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American Wife: A Novel by Curtis Sittenfeld
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American Wife: A Novel (original 2009; edition 2008)

by Curtis Sittenfeld (Author)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
3,3512253,848 (3.67)231
On what might become one of the most significant days in her husband's presidency, Alice Blackwell considers the strange and unlikely path that has led her to the White House--and the repercussions of a life lived, as she puts it, "almost in opposition to itself." How can she both love and fundamentally disagree with her husband? How complicit has she been in the trajectory of her own life? What should she do when her private beliefs run against her public persona?--From publisher description.… (more)
Member:MHanover10
Title:American Wife: A Novel
Authors:Curtis Sittenfeld (Author)
Info:Random House (2008), Edition: 1, 576 pages
Collections:Your library, Currently reading, Wishlist, To read, Read but unowned, Favorites
Rating:****
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Work Information

American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld (2009)

  1. 21
    Primary Colors by Joe Klein (Voracious_Reader)
    Voracious_Reader: Satire of the Clinton's.
  2. 00
    The Perfect Wife by Ann Gerhart (batesharbuck)
    batesharbuck: It might be nice to compare the American Wife to the real person
  3. 00
    The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout (susanbooks)
    susanbooks: One of Stout's examples seems to be a not-so-thinly veiled George B. Interesting to read the nonfictional (but speculative) & fictional portrayals together.
  4. 00
    Freddy and Fredericka by Mark Helprin (Voracious_Reader)
    Voracious_Reader: Thinly veiled satire of famous British royals (Charles and Di).
  5. 00
    A Quiet Life by Natasha Walter (charl08)
  6. 00
    The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta (sturlington)
  7. 00
    Behave by Andromeda Romano-Lax (susanbooks)
    susanbooks: Both novels are based on actual intelligent women who married powerful men & both do a great job examining that dynamic
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» See also 231 mentions

English (225)  Swedish (1)  All languages (226)
Showing 1-5 of 225 (next | show all)
Fictional biography of Laura Bush. Well written, keeps your interest.
  bentstoker | Jan 26, 2024 |
I absolutely loved this. It was so interesting and readable that I barely put it down once I started it. Admittedly, I've always been curious about Laura Bush, so this book was as satisfying as a major dish session with a friend who's gone through a lot that you missed. I know it's fiction, but it felt so true (so confessional!) even while I knew it's probably miles and miles from reality. My hat is off to Curtis Sittenfeld. Girl can write. Now I must go read Prep. ( )
  LibrarianDest | Jan 3, 2024 |
Pretty surprised I even picked this up, but I have to say that I loved it. Great writing. I did lose interest when they ended up in the White House, but before that, I couldn't put it down. ( )
  nogomu | Oct 19, 2023 |
The idea behind the book is great. I love historical fiction and if this wasn't such recent history it might have been a better read. It's hard to take liberties with a character based on someone still alive and whom everyone remembers.
It seemed she was a little obsessed with the First Lady's sex life. I mean really we need to know that many details? I just wasn't sure it added anything.
Charlie and Alice are so day and night but each so lovable. It made me want to know more about Laura Bush and at the same time I think I developed a bit of a crush on President Bush because of this book. Not entirely sure that was the intent of the author but it's what I came away with.
I agree with others that the ending seemed tacked on and not as rich as the rest of the book but I think that also is a result of writing about history when history is still in the making. ( )
  MsTera | Oct 10, 2023 |
I thought this was a superb novel, one of the best that I've read in a long time. Engrossing and beautifully written. ( )
  JamieStarr | Jul 15, 2023 |
Showing 1-5 of 225 (next | show all)
Sittenfeld, author of Prep, has written an intelligent, bighearted novel about a controversial political dynasty. It's also the summer's most delicious read, a book you can guzzle like a cold, creamy milk shake.

 
“American Wife” is most engaging in its early chapters, when Alice Lindgren isn’t yet Alice Blackwell but an insecure young woman, haunted by the memory of the beautiful boy she’d accidentally killed as a girl yet dedicated to teaching and to a life defined by books. After she meets Charlie Blackwell and becomes his helpmeet, her independence swallowed up in his ambition, Alice seems to lose definition and, especially in the novel’s final, weakest section, titled “1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,” to become a generic figure of celebrity proffering bromides to an adulatory public.
 
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Dedication
For Matt Carlson, my American husband
First words
Have I made terrible mistakes?
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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On what might become one of the most significant days in her husband's presidency, Alice Blackwell considers the strange and unlikely path that has led her to the White House--and the repercussions of a life lived, as she puts it, "almost in opposition to itself." How can she both love and fundamentally disagree with her husband? How complicit has she been in the trajectory of her own life? What should she do when her private beliefs run against her public persona?--From publisher description.

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Haiku summary
Didn't want fame, but
husband did. Public smiles with
hidden inner thoughts.
(ursula)

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