Allison Pataki’s The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post is a historical fiction biography of the Post cereal heiress who built Mar-a-Lago. Although I frequently read historical fiction, I must admit that curiosity about the history of Mar-a-Lago led me to request an advance reader copy rather than any previous interest in Marjorie Merriweather Post.

Despite my initial motivation, I quickly became immersed in Post’s story, which begins in her childhood when she and her mother accompany her ailing father, C. E. Post, to Kellogg’s sanatorium in Battle Creek, Michigan, in search of a cure. As time passes and her father goes from bad to worse, life suddenly changes, and Post has the idea that makes him rich, eventually setting up his only child Marjorie for life.

This is only the beginning of Marjorie’s many magnificent lives, which include a succession of husbands and spectacular homes, priceless collections, and philanthropic activities.

In useful Author’s Notes at the back of the book, Pataki remarks, “Speaking of living life to the fullest, there is enough information on Marjorie Merriweather 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.” Spanning the years from 1891 to 1973, Pataki draws upon her extensive research to create an engaging personal portrait of Marjorie Post, chronicling Post’s personal difficulties and amazing successes. In a prologue, four parts, and an epilogue, Pataki takes readers on a journey not only through one woman’s magnificent lives, but also through cultural and women’s history.

Although basing her novel on facts, Pataki readily admits to creating minor characters and, of course, to inventing dialog. Such is the nature of historical fiction. For those readers interested in standard biography, Pataki’s Author’s Notes will point them in the right direction.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine/Random House for an advance reader copy of this enjoyable and educational historical fiction biography.

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post, by Alison Pataki, is large in imagination and speculation. Some of what Ms. Pataki conjectures is improbable either in its time frame or scope, yet this is a charming imagination of the life of Marjorie Merriweather Post and her family and friends. One cannot help but like the woman.

Having said that, I honestly wish that this author had not chosen to write her story in the first person, as Marjorie Post. It’s one thing to do it in a totally original novel, but in one that is historically based, it’s actually a somewhat presumptuous thing to do, in my humble opinion. As I read along, I couldn’t see anything that was accomplished by a first person narrative that couldn’t be equaled in the third person. In fact, I rather liked the idea of someone other than Marjorie presenting her story.

Now I’ve had my little rant, and I have to confess that Pataki does make the story quite interesting, whether in the first or third person. As I said before, you really can’t help liking Marjorie. And her father C.W. Post. And found myself drawn along as Marjorie moves from Battle Creek to Michigan to Greenwich to Long Island to Palm Beach, to Washington, and on. Pataki makes much of Post’s impulses to generosity, especially the building and equipping of hospitals. But though she had many famous and rich friends, personal relationships did not seem to be her forte, perhaps as a result of her own mother and father being unable to maintain their marriage.

Post, it seems, did really live more than one magnificent life. I received an advance copy of this novelization of Post’s life, in exchange for my honest review, which you have here. I am happy to recommend the book.

Before reading The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post, I knew Marjorie Post only as the person who built Mar-a-Lago (yes, that one), So when I heard about this book, I was definitely intrigued.
I found this book absolutely fascinating and hard to put down. This book covers decades of Marjorie's Life starting when she was a little girl of humble beginnings. Her father, C.W. Post, went from being in failing health as a patient of Dr. Kellogg (yes, of Corn Flakes) and then had a miraculous recovery after becoming a Christian Scientist. He went on to create Grape-Nuts and begin a breakfast food empire. As a result Marjorie, as his only heir, entered high society when their "new money" was still frowned upon. She married into society and upon her father's death, began her tenure in her father's company as a savvy businesswoman, even though at first this was more of a shadow influence as it was still not considered proper for a woman to be involved in business affairs. She also did her best to use her money for good, building hospitals during WWI, establishing a soup kitchen during the Great Depression and using her status to raise money for various causes. She married 4 husbands, was a mother to 3 daughters, and through her 3rd husband spent time in the Soviet Union trying to help keep the peace before WWII broke out. The list of her accomplishments goes on and on, and while reading this book, it was hard to constantly not be thinking "Wow, she did that to?", it was honestly remarkable. Despite being unlucky in love, Marjorie Merriweather Post had an absolutely fascinating life, one which the author does a fantastic job bringing to life and it was a joy to read.

Thank you to Netgalley for the e-ARC, which I received in return for my honest review.

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. As a young girl in Battle Creek Michigan she helped pack the fist Post Cereal products. Marjorie had three children and four husbands, but the Post Cereal company that became General Foods always had a major role in her life. Pataki describes Marjorie's life and loves concisely and the subject is never boring. This book glitters like the homes. jewels and parties that Marjorie loved and is definitely historical fiction at its most magnificent.

