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Sunday, October 1, 2023

REVIEW - Finding Margaret Fuller

 


OVERVIEW

Allison Pataki does it again!! She writes amazingly beautiful historical fiction about women that many of us do not know in history. Allison Pataki is shifting the paradigm!! 

Margaret Fuller - what a fantastic woman! Interestingly, when I asked my husband if he knew who she was - he knew, but I didn't! 

Margaret Fuller was really a force in women's education, equality, suffrage, and knowledge. She was a woman who was way ahead of her time and still is. I would love to meet her and share some tea, talk, and enjoy nature together. Margaret was a firecracker and friend/acquaintance to so many historical figures.

This novel primarily focuses on Margaret's life from the age of 26 to 40 years of age. This includes her time in Concord, Massachusetts with the Transcendentalists to her time in Europe. There are some flashbacks, but they definitely add to the character development and storyline. 

This book was beautifully written and we learn so much about Margaret. But, it was not like a textbook, but rather a beautiful story of a life well-lived! I loved it!

Yet, ANOTHER 5-star book!!!


OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars


Writing: 5.0 stars

I have read all of the historical fiction novels by Allison Pataki and always eagerly look forward to her next book. This novel is beautifully written and descriptive, yet not wordy. It is just another great read!


Character development: 5.0 stars

This book is full of many characters as most historical fiction is! But, many of them were familiar historical characters!

The main character is Margaret. She is in the title and Margaret is what the entire novel is about! She is fully developed so her choices, reasonings, and life views are explored. 

The secondary characters are Margaret's husband, Giovanni Ossoli, and The Transcendentalists. The Transcendentalists especially Ralph Waldo Emerson opened up many life-changing opportunities for her. The Transcendentalists could take over the book, but Allison Pataki reigns it in and they are handled very well!!

The tertiary characters are Horace Greeley, her family, and the other historical characters Margaret encounters throughout her life.


Storyline:  5.0 stars

This book was the real reason that I read historical fiction. To learn about historical characters that I don't know about and to research more so I can learn about them and their impact on history!! 

Margaret Fuller is one of the "forgotten" Transcendentalists even though her impact was powerful. Of course, I really think it is because she is a woman, no doubt. I learned so much about Margaret Fuller and the Transcendentalists as I never really read any of their works. But, it was fascinating to discover what they were about and what impact Margaret had on the movement.

The main locations were Massachusetts, New York City, and Italy. 


Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars

My goodness, Margaret Fuller was so intriguing that I looked up more on her life before I started this review. She was just incredibly amazing!


Book cover: 5.0 stars

Perfect!


Book title: 5.0 stars 

Perfection.


Gut feeling: 3.0 stars

I assumed that I would like this book as I have liked other books by Allison Pataki.


Suggestions: 

I wish that the book had been LONGER!!


Highly RECOMMEND


BOOK INFORMATION

NetGalley ARC (Advance Reader Copy)

Finding Margaret Fuller by Allison Pataki

416 pages 

Ballantine

Release date of 02/13/2024


INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Allison Pataki

My Goodreads review

Ballantine

NetGalley


Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜


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