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America's First Daughter
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Historical Fiction (2016)From her earliest days, Patsy Jefferson knows that though her father loves his family dearly, his devotion to his country runs deeper still. As Thomas Jefferson’s oldest daughter, she becomes his helpmate, protector, and constant companion in the wake of her mother’s death, traveling with him when he becomes America's minister to France.
It is in Paris, at the glittering court and among the first tumultuous days of revolution, that fifteen-year-old Patsy learns about her father’s troubling liaison with Sally Hemings, a slave girl her own age. Meanwhile, Patsy has fallen in love—with her father’s protégé, William Short, a staunch abolitionist and ambitious diplomat. Torn between love, principles, and the bonds of family, Patsy questions whether she can choose a life as William’s wife and still be a devoted daughter.
Her choice will follow her in the years to come—to Virginia farmland, to Monticello, and even to the White House. And as scandal, tragedy, and poverty threaten her family, Patsy must decide how much she will sacrifice to protect her father's reputation, in the process defining not just Jefferson's political legacy but that of the nation he founded.
It is in Paris, at the glittering court and among the first tumultuous days of revolution, that fifteen-year-old Patsy learns about her father’s troubling liaison with Sally Hemings, a slave girl her own age. Meanwhile, Patsy has fallen in love—with her father’s protégé, William Short, a staunch abolitionist and ambitious diplomat. Torn between love, principles, and the bonds of family, Patsy questions whether she can choose a life as William’s wife and still be a devoted daughter.
Her choice will follow her in the years to come—to Virginia farmland, to Monticello, and even to the White House. And as scandal, tragedy, and poverty threaten her family, Patsy must decide how much she will sacrifice to protect her father's reputation, in the process defining not just Jefferson's political legacy but that of the nation he founded.
580 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2016
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About the author
Stephanie Dray
18 books4,759 followersSTEPHANIE DRAY is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author of historical women’s fiction. Her award-winning work has been translated into eight languages and tops lists for the most anticipated reads of the year. She lives with her husband, cats, and history books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,798 reviews
October 12, 2015
This book is downright delicious, and hands-down wins the award for my favorite novel of Revolutionary America. Ever.
Thomas Jefferson has always been my favorite Founding Father, simply because he's so darn enigmatic. What is one to make of the man who penned the Declaration of Independence, yet kept his own slaves at Monticello and had an affair with his slave Sally Hemings? And while I knew that Jefferson made a promise at his wife's deathbed never to remarry and that he had a daughter who fulfilled the societal obligations of First Lady while he was president, I knew very little about Patsy Jefferson.
This book changed all that.
While the events are told from Patsy's point of view, the entire world of Revolutionary America and France, Monticello and Washington City unfold to breathe new life into a dusty chapter of American history. The cameos by Lafayette, Abigail Adams, and Dolly Madison made this particular history nerd's little heart go pitter patter, and that same heart broke numerous times for Patsy and her family. And even though I knew what was coming to some extent, there were several scenes at the end that had me snuffling into my sleeve.
Patsy Jefferson is as complicated a character as her father ever was, and I suspect that she'd be proud of the way Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie have retold her life in this amazing novel.
Thomas Jefferson has always been my favorite Founding Father, simply because he's so darn enigmatic. What is one to make of the man who penned the Declaration of Independence, yet kept his own slaves at Monticello and had an affair with his slave Sally Hemings? And while I knew that Jefferson made a promise at his wife's deathbed never to remarry and that he had a daughter who fulfilled the societal obligations of First Lady while he was president, I knew very little about Patsy Jefferson.
This book changed all that.
While the events are told from Patsy's point of view, the entire world of Revolutionary America and France, Monticello and Washington City unfold to breathe new life into a dusty chapter of American history. The cameos by Lafayette, Abigail Adams, and Dolly Madison made this particular history nerd's little heart go pitter patter, and that same heart broke numerous times for Patsy and her family. And even though I knew what was coming to some extent, there were several scenes at the end that had me snuffling into my sleeve.
Patsy Jefferson is as complicated a character as her father ever was, and I suspect that she'd be proud of the way Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie have retold her life in this amazing novel.
December 4, 2016
On completion:
Two stars and I will explain why. You may be looking for exactly what this book gives, but not me.
The book ends with an authors' note that explains in detail both the liberties taken in altering known facts and a clear declaration of what were the authors’ intentions for the book. I am extremely thankful for this clear declaration. It is stated outright that we are given a view of the events through Martha Jefferson Randolph's eyes and that characters are romanticized for dramatic purposes. (Martha Jefferson Randolph is Thomas and Martha Jefferson's daughter.) The book is meant to leave a dramatic punch. This is not what I was looking for and romance is not a popular genre for me. The authors do not alter facts to give a misrepresentation but rather to tighten the time line, for brevity. The problem is that much remains unknown. DNA testing has today shown that Sally Hemings' children were fathered by Thomas Jefferson but very little is known about the complicated personal relationships that existed between Sally and Thomas Jefferson as well as between Martha, nicknamed Patsy, and her husband Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr. What is offered here is merely one possibility.
So the authors wished to romanticize. They certainly did. From a few chance encounters a love relationship is drawn between Patsy and William Short (1759-1848). He was Thomas Jefferson’s private secretary when Jefferson was the American ambassador to France from 1784 to 1789. It is also true that in a letter Jefferson referred to Short as his "adoptive son”. While the relationship between Patsy and Short is possible, there is no substantial evidence of its existence.
In addition, the troubled relationship between Patsy and her husband may be exaggerated Why? For effect. The authors state that we are getting Patsy’s view and that they wish to write a story with dramatic punch! Randolph did have alcohol problems and it is known that his kids distanced themselves from him, but there lacks conclusive proof that he physically abused his wife. I feel it is wrong to write such without solid evidence. He is drawn as a figure lacking self-assurance. Perhaps so, yet he was both a congressman and Governor of Virginia 1819-1822. It is of course possible that Patsy’s devotion to her father annoyed him….. At points I sympathized with him, not Patsy.
Jefferson’s wife on her deathbed demanded of Patsy that she support her father because he would need her after her own death. At the exclusion of all else? No. Maybe instead it was Patsy’s inability to express emotions that partially caused the problems between herself and her husband. Similarly Jefferson hid his emotions. Is it instead simply a question of daughter being like father? There is much here we cannot know.
I wanted to understand why Jefferson, he who wrote the Declaration of Independence, who spoke of equality for all, could keep slaves. He never openly acknowledged his love for Sally Hemings. He had six children by her, four survived to become adults. This is discussed and reasons are provided, yet I remain unsatisfied. We are given Patsy’s view and that is biased.
I felt the audiobook narration by Cassandra Campbell was very well done. It can be hard at times to listen to because her intonation reflects Patsy’s cool, level, pragmatic tone. I wanted her to explode occasionally, but she couldn’t or she shouldn’t because that was not who Patsy was! Very good narration particularly the further you go. She was better at drawing the mature Patsy more than her younger self.
So if you want a romance novel set colonial times with details that could be completely right, this may be just what you are looking for.
***************************
After 1/3:
Every attempt to turn this into a love story is taken, and there are lots of opportunities! More romance than history. For me this book falls into the young adult category.Teenage girls may swoon.
Two stars and I will explain why. You may be looking for exactly what this book gives, but not me.
The book ends with an authors' note that explains in detail both the liberties taken in altering known facts and a clear declaration of what were the authors’ intentions for the book. I am extremely thankful for this clear declaration. It is stated outright that we are given a view of the events through Martha Jefferson Randolph's eyes and that characters are romanticized for dramatic purposes. (Martha Jefferson Randolph is Thomas and Martha Jefferson's daughter.) The book is meant to leave a dramatic punch. This is not what I was looking for and romance is not a popular genre for me. The authors do not alter facts to give a misrepresentation but rather to tighten the time line, for brevity. The problem is that much remains unknown. DNA testing has today shown that Sally Hemings' children were fathered by Thomas Jefferson but very little is known about the complicated personal relationships that existed between Sally and Thomas Jefferson as well as between Martha, nicknamed Patsy, and her husband Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr. What is offered here is merely one possibility.
