| Title | : | The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0593355687 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780593355688 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 400 |
| Publication | : | First published February 15, 2022 |
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.
Bestselling and acclaimed author Allison Pataki has crafted an intimate portrait of a larger-than-life woman, a powerful story of one woman falling in love with her own voice and embracing her own power while shaping history in the process.
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post Reviews
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I don’t read many books of this genre, where a real woman’s life is given the historical fiction treatment. Generally I prefer my fiction to be 100% fictional, and my history to be 100% real. So I don’t know why I was so drawn to this account of Marjorie Merriweather Post’s life, but I just had to read it.*
Ms. Post was the heir to the General Foods empire, which started when her father invented Grape-Nuts cereal as an entirely new meal option for breakfast in 1897. As C.W. Post’s only child, she inherited his wealth and company at a time when women weren’t even allowed to vote! This put her in the situation of having the brains and vision to run the business without the required genitals to do so. Awkward.
She therefore busied herself with romantic relationships, children, jewelry and art, real estate development (such as Mar-a-Lago), and charitable endeavors. Her lifespan included WWI, the 1929 stock market crash, the Great Depression, WWII, and other significant mid-century events before her death in 1973. Through it all she remained one of the richest women in the world, because people gotta eat and her fortune came from accessible foods.
Allison Pataki’s take on Marjorie’s life has been well received, and she certainly did her research. I was captivated with this story of such a strong woman, though I wish she had chosen to write in the third person rather than the first. I would have found our heroine so much more endearing with that one stylistic shift. Consider these two sentences: “I’m so charitable that I financed a massive feeding center in New York during the Depression” vs. “She was so charitable that she financed a massive feeding center in New York during the Depression.” I also would have preferred a larger emphasis on her brains rather than her loins. Sure, she had a lot of men in her life, but the book ain’t called The Magnificent Men of Marjorie Post.
Despite those quibbles, The Magnificent LIVES of Marjorie Post is time well spent for lovers of historical fiction, strong women, and cereal. 3.5 stars rounded up.
*Okay, I do know why I had to read it then. It’s because I do in fact love cereal. Cereal is my favorite. Though Grape-Nuts are kind of weird. And what even is a Grape-Nut? Maybe the biggest grievance I have with the book is there’s no explanation of why a wheat and barley cereal would be called that. Once again I had to turn to my trusty BFF Wikipedia, who tells me, “The name may have come from the cereal's resemblance to grape seeds, or from its nutty flavor; C. W. Post may also have intended it to refer to its content of glucose, which Post called ‘grape sugar.’”
Blog:
https://www.confettibookshelf.com/ -
I have to admit to knowing the name of Marjorie Merriweather Post more because of her real estate holdings than anything about her life. But she lived a full life, with multiple husbands.
The theme of the book seems to be that money can’t buy happiness. Because Marjorie certainly had gobs of money. But one after another, Marjorie’s husbands betrayed her and she divorced them. This, in a time when one divorce was considered scandalous, let alone four. But she never seemed to learn from her mistakes and was a big fan of rushing into her marriages.
As you would expect from a book about a rich woman, there’s a lot of focus on her possessions and her “projects”, mostly building and redecorating. This got old for me pretty quickly. The story was much more interesting when it focused on how the company grew based on first her father’s and then her ideas. I was expecting a great discussion about the Depression years. But other than a few pages concerning her soup kitchen it’s glossed over.
While I found the facts of MMP’s life interesting, I never engaged with her. In the Author’s Note, Pataki says she’s never written about a woman that she admired and liked so much. But I can’t say I shared her admiration. For all her good works, she also spent an inordinate amount of time on just amassing material goods.
I also fault Pataki’s style. More than once, she would lead the reader up to an important event. And then, the chapter would end and she’d move on without delving into the particulars.
I can recommend this book on the basis of what I learned. But I’m less enthusiastic about the MC herself or the writing style.
My thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an advance copy of this book. -
Wow, what a gem of a story! I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Before starting this book, I did not know anything about Marjorie Post at all. Her life was interesting, and I was amazed by her accomplishments and her humbleness. The author did a fantastic job writing about Marjorie’s life from her childhood, travel, her homes, marriages, children, and everything in between. This is a must-read book! Highly recommend!
Thank you to Net Galley and Random House- Ballantine for an ARC in return for my honest review. -
I had no idea who Marjorie Post was going in. Clearly someone who made a name for herself, but other than that, I was clueless. What a fascinating life she lived. She was rich in a time when so many people had none, however she spent millions providing food shelter and medical aid. Marjorie was a woman ahead of the times. She was in an era where women had no rights. Somehow she still managed to make her voice heard and get things done. It was interesting to see her husbands' downfalls into petty jealousies. They could not handle a strong woman, apparently. Excellent read!
