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Lucy

3.5 of 5 stars 3.50 · rating details · 436 ratings · 100 reviews

On the eve of World War I, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin Delano Roosevelt, fiercely ambitious and still untouched by polio, falls in love with his wife's social secretary, Lucy Mercer. Eleanor stumbles on their letters and divorce is discussed, but honor and ambition win out. Franklin promises he will never see Lucy again.

But Franklin and Lucy do meet again, and...more

Hardcover, 304 pages

Published January 17th 2004 by W. W. Norton & Company (first published September 6th 2002)

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Feb 19, 2012 Fergie rated it 3 of 5 stars

I think this book actually deserves three and a half stars but as goodreads is s stickler for the "whole" star, I was forced to give it three. Anyone who loves historical fiction, specifically from FDR's time period, will truly enjoy this book. I had prior knowledge of the affair and long-standing relationship between Franklin Roosevelt and Lucy Mercer-Rutherfurd. Having said that, it was interesting to see that the author was sure to tie in historical facts and details of their relationship int...more

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Mar 24, 2009 Brittany Mangus rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I don't really remember how I stumbled upon this book, but I'm glad I read it. This is a biographical fiction novel about FDR, Eleanor Roosevelt and Lucy Mercer Rutherford (Eleanor's personal social secretary and FDR's mistress).

It's written in the first person, from Lucy's (rose-colored) point of view. It takes place from 1914-1945, focusing mostly on the time period (1914-1918) when FDR met Lucy, which was before FDR was stricken with polio.

As a fan of similar period novels (The Age of Innocen...more I don't really remember how I stumbled upon this book, but I'm glad I read it. This is a biographical fiction novel about FDR, Eleanor Roosevelt and Lucy Mercer Rutherford (Eleanor's personal social secretary and FDR's mistress).

It's written in the first person, from Lucy's (rose-colored) point of view. It takes place from 1914-1945, focusing mostly on the time period (1914-1918) when FDR met Lucy, which was before FDR was stricken with polio.

As a fan of similar period novels (The Age of Innocence, The Buccaneers, Ethan Frome, etc.) I was fascinated by this book; I could really feel that the author had a grasp of the Victorian Era. The characters exude the New England Victorian culture and Lucy mentions the strict social rules of the era. (For example, a patrician woman must never occupy a man's newly-vacated chair, for fear that his body heat may still be felt.) This book even weaves in some newly-discovered and very interesting information about FDR and another mistress, Missy LeHand.

I have read other biographies about former presidents so it was especially fun to read this "sort-of" biography in the form of a fictional novel. What was very interesting to me was how each chapter began with one or two actual quotes from people who knew FDR, Eleanor and Lucy. Often, they contradicted each other, which added a human element to the story.

FDR first met Lucy Mercer around 1914 when she was working in their home as Eleanor's social secretary. A not-so-secret romance blossomed. The affair was well-known to everyone in their social circle... everyone except shy, reserved, and repressed Eleanor.
However, in the fall of 1918, Eleanor discovered love letters from Lucy to her husband in his suitcase. Historians and this author agree that "the Lucy Mercer affair" was the catalyst that defined the great leaders who FDR and Eleanor herself would one day become. At the time, Eleanor forbade FDR from seeing Lucy ever again. Lucy, however secretly came back into the President's life near the end of it (the Secret Service gave her a code name "Mrs. Paul Johnson"), and was with him on the very day he died in Warm Springs, Georgia. What was not known until very recently was exactly when she re-entered his life. They now believe that it was much sooner than earlier thought.

It was interesting to compare the choices made by the women who loved FDR. Lucy married Winthrop Rutherford (a man 29 years her senior), whereas Missy never married and devoted her life to FDR. Daisy Suckley likewise never married and shared a similar expectation (with Lucy and Missy) that she would someday "retire" with FDR once his 4th term in office was over. Eleanor chose to remain married to FDR, despite accounts that she "did not act like a wife." (In fact, she lived separately from him.)
There are many more secrets and interesting personality quirks and flaws that I will leave for you to discover. It is a fascinating novel about fascinating people- I recommend it!(less)

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Nov 30, 2012 Rachel Crooks rated it 2 of 5 stars

I judged this book by its cover. Doesn't it look interesting?

And at first it was. The first few chapters, I felt like I was actually sitting in Eleanor Roosevelt's front parlor and watching Franklin coming in the door.

