Must read bookDecember 5, 2008 As a man, I wasn't sure this book would connect with me, but it did and in a very powerful way. I had not read Sittenfeld's other novel and picked this one on a whim, based on positive reviews. I must say I was hooked from the first page. Sittenfeld's prose is crisp, insightful. Her details are not self-indulgent or written merely to fill pages - every piece of the book fit. I was startled over and over throughout the book by an insight nugget here or a funny anecdote there, all of which helped me by its end completely understand and appreciate Alice Blackwell. The book simply and truly delights. I highly, highly recommend this book.
A mixed bagDecember 4, 2008 What I found most admirable about this book is how the author created Alice Lindgren as a completely consistent character. Everything she does and thinks is a logical extension of who she is. The scene in which Alice contemplates writing a thank-you note to the doctor who performed her abortion made me laugh out loud. It's exactly the kind of thinking that dogs you when your parents have brought you up in a certain way.
Actually, Alice's actions in the aftermath of the car accident are so wildly out of character that you have to believe that grief completely derails a person. I do find it believable that she married someone who was her complete opposite. Remember back to some of your early boyfriends or girlfriends.
I agree with many reviewers that the last section of the book is tedious in the extreme. Far too much thinking and too little action. I didn't really care whether Alice felt she was complicit in her husband's actions as president. The role of first spouse is too peripheral to give this line of thinking any weight.
And count me in as one of those readers who didn't care for the overabundance of minutely detailed bodily functions in the book, both in deed and in dialog. I felt sullied by it all. At least it helped me understand how Alice felt when she left Charlie. Who could stand to live in that kind of atmosphere day in and day out?
That's one reason I didn't find the author's depiction of Charlie's conversion believable. I don't think the author understands how completely a person changes when they decide to let Christ clean up their life. It isn't only a person's actions that change, but thoughts and words, too. I was looking forward to some relief from the crude dialog and distasteful references, but nope. It persists to the end.
I almost gave up on this book a third of the way in. It's far too long. I tended to read only the topic sentence of a paragraph and then skip ahead. But, of course, I'm one of those people who was brought up to dutifully finish what you start. Next time, I'll listen to my inner Alice and take off when I feel I need to for my sanity's sake.
Worst Book I have ever readDecember 4, 2008 1 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is the only book that I wish I would have never picked up. If you are a liberal abortion rights activist that despises wealthy people and has no use for religion you may enjoy it more. I portrays Laura Bush as a self righteous snob. It portrays her husband as a weak, dim witted playboy. It portrays his family as racist, self absorbed and cruel. I see no entertainment value in tearing up good people who love their country. I know this is a work of fiction based loosely on Laura Bush's life but as terrible as they were all portrayed I believe it is slander.
Impeccable Writing Style, Absorbing StoryDecember 3, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Curtis Sittenfeld is such a splendid writer, I cannot get enough of her. Her thoughts are provoking and allow you a small vacation as you slip into this absorbing and beautifully written novel. I've never stopped to ponder so much about the life of our First Lady and I thank Sittenfeld for her encourgement. This is must read for anyone who has ever looked around and wondered how exactly you got to your current post in life.
RecommendedDecember 2, 2008 I agree with many other readers -- the beginning and middle definitely trumped the last section as far as readability and interest go. Perhaps that's because we learn far more about Alice in the first two sections, and that is what kept my attention throughout. I really only read the end to see how Ms Sittenfeld would end the book. I hear and read enough about politics in my daily life, and while this novel is about a First Lady, I would rather read about the woman and not so much the politics. However I think Ms Sittenfeld did a terrific job with this book. I figured I would like it because I enjoy the author's understated writing style. As with her two previous novels, the prose is funny yet subtle and painfully true at times. I recommend!
