Deborah Pickstone's Reviews > America's First Daughter

America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray
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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!

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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

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