As I read Pataki’s version of the heiress Marjorie Post, I felt a pang of great empathy. A woman with a mind for business, a generous heart but so unlucky with life and marriage. Despite her enormous wealth, her grand possessions, she couldn't sustain a marriage and had terrible taste in men. I do admire her hunger for love, unfortunately, she couldn't find her forever partner. I could relate to both her wonder and disappointment with her father.

Pataki gave Marjorie Post a voice I expected, confident, independent, and with an unshakable resolution. No doubt she was very self-aware with her entire being yet willing to share her spoils with her philanthropic ways. Post was a woman who had more than her share as well as an emptiness in other ways reminding us that some things cannot be obtained no matter your social status.

Pataki created a portrait undeniably authentic leading the reader to wonder more fact than fiction. After reading this thoroughly enjoyable novel I will most definitely explore more of the illustrious Marjorie Merriweather Post. Great writing matched with a fabulous interpretation.

Courtesy of Netgalley I received the ARC of The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki. I was astonished and mesmerized to learn about Marjorie Post's background, family life, and accomplishments. This well researched historical novel portrayed this young woman from a Midwest environment who evolved into an innovative, and creative leader, influencing government and philanthropic endeavours throughout her life. Captivating!

An enjoyable tale of the infamous Marjorie Merriweather Post that did a brilliant job depicting her life’s ups and downs.

Marjorie lead the empire that today is known as General Foods and also contributed to the building of Mar-a-largo, among many other ventures.

All of this while being married four times!

Unfortunately I never really developed a connection to Marjorie, but I can certainly appreciate her stamp on history. This is a historical fiction piece that goes above and beyond by showing Marjorie’s life from the beginning through her end, and anyone can tell TONS of research must have gone into it!

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

This is a magnificent book about a magnificent woman! I knew absolutely nothing about Marjorie Post before reading this book, but I have now learned a great deal about this fascinating woman whose father, C.W. Post started a cereal company that became General Foods. Born in 1887, before women could vote or even think about running a business, Marjorie defied the odds and used her inherited and self-earned fortune to help others throughout her long and very full life. The story details her four marriages along with her entrepreneurship, political and social life, family life and her charitable contributions to the country. The book brings Marjorie to life and showcases her many accomplishments.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Marjorie Merriweather Post was more than just a cereal heiress she lived many exciting lives and adventures. She moved to Battle Creek when she was young and her father was very sick. He credited his miraculous recover to healthy eating and set out to change the American breakfast landscape forever creating a company that would become General Mills. Marjorie learned from a young age hard work and dedication would take her far in her life and that it did. She was a socialite who built one of the most famous American properties Mar-a-Lago. She was a Russian ambassador. She outran Nazi's in London as war broke out. She was a philanthropist. A friend and host to multiple Presidents and a wife several times over.

I knew the name Marjorie Merriweather Post but I did not know that much about her life when I picked up this book but it was a joy to learn about her. Not one to rest on her fortune, she was a very strong woman who picked herself up after stumbles and lived an exciting life. Allison Pataki does an excellent job of portraying a fascinating woman in American history who's influences live on today.

A beautiful introduction into the life of Marjorie Merriweather Post. Having visited Hillwood, her DC estate, I was thrilled to read more about her life and what challenges she faced. Being the Post heiress, seemed to make her life even more complicated as she had the money and fortune, but no ability to control her 'empire'. It is an interesting read in this current atmosphere of women's empowerment and shows how women could still define themselves in the face of cultural restrictions.

Author Allison Pataki has done a wonderful job depicting the life of Marjorie Merriweather Post, daughter of and heir to C.W. Post, the founder of Post Cereal and the inventor of Grape Nuts and Postum. Her writing and research are first-rate. Her book is a pleasure to read.

This first person story about Mrs. Posts life was inspirational. And while no life is perfect, Marjorie Post defied odds, got back up after suffering heartaches, and entered a world a woman never had before.

From a girl raking wheat and making cereal, to advisor to U.S. presidents, her story is nothing short of incredible. The Hillwood Museum is now at the top of my Washington D.C. travel wishlist! I imagine historical fiction fans will embrace and enjoy each and every page as I did.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Allison Patak and Ballantine Books for an ARC of the life of a remarkable woman.

I absolutely adored this piece of historical fiction. I learned so much about both the Post and Kellogg race to be the best. Marjorie's life was so interesting. Her relationship with her father was precious. A must read.

Thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review. I hadn’t realized who Marjorie Post was at first, but I had no idea what a fascinating life she led. I admit to looking up information on both of her parents while reading to gain more information. I really enjoyed this book with such lovely details of her homes, travels, clothing and jewelry. I’m interested in finding out more of the homes she donated to the Smithsonian and New York State. Read this if you like your historical fiction based on real world people and event, and being able to travel from your armchair while reading!

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki. Marjorie Post was an amazing woman. Saw her father rise from being an ill man to head a million dollar company Post Cereal. Marjorie loved giving to the poor in many selfless acts by building hospitals and many other charities. Historical fiction especially when adding love stories to its mist makes for the best reading. Amazing descriptions make you feel like you are there.

