I liked this one and learning about Emerson and his contemporaries of his time . It was a good story well told and a captivating read
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for listening me review the book

Free spirited Margaret Fuller fights against the stereotypes and expectations of women. After spending a summer with Ralph Waldo Emerson, she quickly becomes one of his confidants. Through her connection with Emerson she meets many of the famous writers and Transcendentalists of the era. However, she longs for romance, and a story of her own.

The book started pretty slow. It took a while for me to get into the story and characters. I enjoyed reading about Fuller's time in Europe, however that was only a short part of the novel. I also enjoyed learning about famous novelists and how their lives were entwined. Overall,, 3 out of 5 stars.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you enjoyed “The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post” by this author, you’ll also enjoy this book. If you have not read “Marjorie Post” or “Margaret Fuller” by Ms. Pataki, you’re missing out.

This author does a superb job researching the protagonist. The protagonist is based on a real person, and the book presents Margaret Fuller in a detailed, interesting approach. I was amazed at what I learned about Margaret Fuller. In addition to getting to know and love Margaret Fuller, the reader gains great insight into many authors and prominent people of those times, such as Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Walt Whitman, Melville, Edgar Allan Poe, William Wordsworth, Frederick Douglass, Frederic Chopin. Details of how Margaret Fuller, a woman ahead of her time, was able to have a prolific writing career. She was a woman of many “firsts:” First woman to research in the Harvard library to study, work and write, America’s first full-time foreign news correspondent, and many more “firsts.”

I enjoyed learning about this woman and think you will too. Read this book. Learn and grow from this outstanding woman. You will not be disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Thanks to the publisher, Ballantine Books, an Imprint of Random House, and the author for the privilege to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

WHAT a treat! A completely captivating, deeply emotional historical novel about a woman I knew little about, but came to love. All I knew about Margaret Fuller (1810-50) before reading this book was that she was a Unitarian-Universalist and associated with the transcendentalist philosophy that developed in the 1820s and 1830s in New England. Others in that crowd (all residents of Concord, MA) include essayist/poet Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), author Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864), naturalist Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), and educator Bronson Alcott (1799-1888 - also Louisa May's Daddy). Why we have all grown up knowing these names but not Fuller's is beyond me.

For me to say that Margaret Fuller was a genius way ahead of her time must be one of the world's great understatements:

• She was a self-supporting, career woman at a time when lone women couldn't go anywhere without chaperones and a woman's only acceptable options were either marriage or spinsterhood. (And spinsterhood was NOT very acceptable.)

• Fuller was a widely published woman author at a time when almost no American women were published.

• She was the first female editor of a major newspaper in New York City.

•She is considered by many (including Susan B. Anthony 1820-1906) to be the inspiration behind the American feminism movement.

And Fuller's work, success, and travel (through the U.S., England, France, and Italy) put her smack in the middle of many of the most prominent writers, artists, and thinkers of her day. Aside from the names referenced above, she hung out with abolitionist Frederick Douglass (1817-1895), publisher Horace Greeley (1811-1872), English romantic poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850), writer/critic Edgar Allen Poe (1809-1849), French novelist George Sand (1804-1876), and Polish composer Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849).

Bestselling author Allison Pataki does a remarkable job of combining rich research, believable dialogue, and creative character exploration -- all in the service of making Margaret Fuller come alive as a three dimensional human being.

I even found as I approached the end of the novel that I was stalling -NOT eager to finish the book. Because I didn't want to read about Fuller's tragic death. So, no surprise, I highly recommend this book.

Allison Pataki is one of my favorite writers so I was thrilled to see that she has another book that is soon to be published. Typically, I am familiar with her subjects and the brilliance of her writing and research bring the characters to life and give the reader a much greater understand and appreciation of who they were as a person as well as the time in which they lived. I have to admit, I had never heard of Margaret Fuller and was absolutely captivated from the first paragraph. This book is among the very best and satisfying historical fiction as it compelled me to do my own research on Fuller, her writing, and the tumultuous time in which she lived in Italy. The author's note was fascinating as to how Pataki herself was introduced to Fuller and I applaud and thank her for introducing readers to this remarkable figure in our history.

