joe_arkhurst

Curtis Sittenfeld uses Laura Bush’s life as a template to write a fictionalized version thereof. I have to say, it seemed voyeuristic and I felt a little bad about reading it, but then I did read it. (Apparently Sittenfeld prepared a special edition devoid of sex-scenes for her parents to read. I would have preferred to read that version too. If it is not integral to the story, I don’t want to know the details.) The book is relatively sympathetic towards Alice (alias Laura Bush), portraying her as a thoughtful, modest woman who unexpectedly becomes First Lady; less sympathetic is the portrayal of Charlie (alias W.), who comes across as a pampered, charming a-hole who unexpectedly becomes President. I thought the book was well written, but somewhat hampered by its need to follow the historical facts; the last quarter of the book in particular. Bottom line: I would easily read something else by Sittenfeld, however if I were Laura Bush, I would be mortified.

2022-11-14 16:57