Marjorie Post was not born into the heiress life, but rather grew into it as she watched her father create and grow the C. W. Post's Cereal Company. And she was not content to simply stay an heiress either. Through her skill and wit, she made crucial business decisions on her own and was a force in the business world simply through her own merit. This book chronicles Post's life from childhood through the end of life. As readers, we see Marjorie's journey into becoming a remarkable woman who shaped the world we know now.

I really enjoyed this story. I had no idea who Marjorie Post was prior to reading this book, so it was fascinating to learn more about her life. She lived a complicated life and she was no stranger to tragedy and sorrow. It was neat to see some of things that she was a forerunner of, such as frozen vegetables. If I had any criticism, it was that the book focused more heavily on her marriages with the business aspect being more subplot than anything else. Admittedly, four marriages does make for good drama, so I understand the focus on that, but I found Marjorie to be more interesting than any of her husbands, so I would have liked the focus to have been more on her.

Overall, this is a great book for anyone who doesn't know about Marjorie's life. She certainly had a unique life and I always enjoy learning about women who made a difference in the world.

Thank you to Allison Pataki, Random House Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and honestly review it.

This is an amazing historical fiction story about an extraordinary woman in fiction history!!!!!!! I loved this book and reading about all the exciting adventures Ms Post got herself into.

I knew absolutely nothing about Marjorie Post before reading this book, and now I’m obsessed.
What a woman!

Allison Pataki takes us on the journey of Marjorie’s life: her beginnings in Michigan helping her father package Grape Nuts, four marriages, the construction of Mar a Lago (yes, that Mar a Lago!) in Palm Beach, her life in Moscow before World War II… if it hadn’t actually happened readers would write Marjorie off as being too unbelievable.

Pataki’s research is impeccable and her story telling style is riveting. I couldn’t put this down! Don’t skip the Author’s Note and visit the Hillwood Museum Instagram to see some of the amazing things that are described in this book for yourself.

THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST by Allison Pataki is a fascinating story that chronicles the life of Marjorie Merriweather Post, American heiress, businesswoman, diplomat, art collector and philanthropist. Told in first person from Marjorie Post’s point of view, we hear of her remarkable life from her humble beginnings in Battle Creek, Michigan where she helped her father, C.W. Post, grow his C.W. Post Cereal Company into a staple of the American way of life. Later, with Marjorie as heiress and and key business leader, the C. W. Post company would become the General Foods empire that is still wildly successful today. Over the decades of her life, Marjorie Post made history as being one of the wealthiest women in America, the first woman to be an American diplomat, and acclaimed hostess to presidents and first ladies, Hollywood stars and royalty from around the world. Although she led a ground-breaking life, Marjorie Post had a tumultuous love life. Married four times, she suffered heartbreak, betrayal and public shaming as each of her marriages ultimately failed. I truly enjoyed this engrossing story of Marjorie Post’s epic life and the vast legacy she left behind. I learned so much about this amazing woman that I never knew. I highly recommend this book! Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

Allison Pataki has done a marvelous job of researching and writing about a fascinating and remarkable woman, Marjorie Post. I did not know anything about the life of Marjorie Post, and now I'm even more intrigued by her that I would like to read even more about her. This book is historical fiction at its best.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the review copy.

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 she 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 warehouse 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!

This novel is an intimate portrait of Marjorie Merriweather Post, heiress to the Post Cereal empire as she grows from making cereal boxes in her father’s barn in snowy Battle Creek, Michigan, to serving as Ambassadress to Russia on the eve of World War II, to becoming a real estate pioneer in her own right. Pataki tells the story of Post’s rise to high society, her philanthropy, her ill-fated marriages (of which there are four), and how one woman can turn societal convention on its head.

I’ve been sitting with this book for a few days since I finished it because it truly is just that good. Though I had never heard anything of Marjorie’s story, I was left feeling deeply inspired by her legacy, due largely to Pataki’s ability to bring this grand story to life. This is one of my favorite kinds of novels – a historical tale that blurs the lines of fact and fiction, and I am appreciative of Pataki’s extensive research that allows for deep character development. I sat this book down wishing that I could’ve known Marjorie but Allison Pataki gave me the next best thing by telling us her story. If you like HBO’s new show, The Gilded Age, this book is for you!

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

Review will be posted on my Instagram account, @bookedandbb, on 2/13/2022.

Marjorie Post led a fascinating life and this new historical novel from Alison Pataki is a captivating read through her adventures. As I read it I thought how the true lives of people sometimes are so much more interesting than fictional characters. It's great fun as you read this book to see the familiar names and locations that pop up. Not only is this a fun read but I feel compelled to read one of the biographies the author references. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book! I will be posting my review on social media, to include Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram!

