There are few authors who can do sweeping historical novels exceptionally well, and Allison Pataki is one of them. She has written about notable royal women- Empress Elizabeth ‘Sisi’ of Austria and Hungary and Desiree Bonaparte have both been her subjects. So, I was intrigued to see a new book about Marjorie Post. Admittedly, other than hearing her name I knew little of her before, but that hasn’t stopped me. As soon as it was available I downloaded the audiobook and dug in. If you have a long weekend on the horizon, or a few days off, you will obviously need a book. And that book should be The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki!
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post, Allison Pataki
Mrs. Post, the President and First Lady are here to see you. . . .
So begins another average evening for Marjorie Merriweather Post. Presidents have come and gone, but she has hosted them all. Growing up in the modest farmlands of Battle Creek, Michigan, Marjorie was inspired by a few simple rules: always think for yourself, never take success for granted, and work hard—even when deemed American royalty, even while covered in imperial diamonds. Marjorie had an insatiable drive to live and love and to give more than she got. From crawling through Moscow warehouses to rescue the Tsar’s treasures to outrunning the Nazis in London, from serving the homeless of the Great Depression to entertaining Roosevelts, Kennedys, and Hollywood’s biggest stars, Marjorie Merriweather Post lived an epic life few could imagine.
Marjorie’s journey began gluing cereal boxes in her father’s barn as a young girl. No one could have predicted that C. W. Post’s Cereal Company would grow into the General Foods empire and reshape the American way of life, with Marjorie as its heiress and leading lady. Not content to stay in her prescribed roles of high-society wife, mother, and hostess, Marjorie dared to demand more, making history in the process. Before turning thirty she amassed millions, becoming the wealthiest woman in the United States. But it was her life-force, advocacy, passion, and adventurous spirit that led to her stunning legacy.
And yet Marjorie’s story, though full of beauty and grandeur, set in the palatial homes she built such as Mar-a-Lago, was equally marked by challenge and tumult. A wife four times over, Marjorie sought her happily-ever-after with the blue-blooded party boy who could not outrun his demons, the charismatic financier whose charm turned to betrayal, the international diplomat with a dark side, and the bon vivant whose shocking secrets would shake Marjorie and all of society. Marjorie did everything on a grand scale, especially when it came to love.
Why You Should Read This…
I have to say, this has been one of the most interesting books for me this year. I could not stop listening to this audiobook, the story was dramatic and entertaining. Some of the biggest names of the first half of the twentieth century show up in some of the most luxurious settings. And it’s not like it was a boring period in history either. This story spans both World Wars, the Great Depression, and more, and Pataki has obviously done her research.
That being said, I hated Marjorie by 30-40% mark. She certainly did a lot of good in her life, but she often comes off as arrogant. (And reading more about her, I don’t think Pataki invented this…) And she appeared to make the same mistake over and over in her love life, which gets exceedingly frustrating as the reader. However, despite this, I still loved the book and think it is one of the best historical fiction books of the year! There is a reason I always return to Allison Pataki.
Barrie Kreinik is one of my favourite narrators, and I loved her again here. She has a slight touch of gravitas that works perfectly for the upper echelons of society, and she handles any and all accents easily! She is a must-listen for me, and will continue to be…
Is The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post on your to-read list?
Cheers,
The Historian
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