Brief

Star AP political reporter Lorena Hickok becomes intimately involved with Eleanor Roosevelt just before her husband's first election to the presidency. As Eleanor grows into her role and becomes Eleanor Everywhere, Hick must create her own independent life, while covering up her own heartbreak and affair with the first lady.

What We Liked

- Based on a true story;
- This is a beautiful love story that could stand on its own even if it weren't based on a true
story, even if it wasn't a period piece showing the tumultuous 30s and 40s with the
perspective of the late 60s, even if it wasn't a multidimensional view of a lesbian romance in
an arena of cardboard farces in female-centered LGBT romance lit. This story would be great
even if it did not have all of these wonderful elements, and yet, it manages to surpass
expectations at every turn;
- A blockbuster tragic romance that critics and audiences alike would love;
- This would be a thrilling series that audiences would tune into every week to see what happens in the love story and what happens in Hick's personal life and career.

Synopsis

In 1928, Lorena Hickok is the top female reporter for the Associated Press. She is assigned to cover the democratic ticket in New York, where rising political star Franklin Delano Roosevelt is running for governor. She watches a speech by his wife and is instantly mesmerized by Eleanor Roosevelt. As she covers the election, the two become closer, and ER confides in Hick that she does not want FDR to win.

Louis Howe, FDR's political adviser, meets with Hick and warns her of FDR's "left hook." Hick and ER share a train ride together in which they first become intimate, spurring a love affair that lasts over a decade between the two. Hick covers the Tammany Hall political scandals as FDR gains ground politically. Soon, Hick is helping ER as she and her husband run for the presidency. ER dreads becoming first lady, so Hick organizes a private plane ride for the two to cheer ER up, piloted by Amelia Earhart. The two are often seen at the White House together.

FDR likes Hick, but he recommends that she work with the Federal Relief Agency to document the lives of ordinary Americans during the Great Depression. This means that Hick and ER will be separated, but Hick will get to do meaningful work.

Hick goes to the midwest and sees the poverty and desolation plaguing the country. She brings her reports back to ER, who is determined to take more action to help. ER and Hick plan for a few private vacations together, but Hick soon learns that ER is too politically ambitious and has become too much of a celebrity. This causes a separation between the two, as Hick feels that ER will never put her first.

The second world war breaks out, and FDR is forced to bring the country into the fray. Hick returns to the White House and spends more and more time with the Roosevelts. Once FDR dies, Hick is disappointed to find that she still has to share Eleanor with the world, as President Truman appoints ER to the United Nations as "First Lady of the world." Hick realizes she will always love Eleanor, but she will never have her all to herself.

About The Author

Susan Wittig Albert has worked as a professor at Tulane, the University of Texas, and Texas State University. She is the founder of the Story Circle Network, a non-profit organization for women writers.