You may wonder who Margaret Fuller is, as did I. We find Margaret in 1836 in Massachusetts accepting an invitation from Ralph Waldo Emerson (Waldo) to meet his friends and peers at his home in Concord. Among them we find Henry David Thoreau (Thoreau), Bronson Alcott and family (Louisa May Alcott’s father), Nathanial Hawthorne and more. She is the only woman in the group, a woman who is brilliant, fiercely independent, a muse to Waldo. Margaret’s temperament and personality is such that she has a wandering soul, craving challenges, adventure. Her struggles are also financial as she is the breadwinner of the family, supporting her mother after her father passed away. The conventions of that era wer such that women were thought of as chattel, not as smart as men, and certainly not having minds of their own. Margaret was the forerunner of equality for women, an activist for women’s rights and an advocate for human rights, equality for all. She was a writer, a hostess for women-only literary salons all while defying the conventions of the times. Through her notoriety she met with Horace Greeley who offered her a position as a foreign correspondent. While in Italy she met with Frederic Chopin, Walt Whitman, George Sand and more, as well as becoming involved in the unification of Italy.
This was an amazing story, yet as I read this I felt saddened to think that for the most part of her life until Italy she was a lonely person. She lived at a time during big historical events. She lived big always wanting more, wanting bigger adventures, someone who wanted better possibilities for women. Way before women were told to burn their bras there was Margaret Fuller, a person who was born way beyond the era she lived in.
Well researched and certainly well written, Ms. Pataki brought this protagonist to life along with a cast of characters that were also most definitely larger than life. The events of the times and the people involved literally jumped off the pages This novel will resonate with me long after reading it. Highly recommended. My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

No one tells the life story of real, historically important, people like Allison Partake! She brings to life characters from the past, expertly weaving fact and fiction. This current title will have you rereading the stories of America's most infamous authors!

“Finding Margaret Fuller” by Allison Pataki was a remarkable story about the woman who should be acknowledged as the founder of the woman’s movement in America. I am ashamed to say I never heard her name before picking up this book even though I am totally familiar with her Trancendentalist peers like Emerson, Hawthorn, Thoreau, Douglas etc,. She was an author, first female publisher, teacher, and advocate of women’s rights. She broke down the barriers that prevented women of her generation to lead successful independent lives. Her story is epic and it has left me wanting to know much more about her legacy. This is a fascinating, beautifully written, and well researched story that I know you will enjoy.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and the author for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

LOVED Allison Pataki’s latest book, Findinf Margaret Fuller! It was fascinating, captivating and taught me so much! It will keep your attention from the very start until the end with a million emotions in between. Highly recommend!

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

OMGG, I FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK, I was sobbing my eyes out by the time I finished reading it, I was expecting the ending but I wasn't expecting it to hurt so much, It was like someone took a knife to my soul, multiple times, slowly slicing away, my heart was shattered, like nothing could've prepared me for how much pain it brought.

Usually, I'm not a huge fan of non-fiction/biographies, but when I saw this on NetGalley and saw so many famous names in the blurb, I was instantly intrigued, because who was Margaret Fuller? and how was she an acquaintance or a friend to so many of these famous names? So I did what any sane person would do and requested the book, and I GOT ACCEPTED, I'm freaking honored by that.

Anyhow, I got started reading the book, and IT WAS FROM MARGARET'S POV, it was kinda shocking but I LOVED THAT, at first, I thought that I wouldn't be able to finish or find it boring and DNF, but that wasn't the case, personally at the first few chapters I thought it was at a really slow pace, but now I understand that it was because I was reading from her POV at the most important points of her life.

This is a book about a woman in the 19th century, who's America's most well-read person and a TOTAL BADASS, she's a freaking ICON, and I can't believe she lived 200 years ago, that seems so far away and it is and this WOMAN accomplished things, that we as modern women most of the time don't get to accomplish, I find that crazy.

To end all of this, PLEASE READ THIS BOOK, I BEG OF YOU, and thank you to Allison Pataki, Random House Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC.

