So here goes the second attempt at starting a blog! My original is somewhere lost in the ether after an email address change has meant that I cannot access it anymore! Any who, I am still determined to write an intelligent, fair review on the Millennium trilogy by
Stieg Larsson, but for now I will quickly comment on my current read, American Wife by Curtis
Sittenfeld.
I LOVE THIS BOOK and really cannot get enough of it! After a wonderfully sunny weekend of relaxing and reading I am already half way through and wish that I did not have to work so that I can carry on reading it all day (story of my life). If you are looking for a book which flows smoothly, succinctly, keeps you yearning to find out what happens next and which fulfills all of your womanly (or manly) needs to nose into other peoples lives, then this is the book for you.
Starting when Alice is in her teenage years at high school in 1960s middle America, Alice narrates us through the ups and downs, family issues, boy friend and best friend dilemmas whilst still upholding a desirable, intriguing intelligence, offering the expectation of a successful future (she eventually becomes first lady of the White House. It says this on the back of the book, don't get cross please).
Sittenfeld writes in a way which
pre-
empts events (university, marriage potentials) to keep the interest alive which creates a genuine empathetic need to follow Alice's life journey. A shocking event sends shock waves through her small town, mostly average life and causes Alice, and the reader to see life in a completely different light.
Alice is clearly a likable, attractive character bringing the added appeal of romance to the story, which moves along at quite a pace as she follows her heart, despite the baggage which may come attached to this and the unfamiliar world into which she is launched! Unfortunately there are gaps in the narration of her life (I would happily read about every part) as the book is broken down into long chapters specified by the houses she lives in. Each chapter jumps forwards a decade or so; I guess this is one the reasons it is so readable as Alice's situation, acquaintances and opinions are changed which holds the attention very nicely.
Well I am only half way through so that is all I can say for now, I just wanted to stress how much I am enjoying this book and offer up a few inclinations as to why this may be! Will be back later than I would like. If I had my way I would finish it by tomorrow. Ta-
ra!
UPDATE
So I finished American Wife, after a rainy day marathon and I must say it lived up to my expectations! The last couple of chapters are a whirl wind of life as the wife of the president, and really gives an emphasises on how a normal, grounded woman, from a normal neighbourhood can still be that same person despite her sudden fame and responsibility. Although brief, the chapters provide an insight into the lives lived at the White House and how it can affect the lives and relationships of those drawn in.
Alice very much remains herself to the end and you really feel as though you have grown with her, sharing her trials and tribulations, her triumphs and her determination to morally and truthfully live her life as only herself, and not how other people may perceive or prefer her to be.
A wonderful, charming and exciting read which mixes every day normality with unlikely possibilities.