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“Marjorie Merriweather Post lived her long life to the fullest; hers was a grand and epic story from start to finish, and it is my great fortune to write fiction inspired by her.” - Allison Pataki, The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Shining Stars!
I thoroughly enjoyed Pataki’s novel of Marjorie Post. Though she was an heiress, businesswoman, American diplomat, and an avid art collector, I think that she would most like to be remembered as a dedicated philanthropist. A statement she tried to live by was that “Wealth is a great responsibility, more than it is a privilege.” She never strayed too far from what her father would’ve expected of her, which I appreciated.
Though she was a shrewd businesswoman the same could not be said about her disastrous love life. Married 4 times, I have to admit to being a bit surprised each time she jumped into a new marriage only to have it ultimately fail. I do wish she’d been able to have as much success in this area of her life as she did in all others.
As Pataki states in her acknowledgments, “there is enough information on Post’s long, lavish, and layered life that one could write fifty novels about her, each with a different story arc and each stretching hundreds of pages.” I could not agree more and, what’s more, I’d enjoy reading every one of them.
My reading time was interrupted many times with some rewarding Google searching which added another layer of enjoyment for me. I really am grateful that I got to know this remarkable woman through Pataki’s writing… Marjorie is a person that I will not forget. I can not recommend this novel enough & it will definitely go down as one of my favorites of the year. 5+++ stars.
***ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. -
4.5 stars
This is quite a long book, but worth every minute you spend reading it. Allison Pataki has managed to fill the pages with the amazing life led by Marjorie Post. It's a Cinderella story missing a Prince Charming, but it is a story of a woman who refused to let life let her down as she built an empire based on her father decision to start a simple remedy for women on what to have for breakfast. The cereal C.W. Post conjured up was Grape Nuts, and its popularity propelled the Post family from one that was struggling to a family that amassed millions.
Marjorie was the beloved daughter of her father, who eventually divorced her mother to marry his younger secretary who Marjorie disliked intently. After her father's demise, she fought her step mother and then finally conceded half of the family's fortune and was able to keep the home she loved in Battle Creek for herself and her new husband.
At first happy with married life, it soon became apparent that her husband was making her miserable and so a divorce ensued. Marjorie eventually married four times and had three children, all girls. She never could seem to find the right man and her marriage decline led to much fodder for the newspapers.
By this time, Marjorie had wealth beyond compare, and yet she was always a woman who gave much of her money, time, and effort to those in need. Marjorie loved beautiful things and filled her many homes with treasure including many of the Romanov's items which she bought during she and her diplomat husband's ambassadorship in Moscow. She built hospitals, endowed museums, schools, and anyone who looked as though her helping hand would benefit from her largess from her staff to others.
She became a denizen among society meeting with presidents, and members of Congress, royalty, and heads of state, providing many parties, balls, and spending an enormous amount of money making sure her get togethers were both elegant and filled with flowers. She relished her many homes, and loved her three daughters, always glamorous and concerned with perfection.
Marjorie made the most of her life, its downfalls in the love category were overcome by her zest for life. This was truly an amazing story of a woman determined to succeed in life and succeed she did, eventually sitting on the board of General Foods and its massive organization. Doing all this was amazing especially when we remember this was a time where women were often required to take a back seat to men.
Marjorie was a woman to be admired and respected. She did what she wanted, when she wanted and with a grace that is rivaled even today.
If you love an extremely well done historical fiction with precise investigative knowledge than Allison Pataki's book is one I advise you to read.
Many thanks to Allison Pataki, Ballantine Books, and NetGalleyfor a copy of this story due out today, February 15, 2022 -
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post brings a story of a fascinating woman, an American heiress who made her mark as a distinct philanthropist and pioneering leader of the twentieth century. A woman of modest background who rose to a dominant role, leaving behind a stunning legacy.
Marjorie Merriweather Post grows up in a positive environment encouraged by her father, a man who believes that anything is possible. He sees his purpose in creating meals. “A food that’s easy to prepare and easy to digest.” He becomes successful in mass-producing tasty breakfast foods and marketing them to the public.
Mr. Post believes in equal education for both boys and girls, and he wants his daughter to be “as proficient with dance cards and teacups as with machinery and balance ledgers.” Thus, he wants her to continue her education in Washington D.C. where he believes the nation’s capital is the place to be. There, at the age of sixteen, Marjorie meets Ed Close who is on the cusp of becoming a Manhattan lawyer, and who comes from old money, while her money is new and comes from cereal.
