Benjamin Franklin's Bastard

by Sally Cabot Gunning

Benjamin Frankiln's Bastard by Sally Cabot is an absorbing and compelling work of literary historical fiction that brings to life a little-known chapter of the American Revolution -- the story of Benjamin Franklin and his bastard son, and the women who loved them both.

William Franklin, the son of Benjamin and his favorite mistress, Anne, is raised by Deborah, Benjamin's wife. A steadfast loyalist, he and his father cannot reconcile their wildly disparate views, causing a rift in the bond both thought unbreakable.

Fascinating and heartbreaking, Benjamin Franklin's Bastard is a gripping tale of family, love, and war, set against one of America's most fascinating periods of history.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Book Club, American Revolution, American History, 18th Century

384 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 2013

About the author

A lifelong resident of New England, Sally Cabot Gunning has immersed herself in its history from a young age. She is the author of six critically acclaimed historically themed novels: The Widow’s War, Bound, The Rebellion of Jane Clarke, Benjamin Franklin’s Bastard, Monticello: A Daughter and Her Father, and her latest novel, released June 2021, Painting the Light. Elected fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society and president of The Brewster Historical Society, she has created numerous historical tours of her village.

Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Daily Beast, and an assortment of short story anthologies.

She lives with her husband Tom in Brewster, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Chrissie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoilers below? Maybe. I have spoken of how I view the author's portrayal of Benjamin Franklin and his relationships with those closest to him. This is the central focus of the book, not historical events.

I am very glad I didn't give up on this book halfway through. I would describe this book as having two very different parts. The first half, which I did not like, focuses upon Benjamin Franklin's early years - his amorous relationships first with his later to be wife (Deborah) and then the mother (Anne) of his first child (William), who was born out of wedlock. The actual name of the woman who was the mother of his son William is not known. Very little else is known either, and thus almost everything about Anne is fictional. I read this book to better understand Benjamin's familial relationships, those with his wife and mistresses and children and grandchildren. I have previously read and very much enjoyed Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, by the superb writer Walter Isaacson. I highly recommend this book of non-fiction; it gives you a thorough understanding of the man and the historical events surrounding him as a scientist and Founding Father. It is engaging, so very easily read. It doesn't concern itself with the unknown.

Sally Cabot's book of historical fiction tries to fill in the unknown. The first half of the book, in that it focuses so very much on Anne is to a large extent fictional, based on good guesses by Cabot. I did not trust the pictures being drawn of either Deborah or Anne. Anne is drawn as having a huge sexual appetite. I found the writing about her sexual exploits crude and exaggerated, written in a manner to titillate the reader. This was not to my liking. Anne comes to live in the Franklin household, after Franklin's common-law marriage to Deborah, since she had already been married but never divorced after her husband absconded. Her relationship with her son isn't convincing either. Franklin took his illegitimate son to live with him. Furthermore, I have no faith in the author's portrayal of Deborah. Deborah and Franklin stayed together for over fifty years, but here she is drawn without any appeal. This just does not make sense to me. I was looking to understand Deborah, and what I have learned is only skin deep and not convincing. I am not criticizing the historical details, Franklin's exuberant curiosity or the telling of his accomplishments, but they play a minor role in the first half of the book.

Then the whole tone of the book changes. William, the illegitimate son of Franklin is on the way to becoming an adult. Now more historical events play in. The focus shifts to the relationship between father and son. (Benjamin’s son with Deborah, Franky, died at the age of four from smallpox.) Benjamin and William were on opposite sides politically. William became the Colonial Governor of New Jersey, an ardent Loyalist opposed to the independence of the thirteen colonies. This relationship and the succeeding relationship between Benjamin and his grandson are perceptively portrayed, as is the portrayal of Benjamin’s personality. Benjamin’s relationship with his daughter, Sally, is cursory. But I did end up liking the book! It is amazing how differently the two parts are from each other. You hardly feel they are written by the same person. The tones are so completely different. The second part is believable and informative and clear.

