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 incorporation a never-before-published footnote to the affair, Lucy is a remarkably sensitive insight into the private lives behind a public marriage.

Left on one of the benches outside the library.