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skhan11's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
ashrafulla's review against another edition
4.0
This is probably my first historical fiction book that I chose on my own. Vidal is right; by writing it under the veil of fiction, the history of Burr is far more accessible than in the droll tone of a history book. When it comes to politics, society and intrigue, a smart reader can take the liberties of fiction while still understanding the history of the situation. Vidal depends on that; if you can't quickly filter the fiction from the fact, you end up lost very quickly. The reason you end up lost is that you continually ask yourself what is true and what isn't.
So don't do that. Read it and enjoy a tale of the intrigue regarding the First Gentry of America. From Burr's words you see a less-than-rosy outlook on the rest of the characters, from Washington all the way down to Hamilton. Taking Burr's small bitterness with a grain of salt, I find that this story humanizes all of the characters. There was no way that Washington could be a prophet or God; it serves him better in my opinion to treat him as a moral and political leader. Burr may have insulted him at every turn, but the respect Burr gives to Washington is what to consider. This goes to all the other characters as well. So don't take Burr's snark as demeaning; take it as his way of making sure we do not deify them.
Enough on the history; the story is extremely well-written. Charlie is fantastic as is Helen. Yes, Helen. She is a great character study of that century when everything was so new and so temporary, and her double demise is tragic. Situating us as Charlie's diary is far better than playing omnipresence because we get the emotion of Charlie's ambition and curiosity. That's the strongest part of this book: it's not just history, it's history through the lens of a middleman.
So don't do that. Read it and enjoy a tale of the intrigue regarding the First Gentry of America. From Burr's words you see a less-than-rosy outlook on the rest of the characters, from Washington all the way down to Hamilton. Taking Burr's small bitterness with a grain of salt, I find that this story humanizes all of the characters. There was no way that Washington could be a prophet or God; it serves him better in my opinion to treat him as a moral and political leader. Burr may have insulted him at every turn, but the respect Burr gives to Washington is what to consider. This goes to all the other characters as well. So don't take Burr's snark as demeaning; take it as his way of making sure we do not deify them.
Enough on the history; the story is extremely well-written. Charlie is fantastic as is Helen. Yes, Helen. She is a great character study of that century when everything was so new and so temporary, and her double demise is tragic. Situating us as Charlie's diary is far better than playing omnipresence because we get the emotion of Charlie's ambition and curiosity. That's the strongest part of this book: it's not just history, it's history through the lens of a middleman.
efost's review against another edition
5.0
The first book I’ve read by Vidal. Loved his writing style and how it brought the story to life. Really unique blend of historical novel and biography! Looking forward to the other books in this series.
soinavoice's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic character study with great historical detail. Maybe a little cynical for my taste, but witty and nuanced and fabulously well-written.
c2pizza's review against another edition
4.0
I remember hearing the comparison of Gore Vidal to Stendahl a year or so ago and not being able to think anything of it having not read either author. A year later I found myself reading Burr at home and The Red and the Black at work and constantly overlapping the plots in my mind which rarely happens. So I have to support the notion that Gore Vidal is the Stendahl of the 20th century and that everyone should read both of them.
spinnerroweok's review against another edition
5.0
There are historical novels that sound 20th century people running around in a 18th century set. Then there are pieces like Burr that seem to be so meticulously researched that you can smell the stench of the past. Mr. Vidal does his homework as he uses Aaron Burr to skewer the founders and show them to be the self contradictory humans that they are.
This is a book within a book as Vidal sets up a frame story around 1835 in which a young would-be writer is studying law with Mr. Burr. Along the way, we are given Burr's history through recollections and attempts at a memoir. Mr. Vidal makes both the frame story and Burr's backstory very entertaining.
I enjoyed this so much! I am next moving on to a biography of Burr while waiting for Audible to release Vidal's Lincoln later this month.
If you loved Hamilton and how hate Burr, read Burr by Gore Vidal, and question your allegiances.
This is a book within a book as Vidal sets up a frame story around 1835 in which a young would-be writer is studying law with Mr. Burr. Along the way, we are given Burr's history through recollections and attempts at a memoir. Mr. Vidal makes both the frame story and Burr's backstory very entertaining.
I enjoyed this so much! I am next moving on to a biography of Burr while waiting for Audible to release Vidal's Lincoln later this month.
If you loved Hamilton and how hate Burr, read Burr by Gore Vidal, and question your allegiances.
emmaaxtco's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Thoroughly enjoyed most of it but other parts dragged on to the point that I felt like I had to power through. I learned quite a bit and would be curious to know what is fact and what is fiction or embellishment.
madd_anderson's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
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
3.0
tbjork's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent historical novel. Very well written and a great way to tell the story of Aaron Burr. The book also does a great job of revealing the human side of the historical figures ("founding fathers") that is left out in the school history books that turn these people into huge heroes and give them a godlike status. I can wait to read the rest of the books in the American Chronicle Series.