A wonderfully-written, engaging portrait of a most remarkable, accomplished woman whose life was cut tragically short.
Sadly, I knew nothing about Margaret Fuller until embarking upon the author's most recent work.
Her dear friend & fellow Transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson so aptly described her as embodying a "radiant genius and fiery heart."
Truly unputdownable and has left this reader with a book-hangover.

With great thanks to NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group—Ballantine for this e-ARC!

FINDING MARGARET FULLER
BY: ALLISON PATAKI

I was beyond excited when it came to my attention that my favorite historical fiction author, Allison Pataki had written a new book. Her latest work of art has brought to intimate life the significant and fascinating woman Margaret Fuller was. She was immensely rewarding to read about because of all of her contributions that affect us today. Having never before heard who Margaret Fuller was, nor her remarkable accomplishments, didn't deter me from becoming curious to wanting to read this. Quite the opposite, indeed. I knew that I would love, "Finding Margaret Fuller," and it has soared to the top of my favorite reading experiences of 2023. During her short life she is responsible for paving the way for the equality of all humanity that we might not actively think about.

Margaret Fuller was extremely brilliant among many other things. In 1836, which marks the beginning of this fabulous historical novel she was invited to spend a week at Ralph Waldo Emerson's stately home in Concord, MA. She thinks the reason is to keep company with Waldo's second wife who he has renamed Lidian. Lidian spends most of her time in her room upstairs in bed because she is expecting their first child. Margaret who is 26 years old makes a great impression on Waldo who is 33 years old. He is very impressed with how well educated and well read she is. She ends up spending most of the week talking with Waldo, taking walks on his beautiful land. She ends up getting invited by Waldo to stay for 2 more additional weeks which she greatly enjoys much to Lidian's chagrin. She becomes his muse and takes a liking to Louisa May Alcott who is just a small child. She will become Waldo's muse and Louisa's mentor. She really likes Henry David Thoreau and his love of nature is illuminated to both Margaret and the reader.

Margaret meets Nathaniel Hawthorne having been introduced to him from Waldo. She is the inspiration for his novel, "The Scarlet Letter," which I won't divulge the reason why because it enters spoiler territory. She co-founded a news magazine with Waldo called, "The Dial." Since the editing and writing that she does for, "The Dial," is unpaid and she needs to earn money for her living expenses and to also support her widowed mother and 7 younger siblings. She takes on a couple of teaching positions that don't fulfill her but give her the much needed income she needs. She hosts a Salon for women which she is passionate about helping young women to think for themselves beyond settling to get married and have children. She encourages the women that attend to exchange ideas and develop free thinking to lead a more expanded life. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was one of the ladies who attended Margaret's Salon. Elizabeth Cady Stanton would later go on to be part of the Women's movement.

Margaret goes to New York City, where she is offered a job as an Editor for the New-York Tribune by Horace Greeley. From there he provides her with the opportunity to travel to England, Paris and Italy. She becomes the first female foreign news correspondent sending her columns to Horace Greeley. Italy isn't a united country yet, so she writes about the revolution taking place there. Italy is still in the process of being occupied by foreign countries. She loves Rome and I enjoyed immensely the descriptions of the famous sights and historic places there. My oldest son and I plan on visiting Italy together, which this novel has enticed my interest in visiting there even sooner due to the vivid prose written that I could visualize how beautiful it is.

I first discovered the amazing talent of Allison Pataki in 2021, when I read and reviewed her fantastic historical fiction novel called, "The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post." Immediately after I finished reading it, I was so impressed that I purchased and enjoyed every single one of her previous written work, which I loved everything written by her. To express that she has become my top favorite historical fiction author is an understatement. Ms. Pataki writes about impressive periods of history and obscure women that I have heard about before, however she always manages to educate me further Not only does she expand my knowledge piquing my interest, she's also responsible for leading me to want to learn even more. I believe that her ability to captivate my interest with motivating me to want to seek out even more information about a particular person or subject that she has written about has elevated my admiration of her. She has already provided a comprehensive understanding of her subjects, but my yearning to continue to learn everything available is truly the hallmark of a great author.

