An outstandingly written and researched novel! Allison Pataki brought to life, the incredible creation of Margaret Fuller. She was a woman and a force who emphasized reason in a time when tradition ruled. In her lifetime, the 1850’s, it was a “man’s world.” At one point, Margaret stood outside Harvard University’s library with a yearning to be allowed inside their sacrosanct walls. As a woman, that was prohibited. She was certainly among the great and forward thinkers of her time, along with Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Thoreau and Nathaniel Hawthorne. A brilliant woman who helped bring change for women, as she encouraged them, to think for themselves. I’m so grateful to have been granted this book before publication via NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine. All opinions are my own. #NetGalley, #FindingMargaretFuller, #Goodreads.

If you don't know who the Transcendentalists were, you will at least recognize the names Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Sadly, most Americans have never heard of Margaret Fuller. Alison Pataki seeks to remedy that by placing her in the midst of a novel rich with Emerson, Thoreau, and the Alcotts (as in Louisa May). But Margaret Fuller is not a ficitional character. I remember finding a paperback biography of her as a young woman. But I never read it, so Pataki has given me this gift.

There are two things that make Alison Pataki’s writing extraordinary. First, her research is impeccable. I know that because I found that biography, a sort of autobiographical journey that she wrote and Emerson and others finished. But anyone can do research. What Pataki has accomplished is a work of imagination which has the ring of truth and adds human emotion to her biographical novel.

I hope this novel is popular and widely read, for its time to bring Margaret Fuller Ossoli back from obscurity. I appreciate Alison Pataki for this excellent t attempt to do so.

Thank you to Ballantine Books for allowing me to read and review Finding Margaret Fuller by Allison Pataki. I have read books by her and have enjoyed reading them. Everytime I read a book by her I learn something new and interesting. Allison Pataki does so much history but, it does not read like a history book. In Allison Pataki author notes she writes about a women in history that the world knew nothing about.

Margaret Fuller is probably one of the most famous women you never heard of. She was a writer, journalist, editor, translator, women's rights advocate, and even the first American woman war correspondent. And she did all this before the year 1850, when she reached the ago of 40, and then met her untimely death.

Once again, Allison Pataki has found a subject worthy of her considerable talent. "Finding Margaret Fuller", is a wonderful book; both informative and entertaining. Through Ms. Fuller we are given a glimpse of the thought processes and choices of such notable celebrities of the time as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, George Sand, Frederic Chopin, William Wordsworth, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Their "conversations" with Margaret are at once interesting and compelling and offer incite into the brilliant minds of these historical figures. That is why I love a good historical novel. And no one does it better than Allison Pataki, as evidenced by this, her latest work. I highly recommend it.

Margaret Fuller was a remarkable woman. It's not a stretch to say she changed the world, and all of us would be better people if we knew more about her. However, that does not automatically make her fun to read about.

I found this book to be very slow in the beginning. It definitely doesn't start in medias res. We had to be introduced to every famous name, just in case we didn't recognize them, and then spend a few more chapters flitting around them with nothing happening, before the book actually picks up. In my opinion, the first seven chapters could easily have been condensed into one chapter and had the few remaining bits of important info sprinkled through later chapters.

Nothing really starts to happen until about 40% but even then it's still rather slow. There's a bit of interesting stuff here and there but not enough for me to want to keep reading once I reached the end of a chapter. The whole thing felt rather aimless, almost more of a biography than a novel with a plot, but perhaps that was the point? If so, I think the author should have focused on the more interesting things in Margaret Fuller's life instead of showing us so many boring moments. Margaret definitely wrote interesting things and seems to have influenced many famous people, but judging by this book, her life wasn't very exciting. She doesn't seem to have really *done* much other than write, which doesn't make for a very interesting novel subject. She goes for walks with Emerson and Thoreau, she complains about her money woes, she had less-than-scintillating conversations with Hawthorne, she writes books and articles, she hosts roundtable discussions with other women, she hears Poe read some poems and argues with him, but in general there was never anything gluing my eyes to the pages. Margaret wanders around living her intellectual life, but it's not very fun to read about.

