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A review by komet2020
Lucy by Ellen Feldman
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Lucy is the second novel from Ellen Feldman that I have read. And like the first, it was a delight to read. It tells the story of the relationship between Franklin Roosevelt and Lucy Mercer. This was a relationship that began around the time of the U.S. entry into World War I when Lucy Mercer was working as the social secretary for Eleanor Roosevelt, Franklin's wife. At this time, Franklin Roosevelt was a young politician on the rise, serving as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President Woodrow Wilson. Franklin was by nature affable, outgoing, and full of bonhomie. He and Lucy became friends through her close association with Mrs. Roosevelt. And by degrees, a deep and passionate love developed between Franklin and Lucy Mercer.
What makes the novel come alive is in the way it conveys to the reader the nature of the relationship between Franklin and Lucy Mercer and how it impacted both of them throughout their lives, as well as on Franklin's relationship with his wife. The story is partially conveyed in the voice of Lucy Mercer herself and is also very much shaped by the known history of her relationship with Franklin spanning almost 3 decades.
Before coming to Lucy, I had some awareness of this relationship. One book I would recommend to any reader with an interest in gaining some insight into the Franklin Roosevelt-Lucy Mercer relationship is FDR's LAST YEAR: April 1944-April 1945 by Jim Bishop.
So, reading this novel rounded out my understanding of the relationship. As well as the following exchange between Franklin and Lucy Mercer (Rutherfurd) provided by the author during one of Franklin's wartime discreet meetings with Mrs. Rutherfurd (now a widow) during the summer of 1944:
Lucy: "Having me at the Place or Hobcaw or even the White House was one thing; detaining the presidential train and keeping scores of people waiting seemed to be asking for trouble, or at least public notice. His trips were off the record, but three reporters traveled with him. They were bound to ask questions. I knew how scandal could spread. I was a widow of no importance. His position was more lofty, and vulnerable."
FDR: "I'll tell them I'm stopping to visit an old friend."
Lucy: "Won't they ask whom?"
"They're hardened reporters, Lucy. They want war news, or political dope, or scandals that cost the taxpayers money. The sort of thing the Truman Committee's been after. Even if they knew about us, they wouldn't print it. It's an unwritten rule. A gentleman's agreement. Personal matters are off the record. ... Think of it, Lucy, in years to come when historians are poring over my every move, someone will notice that while most trips from Washington to Hyde Park left at night and arrived first thing the next morning, on August thirty-first, 1944, the president left at the usual time, but didn't arrive at Hyde Park until the evening of September first. Can you imagine the speculation? Engine trouble? A sabotage threat? The poor devils will never figure it out."
What makes the novel come alive is in the way it conveys to the reader the nature of the relationship between Franklin and Lucy Mercer and how it impacted both of them throughout their lives, as well as on Franklin's relationship with his wife. The story is partially conveyed in the voice of Lucy Mercer herself and is also very much shaped by the known history of her relationship with Franklin spanning almost 3 decades.
Before coming to Lucy, I had some awareness of this relationship. One book I would recommend to any reader with an interest in gaining some insight into the Franklin Roosevelt-Lucy Mercer relationship is FDR's LAST YEAR: April 1944-April 1945 by Jim Bishop.
So, reading this novel rounded out my understanding of the relationship. As well as the following exchange between Franklin and Lucy Mercer (Rutherfurd) provided by the author during one of Franklin's wartime discreet meetings with Mrs. Rutherfurd (now a widow) during the summer of 1944:
Lucy: "Having me at the Place or Hobcaw or even the White House was one thing; detaining the presidential train and keeping scores of people waiting seemed to be asking for trouble, or at least public notice. His trips were off the record, but three reporters traveled with him. They were bound to ask questions. I knew how scandal could spread. I was a widow of no importance. His position was more lofty, and vulnerable."
FDR: "I'll tell them I'm stopping to visit an old friend."
Lucy: "Won't they ask whom?"
"They're hardened reporters, Lucy. They want war news, or political dope, or scandals that cost the taxpayers money. The sort of thing the Truman Committee's been after. Even if they knew about us, they wouldn't print it. It's an unwritten rule. A gentleman's agreement. Personal matters are off the record. ... Think of it, Lucy, in years to come when historians are poring over my every move, someone will notice that while most trips from Washington to Hyde Park left at night and arrived first thing the next morning, on August thirty-first, 1944, the president left at the usual time, but didn't arrive at Hyde Park until the evening of September first. Can you imagine the speculation? Engine trouble? A sabotage threat? The poor devils will never figure it out."