Once again, in "Finding Margaret Fuller," I have delved into learning everything that I could about this trail brazing woman who is beyond thrilling and completely captivating. If you have never before heard about Margaret Fuller, you need not fear. After reading this spectacular and informative novel, you too, will gain enough facts that will have you pondering why it is that she has been forgotten by history. Her achievements during her memorable lifetime are nothing short of mesmerizing and they paved the way for people in all walks of life.

If you live in the United States you most likely have read in High school English classes the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herbert Melville, Edgar Allen Poe, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Walt Whitman and William Wordsworth. Ask yourself the question of why it is that the iconic Margaret Fuller, who interacted with every one of these famous contemporaries of her's is not as well known? Taking this question one step further is Margaret Fuller a person that you have never heard of before? It is an important question to consider.

Allison Pataki includes in her Author's Note that she was reading a book called, "American Bloomsbury," during a rainy holiday weekend three years ago. The book mentions most of the American writers that I have cited above. She wondered to herself why it was that she had never heard about Margaret before. The logic was that Margaret belonged to the same movement that took place in America during that time frame. Lucky for us, Ms Pataki's curiosity was the impetus that drove her to research Margaret Fuller. The yields of everything that she learned resulted in the discovery of an extraordinary woman whose initiatives, and ideas were groundbreaking accomplishments that were ahead of her time. This historical novel is a culmination of Margaret Fuller's many important efforts towards improving the lives of her fellow citizens lives who weren't treated with equality. The conclusion is that this is a woman worthy of learning about. Subsequently, in this outstanding historical fiction novel devoted to who and why Margaret Fuller deserves recognition and remembering, I think you will agree that this novel's precise details delivers on that speculation. This author has created a profound examination of an obscure woman whose forward thinking and her success has earned her rightful place to receive the same attention of being celebrated and admired every bit as those writers I have listed above. Those whose fame continues to be required reading in most English programs in America.

I enjoyed reading this tremendously. Also it was so compelling I never wanted to put it down. All of Allison Pataki's books are absolute page turners. Margaret Fuller completely stole my heart. Her impressive passion for striving to advocate for equality and freedom for herself and all of humanity makes her an unforgettable woman whom I still think about. I read this over a month ago, but am just posting my review. There is so much more that I could say, but I am refraining so that you can discover for yourself how wonderful this novel is. I highly, highly recommend this! I LOVED IT!

Here is the link to my Good Reads review of "The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post." The Good Reads website wouldn't allow me to include it in this review. I'm very disappointed about that.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4253106980

Publication Date: March 24, 2024

Thank you to Net Galley, Allison Pataki and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine Books for generously providing me with my eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. This review wasn't required to be positive, but reflects my high enthusiasm for a flawless book.

#FindingMargaretFuller #AllisonPataki #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantineBooks #NetGalley

I would like to thank Net Galley , and Megan Whalen of Random House, for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. I have read 2 previous books by Allison Pataki and had enjoyed hem very much. I was delighted to read this book as well. I consider myself a reasonably well educated, well read woman. I have never heard of Margaret Fuller. I have heard of many if not most of her contemporaries- Emerson, Horace Greeley, Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorn( this is the 3rd novel this year that I have read that has Hawthorne as a character, btw),Louisa May Alcott and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Margaret was a writer, essayist, editor, war correspondent and early champion of Womens rights. She was part of what is now called the transcendentalists , along with Emerson, and Thoreau. This is a book of historical fiction, however it is based on comprehensive research. It takes us through her life as she starts to write, befriends the Emerson family, the Alcotts and Hawthorne, and through he years as a teacher, writer and finally war correspondent for Horace Greeley. She travels to Rome during the initial fight for Italian Unification. It is a good book, one that I will want to reread and rethink about for some time.

4.5 Stars !! I love all of Allison Pataki's historical fiction books. I was so excited to be able to snag a copy of this. I had never heard of Margaret Fuller before reading this book. Reading this book makes you feel as if you lived in her time and knew her. Allison Pataki really brings Margaret Fuller to life. It was so well written. I highly recommend this book to all historical fiction lovers and all women!