The audiobook was narrated by David Colacci. I didn't love it. The first half sports a snotty tone, but the second half improves. You meet William's lovely English wife Elizabeth. Her voice was fantastic. It was lovely to hear a polite, kind person - such a change from all the sour or salacious women of the first part. She was like a drop of water in the desert.

The author wants us think that what drew Benjamin to Anne, was her interest in his discoveries and the companionship and warmth she felt for him, but this is pure guess work since very little actually is known. Benjamin needed women - that is almost an understatement. In this book, nothing is related about his mistresses in Europe! I like Benjamin. He made lots of mistakes, but he at least attempted to clean up after himself and never shirked the responsibilities of an infidelity. Is infidelity inherited? Both his son and his grandson had children outside of wedlock. I say nothing about Deborah, because she remains an enigma, and this is a shame because she was very important to Benjamin.

[Taury · Rating 3 out of 5]

Benjamin Franklin’s Bastard by Sally Cabot. What a story about Benjamin Franklin and his illegitimate son, William. Benjamin Franklin was a bit of a playboy and impregnated a young lady of loose means. He takes the child to his wife. His wife’s resentment is obvious but not more so then when Ann and Franklin’s own child dies. This is a story of Franklin and his son, William as they grow through society amongst the rumors and societies moralistic ways.

[Debra - can't post any comments on site today grrr · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Received from Goodreads first reads giveaway.

This was a great book. Wonderfully written and compelling. I read this book in 2 days. Everyone has heard of Benjamin Franklin and his many accomplishments: inventor, printer, author, scientist, and Founding father to name a few. With this book, Sally Cabot shows us another side of him - a not so virtuous side. Upon learning that he has an illegitimate son, he asks his common law wife, Deborah, to raise his illegitimate son with him. The entire time they are raising the child, Anne, the boy's birth mother watches and tries to remain close as her son grows. The story is told in different points of view which really work for this book. I also appreciated that even though this was a work of fiction, there were true historical events woven into this novel. I did not know much about his illegitimate son or his son's own political aspirations prior to reading this novel. Political aspirations that were different from his father's politics. So different that father and son end up on different sides of the American Revolution. Great book and one I think fans of historical fiction would really enjoy.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars, of course!

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story a lot. Benjamin Franklin was such a cad, but in a drunk uncle kind of way. This was a fun read. I liked the use of real letters in this for the historical accuracy. The setting is obviously set in a turbulent time in Early American history, so I was a little shocked it didn't cover any of that. No war. No fear. No battles. No call to arms. I would think this would have colored Benjamin Franklin's life and that of his son, William, more than was led to believe here.

I liked the writing in the beginning. It was actually consistent throughout, but it started feeling like the author was a one-trick pony. She used the same tool over and over again. When talking about one thing, she used opposites as descriptions. She would say, it was short, but long. It was quiet, but loud. I didn't mind this the first 2 times, but the third time irked me, and the 4th, 5th, and so on caused some eye rolling on my part.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I've always been fascinated by Ben Franklin, and this book gives you a sneak peek into his private, personal life. It doesn't glamorize him, but shows him as a flawed human being trying to do the right thing. I picked up the book on a Sunday afternoon and "fell into it." Many hours later, I reached the end, looked up, and realized that I was actually in the 21st century. I couldn't stop reading and stayed up way too late. Wonderful subject matter, wonderful writing, and wonderful book.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, and the audio version, too. It kept me interested from the first page to the last and fleshed out my understanding of one of my favorite historical figures, Benjamin Franklin. (I didn't say I'd want to be married to him!)

The setting and characters were, in my opinion, skillfully drawn, although William Franklin's mother's name is unknown. As explained in the Afterword, Anne was the author's creation, and is a character who became real to me as the pages turned.

I love a book that makes me want to learn more about that time and place, and the people. Bravo, Sally Cabot! I'll be getting to The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin soon. The colonial era fascinates me, and the more I learn about that period, the more interested I become. I'd like a whole stack of books just like this one. And the cover? Gorgeous!

