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Fates and Traitors: A Novel of John Wilkes Booth and the Women Who Loved Him by Jennifer Chiaverini
raebooknerd's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
cari1268's review
4.0
This was a book club book and I'm conflicted on how to rate this one. I feel like the author did a great job with the premise. So if the premise interests you, this is your book.
A large part of my problems boiled down to personal taste. For me, I don't like reading books about villains. I would much rather read a book about Abraham Lincoln than John Wilkes Booth. I also like my historical fiction to feature fictional characters. While I genuinely did enjoy this read, I would have preferred a nonfiction book. I feel like I learned a lot but I'm not sure how much I really learned.
This was one of those reads that I had to force myself to pick up but once I did, I enjoyed it. I couldn't put it down the last 100 pages and I stayed up WAY too late googling after I finished it.
3.5 Stars.
A large part of my problems boiled down to personal taste. For me, I don't like reading books about villains. I would much rather read a book about Abraham Lincoln than John Wilkes Booth. I also like my historical fiction to feature fictional characters. While I genuinely did enjoy this read, I would have preferred a nonfiction book. I feel like I learned a lot but I'm not sure how much I really learned.
This was one of those reads that I had to force myself to pick up but once I did, I enjoyed it. I couldn't put it down the last 100 pages and I stayed up WAY too late googling after I finished it.
3.5 Stars.
caitlinmchugh24's review against another edition
3.0
Wished it had an authors note.
Decent but not great historical fiction about the Lincoln assassination. Loved the other books by this author.
Decent but not great historical fiction about the Lincoln assassination. Loved the other books by this author.
jrandol7's review against another edition
2.0
For a historical fictions, it was good. But the way the facts are intertwined with the fiction-y bits leads to a choppy read. I much prefer other author's historical fiction. But if you are interested in the Civil War, and those supporting characters, you will love this book.
dsbressette's review against another edition
4.0
This was an excellent book. Chiaverini told us the story of John Wilkes Booth through four women in his life-his mother, Mary Ann; his sister, India, his love interest, Lucy Hale and his co-conspirator/sympathizer, Mary Surratt. It was an interesting and ingenious way to tell his story. Chiaverini breathed life into each character and the last half of the book flew by. 4.5/5 stars
ja3m3's review
3.0
This wasn't a bad historical fiction book and I did learn a few new facts (validated of course by the internet). My problem is that an author has to be careful when the people they are writing about are actual people of history. This book is heavy on the fiction. Know that going in and I think you will enjoy this read.
kdurham2's review against another edition
5.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Before reading this book I was already a Jennifer Chiaverini fan, so even though I was worried about reading a book about John Wilkes Booth. With my niece being a huge Abraham Lincoln fan, I am fully aware of what happened to him and she sees him with rose colored glasses. But I was intrigued to read about how John Wilkes Booth became the man he did and what drove him to do what he did.
Before reading this book I was already a Jennifer Chiaverini fan, so even though I was worried about reading a book about John Wilkes Booth. With my niece being a huge Abraham Lincoln fan, I am fully aware of what happened to him and she sees him with rose colored glasses. But I was intrigued to read about how John Wilkes Booth became the man he did and what drove him to do what he did.
wittak26's review against another edition
3.0
Previously, all my knowledge of John Wilkes Booth was that he was an actor who assassinated Lincoln at Ford's Theatre. This book really flushed out his life, but also his family. Definitely an interesting read.
read247_instyle_inca's review against another edition
My review is for an advanced reading copy of this book, provided through First to Read. This fascinating story opens with the harrowing last moments in the life of John Wilkes Booth, who is anxious for his mother to know he died serving his country. What follows is a look into his development as a person with an in-depth look at his upbringing, particularly through the eyes of the women in his life. The story of his parents meeting, love affair, and eventual marriage, as well as the troubles he faced because of his family, are presented. A well written account that gives a very unique perspective to a defining moment in our nation's history.
eaamd's review against another edition
1.0
Sometimes I have difficulty with historical fiction, this is one of those times. Recommend the recent biography for those whowant to learn more about this man.