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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
American Wife is a novel/fake memoir about a First Lady who is possibly/definitely supposed to be Laura Bush. I knew next to nothing about Laura Bush before reading this and it did lead me down a bit of a rabbit hole after reading to learn more about what is true in the book versus what is fiction. However, the actual history itself seems less central to the book; even the fact that this is the story of a First Lady is of secondary importance to the themes of the novel. The novel's main merit is the exploration of how a woman's life and priorities can be sidetracked by her husband's without her necessarily even realizing it until much later. These parts of the novel felt authentic, complex, and quietly heartbreaking. It's also an intriguing peek into the lives of the rich and famous, which I always find voyeuristically pleasing.
I'm not sure if this book should be 3 or 4 starts. So let's say it's 3.5. It was really great for probably the first 2/3 of the book. You come to know and love this character and all her strengths and flaws. I didn't know until after I started reading that the main character, Alice, is based on Laura Bush. Now I want to read some of the recommended books the author gave on Laura Bush, who I've always thought of as a beautiful, kind, intelligent, caring woman. No matter your politics, people love Laura Bush. The last portion of this story, however, ran dry. Once the couple was in the White House it was less about telling a story than giving flash backs and a giving a lot of introspective rambling. It was quite boring. And the story just kind of ended. I felt like we were really starting to get somewhere, and suddenly THE END. There is language and a little bit of sex, but otherwise was a pretty good read.
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this book. I had trouble putting it down. By the time I reached the last chapter, I was a little concerned because I had read negative reviews. I thought the last chapter was just as interesting as all the rest, and really gave me more insight into the main character, Alice. The book really made me look at wealth and first ladies in a way I had not considered before.
Had a hard time putting this book down!
"On what might become one of the most significant days in her husband’s presidency, Alice Blackwell considers the strange and unlikely path that has led her to the White House–and the repercussions of a life lived, as she puts it, “almost in opposition to itself.” A kind, bookish only child born in the 1940s, Alice learned the virtues of politeness early on from her stolid parents and small Wisconsin hometown. But a tragic accident when she was seventeen shattered her identity and made her understand the fragility of life and the tenuousness of luck. So more than a decade later, when she met boisterous, charismatic Charlie Blackwell, she hardly gave him a second look: She was serious and thoughtful, and he would rather crack a joke than offer a real insight; he was the wealthy son of a bastion family of the Republican party, and she was a school librarian and registered Democrat. Comfortable in her quiet and unassuming life, she felt inured to his charms. And then, much to her surprise, Alice fell for Charlie. As Alice learns to make her way amid the clannish energy and smug confidence of the Blackwell family, navigating the strange rituals of their country club and summer estate, she remains uneasy with her newfound good fortune. And when Charlie eventually becomes President, Alice is thrust into a position she did not seek–one of power and influence, privilege and responsibility. As Charlie’s tumultuous and controversial second term in the White House wears on, Alice must face contradictions years in the making: How can she both love and fundamentally disagree with her husband? How complicit has she been in the trajectory of her own life? What should she do when her private beliefs run against her public persona?"
"On what might become one of the most significant days in her husband’s presidency, Alice Blackwell considers the strange and unlikely path that has led her to the White House–and the repercussions of a life lived, as she puts it, “almost in opposition to itself.” A kind, bookish only child born in the 1940s, Alice learned the virtues of politeness early on from her stolid parents and small Wisconsin hometown. But a tragic accident when she was seventeen shattered her identity and made her understand the fragility of life and the tenuousness of luck. So more than a decade later, when she met boisterous, charismatic Charlie Blackwell, she hardly gave him a second look: She was serious and thoughtful, and he would rather crack a joke than offer a real insight; he was the wealthy son of a bastion family of the Republican party, and she was a school librarian and registered Democrat. Comfortable in her quiet and unassuming life, she felt inured to his charms. And then, much to her surprise, Alice fell for Charlie. As Alice learns to make her way amid the clannish energy and smug confidence of the Blackwell family, navigating the strange rituals of their country club and summer estate, she remains uneasy with her newfound good fortune. And when Charlie eventually becomes President, Alice is thrust into a position she did not seek–one of power and influence, privilege and responsibility. As Charlie’s tumultuous and controversial second term in the White House wears on, Alice must face contradictions years in the making: How can she both love and fundamentally disagree with her husband? How complicit has she been in the trajectory of her own life? What should she do when her private beliefs run against her public persona?"
3.5 stars - this was surprisingly enjoyable. Based on the life of Laura Bush, I found this an easy read. I don't know enough about Bush or American politics for this to be anything other than an interesting novel. I liked the feeling that a woman could love a man, but not necessarily approve of everything he does...a strong marriage can still be full of compromises.
I have had this book on my shelf for a while - husband bought it for me because of the cover. (Yes, I often choose books for thr cover.) I had no idea it was loosely based on the Bush's lives (and I probably wouldn't have read it - just not that interested). I really liked Alice's character and then...I didn't. I realize that I grew up in different generation (not too long after) but I have a hard time when people don't communicate - AT ALL. Ugh! Also, I really wanted to like Chalie and his boyish ways, but it's hard to like someone who is so narcissistic. I loved Alice's grandmother more than anything!
Worth reading, but hardly a favorite. If you don't like wordy description (which I do), don't bother. You will be bored.
Worth reading, but hardly a favorite. If you don't like wordy description (which I do), don't bother. You will be bored.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I know I read this four years later than everyone else in the world, but I wish I'd read it sooner. I highlighted a lot of great lines, mostly about the Midwest and its awesomeness, but also some great things about what it's like when everybody gets up in your business about your life choices. I really liked it!
You’d think Penguin Random House editors would know the difference between “lie” and “lay”…
Anyway, I don’t know how much of this book is based on the real presidential couple, but I chose to read it as fiction, and as such, it was well-written and easily digestible. I found it long-winded and got bored towards the end. I don’t know why Charlie would get so mad with Alice bit capitulate in minutes, he seems like he has the emotional maturity of an 11-year-old. Anyway, plausibility aside, this was good as holiday reading.
Anyway, I don’t know how much of this book is based on the real presidential couple, but I chose to read it as fiction, and as such, it was well-written and easily digestible. I found it long-winded and got bored towards the end. I don’t know why Charlie would get so mad with Alice bit capitulate in minutes, he seems like he has the emotional maturity of an 11-year-old. Anyway, plausibility aside, this was good as holiday reading.