Scan barcode
mbenzz's review
4.0
This was a really good read. A historical fiction novel based on fact. I had no idea that Franklin D. Roosevelt had an affair, but the way Ms. Feldman tells it, it's not trashy or disgraceful. Franklin and Lucy Mercer are two people who truly loved each other, but given the time period, just could not be together.
Lucy Mercer met Franklin when she became his wife Eleanore's personal secretary in 1914. At this time Franklin was Assistant Secretary of the Navy, years away from the presidency. The two didn't begin their love affair until 1916, and it lasted for two years. But in 1918, upon returning from an overseas trip to see how WWI soldiers were faring, Eleanor was unpacking Franklin's bag when she discovered a stack of love letters from Lucy, tied together with a velvet ribbon.
Eleanor offered Franklin his freedom by getting a divorce (which was almost unheard of in 1918) so he could marry Lucy. He was planning to do just that, but his personal advisers got to him, and let him know that if he married Lucy Mercer, his shot for the presidency was gone. Divorce had never been in the white house, and the country certainly wouldn't elect a man who abandoned his wife and 5 children for his mistress.
In the end, his dream of becoming President won out, and Lucy and Franklin didn't see each other for over 20 years. But in 1940 they reconnected, and in 1941, Lucy (whose husband had suffered a stroke, and was confined to a wheelchair) began seeing the President under the false Secret Service name of Ms. Johnson. Lucy continued to see Franklin every opportunity she could until his death in April 1945 at Warm Springs, which she was there for.
Ms. Feldman has done a fantastic job of portraying the love these two shared, while also showing the strength and unbreakable spirit of Eleanor Roosevelt. I absolutely recommend this book. If you know nothing of this beautiful love story then definitely pick this up. One things for sure though, I'll never look at President Franklin D. Roosevelt the same way again!
Lucy Mercer met Franklin when she became his wife Eleanore's personal secretary in 1914. At this time Franklin was Assistant Secretary of the Navy, years away from the presidency. The two didn't begin their love affair until 1916, and it lasted for two years. But in 1918, upon returning from an overseas trip to see how WWI soldiers were faring, Eleanor was unpacking Franklin's bag when she discovered a stack of love letters from Lucy, tied together with a velvet ribbon.
Eleanor offered Franklin his freedom by getting a divorce (which was almost unheard of in 1918) so he could marry Lucy. He was planning to do just that, but his personal advisers got to him, and let him know that if he married Lucy Mercer, his shot for the presidency was gone. Divorce had never been in the white house, and the country certainly wouldn't elect a man who abandoned his wife and 5 children for his mistress.
In the end, his dream of becoming President won out, and Lucy and Franklin didn't see each other for over 20 years. But in 1940 they reconnected, and in 1941, Lucy (whose husband had suffered a stroke, and was confined to a wheelchair) began seeing the President under the false Secret Service name of Ms. Johnson. Lucy continued to see Franklin every opportunity she could until his death in April 1945 at Warm Springs, which she was there for.
Ms. Feldman has done a fantastic job of portraying the love these two shared, while also showing the strength and unbreakable spirit of Eleanor Roosevelt. I absolutely recommend this book. If you know nothing of this beautiful love story then definitely pick this up. One things for sure though, I'll never look at President Franklin D. Roosevelt the same way again!
ewg109's review
4.0
I found this rather fascinating. FDR and his mistress and the extraordinary world events that shaped their affair. Yes, Lucy is made out to be a bit of a saint, FDR is a god, and poor Eleanor is a bit of a sad sack; but, it's a worthwhile read for anyone who has an interest in the man who so vastly reimagined America.
akatea's review
3.5
some parts of the writing was hard to follow for me, however, i really like the author's way of storytelling. i was intrigued and i found myself interested in the story all about lucy and franklin's life, and i learned so much while it also kept me entertained.
suannelaqueur's review
4.0
Big Ellen Feldman fan here. This book inspired me to read No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt - The Home Front in World War II.
amykar's review
5.0
I loved this book! Very creative and insightful. It mixed real history and happenings with what Lucy Mercer and FDR might have been like together.
rachelgertrude's review
2.0
I judged this book by its cover. Doesn't it look interesting?