Marjorie is a well-mannered young woman who quickly finds herself in a marriage full of disappointment and carelessness. But with her father’s philosophy in mind if she wants to change her circumstance, then she needs to change her attitude. Self-pity won’t do. She finds purpose in helping those less fortunate, those who truly have cause for complaints. She joins Elsie Rockefeller in leadership of charitable work. Her philanthropy takes small part in this story, but it’s well-presented. Also, she turns out to be a very savvy businesswoman, who recognizes opportunities when she sees them. She is a woman of many talents, becoming the first one in many areas.
What makes Marjorie Post stand out is not her money, but what she does with it. She does enjoy the comforts that the money grants her, but she never forgets her humble beginnings, and she sees a bigger purpose in all the money her family amassed.
Interestingly woven life of an extraordinary woman who had her magical moments, but whose life was also marked by trials and betrayals. With strong ethical approach to life, she faced her challenges while embracing her own power and in the process shaping the history. Written affectionately, this brilliantly crafted story offers character infused with humanity and love, moving the plot smoothly and along the way creating a truly heartfelt read.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com -
Audiobook… read by Barrie Kreinik (excellent engaging audio-voice)
…..14 hours and 35 minutes
I’m of two minds when it comes to this book. On one hand, the historical details are exquisitely on point, and the author tells a full saga fascinating-addicting-story.
On the other hand —
I felt a little guilty and foolish to be reading about the trials and tribulations associated with such an ‘abundance’ of money, beauty and privileged. [especially at this time with the horrors and suffering in Ukraine]
This novel could win a prize for the most *decorated*, *garnished*, biography of the year. (parts are definitely trivialized) …. parts are ‘highly’ fictional.
I ‘mostly’ disliked all the characters….I ‘sympathized’ with each of them ‘occasionally’, (there are tragedies: death of a son of husband #2), but the love-passions between Mrs Post and each of her 4 husbands did not strike me as terribly authentic. The immediate turn of indifference, disregard, coolness, to another skedaddle breakup divorce didn’t feel any more genuine either. No matter what had happened, it was always the blame of the husbands—never the magnificent Mrs. Marjorie Merriweather Post….for the ending marriages.
Marjorie Post’s juicy personal *lives* [four husbands and four divorces, her jewelry, prestigious museum-like homes, yacht dwelling, her gardens, Art Collection, American hostess reputation, gossip chuckles, and her lavish egotistical boasting of thyself and her capabilities, overshadowed her valid contributions.
With writing as embellished as much as this book was,
I strangely enjoyed it.
To Marjorie Merriweather Post’s credit she did engage in many anonymous acts of philanthropy.
She was respected for her business and philanthropy.
A journalist who had been very opposed to Marjorie Post’s entry and once critical of Post’s society into Washington, later wrote an article about Post’s good deeds, (besides being the ‘hostess-with-the-mostess’)….known for throwing the best parties and best dances….
The journalist highlighted Post’s more inspiring attributes……
“You’ve Waved Your Wane, Mrs. Post”….
having volunteered for the Red Cross, money to schools, hospitals, Boy Scouts, churches, and food pantries.
She donated $100,000 to the National Symphony for free concerts.
Mrs Post said she never wanted any thanks—but it kinda felt as if she did….[it felt to me as if she needed quite a bit of acknowledgment].
Marjorie Merriweather Post was a feisty socialite trailblazer of a woman…. ahead of her day, (1900’s), scarcely succumbing to gender stereotypes. She was one of the riches women in the 20th century…..and under no circumstances did she or we forget that.
Her wealth enabled - a momentum of power.
She could suddenly become angry if the chandeliers didn’t sparkle, the food wasn’t up to her liking, or there was a spot of dirt on the floor.
Marjorie Post was owner of General Foods. She was her father’s daughter (his “Bungie”).
Bungee’s influential relationship with her Father, C.W. Post, Cereal Guru innovator of American breakfast cereal was interesting on several levels —
But…
forgive me …
I couldn’t help but think of the book and ‘theater production’ of “Angry Housewives”, by Lorna Landvik… “EAT YOUR FRICKEN CORNFLAKES”….
(I saw the play about 5 times it was so much fun) ….
And where C.W. Post was competitive with the Kellogg Company — [he had been accused of stealing several of Kellogg’s recipes- including Cornflakes]….his daughter, Mrs. Majorie Magnificent, American Empress, was competitive in her own way too….
following her father’s outlandish ambitions with her smarts, grits, and determination to climb the ladder— in a world that was her playground.
Marriages:
1. Edward Bennett Close (investment banker) -
They had two daughters:
Adelaide, (married 3 times)
and
Eleanor (married six times)
Edward re-married. His paternal granddaughter is the actress Glenn Close.
2. Edward Francis Hutton (Marjorie called him Ned)…as she wouldn’t be married to another man named Ed. He became chairman of the board of the Postum Cereal Company…..growing into General Foods (a wide variety of other food products), including Birdseye frozen foods.