It's not until about 65% that Margaret really starts to do stuff that is interesting to read about. This is where I would have started the book if I were writing it, as so much of what came before didn't seem worth writing about. Not that Margaret wasn't living an exciting life all this time, it just wasn't exciting when viewed from the outside. I don't mean to be too harsh, because there were some interesting parts in the first 2/3 of the book, but my eyes glazed over more often than not, only perking up when another famous name was dropped for the seemingly sole purpose of enlivening a book that relied far too much on these cameos doing the heavy lifting. But there was so much about Margaret's time in Europe that is barely mentioned that I would have liked to know much more about. Not just the famous names, but to know more what Margaret thought about these ancient cities from the point of view of an extremely learned woman born in such a young country. She briefly touches on her thoughts about Victoria's Britain and as soon as we moved on I thought to myself "We spent fifty pages on flowers but this gets a few paragraphs?!?!" The romance in Italy was somewhat ick for me, but it was nice to see Margaret getting to finally live a bit of life. It rounds out her character nicely and I was surprised it didn't take up a larger portion of the book, though I'm rarely a fan of high romance in historical fiction.

All in all, this made me want to do some research of my own on Margaret Fuller and possibly read some of her writings, but I was very underwhelmed by the book itself.

I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Happy to receive this ARC from @netgalley ! @allisonpataki is a go to historical fiction author for me.

In this book we learn about Margaret Fuller - “the most well read woman in America”. Do you know who she is? I did not, and I really should have!

Margaret Fuller was one of the first women thinkers and writers in our country. She spent time with Thoreau, Emerson, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Horace Greeley, Nathaniel Hawthorne - and Louisa May Alcott. She was the first American female war correspondent and leader of the women's rights movement.

In this well-researched story, we meet Margaret as a young woman in New England. She is part of the Transcendentalists and their first publication. Unusual for her day, she is an independent, unmarried woman who lives life on her own terms. Her "Conversations" are the first for women - encouraging them that their thoughts and ideas matter.

As Margaret ages we follow her to Italy, where war is raging. Not to spoil the story, but her life changes there and the book moves fast from that point.

I learned so much! I want to know more about the Transcendentalists and this time in our world's history. And, I want to read more about Fuller and Louisa May Alcott.

Pick this book up - you're in for a treat!

4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and the author for this book.

As a lover of historical fiction I found this book particularly eye-opening. I had never heard anything about Margaret Fuller until I read this book. She was a truly amazing woman, and I can not believe she is not taught as a part of American history!

A unit of women in American history should be included in ever high school history class with Margaret Fuller included in that unit!

Highly recommend.

This historical fiction features a “who’s who”of 1830s American literary greats. While not a great fit for me, I could see this being a big hit for fans of strong female characters with untold tales of historical significance.

Well written, this book centers on Margaret Fuller, an American journalist and author. She was the first woman war correspondent and this book covers her trials and journey for women's life beyond the home. Pataki is well known for her historical fiction, and this book does not disappoint.

Picture yourself in Massachusetts in the mid 1800s. Think of these men- Thoreau, Emerson, Hawthorne, Poe, Greeley. Add Margaret Fuller to this list of men, but who is she? Fuller was a brave pioneer for women’s rights. ! She was a writer, a teacher, a reader, an editor , always looking for her next challenge and adventure.
The story begins when Fuller is invited to Ralph Waldo Emerson’s home to be a companion to his ill wife. This is when Fuller begins her lifelong friendship with Emerson. While staying in Concord, she also meets Thoreau, Hawthorne, and the family of Louisa May Alcott. Talk about name dropping!
As the years pass, Fuller creates a first- a women only literary salon, where women meet to listen to each other and discuss current events. This leads to meeting Horace Greeley, the founder of the NY Tribune.
Fuller, a single woman, is always looking for more, so when Greeley offers her a job reporting from Europe she doesn’t hesitate to say yes. She leaves her friends and family to be the first female foreign new correspondent and eventually ends up in Rome, where she discovers love and has a child. Her travels through Europe were full of love,fear and hardships. Such a powerful part of her story.
This story is one I hadn’t heard of and I savored every minute of it. What a strong, brave woman Margaret Fuller was. Why did it take so long for me to learn about her? Thank you Allison Pataki for this amazing story, also to NetGalley and Ballantine books for the ARC.