[Stephanie]

This is the 4th book of Sally Gunning (Sally Cabot) that I have read and am struck on how well she tells a tale of historical fiction based on true events and real people...Sally has a gift for making historical figures come alive and makes us wonder about the circumstances and fates of those secondary people in the background whose actions affected the prominent historical figures..There are consequences for every action and responsibility for every choice we make and Sally's book on Ben Franklin and his secret son illustrate that life lesson so well...The sins of the father come to haunt the son...The women who love both of them come alive and we are privy to their hopes, despair, thoughts and dreams...We see how women during this time had to survive by their wits, as education, the professions, legal freedoms, land ownership, and the right to vote were denied to them..We see how it was often women who made the sacrifices so that their menfolk could have the freedom and time and money to exercise their passions and professions...We also learn that history has been made, in part , by the women's choices around all of this and a famous man like Franklin did not act alone when it came to his achievements.

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

What sets this one apart from other Franklin books is that it is almost entirely about his personal life. Only the last third of the book centers on his other activities, although they are lightly touched on in other parts. The last part of the book explains what was true and what was made up, I liked that many of the conversations were taken from letters and other Franklin source material. I have to say that after reading this, I did not see what kept Franklin with Deborah. Although I felt sorry for her at times, I think she gave Franklin a rough time. Although Annie was a made up character, William's mother in this book, I really liked her and thought Franklin would be much better off with someone like that. William's birth mother has never been known. Well written, well researched and the author captured the tone and atmosphere of the times remarkably well.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving historical fiction, and becoming completely swept into the lives of Franklin's family, was delightful. I'm sorry the story drew to an end... The author did a wonderful job of twisting history with fiction.

[Jemima Raven · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 15% Completely unnecessary fiction of amoral amorous adventures of Williams mother. Yuck. Given she is a completely fictional character and I read this to get some understanding of Franklin and his family. I’m not going to finish this. It’s getting worse not better 15% in.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

My feelings are really mixed about this book. For much of it, I was left feeling frustrated and empty, and yet, in perhaps the final third of the story, it finally came into its own… only to reach its end, which just added to the low-level frustration that had been simmering in me.

To be honest, the only major character in this story that I found even remotely sympathetic was William. The kid was raised in a highly toxic situation with a stepmother who sent a myriad of mixed signals to him, alternatively trying to be a true mom to him only to turn away and treat him like the scum of the earth, and a father who, for all his genius, seemed to have the attention span of a gadfly when it came to matters pertaining to his family. Is it any wonder he grew to hate Deborah Franklin? I don’t blame him for that at all, even if having to sit and watch this family either hate or behave indifferently to one another was hardly the most entertaining thing to read. Not to mention watch William grow up to behave like an asshole in his early adulthood. But still, I’m more inclined to cut him a little slack than the two, no, three grown-ass adults who made an utter wreck of his childhood.

Still, when William’s wife finally spelled it out to William just why Deborah resented him so much, it was such an electrifying moment, like the wool was finally pulled from his eyes. And I was shocked when William stepped forward at Deborah’s deathbed and imitated his father’s voice just so she could die in peace believing that her husband had come home to say goodbye. William and Deborah’s relationship was really one of the most tragic parts of the story.

As for Deborah overall, she struck me from the start with the feeling that she was trapped inside her own head. She thinks and feels much, and yet little of it was shared aloud. Part of that was Cabot’s tendency, particularly in the beginning, to just tell the reader what’s happening instead of showing them. Deborah’s dialogue was sparse, and although it grew as the story progressed, it did little to improve her. And what struck me is just how solitary she was. Part of that was the author’s decision to kill off her mother much earlier than she did in history, as well as cutting out the rest of her family (she had a few siblings, for example). Only once did a cousin or two get mentioned in the latter parts of the book when we reached the incident where a mob of Philadelphians marched on the Franklin home to burn it down in retaliation for Franklin’s initial support of the Stamp Act. But other than that, Deborah has absolutely no friends, no social life whatsoever, and any attempt she makes to rectify that is stymied, first because of the fact that she’s Franklin’s common-law wife, not his wife by actual law, and then because Franklin himself actually interferes on account of Anne’s situation.

