In this brave, beautiful, and deeply personal memoir, laura bush, one of our most beloved and private first ladies, tells her own extraordinary story. Spoken from the heart, and cowrote a childrens book with her. What kind of person did you think she was before you read the book, and what kind of person do you see her as now. I felt that curtis sittenfelds alice was a stronger woman than gerhart portrays in the perfect wife. Its all fiction, but major events mirror bushs life, including a. Laura lane welch bush is the wife of the 43rd president, george w. It is that fantasy that gives the edge to american wife, the novelist curtis sittenfelds imaginative reconstruction of the life of laura welch bush. The book starts off with the early part of her life in midland, texas and it was somewhat of an average tale of growing up but with the.
Cbs news mark knoller reports that the first lady has signed a deal with scribner publishers for an autobiography. The most shocking thing about american wife, curtis sittenfelds novel based loosely on the life of laura bush, is not the fictional first ladys illegal abortion. This book is very sympathetic to the first lady and her road to the white house, and shows the president in the light of someone who loves him even while she sees his flaws more clearly than anyone else. American wife is a great book for several reasons, but most crucially, it allows liberal readers to like laura bush without guilt. Even before the book s release this month, author curtis sittenfeld already had garnered major buzz in the blogosphere. Born in midland, texas, bush graduated from southern methodist university in 1968 with a bachelors degree in. While american wife is technically a work of fiction, it is a thinly veiled account of laura and george w. The american wife of sittenfeld s new novel, conspicuously modeled after the life of laura bush as recorded in ann gerhart s biography the perfect wife. In time, her husband decided to enter politics, and laura bush. Bushs wife, laura, which is why theres been a lot of prepublication buzz, and why it will be interesting to see what the critical and readerreactions to the book are. She grew up in a religious and educated businessclass family, in a household that placed more than usual importance on reading and education. If american wife were nothing more than a barely disguised attempt to imagine and illuminate the inner life of laura bush, it might be entertaining in a titillating sort of way, but hardly worth more attention than a quickly forgotten magazine profile. Ann louise bardach talked to her old neighbors about 17. Bushs wife, laura, which is why theres been a lot of prepublication buzz, and why it will be interesting to see what the.
Sittenfeld took the most notable events in bush s life and embellished to create a compelling literary fiction with drama, tension, and, most of all, feeling. In the same way, charlie has continued along the path hes somehow ended up on, pushing the war on the american people with an important difference, alice observes. She served as first lady from 2001 to 2009, advocating for historic education reform. Their time in the white house proves to be heady, tumultuous, and controversial. Laura bush is portrayed by elizabeth banks in oliver stones film w. Nov 12, 2008 it must take guts and a fair amount of gall to write a book like american wife. The former first ladys memoir is hitting bookstores. After reading spoken from the heart, do you think that we need to update our view of the role of first lady or is the mix of responsibilities about right. Ambitious and humble at the same time, sittenfeld refuses to trivialize or simplify people, whether real or imagined. In her third novel, sittenfeld offers a thinly veiled account wisconsin, not texas of the life of laura bush, in the story of alice lindgren, who. Which is exactly why i couldnt wait to read american wife, in which curtis sittenfeld imagines the.
Laura bush and jenna bush hager attend the 2014 social good summit at 92y on september 22, 2014 in new york city. Nov 19, 2008 which is exactly why i couldnt wait to read american wife, in which curtis sittenfeld imagines the life of laura bush. Its a wonderful look into an obviously historical span of time. Sep 04, 2008 laura bush may be a great novelistic subject, but american wife doesnt quite work as a novel. Nov 15, 2010 curtis sittenfeld is one of the uss finest novelists feted for american wife, a novel that gazumped laura bush s own life story. Aug 29, 2008 would we be interested in reading curtis sittenfelds new novel, american wife, if it werent obvious that the narrator, alice blackwell, is modeled on the first lady, laura bush. Bushs courtship and rise to the top of american politics. Though i admit once i worked out thanks, too, to s. Curtis sittenfelds american wife provides fictionalized. In her third novel, sittenfeld offers a thinly veiled account wisconsin, not texas of the life of laura bush, in the story of alice lindgren, who marries charlie blackwell, the neerdowell son of a political dynasty who becomes president. She and her husband had twin daughters, named barbara and jenna in honor of their grandmothers. American wife is a work of fiction loosely inspired by the life of an american first lady. Laura bush quit working when she married but took college literature courses.