So the authors wished to romanticize. They certainly did. From a few chance encounters a love relationship is drawn between Patsy and William Short (1759-1848). He was Thomas Jefferson’s private secretary when Jefferson was the American ambassador to France from 1784 to 1789. It is also true that in a letter Jefferson referred to Short as his "adoptive son”. While the relationship between Patsy and Short is possible, there is no substantial evidence of its existence.
In addition, the troubled relationship between Patsy and her husband may be exaggerated Why? For effect. The authors state that we are getting Patsy’s view and that they wish to write a story with dramatic punch! Randolph did have alcohol problems and it is known that his kids distanced themselves from him, but there lacks conclusive proof that he physically abused his wife. I feel it is wrong to write such without solid evidence. He is drawn as a figure lacking self-assurance. Perhaps so, yet he was both a congressman and Governor of Virginia 1819-1822. It is of course possible that Patsy’s devotion to her father annoyed him….. At points I sympathized with him, not Patsy.
Jefferson’s wife on her deathbed demanded of Patsy that she support her father because he would need her after her own death. At the exclusion of all else? No. Maybe instead it was Patsy’s inability to express emotions that partially caused the problems between herself and her husband. Similarly Jefferson hid his emotions. Is it instead simply a question of daughter being like father? There is much here we cannot know.
I wanted to understand why Jefferson, he who wrote the Declaration of Independence, who spoke of equality for all, could keep slaves. He never openly acknowledged his love for Sally Hemings. He had six children by her, four survived to become adults. This is discussed and reasons are provided, yet I remain unsatisfied. We are given Patsy’s view and that is biased.
I felt the audiobook narration by Cassandra Campbell was very well done. It can be hard at times to listen to because her intonation reflects Patsy’s cool, level, pragmatic tone. I wanted her to explode occasionally, but she couldn’t or she shouldn’t because that was not who Patsy was! Very good narration particularly the further you go. She was better at drawing the mature Patsy more than her younger self.
So if you want a romance novel set colonial times with details that could be completely right, this may be just what you are looking for.
***************************
After 1/3:
Every attempt to turn this into a love story is taken, and there are lots of opportunities! More romance than history. For me this book falls into the young adult category.Teenage girls may swoon.
April 28, 2016
This novel took me by surprise. The writing started off a bit shaky, however once Dray & Kalmore found their rhythm the writing became much more fluid and completely sucked me into the story. What I knew of Thomas Jefferson was from high school and college history classes, so I was not expecting his story to read like a soap opera. And Patsy. The sacrifices she made for her father and for his legacy are staggering. I don't know that history would've embraced him as reverently as it has if not for her efforts. 'Behind Every Great Man Is An Even Greater Woman'. Very, very good.
December 13, 2018
I read this in fits and starts over a period of months mainly because I didn’t find it as interesting as My Dear Hamilton. The main character, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson, annoyed me at the beginning with her youthful self-righteousness but as she aged I found her to be more sympathetic. Definitely well-researched, the authors do an excellent job of bringing the era to life. As might be expected, Jefferson’s years in France are depicted but his relationship with Sally Hemings is dealt with at a distance. While seemingly a paragon of female virtue at times Patsy played fast and loose with the truth. Patsy was fiercely loyal to her father and her family and she didn’t have an easy life. The work of daily life was hard and the sacrifices were many. There is a love story, scandal, duels and drunkenness. Overall, this book teeters on the edge of the melodramatic and I seriously doubt that Patsy played as pivotal a role in the making of a nation as was portrayed.
August 22, 2024
This is an entertaining, well-written, thoroughly researched, historical fiction novel which is based on actual people and events. Thomas Jefferson's daughter, Patsy, was an intelligent, strong, loyal and devoted woman, and her story is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The authors' note is interesting and informative, and is truly appreciated. I listened to the audio book, and the narrator, Ms. Cassandra Campbell, did an outstanding job voicing the characters.
February 10, 2016
If you think politics are dirty today, you should read about the politics in our American history. Other than George Washington, a lot of dirt was spread about politicians. In the race of 1800, Jefferson was said to be dead, an atheist and a coward. John Adams was supposed to be a tyrant and a criminal. Jefferson said to be "a swindler begot by a mulatto upon a half breed Indian squaw" and Adams was called a hermaphrodite. American politics apparently was never for the faint of heart.
This well written and researched book about Jefferson's oldest daughter, Martha (Pansy) Jefferson. Her mother died when she was young in childbirth so Martha was by Jefferson's side throughout his career. She was with him when the British chased him out of his home. when he was in Paris during the beginning of their revolution, and served as his hostess while he was president. She gives us an unique perspective of our early days. I found the parts about Lafayette especially poignant.
Two themes run this book. One is the deplorable state women were in. They often died in childbirth, belonged to their husbands and put up with all types of abuse. The other was slavery. Although intellectually against slavery, there was a strong practical reason to keep it, money. What to do?
Jefferson wrote those famous words, all men are considered equal but not women or slaves. He was on the horns of a dilemma because he was a slave owner, had a slave wife and children and depended on the income from the practice. He wrote in a letter on the subject, "Justice is on one scale, and self-preservation in the other."
Martha had 11 children (tired just writing that) and raised her husband's sisters. She was often torn between her duties to her husband and to her father. Heaven know when she had time to be a mother. She wielded a lot of power but in a back door way. She rarely was asked for her opinion.
And she ended up mostly penniless. Jefferson's penchant for hospitality did her in.
This is an interesting book and I really learned a lot. One of the characters really shines for me, Dolley Madison. I'd like to read a good book about her. Still this was fascinating and well worth the time to read the almost 600 pages.
This well written and researched book about Jefferson's oldest daughter, Martha (Pansy) Jefferson. Her mother died when she was young in childbirth so Martha was by Jefferson's side throughout his career. She was with him when the British chased him out of his home. when he was in Paris during the beginning of their revolution, and served as his hostess while he was president. She gives us an unique perspective of our early days. I found the parts about Lafayette especially poignant.
Two themes run this book. One is the deplorable state women were in. They often died in childbirth, belonged to their husbands and put up with all types of abuse. The other was slavery. Although intellectually against slavery, there was a strong practical reason to keep it, money. What to do?
Jefferson wrote those famous words, all men are considered equal but not women or slaves. He was on the horns of a dilemma because he was a slave owner, had a slave wife and children and depended on the income from the practice. He wrote in a letter on the subject, "Justice is on one scale, and self-preservation in the other."
Martha had 11 children (tired just writing that) and raised her husband's sisters. She was often torn between her duties to her husband and to her father. Heaven know when she had time to be a mother. She wielded a lot of power but in a back door way. She rarely was asked for her opinion.
And she ended up mostly penniless. Jefferson's penchant for hospitality did her in.
This is an interesting book and I really learned a lot. One of the characters really shines for me, Dolley Madison. I'd like to read a good book about her. Still this was fascinating and well worth the time to read the almost 600 pages.
March 3, 2016
AMERICA’S FIRST DAUGHTER is the story of a generation caught between the past and the future of a nation, and illuminates how the actions of one woman managed to sustain a family in spite of the consequences of both privilege and poverty. Not since GONE WITH THE WIND has a single volume family saga so brilliantly portrayed the triumphs, trials, and sins of a family in the American South.
Highly, highly, highly recommended.
Highly, highly, highly recommended.
March 1, 2016
Patsy Jefferson isn't a famous figure in American history, but she should be: everything that we know about her father Thomas Jefferson--and the nation he shaped--came to us through the hands of his daughter, who saw her life's work as shielding his legacy. Her life is chronicled through the years as her father's helpmeet, steadfastly at his side through the revolutionary years in France, the White House years acting as his First Lady, and his old age when the nation he helped found hit its growing pains. The research is meticulous, the writing marvelous, and the uglier aspects of the time period (slavery and its manifold evils) are not swept under the rug or glossed over. An absorbing, compelling read!
