Curtis Sittenfeld
While this book is a work of fiction, and “loosely inspired” by the life of Laura Bush, I found myself asking the question, “Did that really happen to Laura?” throughout the entire novel. After reading an interview with the author, where Sittenfeld states that she feels about 85% of the book is made up, I had to let go of the idea that Sittenfeld had some secret, unique knowledge of the former First Lady’s life. In her novel, Sittenfeld’s main character is Alice Lindgren. Alice meets and falls in love with Charlie Blackwell, who is a goofy, immature, boyish character that [not surprisingly] resembles George W. Bush. The book follows Alice from her childhood home in Wisconsin to the White House where she struggles with her values and the choices her husband makes during his time as president.