elvenavari's review
3.0
3.5 stars. Review of the audio book, read by Christina Moore.
I really enjoy historical fiction, seeing what an author decides to do with an historical figure is always interesting. I enjoyed how Chiaverini chose to focus on those of the Booth family and the other people around John Wilkes Booth instead of focusing just on him. The people around us ultimately shape who we are as a person.
Perhaps it was because I listened to the audio version, but there were some jumps between characters, though usually as a new chapter, that were not very clear... mostly it would just jump to a character that hadn't been mentioned before so I had no idea who this person was and why they mattered. Mary Surratt was the biggest one. Also, maybe the author expected anyone reading this book would have a general knowledge of all those who had been involved with the plot? That is what brings my rating down the most.
I really enjoy historical fiction, seeing what an author decides to do with an historical figure is always interesting. I enjoyed how Chiaverini chose to focus on those of the Booth family and the other people around John Wilkes Booth instead of focusing just on him. The people around us ultimately shape who we are as a person.
Perhaps it was because I listened to the audio version, but there were some jumps between characters, though usually as a new chapter, that were not very clear... mostly it would just jump to a character that hadn't been mentioned before so I had no idea who this person was and why they mattered. Mary Surratt was the biggest one. Also, maybe the author expected anyone reading this book would have a general knowledge of all those who had been involved with the plot? That is what brings my rating down the most.
ncrabb's review
4.0
Even the most casual student of history among us could, albeit with perhaps a bit of a struggle, recall that John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Lincoln. But what about the women in his life who influenced him? That’s the focus of this historical fiction book, and it is at once fascinating and compelling. I am unapologetically biased toward Chiaverini, and this book doesn’t change my subjectivity at all, unless it makes me more of an advocate for her books.
In the prologue, she portrays Booth’s ignominious death in a Maryland barn. Her descriptions of his last moments are vivid indeed. Naturally, she adds much fiction to the history. We have no idea what Booth thought in his final moments, for example. No problem; she imagines that for you nicely.
Chapter one looks at Booth’s mother and gives you a description of the woman’s life. I knew nothing of her, and I’ve no idea how much of this is history and how much is fiction. But according to the book, the innocent girl who sold flowers in London ran off to America with the man who would be Booth’s father. Never mind that he left a wife and kid in Brussels. You read about their early years together initially on a secluded Maryland farm and eventually in Baltimore.
The author devotes the second chapter to Booth’s sister, Asia. Again, this is someone we know little or nothing about. I marvel at how talented Chiaverini is at making this family sympathetic and likable. It is in this chapter that you watch Booth the assassin evolve into the pro-slavery political animal he became, and his family felt dismayed by his growing appreciation for slavery.
Additional chapters give you detailed looks at his would-be fiancé, Lucy Hale, and Mary Surratt whom a military tribunal ultimately convicted and hung.
I’m just leery of this kind of historical fiction. Asia, the sister, gets a whole chapter, but I almost felt like her contributions to his life weren’t as significant as you’d think they would be if you get a whole chapter dedicated to you.
The exploration of the relationship between Booth and Lucy Hale seemed most authentic, but through much of the chapter, I wanted to shake her and tell her to wake up and see the world more clearly. Could she possibly believe that Booth genuinely cared for her when he clearly had other women with whom he was romantically involved? She just seemed a little naive to suit me.
In the prologue, she portrays Booth’s ignominious death in a Maryland barn. Her descriptions of his last moments are vivid indeed. Naturally, she adds much fiction to the history. We have no idea what Booth thought in his final moments, for example. No problem; she imagines that for you nicely.
Chapter one looks at Booth’s mother and gives you a description of the woman’s life. I knew nothing of her, and I’ve no idea how much of this is history and how much is fiction. But according to the book, the innocent girl who sold flowers in London ran off to America with the man who would be Booth’s father. Never mind that he left a wife and kid in Brussels. You read about their early years together initially on a secluded Maryland farm and eventually in Baltimore.
The author devotes the second chapter to Booth’s sister, Asia. Again, this is someone we know little or nothing about. I marvel at how talented Chiaverini is at making this family sympathetic and likable. It is in this chapter that you watch Booth the assassin evolve into the pro-slavery political animal he became, and his family felt dismayed by his growing appreciation for slavery.
Additional chapters give you detailed looks at his would-be fiancé, Lucy Hale, and Mary Surratt whom a military tribunal ultimately convicted and hung.
I’m just leery of this kind of historical fiction. Asia, the sister, gets a whole chapter, but I almost felt like her contributions to his life weren’t as significant as you’d think they would be if you get a whole chapter dedicated to you.
