Title: Fates and TraitorsAuthor: Jennifer Chiaverini
Genre: Historical Fiction
Synopsis: The story of the life of John Wilkes Booth told from the perspective of important women in his life; His mother, Mary Ann, his sister, Asia, his secret fiancee, Lucy Hale, and the mother of one of his conspirators, Mary Surratt.
Other books I have read by this author:
Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker: A Novel
, The Spymistress: A Novel
(this one is my favorite, and seriously amazing... read it!), and Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule
My Thoughts
Initially, I was unsure that I would enjoy a novel about John Wilkes Booth as one of the most notorious men in American history. Few modern Americans like John Wilkes Booth and even after reading this novel he is not a likable character but the reader gains perspective about this notorious man. I felt sympathetic to the women who knew him and were horrified by his actions because they truly loved or admired him.
The book begins from J.W. Booth's perspective as he is trapped and captured after (spoiler alert...not) he assassinates President Abraham Lincoln. Then we learn about his young life from the perspective of his mother, Mary Ann and his younger sister, Asia with whom he had a very close relationship. Lucy Hale, a senators daughter, and Mary Surratt, owner of a boarding house and mother to one of Booth's conspirators, give the reader insight into Booth as an adult man plotting to abduct President Lincoln. I like how the reader gets different perspectives on John Wilkes from the people closest to him and while they cannot see his dangerous tendencies the reader gets a full view of why he may have acted as he did.
It is also interesting and well done one chapter near the end is small snippets of the reaction and issues each woman and her family has to deal with in the aftermath of the assassination carried out by someone close to them.
This was a really interesting read that provides insight into those affected directly by the actions of John Wilkes Booth and I highly recommend it!
Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!
To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above
Initially, I was unsure that I would enjoy a novel about John Wilkes Booth as one of the most notorious men in American history. Few modern Americans like John Wilkes Booth and even after reading this novel he is not a likable character but the reader gains perspective about this notorious man. I felt sympathetic to the women who knew him and were horrified by his actions because they truly loved or admired him.
The book begins from J.W. Booth's perspective as he is trapped and captured after (spoiler alert...not) he assassinates President Abraham Lincoln. Then we learn about his young life from the perspective of his mother, Mary Ann and his younger sister, Asia with whom he had a very close relationship. Lucy Hale, a senators daughter, and Mary Surratt, owner of a boarding house and mother to one of Booth's conspirators, give the reader insight into Booth as an adult man plotting to abduct President Lincoln. I like how the reader gets different perspectives on John Wilkes from the people closest to him and while they cannot see his dangerous tendencies the reader gets a full view of why he may have acted as he did.
It is also interesting and well done one chapter near the end is small snippets of the reaction and issues each woman and her family has to deal with in the aftermath of the assassination carried out by someone close to them.
This was a really interesting read that provides insight into those affected directly by the actions of John Wilkes Booth and I highly recommend it!
Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!
To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above
No comments:
Post a Comment