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justplainbecca's review against another edition
5.0
This book was a really interesting read. It was a challenge, knowing that the book is Sittenfeld's imagining of the life of Laura Bush, to separate fact from fiction. I had to remind myself often that the words were Sittenfeld's, the thoughts were Alice and Charlie's, and that neither the words nor the thoughts were Laura's or George's. This was especially challenging in light of the fact that so much of it was clearly thinly-veiled fact. Charlie buys the Milwaukee Brewers, George bought the Texas Rangers; Charlie went to Princeton, George went to Yale; Charlie has a drug and alcohol problem, George had a drug and alcohol problem.
American Wife has two ingredients I really enjoy in a novel: exploration of familial relationships and long-term storytelling. I love when a novel follows a character throughout his or her lifetime (or even one that follows several generations of a family). I enjoy watching the character grow and seeing how all of the episodes of a person's life shape them and effect each successive episode. I liked that when Alice mentions she has her Giving Tree sculpture on her desk in the White House I felt invested in that, as a reader, because I'd also read about how Alice had made that sculpture.
This novel also grapples with the idea of identity and celebrity, which is fascinating to me. I really liked when Alice was describing her celebrity and how occasionally people would say to her, "wow, it must be weird to be famous," not realizing that just by making that statement, they too are contributing to the weirdness.
The greatest strength of this novel, however, is in its portrayal of Alice Blackwell as neither sympathetic nor hateful. She just is. Sometimes you sympathize with her and think "losing a loved one is so awful; having the public act as if they know you must again be awful," other times you think "ugh, how can she stay married to him?? What is wrong with her?" But you never fully swing one way or the other, you just accept that Alice has made her decisions for better or for worse and that she feels the same way about them. She's not asking for your sympathy or your condemnation when she shares the details of her life; she's just sharing.
American Wife has two ingredients I really enjoy in a novel: exploration of familial relationships and long-term storytelling. I love when a novel follows a character throughout his or her lifetime (or even one that follows several generations of a family). I enjoy watching the character grow and seeing how all of the episodes of a person's life shape them and effect each successive episode. I liked that when Alice mentions she has her Giving Tree sculpture on her desk in the White House I felt invested in that, as a reader, because I'd also read about how Alice had made that sculpture.
This novel also grapples with the idea of identity and celebrity, which is fascinating to me. I really liked when Alice was describing her celebrity and how occasionally people would say to her, "wow, it must be weird to be famous," not realizing that just by making that statement, they too are contributing to the weirdness.
The greatest strength of this novel, however, is in its portrayal of Alice Blackwell as neither sympathetic nor hateful. She just is. Sometimes you sympathize with her and think "losing a loved one is so awful; having the public act as if they know you must again be awful," other times you think "ugh, how can she stay married to him?? What is wrong with her?" But you never fully swing one way or the other, you just accept that Alice has made her decisions for better or for worse and that she feels the same way about them. She's not asking for your sympathy or your condemnation when she shares the details of her life; she's just sharing.
brigittedupe's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition
Very compelling with an early act twist that I didn't see coming in the least (I went into this with very little knowledge about the first lady on whose life it is apparently based).
It's an easy read in that you just slip into it effortlessly. The dialogue is very natural and the pacing swoops you up. It really trots along, but knowing that eventually this couple becomes the First Couple... I found myself wondering... and waiting... and waiting some more... I assumed there would be more about the campaigns, the push and pull of the husband/wife's opposing ideaology. Instead, very suddenly, we're in the white house. It's abrupt. A little (deliberately?) vague. America is at war (with whom is never mentioned), various issues loom and then are side stepped; which isn't *wrong* per se, nor is it bad story telling, but I suppose I thought the story was going to tackle them a little more directly. Ultimately, the fact they aren't is consistent with the character of Lindy, but... it doesn't *quite* satisfy me as a reader.
It's an easy read in that you just slip into it effortlessly. The dialogue is very natural and the pacing swoops you up. It really trots along, but knowing that eventually this couple becomes the First Couple... I found myself wondering... and waiting... and waiting some more... I assumed there would be more about the campaigns, the push and pull of the husband/wife's opposing ideaology. Instead, very suddenly, we're in the white house. It's abrupt. A little (deliberately?) vague. America is at war (with whom is never mentioned), various issues loom and then are side stepped; which isn't *wrong* per se, nor is it bad story telling, but I suppose I thought the story was going to tackle them a little more directly. Ultimately, the fact they aren't is consistent with the character of Lindy, but... it doesn't *quite* satisfy me as a reader.
stephaniesteen73's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book although it was most definitely not what I was expecting. The main character was so likeable, conflicted and yet honest. Excellent writing that kept my attention for most of all the 558 pages. Good stuff!
gracefullypunk's review against another edition
3.0
Although in general the story was decent, the book was tedious toward the end. It became more and more clear the true inspirations of the book, yet the author refused to name either Iraq or Afghanistan as part of the current events. It just seemed contrived at the end and left me not even liking the main character
brynnab's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
fransbooks's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
edenwheels's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
laelm10's review against another edition
4.0
the first 3/4 of this book is an incredible, charming romantic drama. the last 1/4 is not so good. I think I would've had a hard time with this book if I was sentient while george bush was president
laura_corsi's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book! It is, as they say, smack dab in the center of my wheelhouse. A story arc that takes place over a long period of time, character driven with complex and contradictory personalities, and a hint of something rare that touches and illuminates their lives. Now, I want to go read more Curtis Sittenfeld!