THIS WAS THE MOST INTERESTING MARRIAGE- IMO….
…..the one that felt like joyful love - good teamwork in business, and personal affairs, mature respect until ALL OF A SUDDEN it wasn’t.
They had a daughter together (after years of trying and the loss of a baby during pregnancy)….
The daughter, Nedenia Marjorie Hutton became the known actress Dina Merrill.
3. Enter Joseph E. Davies…..(3rd husband)….I had my greatest laughs at this marriage. After one date — they were swooning over each other - madly in love - like instant coffee. Davies work as American ambassador to the Soviet Union — brought out new sides to Marjorie Post. She was going to flaunt and charm herself in Russia - in the same way she did in the United States.
4. Herbert A. May…..(wealthy Pittsburgh businessman and a former master of fox hounds)…..the nerve of her fourth husband found naked in a poor kissing another man….[shame on him] - out he goes too! Divorce #4 was uneventful….as was the marriage.
This book is in excess a lavish feast —-
overly exuberant — yet ridiculously enjoyable.
Men, money, weddings, husbands, children (one of my favorite parts were when the two daughters from Marjorie’s first marriage were (indulged)…but happily playing with their dog, rabbits, kittens, pigs, goats, and enjoyed the fish in the Koi pond….
It seemed like the happiest time - with trips to the museums, Broadway concerts, Carne Hall, for both daughters and Marjorie.
“The girls were loud, giggly, and boisterous”: Marjorie Post honestly seemed most happy during her days as a young mother.
There was the Great War, the Spanish Flu, — and the Nazi invasion….
From Springfield Illinois….to greenwich Connecticut, Manhattan, New York, Palm Beach, Florida, Washington, travels in Europe, political times in the Soviet Union, many new projects, new properties, dining on oysters, caviar, pate, drinking gin and champagne at exclusive clubs, dancing hours away in the evenings, swimming, bike rides, horseback riding and spa afternoons, …..
and with the post cereal company doing better than ever, Marjorie post built her life on enjoying life to the fullest - throwing herself into expensive projects building homes, decorating them to the hilt and contributing to others.
As long and descriptive this review is…..it doesn’t even cover a third of the novel itself ….
But at the end of the day….it’s one of the most glorified-indulgent- historical fiction novel I’ve read in years.
Guilty …
I got sucked into the ‘Lifestyle-type-drama’ storytelling as much as the other 4 and 5 star rating readers…..
But am I the only one who also feels a smudge of contriteness — a twinge of remorse? I can’t decide if it’s my shortcoming or the authors for grinding and rubbing elbows with so much detail emphasizing glamorous silverware, crystals, linens, mansions, clothing, furnishings, and romance. ……
Inside this LONG SAGA….was a woman who did the best she could with the gifts, and disappointments, she was given. Not ‘super’ warm and likable.
Yes….
this was a page turning (embarrassingly tedious at times) novel with some (over embellished), but still fascinating history.
3.7 ish stars …. Rating Up -
4 fascinating stars
I admit I went into this one completely blind, I didn’t know who Marjorie Post was and it was fascinating to read about her life story in this one. She spends her early years in Battle Creek, Michigan, as her father is treated by the famous Dr. Kellogg at his spa. However, C.W. Post develops a much better treatment with healthy food that grows into Grape-Nuts, new food products, revolutionizing breakfast as Americans knew it. Almost overnight, the family becomes super wealthy and eventually Marjorie is in company with U.S. Presidents, Russian leaders, and other socialites and philanthropists.
One thing Marjorie was terrible at was choosing the men in her life. She marries and divorces four times and it was painful to read how terribly these relationships ended. I’m sure some were attracted to her wealth, and it was frustrating that for some of her life she wasn’t able to vote, serve on the board of her own family company, and she had to prove infidelity of her husband in order to be granted a divorce.
One of her husbands served as the Ambassador to Russia just before WWII broke out. They entertained the top officials in Russia, and she was invited to warehouses to buy treasures that had been confiscated from the czars. Who knew?
She stayed very involved in her father’s company, but for years her husband had to hold the seat with the company. Eventually she was able to take her rightful place and she contributed great ideas and strategy. She recommended that they buy Birdseye Frozen foods and she revolutionized cooking for Americans and made even more money.
She also built and furnished several mansions in different parts of the country, Mar-a-Lago for one and Hillwood Estate, now a museum in Washington DC. She was also a great philanthropist donating widely to many causes. I enjoyed this glimpse into her life and found her to be a fascinating woman!
Thank you to Random House/Ballantine for the opportunity to read and review this one. This one is now available. -
Easy to see by my rating that this book did not work for me. To be honest, if it wasn’t a bookclub read, I would not have finished this book.