Then there is Anne. As everyone knows by now, the identity of William Franklin’s mother has long been shrouded in mystery. That is one thing Cabot got right when she portrayed the various different theories people seemed to put forth when they speculated on the woman’s identity – that she was a whore that Franklin had hooked up with, that he truly was Deborah’s, just conceived and born before they had established their common-law marriage, etc. But for over two centuries, no hint of her has ever been truly found.

Anne’s character, like everything else about this book, left me conflicted. I did empathize with her at first, but a lot of that sympathy began to dwindle as she swept from one extreme to the next. I don’t blame her for wanting the best for William and believing that Franklin could give him a better life than she could – that was true, he could. There was no way anyone could have predicted what would ultimately come of everything, with father and son permanently estranged because of their differing politics. What really kind of made me lose a lot of my empathy for her was her decision to hook up with Franklin after Anne inserted herself into the household to look after William, fearing that Deborah would harm the boy during her mad, grief-stricken rages after little Frankie’s death. I mean, ew? And also, WTF? Not to mention, her constant shifting back and forth on whether to follow Franklin this way and that. He invites her to go with him to England, and she even travels to meet with him, yet changes her mind, for example.

I was also disappointed with the ending we got for Anne. She approaches Franklin, clearly furious over what has happened to William – what with him being imprisoned and Franklin actually voting in favor of it – and yet she gets sidetracked by it all, first when Franklin invites her, yet again, to go traveling to Europe with him (this time to France), and then second when she meets up with her former employer-customer-conscience, Soloman Grissom, whom she invites to set up his own chair in her private rooms over the tavern she bullied/inherited from her late husband (I’m guessing this is meant to imply that she and Grissom marry at some point?). Her last thought for William, the son she has been obsessed with over the course of the novel, is that she never really belonged in his life, and with that, just seems to write him off and forget that he’s still imprisoned, possibly in danger of dying, whether by hanging or illness. Um, what?

Another disappointment was the fact that the Franklins’ youngest child, Sally Franklin (Bache), was left as little more than a footnote for the entire story. The whole family loves her – Deborah adores her, Franklin is fond of her (when he can be bothered to think of her, of course), and even William says that Sally is the best of the whole damn family. And yet we’re only told this. No attempt was really made to integrate Sally into the fabric of the story. She just flits in and out occasionally in places where, historically, she has to be.

And then there’s the character at the center of all of this – Benjamin Franklin himself. I knew a fair bit about the man going into this – printer, inventor, politician, oldest of the Founding Fathers. I also knew of his travels that took him away from home for years at a time, leaving his wife and daughter essentially on their own. But really, the man was just completely and utterly irksome from start to finish, if not downright despicable. I just about lost it completely when we got to the point where he decides that, since Deborah isn’t inclined to have sex with him while she’s mourning for little Frankie, he’ll go back to fucking around with Anne. I just about lost my lunch when Deborah walked in on them. So gross. And oh, the way his relationship with William worked out, him basically laying out the ultimatum of it being his way or the high way. Granted, that’s what happened historically, but it made it no easier to read. By that point, again, the only person I felt any empathy for was William.

Oh, and let’s not forget the last scene with him and Anne, where he is visiting Deborah’s grave, supposedly because he misses her and whatnot, and yet, he is completely oblivious to the disrespect he is showing by practically propositioning Anne right over Deborah’s grave. Jeez, what an asshole.

There were also other issues that I had. I was not a fan of the narrator. What little effort he made to differentiate between the various characters was lousy. This is perhaps the first time I’ve read an audiobook and not cared for the narration.

Then there was the gratuitous amounts of sex. Granted, it wasn’t extremely explicit, but the frequency was enough to make it all very annoying. I’m not opposed to sexual content in the books I read, I just ask that it serve some purpose other than to just prove how much a man has sex. And thank goodness the non-consensual scene (which, thankfully, did not involve Franklin) that popped up was kept brief.