And at first it was. The first few chapters, I felt like I was actually sitting in Eleanor Roosevelt's front parlor and watching Franklin coming in the door.
But I got really irritated with Lucy. It seemed like every other sentence was, "Most women would have been annoyed with Franklin for liking a good cocktail after dinner, but I realized he needed to relax." Or, "I had learned from Eleanor that it is not good to present Franklin with the cares of the nation just when he is finally sitting down to a good meal." It made me think, 'Okay, Lucy. I understand that you are just trying to explain very clearly why Franklin Roosevelt really preferred you to other women. But it just makes me dislike you' - and it makes me admire Eleanor Roosevelt that much more, because she has a depth of character that I did not see in this version of Lucy Mercer, and a self-knowledge and the ability to grow and change with time.
Feldman's writing was good, and believable. The biggest reason I disliked this book was that I couldn't find a way to sympathize (or empathize) with its protagonist.
And at first it was. The first few chapters, I felt like I was actually sitting in Eleanor Roosevelt's front parlor and watching Franklin coming in the door.
But I got really irritated with Lucy. It seemed like every other sentence was, "Most women would have been annoyed with Franklin for liking a good cocktail after dinner, but I realized he needed to relax." Or, "I had learned from Eleanor that it is not good to present Franklin with the cares of the nation just when he is finally sitting down to a good meal." It made me think, 'Okay, Lucy. I understand that you are just trying to explain very clearly why Franklin Roosevelt really preferred you to other women. But it just makes me dislike you' - and it makes me admire Eleanor Roosevelt that much more, because she has a depth of character that I did not see in this version of Lucy Mercer, and a self-knowledge and the ability to grow and change with time.
Feldman's writing was good, and believable. The biggest reason I disliked this book was that I couldn't find a way to sympathize (or empathize) with its protagonist.
pkadams's review
3.0
Written as historical fiction, this story tells about the love triangle of Lucy Mercer, Franklin Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor. The author emphasizes the fiction, but it draws in some cases directly from dialogue in letters, official records, and in family recollections. Lucy Mercer has always been a footnote in the stories of the Roosevelts. Although this book actually did a good job of not trying to justify nor develop anymore of a back story than had been there in the past, there really isn't enough material to sustain nor justify the concept this love was something more than a momentary affair of the heart. It was a fun read and Lucy becomes more of a personality and less of a grainy figure in photographs. Of course as the narrator she does become an unreliable source; but after all it is a work of fiction.
melissad75's review
1.0
Really not good. There is a sad lack of depth to any of these characters, and the story skims along on the surface of everything. It's a shame, too, because if any two people are larger than life and yet still ciphers in many ways, it's Eleanor Roosevelt and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. And Lucy Mercer is enough of a mystery, having been extremely discreet about everything to do with her relationship with Roosevelt, that there's room for a writer to really expand on her character and make her worthy of this great man's lifelong love. It's like Feldman is so tied to the dates and places and names she does know from the historical record that that's all she feels comfortable writing about. It makes for a pretty thin story.
One someone with no previous knowledge of the Roosevelts' lives might find confusing, as well. Having just finished reading Doris Kearns Goodwin's No Ordinary Time, I was familiar with the people and incidents Feldman refers to, but otherwise I probably would've been pretty puzzled. A real disappointment.
One someone with no previous knowledge of the Roosevelts' lives might find confusing, as well. Having just finished reading Doris Kearns Goodwin's No Ordinary Time, I was familiar with the people and incidents Feldman refers to, but otherwise I probably would've been pretty puzzled. A real disappointment.
vhp's review
1.0
This book is about FDR's mistress, in her voice. I didn't like the book and didn't believe the mistress could maker her affiar "okay" by believing she was so bloody innocent.
In the end, FDR dies, her sister commits suicide and then Lucy dies.
Eleanor outlived them all, but did she have a better life?
In the end, FDR dies, her sister commits suicide and then Lucy dies.
Eleanor outlived them all, but did she have a better life?