Fluke: A Novel

by Martin Blinder

President Harding’s young mistress narrates her life in the shadows of political corruption in this historical novel “of considerable dash and charm” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). President Warren G. Harding was a strikingly handsome man with little political ambition. But in the United States, anyone can be president—especially during the chicanery of the Roaring Twenties.   At the center of his presidency was the young Nan Britton. Although she was only half his age, their passionate affair began in 1917 in a New York hotel room, and continued for six and a half years during his time in the Senate and then in the White House. Harding and Britton kept the affair secret, meeting in closets and private offices, including a small anteroom in the West Wing. Eventually, they conceived a daughter, Elizabeth Ann, born in October 1919.  Fluke is a story of corruption, obsessive love, a doomed presidency, and the lengths a woman will go to support the man she loves. Before Lucy Mercer, Kay Summersby, and Monica Lewinsky, there was Nan Britton, whose stories of carnal adventures in the White House coat closet scandalized the nation.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, American History

213 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 1998

Reviews

[Robbi Leah Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book on President Harding, how it started and ended. Story told by the dead President and his mistress in the years of his presidency. He became President entirely by a fluke at the Republican Conviction. According to novel, he was a great man, set to do great things and ahead of his time. Interesting history but told from the POV of Nan the mistress, who could see no wrong in him. Still a decent read to see all the issues of the time and the poor man put his trust entirely in the wrong people.

[Peg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a historical fiction book about President William Harding and how he became the nominee to run and win the presidency, thus the title Fluke. It also tells us about the love he shared with a young lady during this time and the scandal that he was involved in, Teapot Dome. It may be fiction, but most of it is true. The narration is divided up between Harding and Britton, the young lady who loves him. I like this approach because I feel the reader gets to know both people and how they feel. I didn't know much about Harding before reading this book, but because of this story I want to read more about him now. To me that is a compliment to the author and his writing. The story engaged me enough that I want to know more. I would recommend this book.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about the presidency of Warren G. Harding. Harding is depicted as a folksy but naive politician, content to delegate the running of the country to his friends & appointees with chaos to follow. There are also written interludes from his young mistress, Nan Britton whose gushy prose is apparently taken from a tell all book which she wrote after Harding's death. The title comes from the way that Harding got the nomination in the 1920 Republican presidential convention. This book was written & promoted during the height of the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky notoriety, trying to make a parallel. This is not serious history but a fun read nonetheless.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. Baffling frequent changes of perspective from 3rd person present to first person past, sometimes in the same paragraph. Kinda dry if you aren't into prohibition-era politics, as most of the parts that aren't about the affair are filled with the political maneuverings of Harding's closest friends and colleagues.

[Donni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A "do nothing" president until the last year in office. Interesting to see that
100 years ago we had the same political issues we face today. Candidates
Are chosen for us not by us. Political appointments are "good old boys".
Graft and self gain are the norm. Warren Harding finally "got it" but it was
Too late. Wonderful insight into a little known president who never should have been.

[Louise Hay · Rating 5 out of 5]

About the life and presidency of Warren G. Harding. It is oddly reminiscent of the current political situation.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 2 out of 5]

🖊 Hogwash, I say. This is all just speculation and drama. Not worth the time for me. The writing style jumps all over the place like a nervous frog. What would have made this better fiction is to remove the historical figures’ names, rename them, and then publish this book. Then I and other readers might have swallowed this. 🗑 Conversely, other readers may find this story their cup of tea and right up their alley.

📕Published in 1998.

From My Desk in My Private Library at Crystal Lake:
જ⁀🔵 E-book version on Internet Archive.

[SUZN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun premise. Short and enjoyable

[Gerald Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Fluke" is absolutely the best book I've read in 2016, and I read four or five each month. Perhaps it is because it mirrors the political climate of today or perhaps the fact that I'm an Ohioan and wanted to know more about Warren G. Harding, our 29th president and native of Marion OH.
What I discovered was a cleverly crafted tale that clung to the historical detail of a presidency maligned by treachery, deceit and downright criminal behavior by cabinet members. Much like today, Harding rose to the presidency from a deadlocked national GOP Convention in 1920. The leading candidates -- General Leonard Wood and Illinois Governor Frank Lowden – refused to give in to one another after more than one dozen ballots, opening the door for a third unknown candidate – Harding, who wasn’t even at the assembly when he was nominated. Does any of this ring familiar?
Told through the eyes of his mistress, Nan Britton, Harding was a complex and honest man who was too trusting of friends. He was a forward thinker who sought peace in a world fraught with warring nations and economic upheaval. He sought world peace through disarmament and equality for all men and women. He, in fact, was the first president to utter the words: "Ask not what your country can do for you; Ask -- what may I do for my country."
In the end, Harding never got the chance to right his failing ship. He died suddenly of a heart attack in San Francisco while pressing his vision of world peace on a coast-to-coast campaign across the nation. Several members of Harding’s cabinet died from suspicious causes, were convicted of wrongdoing or committed suicide. Harding’s vision and reputation died easily with him.
Still a forbidden love championed his cause after his death, and her memoirs are the foundation of Martin Blinder’s work of historical fiction. If you have been raised in Warren OH, as I was, this is a must read. If you are an American, shame on you if you don’t give it a try. There is much to learn from political ills of our past.

[Liz Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an historical novel about Warren Gamaliel Harding's Presidency and his rise to Presidency narrated by his mistress. It was truly delightful, beginning with his funeral procession through Medina Ohio where he is searching the crowd for his pregnant mistress. He was the perfect town alderman who got along with people so well that he eventually became President over one of the most corrupt administrations in history. He died in office having served 2 1/2 years - beginning to see people for what they were and starting to understand what the Presidency could do. It's worth a read for the Republican Convention alone.

[Michelle "Champ" · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I list Warren G Harding at the worst President ever, so I was surprised that I wanted to buy this book. I think the time period sucked me in...I am going to admit, I am glad it did. The writing bothered me just a tad as it would switch from first to third person. I enjoying the first person views better, but Nan could not have been in every scene and much of the story would have to be left out. I did enjoy the story, very much so; but I still believe Warren G Harding is the worst President in all of History.

[Dennis O'Leary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of this book is written in the first person, which makes it different, but for the most part the convention works. I admittedly knew very little of Warren Harding. I knew he was from Ohio, I knew he had affairs while in the White House, and I knew his administration was plagued with corruption, Teapot Dome. I did not know he was a reluctant candidate or that he died in office. Nor did I know that he fathered a child with his mistress. Easy read and while it was fiction it was very factual.

[Russ Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

True Historical Fiction

I enjoyed that this work of fiction because it is essentially true. Warren G Harding comes across as a wonderful person who was genuine in his relations with others and well centered in his understanding of himself. Nan is portrayed as a naive, starstruck young lady that lives completely devoted to Mr. Harding. A well written book that consistently maintains ones interest beginning to end.

[Writemoves · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read into the alleged affair between President Warren Harding and Nan Britton. Britton comes off as very naive but very much in love with the married Harding. Some sketchy details about the Tea Pot Dome and other scandals during the Harding administration. Harding is portrayed as being very overmatched for the job as President. A love story without a happy ending...