Going in I did not know anything about Marjorie Merriweather Post but wow what a fascinating read this was! I love historical fiction and this book did not disappoint. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. Since reading it this week I have been telling co workers and friends how good this book is!

I enjoy reading Allison Pataki's novels and was excited to receive an ARC of her latest. This historical fiction novel about Marjorie Post's life was so interesting and fascinating. It was rather long, but worth the read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

Allison Pataki's newest novel, The Magnificent Loves of Marjorie Post, is a fascinating journey into the life of Marjorie Post. Marjorie is an only child and always had a close relationship with her father. The .romance and business adventures throughout her life and the many homes and tragedies had me not wanting to put the book down! I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it!.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc!
I rated this 4 Stars

I enjoy historical fiction, perhaps more than any other genre. This one was pleasant, and fast paced in the perfect way. I read it in two long sittings. It reminds me of City of Girls, which is one of my favorite books of all time. As the author takes you through the different stages of the main characters life, you really feel like you're there, along for the ride. Highly recommend.

This was a great novel about a very interesting and important woman that I previously did not know enough about. The story follows the life of Marjorie Post from very early childhood through her death 80+ years later, chronicling the creation of General Foods among world events such as The Great War, The Great Depression, WWII, three children and four! marriages. Allison Pataki was exhaustive in her research, and additionally seemed to have the dialogue reflect the era being discussed, to give the reader a real feel for the conventions of the time.

I love this genre for the benefit of learning valuable pieces of information while being entertained by a good story, and this book accomplished both in spades.

Absolutely fascinating reading! Allison Pataki’s “The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post” details the wide-ranging, “lucky in life, but unlucky in love” history of famous Post cereal heiress, Marjorie Merriwether Post. From her early days in poverty as her father travels to Kellogg’s sanitarium for treatment, to the beginnings of the Post cereal company and it’s gradual transformation into General Foods; thru motherhood, multiple marriages and divorces: there is just so much detail here and it makes for wonderful reading! Thanks to #NetGalley for this digital ARC. #TheMagnificentLivesofMarjoriePost

This was a hard to put down. If you like your historical fiction mixed with actual events you need to read this book. Marjorie Post was a fascinating woman. Besides inheriting the Post dynasty from her father she lived and participated in most of the major historical events of the 20th century. There was so much more to her than cereal. I really enjoyed this book. It brought to life a woman I knew next to nothing about.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is a fascinating look at the life of Marjorie Post. I am ashamed that I didn’t know more about this wonderful woman. You learn about her early background in Battle Creek and the lessons her father instilled in her : to always think for yourself, to work hard, and not to take success for granted. Throughout the book you learn about her marriages, her philanthropy, her children. and her business acumen. You learn about her many homes including the building of Mar -a-Lago and her friendship with Eleanor and FDR. She does everything on a grand scale, yet is so very generous. I enjoyed every page and can’t stop thinking about the amazing woman.

I loved Allison Pataki's memoir, so when her new book became available on NetGalley, I jumped on it. I was intrigued by Marjorie Post's incredible rags to riches story, and eager to learn more about her. As others have mentioned, the story was not as compelling as I had hoped, though I admit I did turn the pages (and finish), because it was like watching a train wreck, albeit a hugely expensive, gem-encrusted one. I was expecting that Pataki would focus on Post's groundbreaking career as an innovator, and female board member of a major corporation, juggling a family and philanthropy; but instead I was regaled with intricate, and often braggy, details about her wealth. The first person narration felt a little too intimate to me; especially when it veered toward being unreliable. I don't know if Pataki crunched timelines, but I couldn't help wondering about Post's lack of reflection on major life changes—she jumps into marriage four times, seemingly without a moment's introspection. I would have loved to have seen more of the actual Post cereal origin story; instead, the rise from dirt poor to incredible wealth is accomplished within a number of pages. Later, Post "remembers" the early days and I wondered, when did all that happen? Post is repeatedly honored by her hundreds of friends, staff, etc. for her amazing charitable works, but I got no sense of it here; considering her vast wealth, setting up a soup kitchen using the company food does not seem like much of an accomplishment. Did she do more than this, or did she just write a lot of checks? What did me in, though, was how, as a diplomat's wife abroad, she scooped up priceless spoils of war (at what she admitted were fire-sale prices, while people nearby went hungry). I am thinking that part of my ambivalence is reading this book of such vast wealth and selfishness with the current state of the world in mind. The other is that I want any story about a groundbreaking woman to be perfect—I want her to be someone I can respect, admire, and emulate. Instead, I almost think that Pataki has written a cautionary tale.

This was very slow. I had a hard time getting into the story, it eventually I ended up enjoying reading about important political icons, such as Eleanor Roosevelt. It was a little too long for my liking, and read a lot like a marriage/divorce listing. It felt like the author was going to Evelyn Hugo vibes, but this was a bit off the mark for that.

I received an advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.