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Daisy Chain: Shortlisted for the Paul Torday Memorial Prize 2024
WINNER PAGETURNER AWARD BEST BOOK TO SCREENPLAY LONGLISTED BEST BOOK HISTORICAL FICTION COMPANY 'Daisy Chain was well researched and informative and I could hear the voice of Daisy as I was reading it.' Eimear Lawlor , author of Dublin's Girl 'A revelation. Justine Gilbert is a master storyteller. Highly recommended.' Historical Fiction Company 5-Star Award 'Justine Gilbert shines new light on the tender side of one of America's legendary figures, President Franklin Roosevelt with a passionate and illuminating retelling of a seismic era from the perspective of 'the other woman.' Louise Dean , award-winning author and founder of The Novelry
Spinster Daisy Suckley, a cousin of Franklin Roosevelt, was one of a band of unconventional women close to FDR along with Frances Perkins, the architect of social security, Eleanor Roosevelt, the fiery labour organiser, and Missy LeHand, the supersecretary who was a political operative in her right. FDR gave them careers. In turn, they ensured his presidency was stronger and bolder and more effective. But they all had their own secrets and ways of working the system. Told through Daisy's eyes, their friendships, animosities, affairs and political agendas shaped the president's terms. This is their story, the women who influenced FDR, as told by his alternative wife, Daisy.
Spinster Daisy Suckley, a cousin of Franklin Roosevelt, was one of a band of unconventional women close to FDR along with Frances Perkins, the architect of social security, Eleanor Roosevelt, the fiery labour organiser, and Missy LeHand, the supersecretary who was a political operative in her right. FDR gave them careers. In turn, they ensured his presidency was stronger and bolder and more effective. But they all had their own secrets and ways of working the system. Told through Daisy's eyes, their friendships, animosities, affairs and political agendas shaped the president's terms. This is their story, the women who influenced FDR, as told by his alternative wife, Daisy.
292 pages, Paperback
Published March 2, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 21, 2023
This is Justine Gilbert's debut novel and is a wonderful exploration of life around Franklin D. Roosevelt. Vivid characterisation and scene setting enhance this wonderful novel.
March 10, 2023
Daisy Chain is an astonishingly well-written novel about the women in Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s life.
Roosevelt’s story is a matter of recorded fact of course, the polio-ridden US President who won an unprecedented four elections, the creator of the New Deal who led his country into World War 2, dying in office just as peace was secured. And the story of the women who surrounded him has been touched upon before but mainly centring on his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt. But there were many others. This book is about them all and never has their story, seen here through the eyes of the faithful sixth cousin, Daisy Suckley (pronounced Bookley but with an S) been told with such warmth, skill and accuracy. The author, Justine Gilbert, is the grand-daughter of Daisy’s first cousin and writes with a confidence and familiarity with her subject that perhaps only a family member can achieve.
Yes, this is a novel (the author describes this as a fictional tale of a real life love story) and like all good books, it keeps you guessing right to the end. But this feels thoroughly real throughout, helped by Gilbert’s ability to take you deep inside Daisy’s head with a style that is redolent of thirties and forties upper-class New York State, so that the reader feels like a participant, indeed almost a member of the “Hudson River Valley Set”.
It’s hard to know where the fact stops and the fiction takes over, so cleverly intertwined are they but, fact or fiction, Franklin D Roosevelt’s life and loves have never before been chronicled this carefully, lovingly or rivetingly.
At once sad and joyful, gentle and forceful, this is an important, deeply researched and beautifully written book that deserves the widest possible readership. Thoroughly recommended.
Roosevelt’s story is a matter of recorded fact of course, the polio-ridden US President who won an unprecedented four elections, the creator of the New Deal who led his country into World War 2, dying in office just as peace was secured. And the story of the women who surrounded him has been touched upon before but mainly centring on his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt. But there were many others. This book is about them all and never has their story, seen here through the eyes of the faithful sixth cousin, Daisy Suckley (pronounced Bookley but with an S) been told with such warmth, skill and accuracy. The author, Justine Gilbert, is the grand-daughter of Daisy’s first cousin and writes with a confidence and familiarity with her subject that perhaps only a family member can achieve.
Yes, this is a novel (the author describes this as a fictional tale of a real life love story) and like all good books, it keeps you guessing right to the end. But this feels thoroughly real throughout, helped by Gilbert’s ability to take you deep inside Daisy’s head with a style that is redolent of thirties and forties upper-class New York State, so that the reader feels like a participant, indeed almost a member of the “Hudson River Valley Set”.
It’s hard to know where the fact stops and the fiction takes over, so cleverly intertwined are they but, fact or fiction, Franklin D Roosevelt’s life and loves have never before been chronicled this carefully, lovingly or rivetingly.
At once sad and joyful, gentle and forceful, this is an important, deeply researched and beautifully written book that deserves the widest possible readership. Thoroughly recommended.
January 15, 2024
Reading this, I was reminded of Bill Clinton. I came of age on his election and the big reveal that he rather enjoyed the ladies. Clinton, like FDR, promoted women and respected them and their brains and what they brought to the table. Clinton was so comfortable with smart hard-working women that when he started his campaigning, he actually thought that a good slogan was Two for the Vote of One, meaning that if he got in then the electorate got Hilary too. But the electorate in the USA doesn’t like smart, well educated, no nonsense women who can command a room. As history has demonstrated, the American people prefer traitorous buffoons.
FDR was the first president to make a woman a cabinet secretary. He made Eleanor his campaigner; she spoke for the two of them. He made his secretary so powerful a gatekeeper that it was written about in the newspaper. And he made his cousin his secret wife. Good for him.
