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coolbritanja's review against another edition
4.0
Best line of the book: "Hay whistled softly. 'That's what Harvard does to you, Nico. They should've sent him to Brown. He will become more and more intolerable.'" Ra ra Brunonia!
leah_alexandra's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
Another incredible read in this series. Only knocked down slightly from 5 stars in comparison with Burr, which had just a tad more spark. But this is seriously so good. Vidal’s depictions of the political maneuvering and machinations of the time are riveting.
lindzlovesreading's review against another edition
4.0
This is not the easiest book to read. It is dense, large, and dense. But very much worth the read if you have any interest in the American Civil War or President Lincoln.
Like any good Historical novel worth it's salt, it's brilliantly researched. A lot of the things said by Lincoln in the novel were in fact recorded speech from the great President. What I love about this novel though is that you never quite know what is going through Lincoln's head. All the point of views are from his wife, his secretary, his minister of treasury and his minister of war.
You will feel smarter after reading this novel.
Like any good Historical novel worth it's salt, it's brilliantly researched. A lot of the things said by Lincoln in the novel were in fact recorded speech from the great President. What I love about this novel though is that you never quite know what is going through Lincoln's head. All the point of views are from his wife, his secretary, his minister of treasury and his minister of war.
You will feel smarter after reading this novel.
jamesthesnake's review against another edition
4.0
Really great narrative that expounds the value of introverted leadership
littlelady_28's review against another edition
3.0
Very long. Ultimately not as fulfilling as I wanted this novel to be.
stapilus's review against another edition
5.0
An enjoyable history romp - not as much fun as Burr, since there's no central mystery or big unknown element to drive the plot, but then there's Lincoln. I could have done with seeing a little more of him directly, but the perspective was not a bad one. A good read.
traciemasek's review against another edition
5.0
Lincoln and I would have been best friends. I just know it.
mdking's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
As someone who knew nothing of Lincoln, this was an interesting read. Vidal's Lincoln is not the moral figurehead who stoicly fought for Abolition but is a flawed, struggling leader trying to hold the USA together at any cost.
As a piece of historical fiction, the novel had huge pacing issues. Many of the characters were under developed and there was a big focus on "what happened" and very little sense of the setting, characters or general vibe of what it would have been like to live in the 1860s.
Also, the frequent use of the N word is deeply unpleasant.
As a piece of historical fiction, the novel had huge pacing issues. Many of the characters were under developed and there was a big focus on "what happened" and very little sense of the setting, characters or general vibe of what it would have been like to live in the 1860s.
Also, the frequent use of the N word is deeply unpleasant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and War
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
tarmstrong112's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this novel. I approached it with lower expectations and I am delighted to say that this novel exceeded them in every way. Every character is interesting and the narrative is engaging and fast paced. I am ultimately very happy that I read this novel, especially after having read a biography of Lincoln recently, helping to add the historical context to this historical fiction.
I've read a lot of Civil War military fiction and it was interesting to read Civil War political fiction, even if my interests lie more on the military side of things. Overall, very happy I read this enjoyable novel.
I've read a lot of Civil War military fiction and it was interesting to read Civil War political fiction, even if my interests lie more on the military side of things. Overall, very happy I read this enjoyable novel.