I knew nothing about Marjorie Merriweather Post when I started this book. I’m not sure I know much more since finishing the book. As I read, I felt like I was on a merry go round with the storyline- My papa is/ was amazing; I am a smart woman; Let’s marry someone who is handsome and I barely know - of course, he turns into a loser; Let’s name drop all the royalty of society that I meet and befriend; let’s spend an atrocious amount of money on stuff; Let’s build bigger and better homes than anyone; let’s not forget to help the poor; time for a divorce. Then let’s do it all over again and again and again.
I felt no empathy or admiration for Marjorie Merriweather Post. No emotional tug whatsoever. Something went very wrong for me while reading this book.
Published:2022 -
You know, I don't really think about who makes my cereal or other food for that matter. I think about the ingredients, health benefits, etc.
Marjorie Merriweather Post was the only child of C.W. Post and inherited his growing company upon his death. It expanded even more under her leadership. She was dedicated, strong, hard working and brave. She lived a full life and the author delves into that in this book. She did a tremendous amount of research, and told the tale of a woman who hosted presidents, had an extensive art collection, was a philanthropist, had many love affairs (and husbands) and was a female business owner in a time where a woman's place was in the kitchen not the board room.
Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this book.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at
www.openbookposts.com -
This book was a miss for me. I had hoped the story would focus more on all aspects of her life rather than the majority being about her wealth, her many mansions and unhappy marriages. I
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This marvelous novel kept me up way past my bedtime, following Marjorie from one magnificent decade to the next. What a life! I just had to be there with Marjorie through every twist and turn of it—wanting so desperately for the Post cereal heiress to triumph. What fun it is to be at her side as she navigates the world of new money vs. old. Her famous parties. Marjorie’s unabashed love of diamonds. Having her pick of Tsarina Alexandra’s personal treasures in Moscow. “We bought a yacht,” she casually tells the reader.
But there’s a dark side to all that money as Allison Pataki so beautifully shows. The unrelenting bad press. Insecure men. I kept hoping Marjorie would disprove the maxim, “Money can’t buy happiness” as she worked her way through life and husbands, each one more interesting than the last.
But best of all, even as the author so beautifully takes us inside Marjorie’s luxe everyday life, from Greenwich to her beloved Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, to Moscow, she never lets us forget that Marjorie Merriweather Post steadfastly remains her father C.W. Post’s down-to-earth, Postum loving daughter. With an amazing inner compass, a refreshing lack of snobbishness, and constant quest to give back to the people who eat Grape Nuts every morning.
Still just his Budgie from Battle Creek. -
You may have heard of Marjorie Merriweather Post. The woman who built Mar-a-Largo. The daughter of C.W. Post, the cereal king and heiress to his vast fortune. The mother of actress Dina Merrill. But there’s so much more to this remarkable woman. And thankfully author Allison Pataki has researched her well-lived life and has written The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post.
Born in 1887, Marjorie was the only daughter to a man who made his fortune in Battle Creek, Michigan. She was smart and pretty. And grew to be one of the richest women in the country. Along the way, she married four times, had three daughters and lived quite a life. She became a philanthropist as well as the consummate hostess to presidents, dignitaries and celebrities. And at the same time, she helped run the Postum Cereal Company (later changed to General Foods Corporation) mostly from behind the scenes as it was impossible for a woman to hold any visible corporate position during her era. With all her wealth, status and influence, the one area she could not seem to succeed in was finding the right man to love.
I’ve since gone down the rabbit hole reading lots more about Ms. Post and viewing photos of her amazing homes and her vast artwork collection. Her mansion at Hillwood in Washington, DC, now a museum, holds a collection of about ninety pieces of Fabergé, including two imperial Easter eggs. The story of how she was able to acquire all these Russian treasures is described in the book.
Told in the first person, from the perspective of Ms. Post, Pataki has created a rich work of historical fiction that does justice to this grand woman. Many thanks to Ballantine Books, Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this highly entertaining book in advance of its February 15, 2022 publication.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on
MicheleReader.com. -
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
This book tells the story of Marjorie Post, daughter of the founder of General Foods. The concept had promise; I knew just enough about her to want to know more, and the synopsis painted her as a fascinating person. After forcing my way through this, though, I don't know if the person was just spoiled and annoying or if the author's writing made her seem less tolerable than she would've.
For the most part, this book reads more like a biography than a work of fiction. Despite being told in first person, you don't really get a great sense of Marjorie as a character, and every major event is breezed over at such a birds-eye level that there weren't really enough details about anything. Honestly, had this been my biggest complaint though, this book would've been a solid 3-4 stars; I love a good biography.