I am still waiting for a world in which women don’t need a man – or the electorate - to be permitted to achieve.
FDR was the first president to make a woman a cabinet secretary. He made Eleanor his campaigner; she spoke for the two of them. He made his secretary so powerful a gatekeeper that it was written about in the newspaper. And he made his cousin his secret wife. Good for him.
I am still waiting for a world in which women don’t need a man – or the electorate - to be permitted to achieve.
May 11, 2023
A realistic inside view into the world of business of the past
This book reveals the hidden, wise and tender side of Franklin Roosevelt - one of the most influential American figures. Franklin Roosevelt was said to "appreciate the company of women", which is partly reason he promoted them to positions so close to his. Despite his reasons, this was still very important in women's history.
This book is told from the point of view of one of the many women who were by Roosevelt's side, Daisy Suckley, and it follows her friendships, troubles, affairs, romances and the complex stories of the many women who worked for FDR. I was amazed to discover that it was written by a relative who knew Daisy.
I loved this book and it really shone a new light on FDR for me. Definitely recommend.
This book reveals the hidden, wise and tender side of Franklin Roosevelt - one of the most influential American figures. Franklin Roosevelt was said to "appreciate the company of women", which is partly reason he promoted them to positions so close to his. Despite his reasons, this was still very important in women's history.
This book is told from the point of view of one of the many women who were by Roosevelt's side, Daisy Suckley, and it follows her friendships, troubles, affairs, romances and the complex stories of the many women who worked for FDR. I was amazed to discover that it was written by a relative who knew Daisy.
I loved this book and it really shone a new light on FDR for me. Definitely recommend.
January 29, 2024
When I look at what Franklin Roosevelt accomplished and under appalling poor health, he
makes every other leader like a boy in short trousers. Where are the FDRs of today? I think
that by poking our noses into the private lives, the minutiae of their sexual escapades and
other activities, of our leaders, we do ourselves a disservice. Unless your life is blameless,
with a spotless backstory, you don’t dare go into politics. And yet, this book about FDR’s
secret wife (Eleanor Roosevelt wouldn’t live with him in the White House, the only first lady
to do with the partial exception of Melania Trump), as written by her grandniece who knew
here, demonstrates, your private life can be quite unconventional and yet really also quite
functional.
makes every other leader like a boy in short trousers. Where are the FDRs of today? I think
that by poking our noses into the private lives, the minutiae of their sexual escapades and
other activities, of our leaders, we do ourselves a disservice. Unless your life is blameless,
with a spotless backstory, you don’t dare go into politics. And yet, this book about FDR’s
secret wife (Eleanor Roosevelt wouldn’t live with him in the White House, the only first lady
to do with the partial exception of Melania Trump), as written by her grandniece who knew
here, demonstrates, your private life can be quite unconventional and yet really also quite
functional.
March 23, 2023
I took my time over this book, savouring the prose.
What a delight.
I was in my element reading a style one finds in the classics.
I mulled over what I would say in this review so I could digest the story.
This piece of writing is remarkable.
The detail is so intricate that it almost blew my mind.
I was astonished by the similarities between the political history of America and the politics of today, especially the disparities between the ideals and the actions of individuals.
A must-have for any shelf.
What a delight.
I was in my element reading a style one finds in the classics.
I mulled over what I would say in this review so I could digest the story.
This piece of writing is remarkable.
The detail is so intricate that it almost blew my mind.
I was astonished by the similarities between the political history of America and the politics of today, especially the disparities between the ideals and the actions of individuals.
A must-have for any shelf.
June 19, 2024
Daisy Chain is a gripping read which showed me a shocking side to FDR that I never knew about before. It is based on a true story but reads like a love story straight out of a fairytale; the most powerful man in the world falling in love with a plain spinster. It is a heartwrenching novel that also gives a fascinating look into the politics of early-20th century America, especially the female pioneers making waves in politics. It is almost an intriguing insight into what it was like to be almost American royalty yet constantly on the brink of poverty.
July 9, 2024
Daisy" Suckley. A lesser-known figure, Daisy is vividly brought to life through beautifully crafted, descriptive language in a novel that resonates like a memoir yet maintains a robust narrative drive. Justine Gilbert, a distant relative, and masterfully intertwines historical facts with creative insights, painting Daisy as an unsung hero of the era. Her unwavering dedication and deep emotional connection to the president are highlighted, making this a truly heartfelt portrait. Highly recommended.
December 3, 2023
This historical novel is based on a decades long relationship between Daisy Suckley and legendary US president Franklin D Roosevelt. It shines a light on his personal relationships including his marriage with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt . Daisy's tender love for Franklin is the river that flows through this book. For me, the truth about the president;s pain and suffering kept well hidden from the general public wasthe most poignant aspect .
August 30, 2023
What a beautiful book! I’ve never read anything in the historical fiction genre before but this will certainly prompt me to widen my reading horizons. It’s such a well-written and clever look into the life of a woman who isn’t usually recognised. Daisy had such a clear character and voice; I felt like I was looking directly into her thoughts. 5/5, I recommend!!!
April 4, 2023
I loved this fascinating story of the women beside and behind president F D Roosevelt as seen through the eyes of Margaret “Daisy” Suckley, perhaps the least well-known woman in his life. With evocative prose and vivid scenes, Daisy really comes alive in this memoir-like novel that never loses its agency. As a skilful storyteller, Justine Gilbert (a distant family member) weaves historical facts and speculation into a loving portrait of Daisy that shows her devotion to the president reveals their strong emotional bond and depicts her as the unsung heroine behind him. An endearing story. Highly recommended.
May 17, 2023
This was a very interesting true story. Lots of interesting facts. A good read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews