sonia_reppe's review against another edition
5.0
In her author's note, Seton says she tried to be as "historically accurate as possible," while acknowledging the "vast and conflicting" amount of Burr material, and the many theories of Theodosia's mysterious disappearance.
This was a beautifully rendered retelling of the life of Theodosia Burr, daughter of Aaron Burr, that I found believable. What we do know for sure (that all the historians agree on) is that A Burr cherished his daughter Theodosia above all, and that she loved and admired him.
I believe the dynamic between them that Seton presented was accurate. With a larger-than-life personality and genius (some say) as a father, of course Theodosia was going to be led by him, and do whatever he wishes. It was very believable that she longed for her childhood home and always preferred being with her dad than with her husband. Her husband took her to an unfamiliar part of the country where there were different ways of life that what she was used to in New York, and of course it would be a very rare man that could match her father in brilliance and force of personality.
Very interesting to learn about the Meriwether Lewis story, that supposedly the leader of the Lewis and Clark expedition and Theodosia had an interest in each other. Very fun, highly recommended.
This was a beautifully rendered retelling of the life of Theodosia Burr, daughter of Aaron Burr, that I found believable. What we do know for sure (that all the historians agree on) is that A Burr cherished his daughter Theodosia above all, and that she loved and admired him.
I believe the dynamic between them that Seton presented was accurate. With a larger-than-life personality and genius (some say) as a father, of course Theodosia was going to be led by him, and do whatever he wishes. It was very believable that she longed for her childhood home and always preferred being with her dad than with her husband. Her husband took her to an unfamiliar part of the country where there were different ways of life that what she was used to in New York, and of course it would be a very rare man that could match her father in brilliance and force of personality.
Very interesting to learn about the Meriwether Lewis story, that supposedly the leader of the Lewis and Clark expedition and Theodosia had an interest in each other. Very fun, highly recommended.
redewhurst's review against another edition
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bookishbetsie's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. The gaslighting, Stockholm syndrome and emotional blackmail in this book are astounding. I wanted so badly to hate Theo, but I just felt sorry for her most of the time. I feel like if her mother had lived, she might have been spared the emotional abuse at her father's hand and been able to lead a happy life. The fact that she spent the majority of her married years as an invalid, due to the fact that she was so incredibly unhappy, is just heartbreaking. However, it was a very well written book and kept my attention through out.
rmardel's review against another edition
3.0
I loved this book when I was a teenager, and have reread it before this. I wanted to read this book after reading Nancy Isenberg's biography of Aaron Burr, Fallen Founder, partly because the author mentioned at Seton had hinted at incest between Aaron Burr and his daughter, Theodosia.
I still don't see the incest, although I see some mentions of this thought in the mind of Theodosia's rather narrow-minded inlaws. I am inclined to think this view is one primarily promulgated by Phillipa Gregory in her later introductions to the reissues of the Seton works. I do think that Seton plays up this dependence and imparts a kind of naivete to Theodosia that is seems unsubstantiated. It makes a good story, I suppose, but a story I found maddening. I found it maddening because the author deliberately takes aspects of 18th century life and her characters and paints them in a way intended to inflame the sensibilities of 20th century (or 21st century) readers, adding a subtext to the story that was probably not at all there. I have no problems with the author's portrayal of how misguided popular opinion shapes history or even of the difference between the cultures of Theodosia's youth and her later marriage. I have lived and seen too much of cultural differences and petty narrow-minded self interest to realize that there is a grain of truth in all this.
It was a good book for my youthful self. I remain indebted to it as it sparked an interest in Aaron Burr and early American history. The book is fiction, I recognize the differences between fiction and history and think that fiction needs to take some license in order to make its points. I do not, however, think this is one of Seton's best books, but since it was her first, this seems reasonable.
I still don't see the incest, although I see some mentions of this thought in the mind of Theodosia's rather narrow-minded inlaws. I am inclined to think this view is one primarily promulgated by Phillipa Gregory in her later introductions to the reissues of the Seton works. I do think that Seton plays up this dependence and imparts a kind of naivete to Theodosia that is seems unsubstantiated. It makes a good story, I suppose, but a story I found maddening. I found it maddening because the author deliberately takes aspects of 18th century life and her characters and paints them in a way intended to inflame the sensibilities of 20th century (or 21st century) readers, adding a subtext to the story that was probably not at all there. I have no problems with the author's portrayal of how misguided popular opinion shapes history or even of the difference between the cultures of Theodosia's youth and her later marriage. I have lived and seen too much of cultural differences and petty narrow-minded self interest to realize that there is a grain of truth in all this.
It was a good book for my youthful self. I remain indebted to it as it sparked an interest in Aaron Burr and early American history. The book is fiction, I recognize the differences between fiction and history and think that fiction needs to take some license in order to make its points. I do not, however, think this is one of Seton's best books, but since it was her first, this seems reasonable.
alisonvh's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book is pretty well written, and I definitely learned a lot about Aaron and Theodosia Burr, but it’s also super racist, so it lost a lot of points with me for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Pregnancy, Slavery, Child death, Death, and Misogyny
ryner's review against another edition
3.0
Theodosia Burr is the smart, adoring, seventeen-year-old daughter of Aaron Burr, who was vice-president at a time when one attained the office by being the runner-up in a presidential election. Thus, the president, Thomas Jefferson, is actually his political rival. Having run into both political and financial hardship, Aaron arranges for Theodosia to marry Joseph Alston, a wealthy but unattractive and dull Carolina planter. Shocked that her father would be desperate enough to send her to such a fate, but resigned, Theodosia goes willingly and begins her life at The Oaks, Joseph's plantation. A son brings her boy joy and pain, as does a clandestine relationship with Meriwether Lewis who, along with William Clark, is about to embark on his famous exploration into the unknown western territory.
Theodosia's ultimate fate is suggested at the end of the book, although the reality is that it is still a mystery. This book appears to be out of print, which is unfortunate as Anya Seton is very talented and has become one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. I didn't enjoy this work quite as well as some of her others, but it's definitely worth a read.
Theodosia's ultimate fate is suggested at the end of the book, although the reality is that it is still a mystery. This book appears to be out of print, which is unfortunate as Anya Seton is very talented and has become one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. I didn't enjoy this work quite as well as some of her others, but it's definitely worth a read.
etherealfire's review against another edition
4.0
Read the hardcover book in the late 70s. Probably a library book. A well-written historical novel that set me on the path to a bit of an obsession with that genre.
kristin's review
3.0
I have to admit that the only knowledge I have of this period of American history comes from Hamilton. This book focuses on Theodosia, the daughter of Arron Burr.
An interesting account, obviously ground in well researched fact.
An interesting account, obviously ground in well researched fact.
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