Title: My Dear HamiltonAuthor: Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
Genre: Historical Fiction
Other books by this author that I've read: America's First Daughter
Synopsis: This novel explores the life of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton before, during, and after her marriage to Alexander Hamilton.
My Thoughts
At the end of August, I had the privilege to see Hamilton when it was here in Cleveland with my mom as a gift from my parents upon finishing my MAEd. It was so amazing and afterward, I was super energized and it had left me wondering more about Eliza Hamilton than Alexander. So, as I am wont to do, I looked up books about Eliza Hamilton finding that there was not yet a biography to read about her, but that since Hamilton at least one was in the works. But earlier this year Dray and Kamoie had published this work of historical fiction. Both of the authors were educators before becoming authors and as such the use of primary sources is important to them both. So I knew this would be the closest thing to a true story I could get, short of a biography.
When I saw that these were the authors who had also written America's First Daughter, I was thrilled. I loved that novel and the research they had done as it was written was impeccable. I was also excited to see that they started Eliza's story before she met Alexander because she is an accomplished person in her own right. The story does not end at Alexander's death but continues as Eliza struggles with the aftermath and what he has left behind.
As I got closer and closer to the end of the book I didn't want it to end. It is the kind of novel that left me feeling not quite ready to move on to the next book on my list. It engulfs you and takes you on an emotional journey.
As nerdy as I am, it should surprise no one that I love to read the extras at the end of a historical novel and these notes from the authors were exceptionally exciting for me. They discuss any changes that they made intentionally and justify why they made them. Most of them deal with events out of chronological order or conversations/situations that they entirely created or embellished. They also discuss any plot holes they filled due to gaps in the historical documents.
The authors also included a section comparing the events in their novel to events and the chronology depicted in Hamilton, which I absolutely loved. Being able to see the two works and the choices made by the respective writers of the novel and play made me appreciate the artistic choices each made to best tell their version of a similar story.
If you made it through all of that it may seem unnecessary to say that this novel comes highly recommended by me. Reading about Eliza Hamilton from a first-person perspective written as though she was looking back on her life was super cool. I borrowed this one from the library, I think it is one I need to buy and keep in my personal library because it is totally worth a second read.
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
At the end of August, I had the privilege to see Hamilton when it was here in Cleveland with my mom as a gift from my parents upon finishing my MAEd. It was so amazing and afterward, I was super energized and it had left me wondering more about Eliza Hamilton than Alexander. So, as I am wont to do, I looked up books about Eliza Hamilton finding that there was not yet a biography to read about her, but that since Hamilton at least one was in the works. But earlier this year Dray and Kamoie had published this work of historical fiction. Both of the authors were educators before becoming authors and as such the use of primary sources is important to them both. So I knew this would be the closest thing to a true story I could get, short of a biography.
When I saw that these were the authors who had also written America's First Daughter, I was thrilled. I loved that novel and the research they had done as it was written was impeccable. I was also excited to see that they started Eliza's story before she met Alexander because she is an accomplished person in her own right. The story does not end at Alexander's death but continues as Eliza struggles with the aftermath and what he has left behind.
As I got closer and closer to the end of the book I didn't want it to end. It is the kind of novel that left me feeling not quite ready to move on to the next book on my list. It engulfs you and takes you on an emotional journey.
As nerdy as I am, it should surprise no one that I love to read the extras at the end of a historical novel and these notes from the authors were exceptionally exciting for me. They discuss any changes that they made intentionally and justify why they made them. Most of them deal with events out of chronological order or conversations/situations that they entirely created or embellished. They also discuss any plot holes they filled due to gaps in the historical documents.
The authors also included a section comparing the events in their novel to events and the chronology depicted in Hamilton, which I absolutely loved. Being able to see the two works and the choices made by the respective writers of the novel and play made me appreciate the artistic choices each made to best tell their version of a similar story.
If you made it through all of that it may seem unnecessary to say that this novel comes highly recommended by me. Reading about Eliza Hamilton from a first-person perspective written as though she was looking back on her life was super cool. I borrowed this one from the library, I think it is one I need to buy and keep in my personal library because it is totally worth a second read.
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
