Reviews

White Houses by Amy Bloom

ferris_mx's review against another edition

4.0

Beautifully written as always. I wonder if everything was this transparent.

whisper88's review against another edition

funny reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Suicide, Antisemitism, Physical abuse, Rape, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, and Sexual assault

seeandieread's review against another edition

3.0

Amy Bloom's White Houses is a somber and sometimes bitter historical fiction about the realities of forbidden love between two women (one famous) in the early to mid 20th century. As seems to be the norm with Sapphic historical fiction, happy endings are few and far between heartbreaks. The book was very well written, but not very enjoyable due to the tragic subject matter. I recommend readers have some knowledge of the Roosevelet clan and the events surrounding their occupation of the White House in order to follow the story well. One description for this book called it "sensual" and I would consider that a stretch.

gillians88's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

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

3.5

grietbey's review against another edition

informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

leeza_robertson_writes's review against another edition

3.0

This book was so well written I often forgot I was reading a piece of fiction! The narration was so up close and personal you could have sworn you were reading from the pages of Hicks personal journal. The intimate details of peoples daily lives and the soft affection voice of a lover suck you in and make you believe it is all real. I take my hat off to Amy Bloom for her artful deception. What makes a wonderful piece of historical fiction is the seamless interweaving of fact, which is another fabulous component of this book. I admit, my heart broke a little when Hick was not able to be by Elenors side at her death. This is such an intense read about love, friendship, history and the distance that creates the trench between them all.

Thank you netgalley for the chance to read this wonderful book.

reads_romance_reviewer's review against another edition

3.0

I was looking forward to this book of historical fiction. In the end, I thought the book went a bit too long. The best part of the book for me was when it focused on Lorena Hickok's childhood. It was a traumatic childhood and the fact that she was able to become a journalist is amazing. Overall, good book but I did not feel the emotional connection that I expected regarding this forbidden relationship.

kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition

4.0

Hick and Ellie; Ellie and Hick. History is ambiguous about exactly what kind of relationship this was, but Amy Bloom creates a fictional lovers' relationship between these two pioneers in women's history. I enjoyed how she filled in the details of Hick's life and feelings. In Bloom's novel, Lorena Hickock sees people clearly for who they are and is torn inside about her private relationship with the high-profile First Lady. I did enjoy her unsentimental and critical assessment of FDR, the leader, the straying husband, and the womanizer. I liked the fictional insider's view of Eleanor and her personality and feelings. This is a thoughtful and fascinating treatment of an interesting time in our nation's history.

2023: I forgot I read this, and brought it home from the library. So then I read it again. Enjoyed it just as much the second time around.

msvenner's review against another edition

2.0

Didn’t love this one. The writing could be quite dense and it sometimes read like a laundry list if lovers for the two women. This could have been very interesting but fell short. It’s too bad because Eleanor Roosevelt was a fascinating woman. I wanted MUCH more from this.

fubpg's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad slow-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

3.75