Curtis Sittenfeld’s new novel, American Wife, is a thinly veiled portrait of first lady Laura Bush’s life. She paints the portrait of Alice Blackwell—a reserved, thoughtful woman who lives her life as a devoted spouse and mother but possesses a strong moral resolve that often runs counter to her role as the wife of a conservative leader. Sittenfeld offers a sympathetic view of Alice, tracing her life from her humble Wisconsin roots through her husband’s years in the White House.
At 576 pages, the book provides detailed insights into some formative events of Alice Blackwell’s life, but leaves the reader wanting, often skipping years at a time. The narrative feels especially incomplete in its coverage of Alice’s early years as a mother, offering surprisingly sparse emotional commentary. This erratic romp through an otherwise compelling storyline makes the novel interesting but sometimes frustrating and unbalanced in scope.
American Wife will be available for sale on September 2, 2008.
