Helpful Score: 3
This historical novel about Thomas Jefferson's daughter, Patsy, shines like a diamond! This is by far one of the best books that I have read recently. It has drama, romance, history and many touching moments. Patsy is a strong and independent woman who endures many tragic losses and comes out stronger from it. Very well researched.
Helpful Score: 1
I love historical novels but so many of them become romance novels instead. This was all that I wished for. The history is captivating and easy to follow. The characters even though it's a novel seem to stand true to what might have been according to the doctrines that have been left from that period. I really enjoyed it and have so many friends that want to borrow it from me.
Excellent book introducing me to this aspect/perspective of American history.
Don't be intimidated by the length of this book - it reads faster than you'd imagine because the story is so compelling. This historical fiction novel uses excerpts from actual letters to and from Thomas Jefferson to examine an important chapter in American history through the lens of Jefferson's eldest daughter Margaret (nicknamed Patsy).
Any novel with more than one author intrigues me, and this title was executed seamlessly. The authors immersed themselves in thousands of pieces of Jefferson correspondence and then used historical facts and their imaginations to piece together a fascinating backstory surrounding the events of Thomas Jefferson and his family. Yes - it includes storylines about Sally Hennings and her children. At times, the story feels a bit like a romance novel, but Margaret's life was filled with love, loss, and other tragedies so it was likely quite dramatic.
I read this for book club and look forward to a fascinating discussion. I also look forward to reading other novels for which these authors have collaborated.
Any novel with more than one author intrigues me, and this title was executed seamlessly. The authors immersed themselves in thousands of pieces of Jefferson correspondence and then used historical facts and their imaginations to piece together a fascinating backstory surrounding the events of Thomas Jefferson and his family. Yes - it includes storylines about Sally Hennings and her children. At times, the story feels a bit like a romance novel, but Margaret's life was filled with love, loss, and other tragedies so it was likely quite dramatic.
I read this for book club and look forward to a fascinating discussion. I also look forward to reading other novels for which these authors have collaborated.
This is a story told by Martha (Patsy) Jefferson about her life with her father, Thomas Jefferson, and her husband and family. The story begins in France where Thomas Jefferson is a diplomat to France and Patsy is about 14 or 15. There she makes a life long friend, William Short. It tells about their life when they return to Monticello, the plantation that Thomas Jefferson designed. He is also the founder of the University of VA. She marries Tom Randolph who becomes a Governor of VA. I think this book would be enjoyed by young adult readers as well as adult.
I was anticipating this book about six months before it was finally published. I have to say, I was very disappointed. I'm less than half-way through. It's laying on my night stand. Many books have been read since I picked it up. I do want to finish it. Maybe one day...I'm giving it a generous 3 stars...