Laura bush may be a great novelistic subject, but american wife doesnt quite work as a novel. Its all fiction, but major events mirror bushs life, including. As a former public shool teacher and librarian, laura bush championed the causes. Sittenfeld took the most notable events in bushs life and embellished to create a compelling literary fiction with drama, tension, and, most of. In an endlessly endearing first person, it describes the life and. No spoilers as she did with prep, curtis sittenfeld tackled privilege in general and, to a lesser extent, white privilege, in this sweeping novel. Her embellishment also drew a little from laura bushs motherinlaw, barbara bush. The book will surprise readers whose knowledge of the first lady comes from cautious media interviews and speeches. In the year 2000, in the closest election in american history, alice blackwells husband becomes president of the united states. American wife by curtis sittenfeld lets get this out of the way up front. Laura lane welch bush, commonly known as laura bush.
The book gives insight into the marriage of president george w. It was a very interesting portrait of the real laura bush. Spoken from the heart laura bush, laura welch bush. She grew up in a traditional household that placed importance on reading and education. Laura bush 1946 was an american first lady and the wife of george w. American wife closely mirrors the events of the former first ladys life from childhood until her husbands second term in office. Laura bush is the wife of the former president of united states of america, george w. Bush and his wife from the guest list of the 1985 royal visit by prince charles and lady diana, according to a new book. Author interview curtis sittenfeld, author of american wife.
Curtis sittenfelds american wife takes the life of laura bush and turns it into a provocative novel that explores the clash between private and public life in todays politicalcelebrity culture. Sep 05, 2008 curtis sittenfelds american wife takes the life of laura bush and turns it into a provocative novel that explores the clash between private and public life in todays politicalcelebrity culture. American wife, timed for release with the opening of the republican convention, is sittenfelds attempt to imagine the interior life of laura. But the flurry of press this summer that focused on the books salacious bits. Add laura bush to the list of those cashing in on bush white house book deals.
This is laura bushs story and i thoroughly enjoyed it. American wife by curtis sittenfelda strong stomach is needed for this memoir by a us first lady with a strong resemblance to laura bush, says stephanie merritt. Sittenfeld, while rejecting the charge that american wife presents a liberals fantasy of laura bush, acknowledges that some of her democratic friends resent it for the opposite reason. In an endlessly endearing first person, it describes the life and poor decisions of alice blackwell, whose life story happens to be shared, in large part, by laura bush. A novel loosely based on the life of first lady laura bush, american wife earned early headlines for. May 04, 2010 in this brave, beautiful, and deeply personal memoir, laura bush, one of our most beloved and private first ladies, tells her own extraordinary story. Embellished with lost love, abortion, blackmail and. Let it be known this is not a book about president bush. In fact, its closely and obviously based on george jr. Conspicuously timed for the presidential changeover, curtis sittenfelds third novel is a fictionalised portrait. Laura bush biography life, family, childhood, children. In american wife, a novel loosely inspired by the life of laura bush, curtis sittenfeld boldly imagines the inner life of a first lady.
Oct, 2008 curtis sittenfelds new novel american wife is about a kind, bookish, young woman who marries a wealthy charismatic young man who eventually becomes president. See more ideas about laura bush, bush family and presidents wives. Bush previously served as first lady of texas from 1995 to 2000. It must take guts and a fair amount of gall to write a book like american wife. Bush and was the first lady of the country from 20012009. Laura bush offers a remarkable look at the private world of this famously reserved woman, as well as the beliefs and attitudes that shape it. Curtis sittenfeld is one of the uss finest novelists feted for american wife, a novel that gazumped laura bushs own life story. American wife is based loosely on the life of laura bush loosely being the operative word. Awardwinning american actress laura dern has starred in films. Sep 04, 2008 a novel loosely based on the life of first lady laura bush, american wife earned early headlines for its daring descriptions of an illegal abortion and steamy prewhite house sex scenes. I loved this notsosubtle fictionalization of laura bushs life.
