A review by sammie_snk
America's First Daughter by Laura Kamoie, Stephanie Dray

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

3.5

Challenging read for sure but well written by the authors. This was a fictional story of real people with real flaws and I felt the authors did the best they could with the existing uncomfortable facts. Frankly most of these characters aren't particularly likeable by modern standards but that doesn't mean they didn't do a single good thing or their stories aren't worth being told. I appreciated the authors highlighting a female voice that I wasn't previously really aware of from that time in history. I was shocked by the level of codependency Patsy had on her father. Her whole identity was dependent on being a daughter of Thomas Jefferson. Sometimes we have to sit with uncomfortable truths and I don't feel like the authors went out of their way to invent drama or moral dilemmas. I wouldn't re-read this book but I don't regret reading it either.
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