THE INSTANT NY TIMES BESTSELLER
An Amazon Editors' Pick for Best Literature & Fiction A Book of the Month Club Selection A novel about the extraordinary partnership between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune—an unlikely friendship that changed the world, from the New York Times bestselling authors of the Good Morning America Book Club pick The Personal Librarian.
“Explores the extraordinary legacies of these two historical figures, while also bringing us into their personal lives and their deep friendship. Benedict and Murray bring their knack for historical fiction to a story of the women's unlikely alliance and the ways their bond and efforts forged the beginnings of the modern civil rights movement.”
— Entertainment Weekly "A novel about female friendship and political moves... "The First Ladies" reshapes the narrative around voting and civil rights, educates and entertains the reader, and shows us what is possible."
—Zibby Owens for Good Morning America "While the depictions of the women's activism are inspiring, the novel really shines in the behind-the-scenes moments when the women support each other during personal struggles with marital infidelity, illness, and loss. This impeccably researched, relevant novel is a must-read and destined to be a book-club favorite."
— Booklist (starred review) "Those who enjoy stirring historical fiction, as well as fans of The Personal Librarian, will find Benedict and Murray’s latest collaboration compelling."
— Library Journal (starred review) |
"In a 'Downton Abbey' meets 'The Crown' epic, beautiful scale comes this unforgettable commentary on British society..."
― One of Good Morning America's Top Books for January "One of the most fraught moments in the (Mitford) family's history, used it as the basis for a fun, compelling, and deliciously mannered saga..." ― One of Town & Country Magazine's Best Books to Read this January |
Available in paperback on June 7th
A Washington Post Best Fiction Book of 2021 A Financial Times Best Fiction Book of 2021 |
About Marie BenedictMarie Benedict is a lawyer with more than ten years' experience as a litigator at two of the country's premier law firms, who found her calling unearthing the hidden historical stories of women. Her mission is to excavate from the past the most important, complex and fascinating women of history and bring them into the light of present-day where we can finally perceive the breadth of their contributions as well as the insights they bring to modern day issues.
"In writing her narratively connected, fictionalized biographies, Benedict is not unlike an archaeologist digging up clues to moments of epiphany." — Newsweek READ FULL BIO |