The exploration of the relationship between Booth and Lucy Hale seemed most authentic, but through much of the chapter, I wanted to shake her and tell her to wake up and see the world more clearly. Could she possibly believe that Booth genuinely cared for her when he clearly had other women with whom he was romantically involved? She just seemed a little naive to suit me.
gretel7's review
I received this from netgalley.com in exchange for a review.
Just couldn't get into this book. So much detail and background on everybody!!
No rating
Abandoned at 20%
Just couldn't get into this book. So much detail and background on everybody!!
No rating
Abandoned at 20%
suspensethrill's review
3.0
I'm a bit torn on this one, which is why I've put off reviewing it for so long. While it was a bit dull and flat at times, I enjoyed reading a fictional account of John Wilkes Booth and found the plot interesting. I just felt the execution, along with a bit more editing of filler material, could have made this so much better. Full review to come.
*Thanks Dutton for my copy!
*Thanks Dutton for my copy!
allisoncc's review
4.0
I liked this book, but it was a very slow read for some reason (it's dense). I loved the way that Chiaverini tells the story. There are only a few chapters in this book, each told from the perspective of a different important woman from John Wilkes Booth's life or himself. I found the hardest part to get through was Mary Surratt's portion. Lucy Hale being the best of them, followed by Asia Booth Clarke.
sprinkledwithwords's review
4.0
In 1865, the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln shocked America. It was an act committed by John Wilkes Booth, the son of an actor and a Covent Garden flower girl. In FATES AND TRAITORS Jennifer Chiaverini looks into the life of Booth through four woman: his mother, Mary Ann, his sister Asia, his lover Lucy and a co-conspirator, Mary Surratt. Well.
Let me say that I gave this book 4/5 overall. I actually really liked reading it. I didn't know much about Booth before (actually, I didn't even know his name. Sorry, American people, American history isn't really taught over here. I obviously knew who Abraham Lincoln was, and about the Civil War, and the assassination, but not much else. It's just not something we learn. Anyway), so this was a really interesting read.
Fates and Traitors is divided into six chapters. The first is more of a prologue, told from the point of view of John after all the events of the book, on the night he is shot (and, subsequently, dies). Then the book goes back to before John was even born, with Mary Ann (mother) and Junius (father) in London. This was the first chapter, of course. The book continues with Asia, then Lucy Hale, before finishing with Mary Surratt where the assassination happens. The final chapter is called "ENSEMBLE", and it shows what happens to everyone, switching between points of view (well, omnipresent 3rd person) to show what takes place. There is also an epilogue from the point of view of Lucy.
I had many conflicting emotions towards this book. I was almost angry that it made me sympathise with Booth - after all, he's the bad guy here! But it also is the point of this book, I guess. Because it's about Booth's background and life you do begin to sympathise with him. It shows him as a human, rather than just an assassin. For example, I never knew that he was an actor, and an acclaimed one at that. (I didn't know anything, as aforementioned, but that's not the point here.)
The book was compelling. It took me a long time to get through because there was a lot of historical, factual information mixed into the fiction, but it was so interesting I really didn't mind too much. I always knew what was going to happen at the end of course, but something gripped me and kept me reading.I know that a lot of people have disliked this book. It is a 'faction' novel - a combination of fact and fiction (and one of my favourite types of book!) - and there is definitely more fact than fiction. I think Lucy was probably my favourite chapter, because there was more of a balance between these two, but I didn't want to move on from Mary Ann's either (the first).
This book is realistic both historically and humanly, which is so great. I love historically accurate novels. The characters felt real to me as well. I think that if you are a big Lincoln buff, not much of this will be new to you, but it is definitely a good twist on a general history book and this therefore makes it more accessible for audiences like yours truly, who like to learn about history and also like to read fiction.
I would totally recommend this book, but it's not for everyone. You have to have some sort of interest, otherwise you probably won't keep reading! (Despite there being a very nice writing style, I would just like to say.) It was so interesting to read and I have to stop Googling information and more history and actually complete the degree I came to university to do.
Thank you very much to Penguin Random House and Dutton Books for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! None of the opinions here have been influenced by other people or companies.
TITLE: Fates & Traitors
AUTHOR: Jennifer Chiaverini
GENRE: Historical faction
PUBLISHER//YEAR OF PUBLICATION: Dutton Books // 2016.
NUMBER OF PAGES: 382
ISBN: 9781410492210
GOODREADS
PERSONAL SOURCE: Sent by Dutton Books (Hardback copy)
RATING: 4/5
sarahsbookstack's review
3.0
It was an interesting read since I knew nothing of John Wilkes Booth aside from the fact that he assassinated Pres. Lincoln.
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