This book is the fictionalized story of the life of Margaret Fuller. Margaret was a talented writer and passionate about women's right and expanding people's mindsets. She lived in a time and place where she found herself surrounded by many well-known names who also were successful in the publishing world. I was entertained as those familiar names such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Edgar Allan Poe became characters in the story. Though a fictional re-telling, this book is a great opportunity to learn about a woman from history that may not be as well known, and whose life was cut too short.

“Finding Margaret Fuller” is about one of the most consequential women in American history that you‘ve never heard of, Margaret Fuller. Fuller was a writer, journalist, and contemporary of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau, the Alcott family, and many others. She was an advocate for abolition and women’s rights.

This is feminist historical fiction, and for fans of Pataki’s last book, The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post, looking for a similar vibe in this book they should know this one feels much more serious.

The first two thirds of this book were an easy read. It felt a little more tedious towards the end when Margaret gets to Italy, maybe because I didn’t know anything about the unification of Italy before reading this book so the topic felt a little confusing at times.

The whole book is a little lacking in heart but captivating and full of stories I’ve never heard before and I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Emerson, Thoreau, Alcott (Bronson and Louisa May)…Margaret Fuller? Most readers of American fiction and essays know the first few names on this list. They may be less familiar with Margaret Fuller. However, by the time that readers close this book, they will fully appreciate her life with its successes, challenges and tragedy.

Young Margaret was a highly intelligent child, whose father took her education most seriously. When he died, Margaret was left feeling that she needed to support her family. She did that while also being part of the transcendentalist movement and more.

One aspect of the book that I really liked was the way in which icons became human. For example, early in the novel, Margaret visits Emerson and his second wife. Waldo, as Margaret is invited to call him, engages in a flirtation with Margaret. It is in moments like this, that readers get to look at great American figures in a new and less iconic way. Similarly, as the story opens, Thoreau is a young man working for the Emersons, and just beginning his writing career. Bronson Alcott is running a school, while Louisa May is still a child.

Pataki has written a number of works of historical fiction. She has another success on her hands here.

Many thanks toNetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Finding Margaret Fuller by Allison Pataki is a historical novel that explores the life of one of America's most influential women, who was a writer, journalist, feminist, and activist in the 19th century. The book traces Margaret Fuller's journey from her childhood in Massachusetts, where she showed exceptional talent and courage, to her adulthood in New York, Europe, and Rome, where she became a prominent figure of the Transcendentalist movement, a champion of women's rights, and a supporter of the Italian revolution.
The book provides a detailed and captivating portrait of a remarkable woman who challenged the conventions and expectations of her time and made a lasting impact on American history and culture. The book is not only informative and educational, but also entertaining and enjoyable. The book is ideal for readers who are interested in historical fiction, biographical fiction, women's fiction, or literary fiction. The book is also a useful introduction to Margaret Fuller and the Transcendentalist movement, as well as a tribute to her achievements and contributions. The book is highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about this extraordinary and influential woman.

This is an absolutely incredible book!! I had never heard of Margaret Fuller and I was blown away by this book! The historical details are so well researched and the writing is captivating!! I have been telling everyone about this book and will hand sell it to many customers!

Interesting story of a woman who wrote amid the likes of Thoreau and Emerson and the rest of the Concord crowd. Margaret was invited to visit and stay with them in Concord and they helped each other in their writing.

