Sonya's Reviews > American Wife

2018 after finishing: It's an odd experience, reading this re-imagining of the marriage of George and Laura Bush in the age of Donald and Melania Trump. How different we are as a country now, just a decade past the publication of this novel. No one could write a convincing portrait of Trumpland. It would seem too ludicrous. The novel American Wife, however, is a rich and deep plunge into marriage between two people who don't always agree, a showcase for the supportive wife trope we're all accustomed to. Sittenfeld's novel is so thoughtful and digs down into the ways that life circumstance can affect everything. I'm glad I took the time to listen to this audiobook over the last couple of weeks.

2018 note: I feel like I'm in such good hands when Sittenfeld is writing, and this novel was unfairly maligned because of its subject matter, the fictionalized life of Laura Bush. I am so invested in the story, and the narrator of this wonderful audiobook is one of my favorites, Kimberly Farr (who also read My Name is Lucy Barton.) Love love love this experience so far, as the book keeps me company on morning walks.

2009 Note: More later. But I'll start by saying this was completely engaging. Couldn't put it down and since I'm on vacation, I didn't really have to.