Review by @drconstance45 -
If youâre looking for some deeper understanding of Hillary or some piece of commentary, âRodhamâ is not the place for it. Instead, this novel presents dozens of different topics, emotions & ideas in a complicated & ambiguous way. I loved the authorâs âAmerican Wifeâ novel about Laura Bush, but this is a very, very different kind of novel. First of all, because we know much more about Hillary than Laura, and also because at some point the novel diverges from the original timeline.
The first part of the book is slow, but sittenfeld writes Bill and Hillaryâs love story in a deeply moving and realistic way. The sex scenes are sometimes cringe-worthy and other times feel important to the plot.
The real treat though was afterwards: from 1991-2016, because the novel picks up the pace and the multiple events and storylines that sittenfeld created are so so so interesting, creative and smart. Every significant thing that happened to our real-life Hillary, happens to âHillary Rodhamâ, but at different times and under different circumstances: cookie-gate, Whitewater, vince Foster, her falling out with Marian Wright edelman, chants at her opponentâs rally and more.
Itâs clear that sittenfeld is a big fan of Hillary. While sheâs no saint in the book, itâs written with love and empathy, not to mention such attention to details. At some point I wanted to kiss the book.
BUT, the book is also very hard on Bill. If youâre a massive fan of his, not sure youâll enjoy it (or at least the depiction of him).
In conclusion, itâs a wildly entertaining novel. You shouldnât take it too seriously (some on the left were actually upset that Bernie doesnât exist in this book! Ha!). If you do that, youâll enjoy it. Thoroughly. In the last third of book I found myself laughing out loud more times than I can count.
Hope this review is helpful!
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