Thursday, May 07, 2009

Woo Hoo !!


I am writing this on my new laptop. Finally!. It is a beauty, too! Black with red swirls, backlit keys, huge drive and memory. I am over my snit, I guess. (almost) And I did not die from the flu, but at times wished I would.

“American Wife”, by Curtis Sittenfeld, was so worth reading. A thinly veiled story paralleling George W and Laura Bush, it is well written and very well researched. It is the story of a quiet, smart girl,Alice, who becomes a librarian,marries a rich, unmotivated man, Charlie,(who has political aspirations), and surprisingly becomes first lady. When reading the beginning, I really liked the way she captured the 50’s and 60’s. I grew up then and it was so real, and really brought back memories. While I liked the story, and even chuckled when I read how selfish and kinda dumb, the Charlie was, I thought Alice had too many weak moments.

Sittenfeld seemed to really know the effects and nuances of a long marriage, the stress, the changes that I fear happen to all of us as we age and our life changes along with us. The ending seemed a little rushed, but overall it was a worthwhile read.

7 comments:

  1. Welcome back! I'm really glad you didn't die of the flu.

    I passed up an ARC of this book, but I hope I'll get to it someday. It was on a cart of free ARCs at my library and I already had my hands full, so I don't really regret passing it up, but you mentioned at least one thing that really intrigued me -- the author's understanding of the nuances of a long marriage. I've been married nearly 27 years and I think I'm getting to where I qualify for the long marriage category. :)

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  2. Oh you are...34 years for moi. Not sure if it is harder or easier.hmmmm

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  3. I am so interested in this book!

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  4. What kind of computer did you get? Obviously not a Dell. I am going to be getting a new computer soon and yours sounded great. Drop me a line at teadrnkr36@yahoo.com.

    Erin

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  5. Never mind! I just re-read your last post. You did get a Dell. Sorry about the confusion.

    Erin

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  6. I am getting over the delays, it is a great machine, just what I wanted but I'll never get another one. Their customer service sucks!

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  7. congrats on the laptop (finally) getting to you!

    I've looked at AMERICAN WIFE, but haven't yet read it. Interesting that Alice is portrayed as weak. I don't think the "inspiration" for her character was especially weak in that role (though certainly not as visible as our current First Lady).

    Thanks for the review; I'll get to it eventually!

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