But I got really irritated with Lucy. It seemed like every other sentence was, "Most women would have been annoyed with Franklin for liking a good cocktail after dinner, but I realized he needed to relax." Or, "I had learned from Eleanor that it is not good to present Franklin wit...more

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Oct 01, 2011 Hooma rated it 4 of 5 stars

A friend recommended this book to me after I put up my review of "Eleanor and Franklin, an Extraordinary Marriage." I found a copy at the used book sale at our local library and picked up.

FDR's affair with Lucy Mercer, though an open secret in many Washington, D.C. society circles, was unknown to the public for nearly two decades until after his death. Written in the first person narrative of Lucy Mercer, Feldman has produced an exquisite novel. I enjoyed the first person narrative because I...more A friend recommended this book to me after I put up my review of "Eleanor and Franklin, an Extraordinary Marriage." I found a copy at the used book sale at our local library and picked up.

FDR's affair with Lucy Mercer, though an open secret in many Washington, D.C. society circles, was unknown to the public for nearly two decades until after his death. Written in the first person narrative of Lucy Mercer, Feldman has produced an exquisite novel. I enjoyed the first person narrative because I felt as though I was experiencing these moments with them. Though this book falls in the category of historical fiction, it is still provides quite an accurate reflection of the historical record. This is the first time I have really learned in detail about Lucy Mercer - most mentions of her in other sources are brief and fleeting. I also enjoyed the snippets from letters and telegrams and ancedotes from close friends and relatives that Feldman included in the novel.

I started reading this novel with the expectation of hating Lucy Mercer. However, I walked away from this novel with a mix of emotions. There were moments when I pitied her and even understood her actions. Yet, at the same time, there were also moments when I was absolutely appalled at her justification for falling in love and then having an affair with her employer's husband. Her critical view of Eleanor and her Franklin was condescending, ill-informed and typical, in my point of view, of a mistress. What is most surprising about this novel is that though FDR promised Eleanor and his mother that he would stop seeing Lucy after the affair was discovered - he never really did. He remained in touch with her for the rest of his life - at times more frequently with others - and Lucy and not Eleanor was there when FDR died in Warm Springs. FDR's relationship with Lucy and a number of other women in his life highlight the complexity of the Roosevelt marriage.

I greatly enjoyed this book. One of the great things about this novel is that the reader is able to see a great deal of Eleanor and FDR's life when they were a young married couple. So much has been focused on FDR's illness and his subsequent rehabilitation, that it is difficult at times to remember that he enjoyed robust good health and was an energetic and rising political star even before his illness. It was impressive to observe FDR's zest for life and view the incredbile magnetism and charisma that drew so many people to him.

For fans of biographies and students of history this book will sure to captivate you. I had a hard time putting it down. (less)

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Sep 17, 2009 Melissa rated it 1 of 5 stars

Really not good. There is a sad lack of depth to any of these characters, and the story skims along on the surface of everything. It's a shame, too, because if any two people are larger than life and yet still ciphers in many ways, it's Eleanor Roosevelt and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. And Lucy Mercer is enough of a mystery, having been extremely discreet about everything to do with her relationship with Roosevelt, that there's room for a writer to really expand on her character and make her wort...more

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Aug 21, 2011 Florence Millo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Historical fiction at its best transports one to a different time and place. There you see the sights, hear the sounds, and feel the emotions of that time and place. That is what happens when you turn the first page of Lucy by Ellen Feldman. You listen in as Lucy Mercer tells you how she came to 1733 N Street to be the social secretary to the wife of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. You understand how she and Franklin Delano Roosevelt came to love each other and just how deep and enduring th...more

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Feb 20, 2011 Kelly rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads, fiction

Concept: “On the eve of World War I, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin Delano Roosevelt, fiercely ambitious and still untouched by polio, fell in love with his wife’s social secretary, Lucy Mercer. When Eleanor stumbled onto evidence of the affair, divorce was discussed, but honor and ambition won out. Franklin promised he would never see Lucy again.

Ellen Feldman’s novel brings sympathy and insight to bear on the connection between these three compelling characters. When Franklin and Lucy...more Concept: “On the eve of World War I, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin Delano Roosevelt, fiercely ambitious and still untouched by polio, fell in love with his wife’s social secretary, Lucy Mercer. When Eleanor stumbled onto evidence of the affair, divorce was discussed, but honor and ambition won out. Franklin promised he would never see Lucy again.

