DAISY CHAIN is a novel of the women in Franklin Delano Roosevelts
presidency. As seen through the eyes of his cousin, Daisy Suckley,
FDR's women hailed from all walks of life, inspired his social
agenda and were his greatest strength. As divided as they were
united, these women redefined female roles and in the process,
helped to forge a nation. Following the 1929 Stock Market crash,
Daisy, a forty-year-old spinster, is the sole wage-earner for her
family, paying for Wilderstein, their home on the Hudson River
Valley. A chance invitation for a car drive with her cousin, the
newly elected Franklin Roosevelt, leads to an affair. The First
Lady, Eleanor, is a wife in name only, living separately from her
husband. Laura Polly Delano, FDRs cousin, tells Daisy about his
past, explaining his long running relationship with Missy LeHand, a
poor Irish girl, now his Super Secretary, and his affair with the
disgraced Lucy Mercer, formerly in Eleanors employ. As marriage is
not an option, Daisy continues their clandestine affair, until he
asks her to join him on a political trip. She refuses, knowing the
consequences of being seen as a mistress, and when he leaves, she
endures a miscarriage and illness alone. Her employer having
recently died and, Daisy asks outright for paid work. FDR is happy
to make her his private secretary, but Daisy insists their
relationship must now be professional -- she has too much to lose
if things came out. Reluctantly, FDR accepts. Entering the White
House, Daisy is thrown into a political world with every move
watched by FBI, who consider her a Republican spy. She meets the
invalided Missy, and liaises with Grace Tully, Missys replacement.
Visited by Frances Perkins, a senior member of FDRs Cabinet, Daisy
is asked to support Eleanors agenda against Franklin. Torn, Daisy
witnesses terrible arguments between Franklin and Eleanor. Trying
to ease tensions and improve FDRs personal image, she gives
Franklin a Scottie dog, Fala, which becomes a hit with the press.
But Europe is gripped by war, and America is reluctantly dragged
in. Between visits from foreign Heads of State such as Churchill,
Daisy is one of the few to witness FDRs deteriorating health. Daisy
tries to get medical help but is pushed aside when Lucy Mercer,
newly widowed, arrives back on the scene. Angry phone calls with
Eleanor precipitate a collapse. In this charged atmosphere, his
subsequent death gives rise to an explosive showdown between the
women.
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