frustrating and a surprise, but not a good one. Though it served to advance the story, I felt it unnecessary. I would, however, liked to have taken the scavenger hunt Helen designed myself.