Reviews

Democracy: An American Novel by Henry Adams

sadiehatton's review against another edition

informative relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kkpritchard's review against another edition

4.0

Read for Dr. Carter's American Lit 1880-1960. Spring 2020.

lucieloureads's review against another edition

4.0

Picked up at the Last Bookshop in LA, based simply on it's title, and modern classic distinction, I'm glad to have done so. Brilliant character study of the Washington archetypes, as told by the perspective of newcomers to DC; the widow Mrs Lee and her sister Sibyl. The female characters all had strong agency and were multifaceted which I enjoyed. Everyone was shown to be flawed and employed different techniques in seeking power and influence. Written and published anonymously in 1880, the deceits and power struggles of government remain as prominent and important as ever. By it's conclusion I enjoyed the steady build up I had previously questioned, as it justifies the actions of Ratcliffe and Mrs Lee. I wish I hadn't read the Introduction by Arthur Schlesinger Jr. first as it gave away the entire plot.

danielshelsel's review

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

brianlokker's review against another edition

3.0

Although this novel is set in the 1870s, it describes a Washington DC political scene that, in its broad outlines, is not much different from the current reality, at least for the cynical reader. Politics in the capital is all about power, ambition, influence, and money. Adams’s protagonist, the young, well-to-do widow Mrs. Madeleine Lee, has moved to Washington from New York in order to learn about how democracy works. She soon becomes a fixture in the upper echelon of Washington society, and her friendships with powerful and connected people enable her to get a close-up view of the inner workings of government. Her final reaction? “Democracy has shaken my nerves to pieces.” Mine too, Madeleine, mine too.

nighm's review against another edition

4.0

It was great! I literally started from 'A' in the library and picked up the first book by an author I had heard of. Imagine Jane Austen spending some time in D.C. and deciding to set a novel there.

msand3's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars. It's easy to see why Henry Adams' novel caused a stir when published anonymously in 1880. It's also easy to understand why the novel remains relevant. Adams fires a shot across the bow of American exceptionalism, suggesting that Americans don't necessarily have any high moral ground just because the United States was the first modern democracy. Indeed, the populace (and those whom we elect) are just as dull, boorish, prejudiced, and unenlightened as anyone else in the world. Adams suggests that our nation's shaky moral compass is best reflected in our elected officials. He offers a portrait of a midwestern US Senator (the aptly named "Ratcliffe") who is proudly under-educated, openly corrupt, and hypocritically preachy. Ratcliffe places party ahead of the public good, rejects Darwin (and claims not to understand his theories, even while admitting he hasn't even read Darwin's work), laughs at the idea of reform, and openly lacks any guiding principles. Clearly, Adams could have been writing about any number of US Senators in 2016! This portrait of American politicians--blowhard men holding childish grudges and making pointless speeches simply to hear the sound of their own voices--remains remarkably accurate.

As a counterbalance to Sen. Ratciffe, Adams gives us a protagonist with whom readers can identify: a young widow named Madeleine Lee. In her desire as an idle rich woman to see the gears of democracy working up-close in Washington, DC, she offers a level-headed, informed, and wryly humorous commentary on the dunderheaded politicians who practically beg to take part in her social functions. Of course, women were nowhere to be found among elected officials at the time, so Adams seems to suggest that the women in the novel would be far better legislators than their husbands and friends, functioning as the moral marrow in a system that otherwise would be totally lacking in substance. Unfortunately, even with the inclusion of arbitrating women like Mrs. Lee, the political backbiting and discord still descends into virtual chaos. Mrs. Lee becomes disgusted with it all rather quickly after finding herself a pawn in the political machinations. Americans across the generations can empathize!

hjswinford's review against another edition

2.0

This book deals with more politics than I would care to think about in my whole life. Very little happens, most of the characters are shallow, but the writing style isn't uninteresting. There is enough wit in the writing to keep a reader's interest; I only fell asleep four times while reading this book, when at first I didn't think I'd ever finish. Perhaps it would be much more greatly enjoyed by people who care anything about politics. For me, I'll stick to books where things actually happen.