The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
brooke_review's review against another edition
5.0
Though fictional, this captivating book gave insight to what the Bush's relationship might have been like. I am not a fan of the former President in real life, but this novel painted him as more of a "real" person, making me like and understand him a bit more.
This book makes you wonder "what if?" It gets you thinking about how we are all connected, and how the choices we make affect the future of those around us.
However, I did not like how at the end of each section, the author crammed years of the characters' lives into a few pages. After following the characters' every movements, I was curious as to all that happened in between.
This book makes you wonder "what if?" It gets you thinking about how we are all connected, and how the choices we make affect the future of those around us.
However, I did not like how at the end of each section, the author crammed years of the characters' lives into a few pages. After following the characters' every movements, I was curious as to all that happened in between.
knitwgrace's review against another edition
4.0
Good. My main complaint is the way too much info sex scenes, especially toward the beginning of the book...I almost "jumped ship", but was able to skip over them once I saw them coming and there weren't as many throughout the book. I am glad that I stayed with the book.
cherjbb_55's review against another edition
2.0
There should be a category called "gave up on this book"! I'm on page 229 and it is just dragging. Just read some of the reviews which state that the first part of the book is the best!!! How will I ever make it to the end. I seldom quit on a book, but I'm done!
jenleah's review against another edition
4.0
The preface of this book indicated that American Wife, Alice Blackwell, was loosely based on Laura Bush. I also read an interview with the author regarding this fact where she stated something about being able to separate fact from fiction (in relation to a question about intimate, sexual details of the Blackwell' s private life). I tried to do this while reading, to separate Alice Blackwell from Laura Bush, but found this to be impossible. I very much enjoyed following Alice's life and if this was a purely fictional character I would have given the book 5 stars. It's the similarities and actual experiences from Laura Bush's life used in a fictional way that gave me pause. It felt uncomfortable to read this almost alternate version of a real person's life. It was like hearing gossip, but regretting later that you didn't defend the person being spoken about or ask to not hear anymore. Yes, it was fiction, but what parts were fiction? Is Barbara Bush anything like Madge? No matter the truth, now I'm going to always have a less favorable view of her. This is true of many of the details and characters in the book.
I wish this book had been completely fiction, based solely on Sittenfield's imagination.
I wish this book had been completely fiction, based solely on Sittenfield's imagination.
rosy0_0's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kastasi's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book and had trouble putting it down, until the last section. When Alice became first lady, the book changed from story to soapbox and I was much more interested in the story. I felt like I would have enjoyed the last section if Alice's internal monologues could have been cut at least in half.
ktierney's review against another edition
2.0
I loved parts of this book (especially the beginning) but for the most part it drags on
dcmr's review against another edition
2.0
This writer has range! Her novels have featured prep school students to clairvoyants. And after enjoying "Prep" and "Sisterland," I was eager to read another. But American Wife was not for me; I found it long and dull. And even worse, just a few pages in I realized this story is a fictionalized rendering of the life and marriage Laura and George Bush — a topic that holds absolutely no interest to me. Before I read this book, I didn't like or respect George — and the Bush family — and the novel just affirmed my distaste.
Sittenfeld is a masterful writer, but this one left me cold.
Sittenfeld is a masterful writer, but this one left me cold.
kirstenbeyondthebookends's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. I really really enjoyed this one, not the whole time, but I really liked it. I know it's not a biography, but it gave me pause and made me consider my notions of a president I thoroughly dislike (bush jr.)
There were times when the overt graphic sexual thoughts and actions seemed out of place and jarring, but they stopped about midway through the book and the insight the author showed on how people with completely different ideologies can still love and respect and care for one another was almost profound.
I think it could have been a bit short, but honestly, I loved Alice and her way of seeing things, I wish she had a bit more backbone but i understood why she acted the way she did, the decisions she made, and even the times she let life happen instead of being an active participant. I was sad when this one ended, and would recommend it (particularly the audio version I listened to) to anyone looking for a good book.
4.5 stars
There were times when the overt graphic sexual thoughts and actions seemed out of place and jarring, but they stopped about midway through the book and the insight the author showed on how people with completely different ideologies can still love and respect and care for one another was almost profound.
I think it could have been a bit short, but honestly, I loved Alice and her way of seeing things, I wish she had a bit more backbone but i understood why she acted the way she did, the decisions she made, and even the times she let life happen instead of being an active participant. I was sad when this one ended, and would recommend it (particularly the audio version I listened to) to anyone looking for a good book.
4.5 stars
sab_1961's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a good read, all 630 pages. The second book I have read by this author. My friends recommended it on the Lockdown Reads Facebook book group. I felt a strong connection with Alice, the American Wife.