Deborah Pickstone's Reviews > America's First Daughter
America's First Daughter
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by
Deborah Pickstone's review
bookshelves: 5-1-2-and-6-stars, biographical-novel, favourite-authors, history-of-all-things, human-nature, makes-me-think, political, us-fiction, napoleonic, french, debut, collaborative, best-reads-of-2016, top-ten-2016
Mar 16, 2016
bookshelves: 5-1-2-and-6-stars, biographical-novel, favourite-authors, history-of-all-things, human-nature, makes-me-think, political, us-fiction, napoleonic, french, debut, collaborative, best-reads-of-2016, top-ten-2016
5.5 stars
I think this is Stephanie Dray's best book yet and she is a favourite of mine (her HF, that is). This is really, really good. I take note that she is a joint author with Laura Kamoie, a historian. I have history with authors claiming to be historians but I believe this one! The research is impeccable. I am no expert - almost a beginner in fact - in this period, or in American history at all - but I am pretty expert in looking for detail and authenticity; there's plenty of that in here and included in such a natural way that the reader never feels lectured.
It's one of those books that seems to be slow - until you realise you are holding your breath in anticipation of what is going to happen......this happened so many times I am amazed because throughout I never lost the feeling it was a gentle domestic kind of story; to me that is genius storytelling. Jefferson is portrayed warts and all but with a sympathetic touch. The characterisation throughout was convincing and had an authentic voice.
So, my congratulations to both authors! This seems like a great collaborative team. Historical fiction at its best, do go on and read it!
I think this is Stephanie Dray's best book yet and she is a favourite of mine (her HF, that is). This is really, really good. I take note that she is a joint author with Laura Kamoie, a historian. I have history with authors claiming to be historians but I believe this one! The research is impeccable. I am no expert - almost a beginner in fact - in this period, or in American history at all - but I am pretty expert in looking for detail and authenticity; there's plenty of that in here and included in such a natural way that the reader never feels lectured.
It's one of those books that seems to be slow - until you realise you are holding your breath in anticipation of what is going to happen......this happened so many times I am amazed because throughout I never lost the feeling it was a gentle domestic kind of story; to me that is genius storytelling. Jefferson is portrayed warts and all but with a sympathetic touch. The characterisation throughout was convincing and had an authentic voice.
So, my congratulations to both authors! This seems like a great collaborative team. Historical fiction at its best, do go on and read it!
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
March 16, 2016
– Shelved
March 16, 2016
– Shelved as:
5-1-2-and-6-stars
March 16, 2016
– Shelved as:
biographical-novel
March 16, 2016
– Shelved as:
favourite-authors
March 16, 2016
– Shelved as:
history-of-all-things
March 16, 2016
– Shelved as:
human-nature
March 16, 2016
– Shelved as:
makes-me-think
March 16, 2016
– Shelved as:
political
March 16, 2016
– Shelved as:
us-fiction
March 16, 2016
– Shelved as:
napoleonic
March 16, 2016
– Shelved as:
french
March 16, 2016
– Shelved as:
debut
March 16, 2016
– Shelved as:
collaborative
March 16, 2016
–
Finished Reading
September 1, 2016
– Shelved as:
best-reads-of-2016
September 14, 2016
– Shelved as:
top-ten-2016