Ellen Feldman’s novel brings sympathy and insight to bear on the connection between these three compelling characters. When Franklin and Lucy did meet again, it was across the divide of his illness and political ascendancy, her marriage and widowhood. As he prepared to run for an unprecedented third term and lead America into another world war, he turned to Lucy for the warmth and unconditional approval Eleanor was unable to give.

Based on recently discovered materials and incorporating a never-before-published footnote to the affair, Lucy is a remarkably sensitive insight into the private lives behind a public marriage.

Review: This book was recommended from my bookgroup on Goodreads (Book Lover’s Hideaway) as a monthly read for the historical fiction genre. Because I have really been trying to read other genres (and I think I’ve been giving it one heckuva try) and because this book sounded really interesting to me, but mostly because FDR was my favorite president of all times, I decided to read this. So I ordered it from my library and waited patiently for it to come in. When I picked it up, I found myself very excited to read it.

The concept above does a good job of outlining what’s in the book. I can’t really add much more. I found myself not really caring about Lucy or FDR and even Eleanor (who is like a goddess to me) became a little lackluster. It was like reading my aunt’s memoir. It was rather dry. There was no real romance in it. Nothing to sweep me off my feet. I did learn some historical goodies, but nothing really amazing. I found myself not caring about these people. It was a slow, hard read. I’m really sorry that I didn’t like this book because I really wanted to.

What I liked: When I said that this book was like reading a memoir of my aunt, I meant it and that brought back some nice memories for me. I could smell her face powder and see her lacy dresses. Think Boardwalk Empire. That’s the time period for most of this book. If that era interests you, then you might like this book. It’s a quick read though. I was able to read it in one setting so its not something that drags on and on.

What I disliked: I wanted to see ROMANCE between Lucy and FDR. I understand she was discreet and all that, but I wanted to watch them fall in love and want them to be together. If I felt sympathy for Lucy taking FDR away from Eleanor, it was going to have to be good and sadly, for me, it wasn’t. This is another attempt at historical fiction for me that I didn’t care for. Its not looking good for me to keep experimenting in this genre.
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Dec 03, 2010 Pam rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction

Written as historical fiction, this story tells about the love triangle of Lucy Mercer, Franklin Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor. The author emphasizes the fiction, but it draws in some cases directly from dialogue in letters, official records, and in family recollections. Lucy Mercer has always been a footnote in the stories of the Roosevelts. Although this book actually did a good job of not trying to justify nor develop anymore of a back story than had been there in the past, there really isn'...more

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Apr 15, 2011 Leslie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, favorite-fiction

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I had not previously read much about American life during the first world war so this was an interesting new topic. I found the authors depiction of Franklin Roosevelt charming, witty, intelligent and hopelessly romantic. I did not know about his affair with Lucy Mercer and despite the fact that I don't agree with his actions, their relationship was heart-warming to read about. She was a desperately needed person in his life through both world wars and his diagnos...more

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Aug 17, 2012 Julie Failla Earhart rated it 4 of 5 stars

as seen on walrus publishing:

Tacking historic figures is nothing new for author Ellen Feldman. With such novels as Scottsboro and The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank, Feldman is a pro at researching historic eras.
With Lucy, Feldman digs into the life of one of the more obscure yet highly controversial women of the mid-twentieth century, Lucy Mercer Rutherford. Lucy is better known as the mistress of FDR.
Lucy narrates the story that is told in a long flashback, beginning in 1914. Lucy is hired at the pr...more as seen on walrus publishing:

