American Wife

I believe I have started nearly every Book Club post with these exact words...  I truly didn't think that I would enjoy American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld for a number of reasons.  First, the book was supposed to be a loose biography for Laura Bush and, second, the book was about politics, first lady or not.  However, in the end, I couldn't put the book down.  It made for wonderful vacation reading!

Alice is a delightfully naive character in the beginning of the novel, but by the end she is a insightful and wise leading lady.   One of the joys of this story is watching just how Alice grows and changes: her metamorphosis is so realistic and beautiful.  

Alice's grandmother is a hoot!  The point at which Alice discovers her lesbian relationship is priceless.  While, I wish Alice's initial reaction would have been different, I love that, in the end, she regrets her reactions.

I also loved watching Charlie's character evolve and change.  If George Bush, Jr. is indeed anything like Charlie, then my opinion has changed a bit for the better.  Aside from being a buffoon at times, you can't help but adore him.  He's family was so overbearing and frightful!  The image of Alice's first visit and the solitary bathroom had me cringing for her.

All in all, I enjoyed Sittenfeld's novel and recommend it to anyone who wants an easy, but not brain-candy type read.