Today I have a novel which poses a rather intriguing question: What if Hillary hadn't married Bill?
The book in question is Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld which is published by Doubleday in hardback on July 9th. The Hillary and Bill are of course, Hillary Rodham and Bill Clinton...
‘Awfully opinionated for a girl’ is what they call Hillary
as she grows up in her Chicago suburb.
Smart, diligent, and a bit plain, that’s the general
consensus. Then Hillary goes to college, and her star rises. At Yale Law
School, she continues to be a leader― and catches the eye of driven, handsome
and charismatic Bill. But when he asks her to marry him, Hillary gives him a
firm No.
How might things have turned out for them, for America, for
the world itself, if Hillary Rodham had really turned down Bill Clinton?
With her sharp but always compassionate eye, Sittenfeld
explores the loneliness, moral ambivalence and iron determination that
characterise the quest for high office, as well as the painful compromises
demanded of female ambition in a world ruled by men. Uncannily astute and witty in the telling, RODHAM is a
brilliant reimagining –an unmissable literary landmark and truly a novel of
ourtimes.
My Thoughts
This is a work of fiction which re-imagines what Hillary Clinton's life would have been like if she had not married Bill Clinton. Although you are always clear that this is speculative and fictionalised, I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy at someone's life being used in this way, especially when intimate thoughts and sexual encounters are included. However, if I put these reservations to one side, I can say that this is an enjoyable read which threads together political figures and even uses words from seminal moments.
This is a study of the costs of political ambition to the individual. It is made clear that the public persona has to take precedence on the private one and you feel that Hillary's ambition and belief in her ability supersedes everything to her. But she nevertheless feels like a rounded character who has regrets and affection for others. The background to electioneering and political manoeuvring is shown in detail. The other message which comes over loud and clear is the sexism which she fought against all her life. Women's rights are written in large letters throughout.
In short: Literary fiction merges with politics
About the Author
In addition to Rodham, Curtis Sittenfeld is the author of
the Sunday Times best seller American Wife, in which she painted a picture of
an ordinary American girl –a thinly-disguised Laura Bush -who found herself married
to a President. It was longlisted for the Orange Prize, as was her debut novel Prep.
Her other books are Man of My Dreams, Sisterland (a Richard & Judy Book
Club pick), Eligible, and the acclaimed short story collection You Think It,
I’ll Say It. Her books are translated into 30 languages. She lives with her
family in the American Mid-West.
You can follow Curtis here: Twitter
Thanks to Curtis Sittenfeld, Doubleday and Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
Check out the rest of the tour!
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