Tacking historic figures is nothing new for author Ellen Feldman. With such novels as Scottsboro and The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank, Feldman is a pro at researching historic eras.
With Lucy, Feldman digs into the life of one of the more obscure yet highly controversial women of the mid-twentieth century, Lucy Mercer Rutherford. Lucy is better known as the mistress of FDR.
Lucy narrates the story that is told in a long flashback, beginning in 1914. Lucy is hired at the private social secretary of Eleanor Roosevelt. At work she meets Eleanor’s husband Franklin, then assistant Secretary of the Navy. Franklin was young and virile, many years before the polio that invaded his body.
Lucy wasn’t the world’s most breathtaking beauty. She had blue eyes and thick auburn hair. No one can be sure why Franklin was drawn to her. For her, Franklin was always upbeat and gregarious. Their affection for each other culminated in a torrid affair that began in 1916. Eleanor discovered their tryst when she happened upon a package of letters as she was unpacking Franklin’s suitcase.
Eleanor was not a shy woman. Realizing how much in love the two were, she offers Franklin a chance to divorce. Franklin is eager to rid himself of Eleanor until his advisors warn him that divorce would dash his presidential hopes and anger his mother enough to cut him off.
So, like all good politicians, he ends the affair. Ends is not a good word, the affair goes underground. Many believe that the affair is over, but Lucy helps Franklin through many political and personal crises, including the devastating polio that attacked him in 1921 when he is 39 years old.
Their affair comes to light again in 1941 and during World War II when Franklin is President of the United States for an unprecedented four terms. He needs her, and she needs him. Lucy is at his bedside when he passes away in Warm Spring, Georgia, in 1945.
The story is well-told, but lacks a certain depth. The thing that stands out the most is the length of the affair and the author choice of narrator. Not many historical novels are written from the point of view of the “other woman.” That was quite daring on Feldman’s part. Every so often, Lucy makes a statement from the present which creates discord in the story’s flow and throws the reader out of the characters’ world.
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Jan 08, 2012 Beverly rated it 3 of 5 stars

• Once again Ellen Feldman has written an engaging story based on a “historical event” using a female narrator to present a woman’s pov. Also continues her themes of love, marriage, life expectations & a woman’s place.
• I enjoy the author’s writing style and the ability to present a given time period and the cultural mores of the period w/o being preachy or overdramatic.
• In many ways this book reminded me of Douglass’ Women by Jewell Parker Rhodes (it seems that both books were released aro...more

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Feb 08, 2009 Meryl rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book left me with the feeling that I would have liked Lucy Mercer, despite that she was the "other woman". Not an evil temptress or a scheming social climber--just a smart girl who wasn't afraid of her own happiness.

Although the book skips through her mid-life and marriage rather quickly, I was happy for her that she found a nice man to love and be happy with after--or maybe between--her time with FDR. And it was also interesting to see how the author dealt with the relationship between the...more

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Aug 24, 2011 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-ficition, books-read-in-2011

While I enjoyed this book, I didn't fall in love with it. Telling the story of the 'other woman', Feldman makes Lucy extremely likable. So much so, you don't find yourself angry or pitying her. She is simple a woman who wanted happiness and took whatever she could from a man that wasn't fully available. Feldman's FDR is kind and jolly. You don't sense he seeks to hurt his wife by loving others but you do sense he doesn't realize how his actions impact others.

Overall the book is charming. For me...more

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Dec 01, 2010 Heather Rothman rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is an excellent and compelling read. It's clear that Ms. Feldman did quite a bit of research into the lives of Roosevelt and his mistress. It's impossible not to feel as though you are living during the time in which the book takes place when reading this. Ellen Feldman's a terrific storyteller, but more than that, she offers insight into history that might not be gained from reading a traditional history book or biography. I look forward to her next novel.

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Dec 05, 2011 Brianna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-found

A story (based on historical facts which have come out through letters and eyewitness accounts) about FDR, his mistress, and Eleanor. While not the most compelling love story or recreation of history I've ever read, it was definitely a charming story that I had trouble putting down. Nothing feels tawdry, and you feel that you've learned a fair amount about the era and the lives of people who lived through it.

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Dec 30, 2009 Amanda rated it 2 of 5 stars

I just finished Lucy by Ellen Feldman, and it cements something I've thought for years: presidents are NAUGHTY! We have this image of a fine, upstanding citizen, smart, serious, not funny... or else you think that Bill Clinton had the market cornered on being cool. Not so. Franklin Roosevelt was a cad. He wore a straw boater, drove a convertible (of course, they might all have been convertibles in the teens) AND he had an affair. Not sure if he played the saxophone, though.
This book also confirm...more

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Dec 01, 2008 Karyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was okay. It failed to capture my complete attention; I was easily distracted as I was reading through the chapters. The book did make me quite curious about the Roosevelt families and what was happening politically in the US during the 20s/30s/40s. I'd read a chapter or two, and then head to wikipedia to read about Eleanor, Franklin, and Lucy trying to figure out who was related to whom and what political office they held.

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Dec 09, 2008 Louisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009winter

Read for my book club's December selection. Enjoyed on multiple levels, especially in the context of the political news of the day. The social programs enacted under FDR affect us today; it gives me great hope for Obama's future legacy. Both men have such vision ... that's all I can write for now because we are off for a playdate. Had to say something!