I was also very disappointed that the people enslaved by Franklin were completely erased from the narrative. It’s a well-established fact that Franklin kept fellow human beings in bondage, and yet all of the servants working in the Franklin household in the story are described as hired help. Mentioning briefly in the afterword that Franklin was a lifelong slaveholder who, at the end of his life, lobbied for slavery to be abolished does not make it right that the people he enslaved were left completely out of the story.

This story had real potential, and yet I was not impressed with the results of it. Only in the final chapters did it seem to pick up. I would have enjoyed seeing more of William’s time as a royal governor, to see a more detailed progression of his relationship with his father reaching its historical conclusion. Not to mention, their final meeting after the war was never explored because the book was cut off before it ever reached that point. Just as the story was beginning to become interesting, it ended, which is too bad.

[Stephanie Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Benjamin Franklin's Bastard' is a captivating historical fiction novel that tells the story of William Franklin - the son of Benjamin Franklin and his mistress, Anne. This illegitimate son is raised by Benjamin's wife, Deborah. The novel takes place around the time of the American Revolution and tells the story of a man and his son torn apart by differing political views. William is a loyalist and his father and he can't seem to come to any sort of even ground between their political views. Since both are passionate in their causes and beliefs, this difference of opinion causes a rift in the family - especially the bond between Benjamin and his son.

I don't normally enjoy historical fiction, but I was curious about the novel after reading the description. Gladly, the book surpassed any expectations I had for it. The writing was exceptional and entirely compelling. I found myself getting sucked into the story right from the beginning. The details and descriptions of the scenes, happenings, and characters were so vivid that I could easily imagine myself alongside them throughout the novel. The plot was interesting, especially considering it dealt with the American Revolution and how life was during that time in our country. I found the hidden story of William Franklin to be exciting and definitely added a layer of intrigue to the historical events that I never imagined before. All of the characters were very well written, especially those of William, Benjamin, and Deborah. They each had their own personalities complete with flaws and strengths just like the rest of us. It made them easy to identify with very early on in the book. The writing itself was incredible and had a quick pace and a natural flow that kept me fully engaged in the story. Definitely recommended for fans of historical fiction, especially those that deal with the American Revolution and Benjamin Franklin.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[TAMMY CUEVAS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Born and raised in the poverty of Eades Alley, sixteen-year old Anne is happy to find employment as a serving girl at the Penny Pot tavern. She quickly realizes there is more than one way to earn money there. When she meets the young printer Benjamin Franklin, she has met someone who not only adds to her finances, but to her mind. When she becomes pregnant with his child, he is not free to marry her because of his previous commitment to Deborah Read, his common-law wife. Franklin convinces Anne that their son, William, would have a better opportunity in life if he and Deborah raised the child. Over the years, Anne watches her child as he grows up confused as to his parentage, with a stepmother who cannot accept him.



Historical fiction can be tricky. The novelist begins with whatever truths are known regarding the subject and then proceeds to build a story around the truth. Conversations are invented, historical gaps are filled, and sometimes characters are created. This is the case with Benjamin Franklin's Bastard. The identity of William Franklin's mother has never been known, but the author has used the known rumors and theories of the day to create the character of Anne. She has done an excellent job of making a little-known part of American history interesting and understandable, while preserving the accuracy of historical facts.

5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Edelweiss book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this after reading Sally Cabot Gunning's Cape Cod trilogy (Widow's War, Bound and The Rebellion of Jane Clarke) and I loved loved loved those stories and her writing in those stories. I had high expectations for this book, and it fell short. Ben Franklin was an amazing person - inventor, politician, creator, free thinker, intelligent, among other things. According to this telling, he was also quite the ladies man. Lots of sex, lots of relationship drama, lots of historical references to set the scene. Something about the writing just didn't quite pull me in the way the other stories did. Having said all that, I did very much enjoy this book, and as I sat reading by my book from the library, that is on the Boston Post Road, with my electric light, I realized how profound Franklin's impact is on our lives. The guy was incredible. I recommend it and think I might have given more than three stars had I not had the good fortune to read the other books first.