After about the halfway point, though, I started finding more and more issues with this book. While I still never felt like there was enough characterization to grow attached to Marjorie, I began to notice a trend: nothing was ever her fault. She never did anything wrong. All four of her divorces were because of her ex-husbands alone; she played no role in the lead-up to any of the divorces. Every thought she had about the company was, surprise! An absolutely perfect idea! Random snippets about how woke she was would be thrown in, interspersed between her lavish parties and selfish moments, so that really they lost all effect. I was honestly excited to get to the acknowledgements; with how much this book read like propoganda, I was certain the author had to have some affiliation with the Posts.
But that's not even touching on some of my major, major issues with this book. Around the 80% mark, around when World War II is kicking off, Marjorie returns from Russia to DC, where the country's most wealthy sometimes gossip about her. Ignoring how disgusting I found her attitude while in Russia, I could've been sympathetic to her plight back stateside.
Except, according to Marjorie, being the subject of petty gossip was comparable to the rise of Nazi Germany and Hitler's invasion of Czechoslovakia. Or Francisco Franco's atrocities in Spain. Or the rise of Mussolini in Italy. I was genuinely shocked to read this paragraph, and had to reread it twice to make sure I'd gotten it correct, because surely no one could be that tone deaf as to include such a comparison in a book. Massive crimes against humanity are comparable to this bazillionare being the subject of gossip? Really?
After this part, I found myself growing more and more annoyed by what before then had been relatively minor errors. Absolutely basic, elementary school historically facts were gotten wrong. Marjorie found herself in instant love after instant love. Everyone who criticized her was wrong and could be swayed to worship the ground she walked on if they only gave Marjorie the chance to have a single conversation with them.
Now, again, I don't know enough about Marjorie Post to pass any judgement on her as a person. But if she's actually a wonderful person, as this book fails to portray her as, then I'm even more disappointed in this book.
Personally, I hate coming across as mean and I hate giving books bad ratings or reviews, and maybe if I'd given myself some time to cool off after reading this last 40% I would think a bit more highly of it. For now, though, I'm sad to say this book was a complete miss for me. -
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Patak. As I think of this book I realize I never knew anything about this beautiful lady with an enormous heart full of love. The author did a wonderful job depicting her as a leader in her day. She not only led but she supported her children, her step children and all of her husbands. She was a daddy's girl through and through which I believe flowed over to the men she was interested in. She never spent a long time dating and being courted. She tended to be impulsive in getting married x5? I believe. I kind of lost track. I enjoyed her triumphs and felt sad when they last one failed. Very sad. From affairs to homosexual desires she lost man after man. I do feel she was luckky to only be taken by one for her money. No one marries thinking of divorce. A delightful book that was thoroughly enjoyable.
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I am so excited to share this book with readers. The life of Marjorie Merriweather Post was unbelievably meaningful & her legacy is nothing short of staggering. It was my great fortune to be able to write fiction inspired by her. I look forward to hearing what you think. Thanks for reading.
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Marjorie Merriweather Post was an interesting person. She became Heiress of the Post Cereal Company. She grew up in humble beginnings. She helped her father put labels on cereal boxes in the barn. Her father encouraged her to do great things. Before she was thirty years old, she was the richest woman in America
I was particularly interested in this book as my daughter attended the CW Post University in Brookville, Long Island.
Marjorie’s story was set from Battle Creek, Michigan to her palatial home of Mar-a-Lago to London and Moscow. Just fascinating.
She become owner of the Post Cereal Company when her father died. It was in name only as she was a woman and could not hold a official position in the company. That did not stop her. She strived for more. She was married four times all ending in divorce. She was a philanthropist and bought hospitals in France to help the wounded during WWI. She donated money to many great causes.
This is an amazing story of wealth, betrayal and love. She didn’t let anything stop her.
A must read. -
This is a must read. I loved it! Who would ever imagine that one woman could achieve so much in her life. I was amazed by not only Marjorie Merriweather Post’s accomplishments for a woman in the age when women didn’t have a voice, but how she used her wealth to help others. To mention just a few, she provided a hospital in France for our soldiers fighting on the front lines, helped the homeless and fed the hungry during the Great Depression, and loaned her ship, Sea Cloud, to the Navy after the bombing at Pearl Harbor. She also escaped the Nazis, and entertained presidents, even John F and Jackie Kennedy before his presidency. And reading about her four disheartening marriages, I can’t imagine going through what she did. Her life was beyond interesting, and I had a hard time putting this book down. It’s that good!
Much thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via NetGalley. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this arc, all opinions are my own. -
When I saw this cover, I fell in love, and thankfully, this time the inside matched the cover!
