Reviews

American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld

cgrayson87's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

hellomalea's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

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

3.75

allisonwonderland17's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

This was unexpected. I came in with zero expectations and, in the beginning, wasn’t sure how I felt about this novel. But it picks up only to somewhat let you down in the end. Maybe it’s the time we live in but I felt like we were building up to something high-stakes only for the book to end without getting there. Still, I enjoyed reading this book. 

rebread's review against another edition

informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

traceyelder's review against another edition

4.0

I couldn't put this book down when I first started reading it, and it stayed that way for about the first 450 pages. The last 100 started to drag a bit, but I think it's only because I'd been reading the book a while and was eager for something new.

This is a fascinating character study of a woman much like former first lady Laura Bush (the book is loosely based on her life), and I loved reading the contradictions between her personal beliefs and feelings and her duties as a wife. This is a really interesting look at what's going on 'behind closed doors' - I couldn't help but wonder how similar this really was/is to the feelings Laura Bush had.

Overall, I loved the love story between Alice and Charlie, and the tragedy from her teens that shaped her life was sort of haunting.

Definitely recommend this book - as well as Sittenfeld's other wonderful novel, Prep!

rosieshackles's review against another edition

slow-paced

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

4.5

laila4343's review against another edition

3.0

I really liked this book until about halfway through. Alice Lindgren is a very appealing character. I wish the book hadn't fallen apart as it headed into the alcoholism and political career of Charlie Blackwell. Oh well. I just had a hard time buying that such a smart, thoughtful woman would align herself with such a boorish boob. So either she's not as smart as we want her to be, or she's seriously misleading herself.

anniebh's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

andrear0788's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

cjsharek's review against another edition

4.0

Loved it...