*I am acquainted with the authors, but became an honest fan of their work years before I met them in person and became friends. My review is honest and unbiased.
*I am acquainted with the authors, but became an honest fan of their work years before I met them in person and became friends. My review is honest and unbiased.
July 18, 2022
This is an interesting historical fiction that centers around Thomas Jefferson’s daughter Patsy and the choices she made to support her father (and essentially sacrifice her own wants and desires in doing so.) So much historical information and details conveyed in this one. What an insightful read that the authors craft in a way that always keeps you turning the page.
I think the biggest overall emotion that comes to me as I read was just the overall sense of powerlessness the vast majority of people had over their own lives and outcomes at the time, with the exception of a few wealthy, white male landowners. Slavery still existed. Women could barely speak of their desires out of propriety, and had little to no agency. Patsy and the man she wished to marry couldn’t even do so because of her father’s disapproval and the man’s lack of wealth. Not a great time to live for the vast majority of people.
But anyway, a well-researched book that was fascinating to read and hard to put down. The authors took the source material and spun an interesting “what if” scenario that was quite entertaining.
I think the biggest overall emotion that comes to me as I read was just the overall sense of powerlessness the vast majority of people had over their own lives and outcomes at the time, with the exception of a few wealthy, white male landowners. Slavery still existed. Women could barely speak of their desires out of propriety, and had little to no agency. Patsy and the man she wished to marry couldn’t even do so because of her father’s disapproval and the man’s lack of wealth. Not a great time to live for the vast majority of people.
But anyway, a well-researched book that was fascinating to read and hard to put down. The authors took the source material and spun an interesting “what if” scenario that was quite entertaining.
July 3, 2018
Sons of a revolution fight for liberty. They give blood, flesh, limbs, their very lives. But daughters ...we sacrifice our eternal souls.
America 's First Daughter is told from the perspective of the eldest daughter of Thomas Jefferson-Martha(Patsy) Jefferson Randolph. Drawing upon authentic letters written during that period of time, Patsy' s story with her father begins with his death as she explores the thousands of letters that Jefferson wrote during his lifetime and reflects back on how her father should be remembered. Even if that means burning the truth.
HONOR. In Virginia it wasn't a matter of pride---- it was a matter of survival.
Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie present a richly illustrated historical fiction that takes readers from the Virginia plantation to the intrigues of Paris, London, and Washington. Patsy Jefferson is a woman of her time (albeit a very privileged one ) and we do see the young nation with its many contrasts ( equality for all versus slavery for some). I knew a few things about Thomas Jefferson, but this novel was certainly illuminating in providing more than what might be found in a textbook.
America 's First Daughter is told from the perspective of the eldest daughter of Thomas Jefferson-Martha(Patsy) Jefferson Randolph. Drawing upon authentic letters written during that period of time, Patsy' s story with her father begins with his death as she explores the thousands of letters that Jefferson wrote during his lifetime and reflects back on how her father should be remembered. Even if that means burning the truth.
HONOR. In Virginia it wasn't a matter of pride---- it was a matter of survival.
Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie present a richly illustrated historical fiction that takes readers from the Virginia plantation to the intrigues of Paris, London, and Washington. Patsy Jefferson is a woman of her time (albeit a very privileged one ) and we do see the young nation with its many contrasts ( equality for all versus slavery for some). I knew a few things about Thomas Jefferson, but this novel was certainly illuminating in providing more than what might be found in a textbook.
February 20, 2019
2/5
I have to say that I was quite disappointed by this overly long (over 600 page) “historical” novel. Who would think that a book about Thomas Jefferson and the founding of our nation, a book that promises insider knowledge because it is mostly told from the viewpoint of Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph, Jefferson’s oldest daughter, could be so tedious and overblown? I was quite surprised to be as disappointed as I was.
There are several reasons for my disappointment. First, we learn so little about Jefferson, the man or his ideas, or about the formation of our nation. Yes, he is omnipresent, first as the father who discourages the seventeen year-old Patsy from following her heart and marrying William Short, a young admirer of the great man Jefferson who wishes to devote his own life to foreign service, following in Jefferson’s footsteps after Jefferson returned to the United States after his years of service in France. Patsy, especially once she is married and back in the United States, remains in constant and close contact with her father. After his death, she takes on the task of sorting his papers and letters. And it’s not just Jefferson’s role as great man and nation builder we learn too little about. Several others in his extended family played important roles in the government of the United States and Virginia. But we hear little about those men in those roles.
Instead of learning more about his life and his times, we are treated to Patsy’s extended adolescent heartthrobs and discussions of love with her French school chums. Jefferson discourages Patsy from tying herself to William Short and then encourages her to marry Thomas Randolph, her distant cousin, who is heir to the Tuckahoe Plantation back in Virginia. It’s clear he is seeking financial security for his daughter in a place close to Jefferson’s home in Virginia. So Patsy obediently (but resentfully) sends William away and goes with Thomas, who appeals to her as a hot and sexy young man. Endless pages follow this young couple as Tom deals with his own insecurities caused by a negligent and brutal father who neglects and does not appreciate him. When Tom’s mother dies, his father marries a much younger woman, whose first child is also named Tom, and you guessed it, our Tom is disinherited when his brutal father dies and the infant Tom inherits Tuckahoe. This injustice deeply affects the marriage of Tom and Patsy. He works hard, they try to support their eleven children, but, alas, alcohol and the hard facts of life make their marriage a long story of tragedy. (The writers hardly discuss Tom’s three terms as governor and advocate of the abolition of slavery.) William Short periodically returns to visit Jefferson and becomes a witness to the unhappy Randolph marriage. He has never married; instead, he had a long-term extramarital relationship with Rosalie de la Rochefoucauld. So the second serious reason this book is weak is easily apparent in this recounting of some of the plot of the book. It is the overly lurid and horrendous soap-opera nature of the story. The focus on Patsy’s role as “first lady” for her widower father as president, for example, is hardly treated at all. Mostly soap and little substance here.
A third problem is addressed in the authors’ note appended at the end of the book. In that note, they admit how many truths they have stretched. Most egregious is the entire William Short subplot. Yes, he and Patsy knew each other, and there may have been a fleeting attachment on Patsy’s part, but it seems the core of the novel concerning the relationship of Patsy and William, which continues throughout, is way more fantasy than history. The authors go on for pages in their afterword addressing other liberties they took with the facts and giving their reasons for many omissions.
The fourth problem (perhaps the first for me) is that the book is just poorly written. The prose is faux-old fashioned, filled with too much melodrama. It’s like having to eat a ten foot high stack of stale, tasteless, out-of-the box pancakes, dripping with fake syrup, without even a break for a cup of tea or a taste of fruit or of anything nutritious. That is really a shame as these authors had, as they stated themselves, a huge amount of great material ready to turn into a great story. I’m sorry they took the cheesy and lurid soap opera path instead.
I have to say that I was quite disappointed by this overly long (over 600 page) “historical” novel. Who would think that a book about Thomas Jefferson and the founding of our nation, a book that promises insider knowledge because it is mostly told from the viewpoint of Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph, Jefferson’s oldest daughter, could be so tedious and overblown? I was quite surprised to be as disappointed as I was.
There are several reasons for my disappointment. First, we learn so little about Jefferson, the man or his ideas, or about the formation of our nation. Yes, he is omnipresent, first as the father who discourages the seventeen year-old Patsy from following her heart and marrying William Short, a young admirer of the great man Jefferson who wishes to devote his own life to foreign service, following in Jefferson’s footsteps after Jefferson returned to the United States after his years of service in France. Patsy, especially once she is married and back in the United States, remains in constant and close contact with her father. After his death, she takes on the task of sorting his papers and letters. And it’s not just Jefferson’s role as great man and nation builder we learn too little about. Several others in his extended family played important roles in the government of the United States and Virginia. But we hear little about those men in those roles.