[Kim Overstreet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cabot's newest novel offers insight into the lives of Ben Franklin and William, his illegitimate son. Told through the stories of Ben's mistress Anne and common-law wife Deborah, this highly readable novel sent me to the encyclopedia again and again to learn even more about the people and places involved. I found the novel to be well researched and riveting.

I have lately become a big fan of this genre of stories - fictionalized accounts of actual historic characters. Recent favorites include Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker, The Paris Wife, The Aviator's Wife, Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald, and Above All Things. Readers who enjoy any of these stories should love this one. Recommended highly for readers of women's historical fiction!

[Gerri LeClerc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Benjamin Franklin. Not the pudgy, spectacled, balding, founding father, but a dynamic, tall, handsome, virile man with a most exciting personality. His story is told through the two main women in his life, and later in the novel, his illegitimate son.
The book takes place in Quaker Philadelphia and London, spanning the years from 1723 to 1777.
Ms. Cabot pulls you into the time frame of dirty, drudgery, class conscious eighteenth century. The author seamlessly feeds us Franklin's accomplishments and inventions, some of which I didn't know. We follow him through to his old age, and through two generations of his progeny.
I found the book riveting, surprisingly so to me, as I rarely read historical fiction.

[Susan Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent use of three points of view (Franklin's wife, mistress, illegitimate son) to create a character study of Franklin. Outstanding historical detail, setting--and a reminder that flawed characters shown in their various realities are more interesting than the "perfect" characters that are too often offered to in school.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I was unconvinced about this one, but then my opinion changed and I couldn't put it down. Great historical fiction. Can't wait to go fact check everything. The authors note didn't cover all of my questions.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read over half the book, and I'm going to call it. The characters are flat - even Benjamin Franklin seems dull and plodding - and the story lacks tension and vibrancy. In short, I'm bored, and I can't muster enough interest to finish this one, so...moving on.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it. Actually, I've liked every book that Sally Cabot Gunning has written. Her research is impeccable. Her story and creative visualizations take be right back to the century.
I find it most interesting that in all her books she points out the unjust action taken again women in the particular era, treating them like a scarlet letter or back mark. And yet, here we are another 300 years later and finally, the truth comes to power by a group of Hollywood women sho shine the light on sexual harassment and sexual abuse against women.

But that is just an aside. Through her threading of story into the facts of time is a refresher history lesson. She uses love and pain as antidotes of life changes through generations

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books so far this year. It's a spectacular spin on Ben Franklin's illegitimate son and the fictionalized story engulfing his mother's and his life.
This is the 2nd book that I've read by this author.....She's phenomenal and knows her history!
If you enjoy historical fiction or a moving, event-filled story of family relationships; then this is the book for you!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction filled with facts about Benjamin Franklin’s life, diplomacy, inventions, and endeavors. What an interesting man!

[Peg Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I missed this part of history. I was not aware Benjamin Franklin had a bastard son, tho I cannot say I was surprised. The story is base on history.

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoy reading historical novels because I really learn a great deal about the period the story takes place in, and in an entertaining manner. I was drawn to this book because Benjamin Franklin was such an interesting person, and so intelligent.

[Karyl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began this book with no idea of how historically accurate it was. Then I wandered over to Wikipedia to find out that yes, Benjamin Franklin did indeed have an illegitimate son (mother unknown, so the character of Anne is totally fictitious) that he asked his common-law wife, Deborah Read, to help him raise. I was quite surprised that his wife was one of common law, though I do understand the circumstances that demanded it.

I find it quite amazing that William Franklin followed so much in his father's footsteps, having fathered an illegitimate son of his own that he then took in once he was established as the royal governor of New Jersey. I was also highly surprised to find that the Franklin men were on polar opposites of the Revolution, though it was clear that neither of them would give an inch politically in order to salvage the relationship between them.

