First published 1973
Eleanor Roosevelt stands awkwardly at a society gathering, feeling overshadowed by her charismatic cousin Franklin. Their courtship unfolds against the backdrop of progressive era New York, where Eleanor's shy nature clashes with the demands of political life. As Franklin's career ascends from state senator to Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Eleanor must find her own voice while managing household duties and social expectations. The discovery of Franklin's affair with Lucy Mercer threatens to destroy their marriage, forcing Eleanor to choose between personal happiness and political partnership. Through Franklin's polio diagnosis and recovery, their relationship transforms from romantic love into something more complex. Eleanor emerges as a political force in her own right, advocating for social causes while supporting Franklin's presidential ambitions. The story reveals how two very different people forge an unconventional partnership that would reshape American politics and redefine the role of First Lady.
Genres: american-fiction, 20th-century, biography-memoir, american-history
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: New York
Period: Progressive Era
1056 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Signet