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Apr 11, 2013 Karen Hogan rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book fascinated me. I admit I don't know a lot about FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt, but I have visited Hyde Park. I was surprised that I actually cared for the "Other Woman" in his life, Lucy Mercer. This is a fictionalized version of their love triangle, but it seemed to ring true. This book also gave me a glimpse into what was occurring around the world during this historic time. (In other words, I learned something, while also being entertained). If you like historical fiction, you should li...more

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Dec 22, 2011 Suzanne Skelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Simply a delightful read. it moved at a pace that you just didn't want to put it down.

This historical fiction book is base on enough fact that you felt you got a real insight to Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

The characters are beautifully developed to the point tyat you don't know who you admire, who you dislike, or who you blamwe. It helps bring home the fact that even the best of us have imperfections and weaknesses.

I definately felt sorry for Eleanor Roosevelt thru most of the book, but I am now...more

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Mar 03, 2011 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars

While I like the historical fiction aspect of this novel, I found that it left large gaps in Lucy's life. There were large leaps in time without much detail which I would have liked more of. Overall, Lucy is a nice read that reminds us of a time in history when people, war, travel and love were all different from now.

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Apr 13, 2010 Ellen rated it 4 of 5 stars

I found this rather fascinating. FDR and his mistress and the extraordinary world events that shaped their affair. Yes, Lucy is made out to be a bit of a saint, FDR is a god, and poor Eleanor is a bit of a sad sack; but, it's a worthwhile read for anyone who has an interest in the man who so vastly reimagined America.

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May 11, 2009 Neetha Philip rated it 3 of 5 stars

I liked Lucy Mercer. She was always the other woman, the one blamed for the affair. This book, written from her point of view is fast, and interesting. I think its because Lucy becomes human, and somehow is as admirable as Eleanor Roosevelt. She wasnt as exemplary a person, but the fact that she was just another woman makes her someone one can relate to.

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Jul 17, 2012 Jamie Stanley rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

Very interesting. I had no idea that he had a mistress. I don't really know that much about this president at all actually. I would have to say, this book def held my attention and I learned something from it. My favorite parts was the actual quotes that they pulled from
their
letters to each other.

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Jan 07, 2009 Barb rated it 3 of 5 stars

Lucy Mercer was Eleanor Roosevelt's Social Secretary, who fell in love & was Franklin's misress. Historical fiction based on letters. Franklin was bigger than life - 4 terms! Lucy and he were apart for 20 years and then reunited after the death of her husband.

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Apr 22, 2012 Cam rated it 5 of 5 stars

Really liked this book. It takes an interesting piece of history and makes it into beautiful touching story. Fascinating to see how their relationship endures thru all the changes in their lives and how the president could still be discrete in that day and age.

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Aug 10, 2010 Dodi rated it 4 of 5 stars

A fictional account of Lucy Mercer's affair with FDR. Gave me a different perspective on history. Didn't realize that the affair ended before he was president. She only came back into his life after she was married, and then it was just at the end of his life

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Sep 19, 2012 Name Wendy rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is interesting. It is based on the relationship between Lucy Mercer and FDR. I enjoyed it more after I watched a documentary on Roosevelt so I could put a voice and mannerisms into the dialogue. Told in the first person ( Lucy). Poignant in parts.

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Aug 23, 2011 Karenbike Patterson rated it 3 of 5 stars

There is some insight into the character of Franklin Roosevelt, and even more insight into Eleanor, otherwise I thought the relationship between Franklin and Lucy was not well written. It felt more like friendship and loyalty than passion and romance.

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Jan 08, 2012 Marilyn rated it 2 of 5 stars

Recommended to Marilyn by: Book group choice

I found this historical fiction book very disappointing. "Flat". Expected more, perhaps. And, I felt it could have been so much better. Normally, with an historical fiction book, I find myself going back and forth to the computer to get more information, however, with this book, that just didn't happen. Too bad, because FDR, Eleanor and Lucy are very interesting people.

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About Ellen Feldman

Ellen Feldman, a 2009 Guggenheim fellow, is the author of Scottsboro, The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank, and Lucy. She writes both fiction and social history, and has published articles on the history of divorce, plastic surgery, Halloween, the Normandie, and many other topics, as well as numerous book reviews. She has also lectured extensively around the country and in Germany and England, and is a so...more

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