Finding Margaret Fuller

A Novel

By: Allison Pataki

Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik

Length: 13 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

A “sweeping” (Entertainment Weekly) novel of America’s forgotten leading lady, the central figure of a movement that defined a nation—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post

“Whether exploring Margaret’s remarkable friendships or delving into her crucial legacy as a journalist, writer, and feminist, Finding Margaret Fuller promises to transform every reader it touches.”—Marie Benedict, co-author of The Personal Librarian

Young, brazen, beautiful, and unapologetically brilliant, Margaret Fuller accepts an invitation from Ralph Waldo Emerson, the celebrated Sage of Concord, to meet his coterie of enlightened friends. There she becomes “the radiant genius and fiery heart” of the Transcendentalists, a role model to a young Louisa May Alcott, an inspiration for Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Hester Prynne and the scandalous Scarlet Letter, a friend to Henry David Thoreau as he ventures out to Walden Pond . . . and a muse to Emerson. But Margaret craves more than poetry and interpersonal drama, and her restless soul needs new challenges and adventures.

And so she charts a singular course against a backdrop of dizzying historical drama: From Boston, where she hosts a salon for students like Elizabeth Cady Stanton; to the editorial meetings of The Dial magazine, where she hones her pen as its co-founder; to Harvard’s library, where she is the first woman permitted entry; to the gritty New York streets where she spars with Edgar Allan Poe and reports on Frederick Douglass. Margaret defies conventions time and again as an activist for women and an advocate for humanity, earning admirers and critics alike.

When the legendary editor Horace Greeley offers her an assignment in Europe, Margaret again makes history as the first female foreign news correspondent, mingling with luminaries like Frédéric Chopin, William Wordsworth, George Sand and more. But it is in Rome that she finds a world of passion, romance, and revolution, taking a Roman count as a lover—and sparking an international scandal. Evolving yet again into the roles of mother and countess, Margaret enters the fight for Italy’s unification.

With a star-studded cast and sweeping, epic historical events, this is a story of an inspiring trailblazer, a woman who loved big and lived even bigger—a fierce adventurer who transcended the rigid roles ascribed to women and changed history, all on her own terms.

©2024 Allison Pataki (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Nobody does historical fiction quite like Allison Pataki. . . . Part of the joy in reading [her] books is you learn from them while being caught up in the sweeping action, and this latest is no exception.”—Town & Country

“[A] bold, brilliant woman . . . She changed the course of history—and now here’s hers, which you won’t believe you didn’t already know.”—Good Morning America

“What a woman! What a story! Whether exploring Margaret’s remarkable friendships or delving into her crucial legacy as a journalist, writer, and feminist, Finding Margaret Fuller promises to transform every reader it touches—much like Margaret Fuller herself.”—Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling co-author of The Personal Librarian

I must’ve missed this group of thinkers in high school being friends

Simply enthralled with the ties of these genuses! Again sick of all historical fiction books about the two world wars! A refreshing different time in our history!

Loved the story

I didn’t know who Margaret Fuller was and now I will never forget. Thank you for the inspiring and interesting story. The narrator was perfect.

Never heard of Margaret

Story was interesting and based on truth . Vert worthy of my time and authors energy.

Important intelligent people doing wonderful and interesting things.

I did not know who Margaret Fuller was before now. The fictionalization of the details of all of the people’s lives was done well.

A Different (and important) Perspective on History

Books like this should be required reading for high school English classes. How exciting to learn about significant women in history. It’s never too late!

Great book!

This book really brought Margaret to life along with the other characters. I really enjoyed immersing myself in her world.

Didn’t want it to end!

What an exceptional story, unveiling the story and life of Margaret Fuller, unknown until now among her famed Transcendentalist peers. This story is woven beautifully; I couldn’t put it down and I did not want it to end! I loved that it’s written from Margaret’s perspective, truly taking the reader along on the most beautiful and fascinating journey. Exceptional!

A beautiful masterpiece

This book was so impossible to put down. I listened to this superb narration as I follwed the book. There were many passages I highlighted as I read and listened. It was a treat to learn so much about this important woman whom I did not know. I was royally entertained with all her friends,her experiences,and how much she contributed in her lifetime as a writer. I will always remember the choice words she spoke to Edgar Allen Poe that put him in his place. It has been a pleasure to learn so much from history and be entertained along the way. I will anxiously be awaiting this author's future books. Thank you Allison Pataki. Margaret Fuller would have been proud of your writing and the fact that you chose to bring her story to life.

Boring, preachy, and disappointing

Having read and enjoyed “Mr. Emerson’s Wife” by Amy Belding Brown and being a fan of Allison Pataki’s previous books, I was disappointed in how contrived and clumsy the plot, characters and theme were presented and reiterated in this version of literary history.