Instead of learning more about his life and his times, we are treated to Patsy’s extended adolescent heartthrobs and discussions of love with her French school chums. Jefferson discourages Patsy from tying herself to William Short and then encourages her to marry Thomas Randolph, her distant cousin, who is heir to the Tuckahoe Plantation back in Virginia. It’s clear he is seeking financial security for his daughter in a place close to Jefferson’s home in Virginia. So Patsy obediently (but resentfully) sends William away and goes with Thomas, who appeals to her as a hot and sexy young man. Endless pages follow this young couple as Tom deals with his own insecurities caused by a negligent and brutal father who neglects and does not appreciate him. When Tom’s mother dies, his father marries a much younger woman, whose first child is also named Tom, and you guessed it, our Tom is disinherited when his brutal father dies and the infant Tom inherits Tuckahoe. This injustice deeply affects the marriage of Tom and Patsy. He works hard, they try to support their eleven children, but, alas, alcohol and the hard facts of life make their marriage a long story of tragedy. (The writers hardly discuss Tom’s three terms as governor and advocate of the abolition of slavery.) William Short periodically returns to visit Jefferson and becomes a witness to the unhappy Randolph marriage. He has never married; instead, he had a long-term extramarital relationship with Rosalie de la Rochefoucauld. So the second serious reason this book is weak is easily apparent in this recounting of some of the plot of the book. It is the overly lurid and horrendous soap-opera nature of the story. The focus on Patsy’s role as “first lady” for her widower father as president, for example, is hardly treated at all. Mostly soap and little substance here.
A third problem is addressed in the authors’ note appended at the end of the book. In that note, they admit how many truths they have stretched. Most egregious is the entire William Short subplot. Yes, he and Patsy knew each other, and there may have been a fleeting attachment on Patsy’s part, but it seems the core of the novel concerning the relationship of Patsy and William, which continues throughout, is way more fantasy than history. The authors go on for pages in their afterword addressing other liberties they took with the facts and giving their reasons for many omissions.
The fourth problem (perhaps the first for me) is that the book is just poorly written. The prose is faux-old fashioned, filled with too much melodrama. It’s like having to eat a ten foot high stack of stale, tasteless, out-of-the box pancakes, dripping with fake syrup, without even a break for a cup of tea or a taste of fruit or of anything nutritious. That is really a shame as these authors had, as they stated themselves, a huge amount of great material ready to turn into a great story. I’m sorry they took the cheesy and lurid soap opera path instead.
July 15, 2018
5 amazing informative superlative stars
My reviews can be seen here: https://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpres...
After having read and so enjoyed Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie's book My Dear Hamilton, I knew I needed to read their America's First Daughter. Happy to say I was not disappointed in their writing, the story they told, and their attention to the life of Martha, (Patsy) Jefferson.
Patsy was totally devoted to her father, Thomas, and knew how much he loved his family. After her mother died, soon after the birth of her last child, her father was despondent promising his wife, Martha, that he would never marry again. Jefferson suffered her loss greatly not reemerging until months after her death. In the interim, Patsy, only twelve at the time, undertook the family duties. Later, Patsy moved with her father to Paris, where he assumed the duties of being our Minister to France. Patsy and her sister, Polly, were sent to a convent school in Paris, and lasted there until she expressed an interest in becoming a Catholic and later on a nun.
Returning to America and eventually seeing her father into the Presidency, Patsy became involved in the affairs of the White House. She also probably knew of the relationship that had been developing between her father and Sally Hemmings and the children who ensued from this relationship. She married at eighteen, Thomas Randolph, a man who later became an alcoholic forcing Patsy to separate from him. They had thirteen children, eleven of which survived into adulthood.
This was a fascinating story showing what is the best in the historical fiction novel genre and giving those who love this type of book many happy hours of intriguing thoughts and words. Patsy's life was not an easy one. She spent her years caring for her children and the father she so loved. At his death, hard as it is to believe, Jefferson was destitute and Patsy was forced to sell their beloved Monticello to settle his debts.
As always, when reading about our country's past, one can't but help to think of the debt we owe our forefathers, and the women who stood both next to and beside them. Learning about these women and the sacrifices they made to make this dream of a republic form of government succeed is truly both admirable and awe inspiring. I recommend this book most highly for giving this reader an insight and comprehension of what it was like to be the daughter of a founding father. Thank you Ms Dray and Ms Kamoie for a look into the past that was riveting, captivating and fascinating.
Thank you also to my local library for purchasing this book that kept be so engaged for many wonderful hours.
My reviews can be seen here: https://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpres...
After having read and so enjoyed Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie's book My Dear Hamilton, I knew I needed to read their America's First Daughter. Happy to say I was not disappointed in their writing, the story they told, and their attention to the life of Martha, (Patsy) Jefferson.
Patsy was totally devoted to her father, Thomas, and knew how much he loved his family. After her mother died, soon after the birth of her last child, her father was despondent promising his wife, Martha, that he would never marry again. Jefferson suffered her loss greatly not reemerging until months after her death. In the interim, Patsy, only twelve at the time, undertook the family duties. Later, Patsy moved with her father to Paris, where he assumed the duties of being our Minister to France. Patsy and her sister, Polly, were sent to a convent school in Paris, and lasted there until she expressed an interest in becoming a Catholic and later on a nun.
Returning to America and eventually seeing her father into the Presidency, Patsy became involved in the affairs of the White House. She also probably knew of the relationship that had been developing between her father and Sally Hemmings and the children who ensued from this relationship. She married at eighteen, Thomas Randolph, a man who later became an alcoholic forcing Patsy to separate from him. They had thirteen children, eleven of which survived into adulthood.
This was a fascinating story showing what is the best in the historical fiction novel genre and giving those who love this type of book many happy hours of intriguing thoughts and words. Patsy's life was not an easy one. She spent her years caring for her children and the father she so loved. At his death, hard as it is to believe, Jefferson was destitute and Patsy was forced to sell their beloved Monticello to settle his debts.
As always, when reading about our country's past, one can't but help to think of the debt we owe our forefathers, and the women who stood both next to and beside them. Learning about these women and the sacrifices they made to make this dream of a republic form of government succeed is truly both admirable and awe inspiring. I recommend this book most highly for giving this reader an insight and comprehension of what it was like to be the daughter of a founding father. Thank you Ms Dray and Ms Kamoie for a look into the past that was riveting, captivating and fascinating.
Thank you also to my local library for purchasing this book that kept be so engaged for many wonderful hours.
February 10, 2017
I live in Belgium so I've never been really very invested in the part of American history where this book takes place or knew anything about it, but America's First Daughter has totally changed all that. It was the single most brilliant and outstanding historical fiction book that I have ever read. Bravo!
I must admit that I was a bit intimidated by the size of this book at first—It's almost 600 pages. And the start was a bit slow for me but once I got more into the story I barely could stop reading. It was so damn good and compelling! The story was a well-written and researched. It a historical fiction as well as a tragic love story and gave an outstanding example of Patsy, who truly was intriguing to read about.
America's First Daughter follows (obviously) Thomas Jefferson's eldest daughter, Martha "Patsy" Jefferson Randolph, as the synopis says, starting at age nine. It takes place in America, when Patsy and her father went to France and then back to America. I really loved reading all about Patsy when she was growing up, especially her time in France was fascinating to me, but really, I liked reading about her whole love in general because her life was so interesting to me.
I also loved the side characters— from the intriguing William Short (I loved his and Patsy's swift but ardent romance) to Patsy's sister Polly, who's death gave me tears in my eyes, to her father, Thomas Jefferson himself and Tom, Patsy's husband she marries when she's 17. I could go on and on. All characters were so fleshed out and detailed.
I also liked how this book gave a great view of domestic life of the time and age this book is set in. And can I just mention how strong I thought Patsy was. She went through a great deal in her life but always was supportive of her father, even when he maybe didn't even deserve it. It really impressed me and that's some extraordinary writing on the authors' part. I can only compliment them for that! Bravo, ladies!
