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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
I often find it hard to read fictionalized accounts of people and events because I want to separate what's real from what's made up, and of course, not knowing enough about the events, I can't. That said, this story of a first lady (Alice Blackwell) and her bumbling presidential husband (Charlie Blackwell) was an interesting, but uneven, book. Alice's early years--her younger romances, an early tragedy, her coming of age--is well done. I even bought why someone as smart and sophisticated as her would marry such a buffoon. But once Charlie takes office as president, the novel seems to just speed up, and the ending chapter felt very rushed.
My one other problem with the book is that because, as I'm reading it, I can't help but imagine President Bush and his wife, I felt kind of grossed out by the sex scenes and, um, some of the more personal aspects (do I really want to know about the bowel movement that clogged the only toilet in the Blackwell's summer home?). I'm not normally a prude about these things, but they bothered me here.
I will give credit that Charlie, as moronic as he is in the story, he is endearing, and in a warped sort of way, you can see how he was elected. He also comes off as an absolute jerk, and there were plenty of times I was rooting for Alice to leave him.
Overall, I wouldn't call this a presidential read, but it was a fun book, the perfect way to start the new year and the end of the Republican administration.
My one other problem with the book is that because, as I'm reading it, I can't help but imagine President Bush and his wife, I felt kind of grossed out by the sex scenes and, um, some of the more personal aspects (do I really want to know about the bowel movement that clogged the only toilet in the Blackwell's summer home?). I'm not normally a prude about these things, but they bothered me here.
I will give credit that Charlie, as moronic as he is in the story, he is endearing, and in a warped sort of way, you can see how he was elected. He also comes off as an absolute jerk, and there were plenty of times I was rooting for Alice to leave him.
Overall, I wouldn't call this a presidential read, but it was a fun book, the perfect way to start the new year and the end of the Republican administration.
I am in love with Curtis Sittenfeld. Her writing …….!!! Her voice…..!!!! Her characters…..!!!! She’s just so smart. An author with life experience, education, and not-so-subliminal messaging about the world and politics. It’s so refreshing to read books like this. I did get bored from 80% - 100%, but honestly who cares. Ps: the tea is that this book was a fictionalized version of Laura Bush’s life. LOVED the hot takes. THE DRAMA. !!!! Obsessed.
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I could not keep myself interested in the book. I try to finish every book but this was just making me dread my reading time. I may come back and finish later but for now I need to move on.
emotional
inspiring
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
emotional
reflective
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:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
At times it was a bit slow, I felt like a bunch of it could have been cut out/condensed and it wouldn't have detracted from the plot. Also one of the story lines (a made up one) wasn't needed in my opinion. At times it felt a bit like the author was reaching too hard to cause drama by making up a story line that didn't actually happen....with this particular family that she was basing the story off of, I'm sure there was another way to add in the drama without making one up. Overall it was a good book with, like I said, a few slow parts.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a book-group read, and not a book I would have normally chosen to read. I have read Prep, but that didn't make me want to read more.
American Wife was enjoyable to me in that I think the author captured the essence of marriage between two people who love each other but don't necessarily agree with each other on big issues, including religion, politics and family. I like how realistic the characters were in this story. The loose connection to Laura and George Bush was done well, even if it were somewhat odd. At times I felt as if I were reading a fictionalized autobiography of Laura Bush, which I suppose was the point.
This certainly will make for an interesting group discussion!
American Wife was enjoyable to me in that I think the author captured the essence of marriage between two people who love each other but don't necessarily agree with each other on big issues, including religion, politics and family. I like how realistic the characters were in this story. The loose connection to Laura and George Bush was done well, even if it were somewhat odd. At times I felt as if I were reading a fictionalized autobiography of Laura Bush, which I suppose was the point.
This certainly will make for an interesting group discussion!