American Wife by Curtis Sittenfield

I understand why former first lady Laura Bush finds the existence of this novel offensive, it's content is both disturbing and revealing. Yet, while reading the book, it becomes apparent that author Curtis Sittenfield finds her subject fascinating and admirable; I was expecting the opposite. Of course, author and publisher claim the book to be only inspired by Mrs. Bush's life, not the biographical account like many read it to be. This is why I think that Sittenfield captures not the life of this leading lady, but rather, the life of any woman trapped on the sidelines of a marraige, a companion to greatness, but one who receives none of her own.

While reading this novel, I grew increasingly aware of the complications of living in the shadow of fame. This book became popular before the recent scandals of John Edwards and Mark Sanford, yet, the actions of both of their wives mirror Sittenfield's hypothesis here--eventually, the need to speak out and maybe even against will one day outweigh any other role these women have been placed. The main character, Alice Blackwell, is often appalled at her husband's brutish behavior, briefly leaving him before he becomes an active politician and eventual presidential candidate. But even in the midst of her disagreement, it's private, and often the conversation in her own mind suffices any confrontation with her husband. It's not until a day, confronted by her past and with a solidified understanding of her mission as first lady, that Mrs. Blackwell speaks out--and not against an ignorant behavior or snide, racist remark, but about a father, mourning the death of his soldier son, a veteran himself.

I'm not sure if I like this book; I kept reading out of morbid curiousity rather than genuine interest. But, it's in Sittenfield's final chapters that I believe the book moves from tabloid gesticulating to discourse on the life of an American Wife, forced to conformity but with a story all her own. Bottom line, 3 out of 5 stars.

Word of caution---fairly explicit scenes in the first few chapters.