I really enjoyed this book. Other reviewers have criticized the title, since the book is more about Franklin's wife Deborah and the woman Anne who bore his son, but authors rarely choose their titles; they're more of a marketing ploy. Cabot does a fantastic job of bringing colonial America to light, and we're able to watch Philadelphia grow and change throughout the entire novel. She writes extremely convincingly, and her writing is so good that I was able to totally forget I was reading words on a page; the action simply unfolded before my eyes as a movie would. The voices of her characters are totally believable; she is very careful to have the Franklins and other characters speak much like the colonists would have.

Highly recommend this book.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. The time period that this book takes place in is one that I really enjoy and provides a wonderful backdrop to the story. Franklin, Deborah and Anne are interesting characters and the circumstances that brings them together and keeps bringing them together is Franklin and Ann's son William. It is fun seeing these characters grow and to see them try to survive their circumstances. Through the good and the bad. I think that what I take away most from this book is the fact that as parents we can really only advice and point our kids in the correct direction, but it is up to them to decide for themselves what to do. And at some point as a parent we just have to let them go and sink or swim on their own. Also as kids it is important to listen to our elders, because they might just have the knowledge and experience to guide us in the right way.

If you enjoy this time period and these historical characters you will enjoy this book. I know that I did.

Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the publisher via Edelweiss. The rating, review, and all opinions are my own

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

will the real ben franklin please step forward. now that we know the reality of the lives of jefferson and franklin, our founding fathers, we know how truly human they were. this is a good work of historical fiction drawing on real facts concerning franklin's illegitimate child william and the surrounding circumstances of founding a new country. cabot weaves the story in and around the smells and sights of a new american port city; in her description of tavern life with all the soot and grease and randy smelling workers mingling with gents is excellent, not to mention her analysis of what may have been franklin's interactions with a particular whore who gave birth to william, whom franklin brought up. william did in real life side with the loyalists when his father led the country into independence ........ aside from franklin other characters such as anne, williams mum, is the true surviver, the side of a fledgling america we often do not see.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have named this book "Three Franklin Bastards". I had known that Ben and his son (as NJ Governor) were on different sides of the revolution. What I had not known of was the womanizing and how it affected his poor women who had to scrabble for a living. Benjamin's common law wife certainly was no match for his intellect but was a drain on his life Anne could have encouraged Ben's curiosity if she had been the one he married. The book is engaging and fulfills it's promise to be true to history but also fleshes out what might have been the loves of Ben and his son's life.

I have known a person who gave up a son and then found him and enjoyed being with him for family events when he was older. I also know of a person who was adopted and searched and searched for a long time to find out who begat her. Both these sides of the Franklin story are well portrayed as to how they could have happened in this book.

[Serena Gulledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benjamin Franklin was one of America's early celebrities. An inventor, politician, ambassador, and, perhaps more famously now, a lover of women. Specifically, two.

Benjamin Franklin's Bastard tells us the story of Deborah Reed, who would go on to become Franklin's common law wife, and Anne, a poor tavern wench who gives birth to his bastard, William. Circumstances force Anne to surrender William to Franklin, and while Deborah loathes raising a child not her own, William soon becomes as much her son as Anne's. Ms. Cabot does a fantastic job keeping the struggles of the two women in the foreground, leaving Franklin and his accomplishments in the background. Deborah and Anne are sympathetic characters, but not without their flaws. If you're looking for a book based on Franklin, don't look here. There are dozens of them already available. This is the story of those largely overlooked in light of Franklin's fame.

[Anne Ipsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating historical novel about the early years of America's first outstanding scientist, inventor, shrewd businessman, and political genius. The story is told mostly from the point of view of his mistress as she describes the curiosity of this imposing intellect and his path to fame. Despite the title, most of the plot revolves around the father, though the reader also learns about his acknowledged son, William Franklin, the eventual royal governor of Colonial New Jersey.

The plot cleverly weaves historical facts with the fictional story. The descriptions of Colonial Philadelphia are vivid and Cabot has created a convincing personality for William's (unknown) mother. I did wish that the book stopped with the Revolution as the later chapters are sketchy and rush through the more familiar historical events to an accurate but less satisfying ending.