Helpful Score: 2
I work in politics and media in Washington, D.C. and read this novel while immersed in a presidential election, so it was pretty much tailored for me. But with that caveat, I will say I really enjoyed it. It was a very fast read, insightful about the characters and full of minor but fun behind-the-scenes details. Wallace has worked in this arena long enough to not sound overly impressed with titles and job descriptions anymore, which means she is more focused on plot and characters than on their setting or importance. Great light read: Take it on an airplane or to the beach and enjoy telling people you're reading a novel by one of the major characters from the 2008 election (that's "Game Change" to the HBO buffs).
Helpful Score: 1
Disappointing! I saw Nicolle Wallace interviewed by Rachel Maddow when the book was first released. She said that the VP candidate in her book was somewhat based on Sarah Palin and that she used the writing process to vent some of her feelings about getting thrown under the proverbial bus following the 2008 presidential campaign. So I was expecting a dishy novel with feisty and interesting characters. I was expecting her to deliver on a premise of how exactly does the election campaign react to unflattering or damaging revelations from an unvetted candidate going offscript? And considering the numerous scandals of the actual VP candidate, I was wondering how many may come into play for the fictional candidate. Sadly, none!
Wallaces characters are all two dimensional. The election team seems comprised of only 2 main staffers (no others are named or included in strategy sessions) and while they dont agree on most things it amounted mostly to eye rolling and one staffer getting outvoted. I know Wallace is a political insider, not to mention was a key player in the last presidential election, so why she didnt develop or add any life to the fictional campaign in the book was baffling. How the campaign gets run and the interpersonal dynamics, teamwork, or conflict within that group of staffers could have been really interesting. There was a side mention of a stylist for the VP candidate fighting with the candidate over inappropriate outfits and a hinted at past problem that did not seem like a big deal to me and that evidently, conveniently, was squashed by a staffer to prevent a day-before-the-election news exclusive. (Like any reporter wouldn't break that kind of story! Unbelievable. And may have added a bit of excitement to an otherwise boring conclusion.) Why even mention a potential scandal if it doesnt play any role in the plot?
There also is a part of the story where the president gets mad at a Cabinet member and forces him to resign. I was never clear on what he did that was so wrong or why the consequences played out as they did. She seemed to betray him for no apparent or explained reasons. And having him out of that post did not add anything to the story or advance any plot lines.
Overall the whole story line was bland and fluffy. No drama, no suspense. An original take on how a woman would manage the presidency it was NOT. A political thriller it was definitely NOT. The writing has some flow, I did read the whole book, but there is no interesting story arc.
I was also a bit put off by all the designer name dropping on fashion & gadgets (some other readers thought it added authenticity to the story; I thought it bogged down the writing and sounded like advertising.)
Wallaces characters are all two dimensional. The election team seems comprised of only 2 main staffers (no others are named or included in strategy sessions) and while they dont agree on most things it amounted mostly to eye rolling and one staffer getting outvoted. I know Wallace is a political insider, not to mention was a key player in the last presidential election, so why she didnt develop or add any life to the fictional campaign in the book was baffling. How the campaign gets run and the interpersonal dynamics, teamwork, or conflict within that group of staffers could have been really interesting. There was a side mention of a stylist for the VP candidate fighting with the candidate over inappropriate outfits and a hinted at past problem that did not seem like a big deal to me and that evidently, conveniently, was squashed by a staffer to prevent a day-before-the-election news exclusive. (Like any reporter wouldn't break that kind of story! Unbelievable. And may have added a bit of excitement to an otherwise boring conclusion.) Why even mention a potential scandal if it doesnt play any role in the plot?
There also is a part of the story where the president gets mad at a Cabinet member and forces him to resign. I was never clear on what he did that was so wrong or why the consequences played out as they did. She seemed to betray him for no apparent or explained reasons. And having him out of that post did not add anything to the story or advance any plot lines.
Overall the whole story line was bland and fluffy. No drama, no suspense. An original take on how a woman would manage the presidency it was NOT. A political thriller it was definitely NOT. The writing has some flow, I did read the whole book, but there is no interesting story arc.
I was also a bit put off by all the designer name dropping on fashion & gadgets (some other readers thought it added authenticity to the story; I thought it bogged down the writing and sounded like advertising.)