Obviously im not the first person to look at this quiet, thoughtful, former librarian wind up with george w. Laura bush has offered little of herself to the media, appearing in public as a supportive wife. I added this book after reading that alice was inspired by laura bush. Her other books are man of my dreams, sisterland a. Laura was the first lady of the united states of america from 2001 2009. She is the author of the sunday times bestseller american wife, in which she painted a picture of an ordinary american girl a thinlydisguised laura bush who found herself married to a president. She served as first lady from 2001 to 2009, advocating for historic education reform and the wellbeing of women and.
One piece of knowledge we do have is that her life. It was longlisted for the orange prize, as was her debut novel prep. May, 2010 american wife is a great book for several reasons, but most crucially, it allows liberal readers to like laura bush without guilt. Author curtis sittenfeld writes at the begining of this novel that. Born in the boomandbust oil town of midland, texas, laura welch grew up as an only child in a family that lost three babies to miscarriage or infant death. May 25, 2011 curtis sittenfelds american wife provides fictionalized portrait of laura bush by danny shea curtis sittenfeld, the bestselling author of prep and the man of my dreams, has penned a fictionalized account of laura bush s life to be released in time for the republican national convention. Sittenfeld took the most notable events in bushs life and embellished to create a compelling literary fiction with drama, tension, and, most of all, feeling. American wife imagines the life of first lady laura bush. Curtis sittenfelds bestseller novel american wife is based on much of her life. Here she captures presidential life in the harrowing days and weeks after 911, when fighterjet cover echoed through the walls and security scares sent the family to an underground shelter.
Would we be interested in reading curtis sittenfelds new novel, american wife, if it werent obvious that the narrator, alice blackwell, is modeled on the first lady, laura bush. Laura bush and jenna bush hager on their new book and the great outdoors. American wife is based loosely on the life of laura bushloosely being the operative word. Ever wonder how someone could wake up every morning next to george w. Curtis sittenfelds american wife provides fictionalized portrait of laura bush by danny shea curtis sittenfeld, the bestselling author of prep and the man of my dreams, has penned a fictionalized account of laura bushs life to be released in time for the republican national convention. The life and choices of laura bush by ann gerhart was published. Obviously im not the first person to look at this quiet, thoughtful, former. Curtis sittenfelds new novel american wife is about a kind, bookish. It was a religious and educated businessclass family. After reading american wife by curtis sittenfeld i decided to pick up the book that inspired american wife. American wife, by curtis sittenfeld new york magazine. The author talked about important events in their relationship including mrs.
Knowing and knowledgeable, yet also inventive and original, american wife is a thrilling combination of history and surprises guardian. In 2001, after one of the closest elections in american history, laura bush moved into the white house. Bush and her view on first her and then their life. She vividly evokes midlands brash, rugged culture, her close. Andersen talked about his new book george and laura. The american wife goodreads meet your next favorite book. American wife by curtis sittenfeld books the guardian.
Sep 01, 2008 the most shocking thing about american wife, curtis sittenfelds novel based loosely on the life of laura bush, is not the fictional first ladys illegal abortion. Laura lane welch bush, popularly known as laura bush, is the wife of the 43rd u. What most surprised you about the book and about laura bush. Praise for american wife curtis sittenfeld is an amazing writer, and american wife is a brave and moving novel about the intersection of private and public life in america. Maybe youve heard a little something about curtis sittenfelds american wife random house. Jun 28, 20 in american wife, a novel loosely inspired by the life of laura bush, curtis sittenfeld boldly imagines the inner life of a first lady. Its final sectionalice and charlie in the white house, embroiled in all the familiar. With american wife, curtis sittenfeld has deftly crossed an extraordinarily high wirei read american wife in just two or three delicious sittings, struck by the granular clarity of the authors descriptions and the downtoearth believability of the story, bewitched by the charming, frustrating woman at the center of it. Portrait of an american marriage, published by william morrow. Laura bush is an american educator who was first lady of the united states during the presidency of her husband, george w.
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