I must admit that I was a bit intimidated by the size of this book at first—It's almost 600 pages. And the start was a bit slow for me but once I got more into the story I barely could stop reading. It was so damn good and compelling! The story was a well-written and researched. It a historical fiction as well as a tragic love story and gave an outstanding example of Patsy, who truly was intriguing to read about.
America's First Daughter follows (obviously) Thomas Jefferson's eldest daughter, Martha "Patsy" Jefferson Randolph, as the synopis says, starting at age nine. It takes place in America, when Patsy and her father went to France and then back to America. I really loved reading all about Patsy when she was growing up, especially her time in France was fascinating to me, but really, I liked reading about her whole love in general because her life was so interesting to me.
I also loved the side characters— from the intriguing William Short (I loved his and Patsy's swift but ardent romance) to Patsy's sister Polly, who's death gave me tears in my eyes, to her father, Thomas Jefferson himself and Tom, Patsy's husband she marries when she's 17. I could go on and on. All characters were so fleshed out and detailed.
I also liked how this book gave a great view of domestic life of the time and age this book is set in. And can I just mention how strong I thought Patsy was. She went through a great deal in her life but always was supportive of her father, even when he maybe didn't even deserve it. It really impressed me and that's some extraordinary writing on the authors' part. I can only compliment them for that! Bravo, ladies!
March 6, 2016
This novel is told from the viewpoint of Thomas Jefferson’s eldest daughter, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson. Helpmeet to her father and his almost constant companion, Patsy not only travelled with him to France and witnessed his rise to the Presidency but also kept his secrets close to her chest. This novel utilizes the letters that Thomas Jefferson wrote and received in his life, whilst reminding us that it was Patsy who guarded these letters. Thus it is likely that she passed on an edited history to future generations.
Truthfully, I find this book very difficult to review. I hate that I didn’t enjoy this novel as much as others have professed. For me though, the spark just wasn’t there. Patsy Jefferson was an intriguing historical figure, yet I couldn’t relate to her within these pages. She was a two-dimensional figure from long ago that told me her story as an older person looking back over her life. It was bland. Not at all what I would have expected from the glowing reviews I’ve read, plus my knowledge of how great an author Stephanie Dray is. I’m not quite sure how the collaboration worked between the two authors, however when it comes to author collaboration Stephanie Dray knows what she is doing. She was a part of two of the most amazing multiple author novels that I’ve ever read: “A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii” and “A Year of Ravens: A Novel of Boudica’s Rebellion”. In fact, in the latter of these two it was Stephanie Dray who rounded off the novel and made it complete for me. Therefore I can only summarize that it was the extensive research that made this novel so bland for me.
Let me explain. This novel is based upon “thousands of letters and original sources” and therefore the historical research is paramount to the novel. Of course this isn’t a bad thing, history is compelling in itself, however I do feel that when the lines are so tightly set the author runs the risk of also putting their imagination on a tight leash and thus creating a very prosaic novel.
For me personally I read historical fiction for two purposes. One, to learn, and two, to be entertained. If I just wanted to learn I would read the original sources for myself. If it’s something that I am fascinated by then I will read both fact and fiction books about it. First I gather as much knowledge as I can about a subject and then I read a novel that brings it to life for me. I want it to be more than just facts on a page, I want the figures to jump to life and show me who they are. For me, this is what was missing in this novel. The entertainment factor.
Let me give an example. Patsy is enrolled in a convent for educational purposes whilst her father is in France. Evidently something about it appealed to her because she later wished to become a nun . I wanted to know what exactly appealed to her and what life inside the convent was like for her. Was it a harsh environment? What were the sleeping arrangements? What clothes did she have to wear? What did she learn there? I really wanted to know about life inside the convent but all that was mentioned was that her father’s secretary William Short visited her there and that she made one friend that teased her about her feelings for him. I have no clue as to what appealed to Patsy so much that she wished to take her vows. Even if there is no factual evidence as to why, her character was so indistinctive that I was not even able to deduce a reason for myself. This is where the story-telling is supposed to come in. The facts are known, the ingredients are set, now is when the fictional salt and pepper should be sprinkled in to create a more lively and exciting recipe.
Nonetheless, I did learn a lot from this book. If I take a step back and do not look at it as a novel then I can honestly say that I have admiration for the work that these two historians have created. The mix of original sources and deduced conclusions from these original sources lead to quite an interesting read. As a non-fiction book this would have been brilliant. Yet unfortunately I feel that I must judge it as what it has been proclaimed to be: a novel. And as a novel, in my opinion, it is sadly lacking.
Truthfully, I find this book very difficult to review. I hate that I didn’t enjoy this novel as much as others have professed. For me though, the spark just wasn’t there. Patsy Jefferson was an intriguing historical figure, yet I couldn’t relate to her within these pages. She was a two-dimensional figure from long ago that told me her story as an older person looking back over her life. It was bland. Not at all what I would have expected from the glowing reviews I’ve read, plus my knowledge of how great an author Stephanie Dray is. I’m not quite sure how the collaboration worked between the two authors, however when it comes to author collaboration Stephanie Dray knows what she is doing. She was a part of two of the most amazing multiple author novels that I’ve ever read: “A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii” and “A Year of Ravens: A Novel of Boudica’s Rebellion”. In fact, in the latter of these two it was Stephanie Dray who rounded off the novel and made it complete for me. Therefore I can only summarize that it was the extensive research that made this novel so bland for me.
Let me explain. This novel is based upon “thousands of letters and original sources” and therefore the historical research is paramount to the novel. Of course this isn’t a bad thing, history is compelling in itself, however I do feel that when the lines are so tightly set the author runs the risk of also putting their imagination on a tight leash and thus creating a very prosaic novel.
For me personally I read historical fiction for two purposes. One, to learn, and two, to be entertained. If I just wanted to learn I would read the original sources for myself. If it’s something that I am fascinated by then I will read both fact and fiction books about it. First I gather as much knowledge as I can about a subject and then I read a novel that brings it to life for me. I want it to be more than just facts on a page, I want the figures to jump to life and show me who they are. For me, this is what was missing in this novel. The entertainment factor.
Let me give an example. Patsy is enrolled in a convent for educational purposes whilst her father is in France. Evidently something about it appealed to her because she later wished to become a nun . I wanted to know what exactly appealed to her and what life inside the convent was like for her. Was it a harsh environment? What were the sleeping arrangements? What clothes did she have to wear? What did she learn there? I really wanted to know about life inside the convent but all that was mentioned was that her father’s secretary William Short visited her there and that she made one friend that teased her about her feelings for him. I have no clue as to what appealed to Patsy so much that she wished to take her vows. Even if there is no factual evidence as to why, her character was so indistinctive that I was not even able to deduce a reason for myself. This is where the story-telling is supposed to come in. The facts are known, the ingredients are set, now is when the fictional salt and pepper should be sprinkled in to create a more lively and exciting recipe.
Nonetheless, I did learn a lot from this book. If I take a step back and do not look at it as a novel then I can honestly say that I have admiration for the work that these two historians have created. The mix of original sources and deduced conclusions from these original sources lead to quite an interesting read. As a non-fiction book this would have been brilliant. Yet unfortunately I feel that I must judge it as what it has been proclaimed to be: a novel. And as a novel, in my opinion, it is sadly lacking.
November 5, 2024
The bestselling duo behind My Dear Hamilton bring to life yet another female participant of the Revolutionary War and early American republic, with their exceptional capture of the intimacy and politics of Martha Jefferson Randolph. Whether or not the reader believes the affair between Thomas Jefferson and his slave Sally Hemings ever took place, this can easily be overlooked as it is a satisfying novel on the hypothetical relationships that Martha “Patsy” Jefferson builds during the infancy of the United States. The book slyly appears to set off in a slow manner as we find Martha in old age, reminiscing on her father and their long history together involving the Hemings family, as well as hinting that he was perhaps more mysterious and closed off than most suspected.