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

5.0 stars

I received a complimentary Kindle e-book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to Allison Pataki, Ballantine, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I love, love, love Allison Pataki's historical fiction novels - I have read them ALL!! She writes about women that we may know little to nothing about! This was true for me about Margaret Fuller. I had read some of the works by the Transcendentalists, but knew nothing about her!!

Margaret Fuller lived a full, interesting, and fascinating life. What a strong American woman who lived during a time of huge change and discovery in our country and world.

HIGHLY recommend

Finding Margaret Fuller by Allison Pataki is an enthralling narrative featuring meticulously crafted characters. This well-written story pulled me in from the beginning and held my attention until the very end!

I'm embarrassed to say that I barely knew Margaret Fuller's name before reading this book, despite being a student of women's history. But that omission has been thoroughly rectified. FINDING MARGARET FULLER is a satisfying read of historical fiction, one that fills gaps in knowledge about the early women's movement. Hurrah! Margaret Fuller comes to life in her many different portraits: she was a writer, a friend, a teacher, a wife, mother, and most of all, a leader. I'm happy to have read it.

I am a huge fan of Allison Pataki and I have read several of her books so I was excited to read this one. I had never heard of Margaret Fuller prior to reading this book and was immediately pulled into her story due to Pataki’s phenomenal writing.

Margaret Fuller was considered one of the first American feminist of her time. She fought for women’s rights and was considered one of the most well read women in the country. She finds herself aligned with Alcott, Emerson, Thoreau, and Hawthorne writing ideas outside of the norm for the era. Her and Alcott have a falling out over pay but this doesn’t stop them from pursing their ideas together with the others in their group the transcendentalists.

Because of her writing she’s offered a job in New York where she is finally sent to Italy to cover the war in Rome. There she falls in love and has a baby out of wedlock. Her life is filled with tumult during these years as she has to leave her baby in another city to be raised by another woman because of her situation and the dangers in Rome from the ongoing war.

Finally, her husband and her escape to Florence where they finally decide to head back to America. Her entire life she fought nightmares where she had visions of her death at sea. Unfortunately, that is how her life ends at the shores of America.

Absolutely fascinating story. I had to read it slower than other books because I’d pause to google things so that I could learn even more about her work. Once again Pataki does a great job writing a historical fiction.

The books is an easy read yet philosophical. My only complaint was I wish it had moved slightly faster especially during the years of Margaret’s back and forth to and from Concord. I loved the group that Fuller starts for women to learn to think for themselves and to discuss ideas even when they didn’t agree. Quite honestly we need groups like this. One can immediately tell Fuller was raised on a classical education which carries throughout her life.

I’d absolutely recommend this book and already have recommended it to several friends.

Finding Margaret Fuller by Allison Pataki is a great historical fiction that gives us a peak into a lesser known woman before her time.

I have truly enjoyed several books by this author in the past, so I was excited to read this one. I sadly had never heard of this fascinating and talented woman that was taken too soon.

It is truly fascinating, and disappointing, that she was so influential, controversial, passionate, and opinionated…and yet is not discussed in mainstream circles. Is it because of her critics, because she was a woman, a feminist, an activist, had opinions and was outspoken? It is such a shame that her talent isn’t more often included and referenced so that each new generation can learn more about her and decide for themselves.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 3/19/24.

I am so thankful to have read this book and learned more about the fascinating and inspiring life of Margaret Fuller. As a history teacher, I knew her name and of what she did, but I had no idea the depth of her impact on the early 19th century. I also learned so much about the other Transcendentalists and how they were all connected.

As always, Allison Pataki does a wonderful job of bringing the story to life for the reader. How tragic the ending, and even though it is teased in the prologue you still find yourself hoping that she won’t get on that boat.

I’m heartbroken that Margaret’s story ended in 1850
And she wasn’t able to live to see the fruit of the women’s rights movement, but also in awe of all she was able to accomplish in her 40 years. This book is a must read for all history lovers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.