The only thing I knew about Marjorie Merriweather Post before reading this book was, well, nothing. I figured that she had something to do with Post cereal (aka General Foods) but was shocked at all of her accomplishments - what an amazing woman! As a child, Marjorie and her family move to Battle Creek, Michigan, to seek the help of Dr. Kellogg (yes, Kellogg cereal) to cure her father's mysterious illness. Through his bland treatment diet, C.W. Post decides he can make better tasting breakfast, and from that Grape Nuts cereal was born. As an only child, Marjorie learns the family business from her dad at a young age and worked alongside him from the beginning. By the time she is a young adult, the Post family is "new money" royalty, but as a female, Marjorie has no power to be involved in the company. She never let that stop her though and despite all the advantages her money provided, she remained humble and gave back to society her whole life, supporting a myriad of philanthropic projects, including building hospitals overseas during WWI. She knew several presidents and was actively involved in world events, as her third husband was an ambassador to Russia prior to WWI and WWII. She also had four very unfortunate marriages, affirming the age-old adage that money can't buy happiness.
I loved that this book was written in the first person POV. It really made the story come alive and saved it from being just a dry listing of facts, as there were a lot of them to get through through her eight decades of life. I'm amazed that it never seemed bogged down in the least. Not many historical fiction authors take the time to thoroughly research their work with the depth and precision that Pataki did in this book, and it shines! I also loved how strong of a character Marjorie was and that she could have easily been satisfied with being pampered her whole life, but instead she made a difference in so many aspects and played an active role in world events.
Not only was I fascinated by the events of Marjorie Post's life, but I also learned so much (for instance, she had Mar-a-Lago in Florida built with the intention of it being a Florida white house complete with 120+ rooms!) - my favorite type of historical fiction read. Overall, such a well-written book that I will not soon forget. All the historical fiction stars! -
Meticulously researched, thorough, and well-presented; however, this reads more like narrative non-fiction than historical fiction (or with a switch from first to third person, a biography) - there is a detachment and formality from our narrator/protagonist, and the focus is on (again, a meticulous and thorough) presentation of the facts of her life rather than any sort of emotional complexity or openness. Nonetheless, a fascinating life and lady, and well worth a read.
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I might have had the wrong expectations going into this book, but it was an overall miss for me. Marjorie Merriweather Post was the American heiress to the General Foods empire, and she did indeed lead a fascinating life. She joined the board of directors of one of America's largest corporations in 1936 (a woman on a board in 1936!!), she was the first Ambassadress to the Soviet Union during the crucial period leading up to WWII, and she was a well-recognized and generous philanthropist. She was also one of the world's wealthiest women, and she was not shy about using her money to live as grandly as possible. The opulent lifestyle and her roles as premier party planner, style icon, and socialite were the main focus of this book, and unfortunately I felt like I got a really shallow view of Marjorie Post's legacy.
In the Authors Note, Pataki makes references to people gushing about how much Marjorie Merriweather Post did for the city of Washington D.C. and how her legacy is so prominent through all of the programs she founded and the buildings she owned. I don’t feel like I really walked away from the book with a full understanding of Mrs. Post impact as it relates to her charitable affairs. The book referenced her major charitable endeavors, such as organizing and funding a US Army hospital in France during WWI and personally supervising a Salvation Army station in New York during the Great Depression. However, the author's coverage of these items was fleeting and somewhat superficial. After a couple paragraphs of hearing about Marjorie's new idea for a charitable project and where she was going to send the check, the story would move back to the dress she was going to wear to that evening's party or all the things she was buying or staff she was employing to renovate her many extravagant properties.
The same can be said about the book's coverage of her contributions as a businesswoman. I believe she was quite the businesswoman (she recognized the potential of the frozen food industry before these items became an American household staple), but again the portrayal of her business acumen in this book was a little trivial. Marjorie would have a brilliant idea, she'd tell someone at the company, and then the millions would start rolling in. And then it's back to what she's wearing and what the gossip pages are saying about her most recent failed marriage.
Like I said, this one wasn't for me, but I'm chalking it up to wrong expectations. I was more interested in Marjorie Post - shrewd businesswoman, advocate, and leader, not Marjorie Post - socialite, wife, and America's hostess. There's no doubt that Marjorie Post is an interesting woman, and you'll probably enjoy this book more than I did if you're most curious about her lavish lifestyle and her role in high society during an interesting time in America's history. Otherwise, you might want to check out some of the other biographies written about her instead if you want a deeper understanding of her legacy as a businesswoman and philanthropist. -
Marjorie Merriweather Post (1887-1973) was a remarkable woman -- heiress to the Post Cereal/General Foods fortune, philanthropist, art collector, businesswoman, and a superb hostess. Dearest to her heart, she was also the mother of three daughters. Marital happiness evaded her in four marriages, sometimes because she married too quickly after meeting the men.
Her father, C. W. Post, believed in girls getting a good education, and that women had a place in the business world. After he died, Marjorie continued to take an active role in the cereal company and expanded it by buying Birdseye frozen vegetables and many other convenience foods so that women did not have to spend most of the day in the kitchen.