I enjoyed the world Allison Pataki created in Finding Margaret Fuller. Just imagine spending time each summer staying with Ralph Waldo Emerson at his home in the country getting to have deep discussions with Henry David Thoreau and hang out with Louisa May Alcott. I haven't seen these historical figures fictionalized before and thoroughly enjoyed reading about Margaret Fuller's fight for women's rights. She was a brave woman who wasn't afraid of going outside of the "rules" set by men. I especially liked the scene where she took Edgar Allen Poe down a peg.
I received this book through Net Galley.

Historical fiction can restore neglected figures to their rightful place in the public consciousness, and Pataki’s (The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post, 2022) sweepingly urgent, inspiring novel about the astonishing life of Margaret Fuller aims to do just that. American feminist writer, Transcendentalist thinker, journal editor, foreign correspondent—Fuller was all of these and more, blasting through gender-based barriers insufficient to deter a woman of her intelligence and ambition. The prologue dramatizes her friends’ reaction to her tragic early death in a shipwreck in 1850, but while a sense of what might have been permeates the story, readers will emerge with even greater amazement about her accomplishments. In this first-person narrative, Margaret explores her relationships with Ralph Waldo Emerson and his circle in Concord, Massachusetts, enticingly described as a pastoral New England paradise blossoming with creative thought. Her itinerant quest for belonging is driven partly by financial insecurity. From Nathaniel Hawthorne to Elizabeth Barrett Browning, a vibrant cast of mid-nineteenth-century luminaries comes alive alongside Margaret, who follows her desire to create original works and take action. Her salon-style “Conversations” in Boston galvanize the female participants, and in faraway Italy, Margaret finds love, political purpose, and a spiritual home. An invigorating fictional portrait of a brilliant woman always striving to achieve her potential. (Published in Booklist, Feb. 15, 2024 issue)

Thank You #Netgalley & #Ballentine books for allowing me to read this book. It was a very enjoyable read and experience. Thanks again 😊

I had never heard of Margaret Fuller and that is a shame. Everyone else in this story is such a famous person in early American history that I found myself comparing Margaret Fuller to Forrest Gump. She was part of the world of so many literary figures in the 1830s and 1840s in New England but she is unknown now.

The story starts with her being invited to be a houseguest of Ralph Waldo Emerson because he is fascinated by the story of a woman who was raised to be as educated as a man. There she meets his handyman, Henry David Thoreau. She befriends his neighbors, the Alcotts, especially their daughter, Louisa May.

She was a single woman who was trying to support herself and send money to her widowed mother and her siblings. It was harder for her to do as a writer because she didn’t have the family money of Emerson and it was illegal for women to earn money by giving lectures. She wrote several bestselling books. She ran a discussion group that charged admission. It included upper class women like the wife of newspaper publisher Horace Greeley and a young Elizabeth Cady Stanton. She encouraged them to look at new ways that women could be seen in society. Eventually she became the editor of the Transcendentalist writers’ magazine.

Horace Greeley’s wife was so impressed by her that she encouraged him to hire her for his New York paper. She wrote pieces on women’s rights, including interviewing prostitutes in prison and women in asylums. She advocated for abolition. He also sent her as the first American foreign correspondent to Europe where she also became America’s first war correspondent when she was trapped in a war in Italy.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton credited her with the ideas that led to the Seneca Falls convention. She should be so much more well known.

This book was wonderful for reintroducing this woman to modern audiences. Like a lot of historical fiction I’ve read recently, I feel that the writing is mainly “this happened and then this happened and then this happened.” In a life as full of activity as this one I can see how that is necessary but it isn’t the most interesting writing to read. It was very slow to get into and I almost abandoned the book. That’s probably in part because I always was bored reading Emerson and didn’t care for reading about him. I happened to look at Fuller’s wikipedia page though and realized what an interesting life I was about to read about though so I stuck with the book. I’m glad I did. Pick this one up to find out all about her including all the things that she did that I didn’t even touch on in this post.