Hope everyone had a wonderful 2024. Remember that while we can’t control the horrors of the world, there is joy to be found in the presence of those we love.
1876****
Didn’t hit as hard as Burr; Burr’s presence was the center of the story that made it go, whereas this book wants to highlight every major player in the 1876 election. But Vidal does a good job of evoking the atmosphere of the time: the unapologetic corruption, the paranoia of another war and the wariness from the previous one. Large parts are good, even if it didn’t come together as much as I’d have liked.
Joe Country****
Every time I finish one of these, I think I’m gonna write some long, meditative review. And every single time, I put off day-after-day. Gradually, I forget the more finite plot points and the things I wanted to say about them. And it gets to where I don’t know what to say. So: this was good, as good as the others, the annoying tics stand but it’s dadlit for millennials and I’m gonna keep plowing forward.
James****
Can you like and appreciate a book for what it is? And say it was well done without either giving into its rapturous acclaim or being a contrarian jerk? It’s good, no more, no less. I liked The Trees a lot more. I’m not a Twain apologist and don’t have any deep thoughts on what Everett did with the story. And that’s really the breadth of my opinion on it.
Slough House***
This was the first Slough House book that didn’t work for me. For sure I have been in a reading slump lately so that’s part of it. But the plot felt too thick without enough to shake it loose, the writing too familiar. I’m not an expert on British politics/current events so the factionalized part of the story didn’t hit as hard. And the ending…meh. Could just be me. Still can’t wait to read the next one.