Fortunately, it picks up speed as the reader views the terror of Revolutionary War Virginia, with the Jefferson family being forced to flee their mountaintop plantation from the pursuing redcoats—and the authors give Thomas a proper voice and calm attitude that’s true to his nature. The struggles of both slaves and women in the eighteenth and early-nineteenth century are seen through Martha’s eyes, and the audience truly senses her emotions. while at the same time feeling a sort of sincerity and sympathy to her rather tumultuous life—something that’s quite hard to accomplish when trying to narrate through a centuries-old character.
Relationships are also a key part of this novel, and they involve family, neighbors, politicians, diplomats, slaves—and most significantly—a few love triangles. We see her shock and disappointment at her father’s past and present failings, as well as that of her own husband and brood, yet through all of this comes her and Sally’s eventual understanding in regards to preserving both Jefferson’s honor and legacy. While the Jefferson’s nuptials and subsequent early years of Martha’s late mother is briefly hinted at in the opening, more liberties could have been taken here to deepen the bond and attachment between the two, rather than those found in other character’s relationships and plot points. The principle highlight of the novel involves Martha’s romantic interest and admiration for her father’s honorable secretary, William Short—a longing and hope that is constantly put to the test:
He closed the letter with a simple: Present my compliments to the young ladies. So I was just a young lady, now. The same to him as Polly. A daughter of his mentor. Which meant William could be no more than just my father’s friend. Perhaps it was just as well. For Patsy Jefferson had loved William Short. Martha Jefferson Randolph would make herself feel nothing for him at all.
Through their copious research, they have added voices to some of the more scandalous and controversial—indeed, the Randolph’s in particular are brilliantly portrayed—where both authors formidably portray a certain gold-digging and youthful stepmom who takes her place as matriarch among the family’s plantation and estate affairs. That’s not to mention the frequent yet accurate depictions that alcohol had on certain relatives and family members, leaving a long trail of physical as well as emotional strain and abuse. Altogether, this is a unique take on an often undiscussed daughter of the American Revolution, and Dray and Kamoie brilliantly weave together facts and ancestry in order to capture Martha’s point of view on the events and people that affected her and the Jefferson name.
Fortunately, it picks up speed as the reader views the terror of Revolutionary War Virginia, with the Jefferson family being forced to flee their mountaintop plantation from the pursuing redcoats—and the authors give Thomas a proper voice and calm attitude that’s true to his nature. The struggles of both slaves and women in the eighteenth and early-nineteenth century are seen through Martha’s eyes, and the audience truly senses her emotions. while at the same time feeling a sort of sincerity and sympathy to her rather tumultuous life—something that’s quite hard to accomplish when trying to narrate through a centuries-old character.
Relationships are also a key part of this novel, and they involve family, neighbors, politicians, diplomats, slaves—and most significantly—a few love triangles. We see her shock and disappointment at her father’s past and present failings, as well as that of her own husband and brood, yet through all of this comes her and Sally’s eventual understanding in regards to preserving both Jefferson’s honor and legacy. While the Jefferson’s nuptials and subsequent early years of Martha’s late mother is briefly hinted at in the opening, more liberties could have been taken here to deepen the bond and attachment between the two, rather than those found in other character’s relationships and plot points. The principle highlight of the novel involves Martha’s romantic interest and admiration for her father’s honorable secretary, William Short—a longing and hope that is constantly put to the test:
He closed the letter with a simple: Present my compliments to the young ladies. So I was just a young lady, now. The same to him as Polly. A daughter of his mentor. Which meant William could be no more than just my father’s friend. Perhaps it was just as well. For Patsy Jefferson had loved William Short. Martha Jefferson Randolph would make herself feel nothing for him at all.
Through their copious research, they have added voices to some of the more scandalous and controversial—indeed, the Randolph’s in particular are brilliantly portrayed—where both authors formidably portray a certain gold-digging and youthful stepmom who takes her place as matriarch among the family’s plantation and estate affairs. That’s not to mention the frequent yet accurate depictions that alcohol had on certain relatives and family members, leaving a long trail of physical as well as emotional strain and abuse. Altogether, this is a unique take on an often undiscussed daughter of the American Revolution, and Dray and Kamoie brilliantly weave together facts and ancestry in order to capture Martha’s point of view on the events and people that affected her and the Jefferson name.
June 9, 2016
Unfortunately for me, this was another DNF. I read through the first 150 pages, and I just couldn't continue. Here's why:
1) Patsy's voice. It was so Juvenalian and immature that I was screaming internally. Yes, I only read through when she was 16, but come on people. To me, it seemed like I was reading from a child's PoV. All of her talk about being grown up only furthered the point that she was young.
2)Everything was completely flat. FLAT FLAT FLAT In Patsy's words, the convent would become one of her "favorite places to be", but the authors didn't offer anything to back up this claim. Only that she suddenly made a best friend, and that the other girls finally talked to her. I didn't believe in the authenticity of her relationships with her 'best' friend, or with Willam Short. To me, Dray and Kamoie only told the reader what happened instead of showing us. Everything felt SO RUSHED. Like Dray and Kamoie wanted Patsy to just be grown up so they quickly got the reader there. The writing was clunky and there were so many scenes where I wanted to know MORE. Patsy's thoughts and opinions were horribly unfulfilling and gave me no detail. I felt like an outsider looking in instead of this being told from her PoV. The authors already took liberties to write this story from the letters, but not enough to made it seem real, which leads me to my third point.
3) What is up with all of the letters this novel is "based" on? It seemed completely arbitrary and did absolutely nothing to further the character development and the plot continuation. The letters voices' were different than that of Patsy through the writing, so I struggled to believe that they were from the same person.
I read all of Stephanie Dray's novels about Cleopatra's daughter and thoroughly enjoyed them, so this book was a disappointment. I think I was expecting a similar writing style to those, and when it didn't happen, it just became one drawback on top of another. I was looking forward to reading this book and enjoying it--based on the number of five star reviews--like so many other people have. Unfortunately, it was not to be.
1) Patsy's voice. It was so Juvenalian and immature that I was screaming internally. Yes, I only read through when she was 16, but come on people. To me, it seemed like I was reading from a child's PoV. All of her talk about being grown up only furthered the point that she was young.
2)Everything was completely flat. FLAT FLAT FLAT In Patsy's words, the convent would become one of her "favorite places to be", but the authors didn't offer anything to back up this claim. Only that she suddenly made a best friend, and that the other girls finally talked to her. I didn't believe in the authenticity of her relationships with her 'best' friend, or with Willam Short. To me, Dray and Kamoie only told the reader what happened instead of showing us. Everything felt SO RUSHED. Like Dray and Kamoie wanted Patsy to just be grown up so they quickly got the reader there. The writing was clunky and there were so many scenes where I wanted to know MORE. Patsy's thoughts and opinions were horribly unfulfilling and gave me no detail. I felt like an outsider looking in instead of this being told from her PoV. The authors already took liberties to write this story from the letters, but not enough to made it seem real, which leads me to my third point.
3) What is up with all of the letters this novel is "based" on? It seemed completely arbitrary and did absolutely nothing to further the character development and the plot continuation. The letters voices' were different than that of Patsy through the writing, so I struggled to believe that they were from the same person.
I read all of Stephanie Dray's novels about Cleopatra's daughter and thoroughly enjoyed them, so this book was a disappointment. I think I was expecting a similar writing style to those, and when it didn't happen, it just became one drawback on top of another. I was looking forward to reading this book and enjoying it--based on the number of five star reviews--like so many other people have. Unfortunately, it was not to be.
October 19, 2015
The forgotten Jefferson, Martha “Patsy” takes center stage in this moving epic about impossible choices and Jefferson’s eldest daughter’s conflicted devotion to her father, her country and herself. America’s First Daughter is historical fiction of the highest quality. The authors’ meticulous research is evident on every page and yet never overpowers their skillful storytelling. This is a novel to savor and yet you’ll find yourself turning pages as quickly as possible because you have to know what happens next. The fact that it’s a true story makes it all the richer.
