Daisy Chain: Shortlisted for the Paul Torday Memorial Prize 2024
Shortlisted for the Paul Torday Memorial Prize 2024
It’s the Great Depression. The world is tilting towards war. In the White House, nothing is as it seems. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the married president of the United States, has started a long and passionate affair with his cousin Daisy, and moves her into the West Wing.
Daisy is one of FDR’s band of unconventional women: Eleanor Roosevelt, the fiery labour organiser, Frances Perkins, the first female Secretary of Labour, and his secretary Missy LeHand, a political operative in her own right. Middle-aged spinster Daisy becomes FDR’s secret wife. That’s not her only secret.
This fictional biography written by a family member who knew Daisy is the untold true story of a hidden love and hidden contributions, and of a presidency that benefitted from both.
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‘Justine Gilbert is a master storyteller. Highly recommended.’ Historical Fiction Company
‘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