Very interesting historical fiction biography. I love reading about women who make a difference in their period of time. This is told from the POV of Marjorie Merriweather Post the only child of C. W Post. The story starts with her father ill and the humble beginnings of Post Grape Nuts and Postum. By her late teens MMP is in boarding school and already has a trust fund making her a millionaire. I love the story of her father making her balance her house hold staff budget to the penny and not allowing for a nickel off.

She wasn't as lucky in love and this follows through four marriages and the birth of three daughters. I was interested that each marriage lasts years (15, 15, 20 & 6). She helps grow and shape the company that she inherits which eventually becomes General Foods. Her second husband especially helps her expand and make acquisitions. As a man he is able to take a more hands on position than she is allowed. I was surprised that it takes her years before she is able to sit on the board of the company that she owns. And even then it was an almost pioneering move.

I was fascinated by her time as the wife to the ambassador to Russia. I knew about MMP's amazing collection of Russian art, Faberge creations and historical artifacts. I didn't realize how she came to collect and preserve so many priceless items that are on display at her Hillwood mansion (now a museum) in Washington DC. I was also impressed with her philanthropy that continues all through her life. It is fitting that before she dies she spends time in a hospital that she helped fund. I think if there were one thing that was missing for me is how she was as a mother. But the fact that her daughters and grandchildren were close to her late in life suggests she was successful in that relationship.

A very interesting read and it sent me to the internet looking for at photos from her life and of her beautiful homes. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Post is a woman so interesting and multi-faceted. She is proof that women can rule the world, with style and grace. She ran so many enterprises and events with style and grace. She was so well-respected and adored by many, including Presidents and celebrities. She is an example to young girls that you can do all things without being pushy or degrading yourself in a desperate hunt for fame. I loved Pataki's style. Her writing was smooth, almost comforting, throughout the book. While I realize that this book is a work of fiction, I read it as a true story in my mind, as I imagine it was very close to reality. I love historical non-fiction and multi-generational family sagas, and this was both. I also learned much about American history, politics, and war. I liked to google the characters as I went along to get more perspective on their history and their life. Post was indeed a lady, along with being a fighter and advocate for her employees, military families, and anyone else is need. She was a great art collector and benefactor...I loved the descriptions of her jewels! I would encourage everyone to read this book. There is something for everyone to learn and enjoy.

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.

I must admit that Marjorie Post has never been on my radar as someone I wanted to learn more about. However, knowing that she had some fame as both a business woman and a part of the wealthy elite establishment, I decided to take a chance on this book. I loved it.

This has all the spice of a great novel—rags to riches, scandalous romantic relationships, business dilemmas and more money to play with than most of us readers could ever imagine. Every time Marjorie had some upheaval in her life or got bored, her answer was to have a project. Be it philanthropic projects or building a fabulous new home, she definitely made her mark in history.

My only complaint is the story focused more on her personal life and marriages than it did on her role as a businesswoman during at time when most women were still housewives. Even so, I still found it very interesting—especially during the time Marjorie and her husband spent in Russia when he was an ambassador before WWII.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for allowing me to read an advance copy. I loved it and am happy to recommend the book to other readers.

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 her accomplishments for a woman in the age when women didn’t have a voice, but how she used her wealth to help others. 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. 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.

I received an ARC from the publisher and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I hadn’t heard of Marjorie Post prior to picking up The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post, but I am, like most Americans, familiar with the Post cereal brand, and was intrigued when the connection was revealed at the start of the book, as well as how she expanded the already-successful brand into the larger General Foods brand in the following decades, among other professional and personal exploits. Her vibrant life is never without some moment of excitement, what with all the famous figures she got to meet, the constant work she was doing, and, of course, her passionate, often tempestuous romantic life. Pataki conveys it all beautifully, giving Marjorie Post the tribute she deserves.
Pataki also captures Marjorie’s voice in a believable manner, and it’s easy to become invested in her as a person as she celebrates the high points and is brought down by the lows. Particularly when she describes the feelings of being hurt by one or another of her husbands, I felt for her, and rooted for her for almost always putting herself and her sense of self first. While I did chafe at her making some of the reckless decisions she did in this department, some of that is with the benefit of hindsight, and Pataki manages to balance that while allowing Marjorie to live in each moment on the page.
This book is a fascinating portrait of a fascinating woman, and I’d recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction.

Prior to reading this novel, I was not very knowledgeable about Marjorie Post. What a woman she was! Of course I had to google as I read along because I wanted to know more in certain areas. This book was very well written and kept me captivated from the beginning.
Many thanks to Random House Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.