November 7, 2017
America's First Daughter is one of the best books I've ever read and now holds the title as my favorite book of 2016. Splendid read from start to finish. Historical fiction at it's finest. I REALLY loved this book and I could gush all day and night but then I would waste your time when you should be reading this instead. GO! Visit your library or favorite bookstore. This is a must-read, especially if you are a fan of historical fiction.
The story begins at the end of Jefferson's long, distinguished life. Each chapter starts with actual correspondence from/or to Thomas Jefferson. His daughter, Martha "Patsy" Jefferson Randolph, is preparing her father's private papers, documents, and personal correspondence for publication. Father and daughter shared a close, loving relationship. Patsy spent the majority of her life by Jefferson's side, his fierce and loyal supporter. Martha will do as she must to protect her father's legacy and reputation. Shortly after Jefferson dies at Monticello, Patsy spends most of days sifting through the many papers Jefferson entrusted to her. As she reads and sorts, there are those papers that bring back memories. As Patsy reflects upon each, we are allowed a glimpse of life at Monticello, coming of age in Paris, the Presidency, and Jefferson's twilight years. Patsy must then decide which of her father's documents to share with the public. Reputation is everything and Patsy chooses to burn that which would shed negative light on Jefferson and her family. Is it here that Sally Hemings' true meaning to the President is erased from history? Did Thomas Jefferson father the Hemings children? Surely, it must be so. What is the truth of the scandal at the Bizarre plantation belonging to the Randolph family? Was Martha an abused and neglected wife? Did Martha rewrite the history of our nation's founding father? Judge for yourselves. Had I been in Martha's position, I would have rid the world of unfavorable glimpses into my father's private life, especially if all eyes were on my family, looking for ways to defame our name and my father's prestigious work. What would you do?
Now, for those of you that don't fully comprehend historical fiction and get easily offended when details are not historically accurate, the author(s) took certain liberties here. Please understand that, although based on history, much of the story is fictional and many details are added for drama and entertainment. I feel I must say this because I read so many reviews by readers that don't get the concept of historical fiction and end up slamming an outstanding book negatively because of inaccuracies. Comments like, "I just can't read anymore. Have to stop now because the dialect used didn't exist in the year 1789." And "Can't stomach another moment of this book because the author confused the dates." Or..."That never happened!" WHAT?! You do realize it's called HISTORICAL FICTION, right?! ~sigh~ Anyway, as I mentioned in some of my updates as I was reading this book, Dray and Kamoie did a phenomenal job researching what must have been an endless amount of information. Jefferson was an astute and consummate journaler and it is said that biographers can find notes on every day of Jefferson's adult life. Every. Single. Day. I'm telling you now, historical fiction authors know their history!! Just sit back and enjoy the book. After all, reading takes lots of imagination. Do you fault an author for creativity? No! I adore history. I don't claim to be a JEOPARDY champion, but I know stuff. Lots of stuff! I'm cool with an author's creative twist on historical events. I welcome it, in fact. I enjoy the what ifs and fill in the blanks. I mean, c'mon. Do you honestly think historians get every detail accurate? Hmm. Historical fiction authors ROCK!! This book rocks! FIVE I'm-my-Father's-Favorite-Daughter blingin' stars!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
For those history lovin' peeps like me, if you're intersted in gaining further knowledge about Jefferson and Martha, additional resources can be found at www.AmericasFirstDaughter.com
#BestBookOf2016 #historicalfiction #histficauthors #drayandkamoie
**I received an ARC from a Goodreads giveaway sponsored by William Morrow.
The story begins at the end of Jefferson's long, distinguished life. Each chapter starts with actual correspondence from/or to Thomas Jefferson. His daughter, Martha "Patsy" Jefferson Randolph, is preparing her father's private papers, documents, and personal correspondence for publication. Father and daughter shared a close, loving relationship. Patsy spent the majority of her life by Jefferson's side, his fierce and loyal supporter. Martha will do as she must to protect her father's legacy and reputation. Shortly after Jefferson dies at Monticello, Patsy spends most of days sifting through the many papers Jefferson entrusted to her. As she reads and sorts, there are those papers that bring back memories. As Patsy reflects upon each, we are allowed a glimpse of life at Monticello, coming of age in Paris, the Presidency, and Jefferson's twilight years. Patsy must then decide which of her father's documents to share with the public. Reputation is everything and Patsy chooses to burn that which would shed negative light on Jefferson and her family. Is it here that Sally Hemings' true meaning to the President is erased from history? Did Thomas Jefferson father the Hemings children? Surely, it must be so. What is the truth of the scandal at the Bizarre plantation belonging to the Randolph family? Was Martha an abused and neglected wife? Did Martha rewrite the history of our nation's founding father? Judge for yourselves. Had I been in Martha's position, I would have rid the world of unfavorable glimpses into my father's private life, especially if all eyes were on my family, looking for ways to defame our name and my father's prestigious work. What would you do?
Now, for those of you that don't fully comprehend historical fiction and get easily offended when details are not historically accurate, the author(s) took certain liberties here. Please understand that, although based on history, much of the story is fictional and many details are added for drama and entertainment. I feel I must say this because I read so many reviews by readers that don't get the concept of historical fiction and end up slamming an outstanding book negatively because of inaccuracies. Comments like, "I just can't read anymore. Have to stop now because the dialect used didn't exist in the year 1789." And "Can't stomach another moment of this book because the author confused the dates." Or..."That never happened!" WHAT?! You do realize it's called HISTORICAL FICTION, right?! ~sigh~ Anyway, as I mentioned in some of my updates as I was reading this book, Dray and Kamoie did a phenomenal job researching what must have been an endless amount of information. Jefferson was an astute and consummate journaler and it is said that biographers can find notes on every day of Jefferson's adult life. Every. Single. Day. I'm telling you now, historical fiction authors know their history!! Just sit back and enjoy the book. After all, reading takes lots of imagination. Do you fault an author for creativity? No! I adore history. I don't claim to be a JEOPARDY champion, but I know stuff. Lots of stuff! I'm cool with an author's creative twist on historical events. I welcome it, in fact. I enjoy the what ifs and fill in the blanks. I mean, c'mon. Do you honestly think historians get every detail accurate? Hmm. Historical fiction authors ROCK!! This book rocks! FIVE I'm-my-Father's-Favorite-Daughter blingin' stars!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
For those history lovin' peeps like me, if you're intersted in gaining further knowledge about Jefferson and Martha, additional resources can be found at www.AmericasFirstDaughter.com
#BestBookOf2016 #historicalfiction #histficauthors #drayandkamoie
**I received an ARC from a Goodreads giveaway sponsored by William Morrow.
Want to read
August 15, 2015Gorgeous Cover Reveal!
Blurb:In a compelling, richly researched novel that draws from thousands of letters and original sources, bestselling authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie tell the fascinating, untold story of Thomas Jefferson’s eldest daughter, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph—a woman who kept the secrets of our most enigmatic founding father and shaped an American legacy.
From her earliest days, Martha "Patsy" Jefferson knows that though her father loves his family dearly, his devotion to his country runs deeper still. As Thomas Jefferson’s oldest daughter, she becomes his helpmate in the wake of her mother’s death, traveling with him when he becomes American minister to France. And it is in Paris, at the glittering court and among the first tumultuous days of revolution, that she learns of her father’s liaison with Sally Hemings, a slave girl her own age.
Patsy too has fallen in love—with her father’s protégé, William Short, a staunch abolitionist intent on a career in Europe. Heartbroken at having to decide between being William’s wife or a devoted daughter, she returns to Virginia with her father and marries a man of his choosing, raising eleven children of her own.
Yet as family secrets come to light during her father's presidency, Patsy must again decide how much she will sacrifice to protect his reputation, in the process defining not just Jefferson’s political legacy, but that of the nation he founded.