The two things I found most fascinating were her extensive philanthropy, and her collection of art which is now part of the Smithsonian at her Hillwood Estate. When her third husband, Joe Davies, was ambassador to Russia, she was able to buy priceless treasures belonging to the former tsars. Some of her exquisite jewelry was also bequeathed to the Smithsonian Institute.
Marjorie always remembered her start, pasting labels on her father's first cereals in Battle Creek, Michigan. She was extremely generous in building hospitals, helping the war effort, supporting youth programs, founding soup kitchens, and helping the less fortunate. She also hosted lavish parties at her beautiful homes and gardens as fundraisers for many causes.
Even if you are not familiar with Marjorie Post, most people have heard of Mar-a-Lago in Florida. This gorgeous estate was built when Marjorie was married to her second husband, financier E. F. Hutton. She spent an enormous amount of money on her various homes, but it did provide employment to many people. She enjoyed her wealth but she said, "My wealth would have been a burden on my soul if I did not find ways to share it with others."
I enjoyed this biographical fiction which portrayed a proud, energetic woman with a mind of her own, and how she used her wealth in both extravagant purchases and admirable philanthropy. She had a lifetime of interesting experiences during some of the 20th Century's major events. -
I was excited to read this one - the cover is gorgeous and I love a good historical fiction. Unfortunately, this one fell a little flat for me. I liked the background of the Post Cereal Company, but the rest of the novel just seemed to be about all the men Marjorie marries and divorces. Meh. I just wasn't into it.
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My first Allison Pataki book was The Accidental Empress and she absolutely captivated me with Sisi’s story. The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post has done it again.
I first learned about Marjorie Post after watching the docu series Foods that Built America, so I had some familiarity with her innovation and business nous. I was wholly unprepared to read about just how amazing she really was. Although unfortunately always unlucky in love, she never seemed to let circumstances get her down and had the ability to pivot with ease in order to leverage opportunities.
Allison Pataki has delivered a robust (600 odd pages) piece of historical fiction which not only entertains, but beguiles the reader with Marjorie’s lavish life and generosity. For me, this was a great read that I’d highly recommended to any historical fiction lover. -
Wow! What a let down.
The crafting of Post as a static character was a horrible choice. She’s never reflective. She just moves through listing the events of her life. I understand that men struggle with strong and powerful women, but at some point a woman must start to wonder if it’s her that causes so many failed marriages.
The novel never really digs into the fiction part of historical fiction. It reads more like a child’s research project than a historical fiction novel. -
Very good historical fiction about C.W. Post's daughter who was known as the Cereal heiress. As well as an educational biography of Post Foods and rival Kellogg's. Sounds stale but it is not. You will read about the depression, WWI. WWII, and meet many presidents and other famous people. Interesting fact, Marjorie Post built Mar-a-Lago in 1924-27.
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Allison Pataki has crafted an epic work of biographical fiction that spans a lifetime. From a small town in Michigan, to the largest cities in the world, readers will delight in the fascinating geographic and historical pathways through which the dazzling Marjorie Merriweather Post--heir to the Post/General Foods empire--makes her way. Her life touches poignant moments in history and she falls and gets back up, over and over, maturing from a wide-eyed child to a shrewd hostess, diplomat, and philanthropist. If one is ever tempted to think money is the solution to life's problems, one will reconsider; wealth presents its own evils. But Marjorie learns hard lessons and emerges from each set of troubles with grace. This is the kind of book you'll read with one hand on the pages and the other on the keyboard, Googling history and photographs along the way. Pataki is one of the reigning queens of historical fiction, and continues to fascinate with her character choices. Highly recommended, especially for book clubs.
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At the 50% mark, I'm giving up on this one. I think I would've liked it better had the author focused on just one or two time periods in the life of Marjorie Post. As it was, the excessive name-dropping, the lack of character development (was Ms. Post REALLY that perfect?); the rote format -this happened, then that happened, then this happened - coupled with minutiae about table settings, yachts, cars, palaces, mansions, and such; the sheer boredom I felt reading it finally convinced me that this book wasn't for me. Where's the meat in this?? Just a collection of facts prettied up into a glowing picture of the Post heiress who was smart, generous, hard-working, rich, and apparently without any faults.
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Other than her name, I didn’t know much about Marjorie Post. I know the cereal brand but that’s where it ended for me. This was a fascinating look at her life and the founding of the Post empire. I learned a lot and had fun reading about Marjorie’s life. There was a lot of history here to unpack and I feel the author did a great job putting it all together. However, this one fell a bit flat for me and I was ready for it to be over. 3.5 stars. My thanks to the pub for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.