September 17, 2021
I was so looking forward to reading this book about Thomas Jefferson. The story is told by his oldest daughter, Patsy. When her mother dies, she becomes her father’s closest companion until a trip to France, when he becomes America’s minister to France. It is in Paris that she learns about her father’s liaison with Sally Hemings, a slave girl her own age. Meanwhile, she falls in love with William Short, an abolitionist. She becomes torn between love and her family.
The authors' note says that Thomas Jefferson wrote more than eighteen thousand letters and this story is based on those letters, citing almost all of his dialogue in this story. I was even more excited after reading this note. However, the style of writing is very drawn-out, making the pace slow.
The authors' note says that Thomas Jefferson wrote more than eighteen thousand letters and this story is based on those letters, citing almost all of his dialogue in this story. I was even more excited after reading this note. However, the style of writing is very drawn-out, making the pace slow.
April 21, 2016
There's nothing better than a good historic novel which allows you to learn about either a time or person while telling a good story. I have given this book only,four stars because it starts off dry for the first 15%. But once Patsy is slightly older and discovers her father's involvement with Sally Hemings, the pace and color of the novel pick up. The books does a great job of dealing with the slave factor in Virginia, the role of women and most importantly, how a woman's choice of a husband colored the rest of her life. Well written. Patsy was an amazing woman.
July 9, 2017
Simply could not get past the characterization of Jefferson's relationship with Sally Hemings as a "romance"* and I don't really want to read a novel where that's even the subplot. I think I read the first chapter before giving up completely.
*it was rape
*it was rape
April 20, 2016
ARC received courtesy of Goodreads.com First Reads Giveaway
This is historic fiction at its very best! This novel is well researched, well written and honestly told. It's refreshing to read such a wonderfully written novel.
The novel is told from the point of view of Martha (Patsy) Jefferson Randolph, oldest daughter of Thomas Jefferson. She looks back over her entire life as she goes through her father's letters after his death. On her mother's deathbed, Patsy promises to look after her father and that's exactly how she spends her life. She travels with him to France where she decides she wants to be a nun. She comes back to Virginia with her father and a pregnant Sally Hemings. Patsy settles down and marries Tom Randolph and bears him 11 children. But Patsy's constant role is as her father's protector. This is the story of her life as she lives to look after her father.
This is a definite historical masterpiece. I recommend it highly!
This is historic fiction at its very best! This novel is well researched, well written and honestly told. It's refreshing to read such a wonderfully written novel.
The novel is told from the point of view of Martha (Patsy) Jefferson Randolph, oldest daughter of Thomas Jefferson. She looks back over her entire life as she goes through her father's letters after his death. On her mother's deathbed, Patsy promises to look after her father and that's exactly how she spends her life. She travels with him to France where she decides she wants to be a nun. She comes back to Virginia with her father and a pregnant Sally Hemings. Patsy settles down and marries Tom Randolph and bears him 11 children. But Patsy's constant role is as her father's protector. This is the story of her life as she lives to look after her father.
This is a definite historical masterpiece. I recommend it highly!
March 14, 2016
Once upon a time, I regularly read biographies and histories. I spent weeks devouring every detail of the historic figures' lives and sharing with Randy anything I thought especially interesting or unknown to him (as a history major he seems to know everything). As much as I enjoyed learning more history and about the interesting people, it's been a few years since I found a work to capture my attention. America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie is written as a novel but uses so much research to tell the story of Thomas Jefferson's daughter Martha Patsy Jefferson Randolph.
I haven't spent so much time reading a single book for years. It took me almost two full weeks to read America's First Daughter yet I enjoyed every minute. Beginning with Patsy's childhood as the Jefferson family prepared to flee their home as the British army closed in, the novel takes the reader through the exciting history surrounding the Revolutionary War; Jefferson's time as ambassador in France; his continued time in politics and his retirement told through the eyes of his beloved and trusted daughter. I loved having the opportunity to visit these historic events through the domestic perspective of a woman and his family.
The novel focuses on Patsy and so it is her personality that shines through so clearly. She is a strong and yet conflicted character dealing with such troubling issues and nothing about her life is in any way boring. With the exception of Patsy's husband, most of the other characters are not as richly developed. Using letters and other research, Dray and Kamoie share family details that enrich the understanding of that period of time. There was often so much turmoil. I read the novel while my husband watched the election debates next to me. Listening to the circus that the election has become this year, I found it interesting to read more about the drama and dirty politics that occurred in the election of 1800. So little has changed. Except that we don't fight duels anymore. Perhaps that's just what this election is missing.
Part of me wished that it had been written as a biography so my brain would know just what was supported by research and what was assumptions filling in the gaps. However, there was value to it being a novel. It allowed the authors to delve into the ideas of Jefferson's personal life--though it could be seen as apologetic, it offered sympathy and understanding to a confusing and horrific issue.
The time I spent reading America's First Daughter was valuable and enjoyable. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a book this much. I'm definitely inspired to find another biography soon.
I haven't spent so much time reading a single book for years. It took me almost two full weeks to read America's First Daughter yet I enjoyed every minute. Beginning with Patsy's childhood as the Jefferson family prepared to flee their home as the British army closed in, the novel takes the reader through the exciting history surrounding the Revolutionary War; Jefferson's time as ambassador in France; his continued time in politics and his retirement told through the eyes of his beloved and trusted daughter. I loved having the opportunity to visit these historic events through the domestic perspective of a woman and his family.
The novel focuses on Patsy and so it is her personality that shines through so clearly. She is a strong and yet conflicted character dealing with such troubling issues and nothing about her life is in any way boring. With the exception of Patsy's husband, most of the other characters are not as richly developed. Using letters and other research, Dray and Kamoie share family details that enrich the understanding of that period of time. There was often so much turmoil. I read the novel while my husband watched the election debates next to me. Listening to the circus that the election has become this year, I found it interesting to read more about the drama and dirty politics that occurred in the election of 1800. So little has changed. Except that we don't fight duels anymore. Perhaps that's just what this election is missing.
Part of me wished that it had been written as a biography so my brain would know just what was supported by research and what was assumptions filling in the gaps. However, there was value to it being a novel. It allowed the authors to delve into the ideas of Jefferson's personal life--though it could be seen as apologetic, it offered sympathy and understanding to a confusing and horrific issue.
The time I spent reading America's First Daughter was valuable and enjoyable. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a book this much. I'm definitely inspired to find another biography soon.
May 11, 2024
Wow! What a great way to learn about Thomas Jefferson and all that went with it. If only everybody could have a daughter like Patsy. Certainly not a rags to riches story. President Jefferson took the first baby step to fulfill his dream of all men being created equal. It’s up to the following generations to continue with more baby steps.
If I had more books like this to read in American History class, I certainly would’ve learned and retained more.
If I had more books like this to read in American History class, I certainly would’ve learned and retained more.
April 11, 2024
3.5 It got a bit long, especially toward the end. Was interesting to read early America history through the eyes of Patsy Jefferson...with the understanding of her bias (which was addressed in the author's note).
November 24, 2016
Stephanie Dray's book America's First Daughter is a book about freedom, slavery, and the lack of women's rights . Martha "Patsy" Jefferson Randolph, the eldest daughter of Thomas Jefferson, tells her story from age 10 when her mother dies until after the death of her father. She tells of her years in Paris going to a convent school, her first love, her fears in the French Revolution, her marriage, her choices, her 11 children and of course her father. The reader experiences her anguish, fears, joys and sadness.
"My whole life has been, in some sense, a song that could never be sung without you."
4 stars ( KUYH's November 2016 Female Authors challenge)
"My whole life has been, in some sense, a song that could never be sung without you."
4 stars ( KUYH's November 2016 Female Authors challenge)
March 16, 2016
5.5 stars
I think this is Stephanie Dray's best book yet and she is a favourite of mine (her HF, that is). This is really, really good. I take note that she is a joint author with Laura Kamoie, a historian. I have history with authors claiming to be historians but I believe this one! The research is impeccable. I am no expert - almost a beginner in fact - in this period, or in American history at all - but I am pretty expert in looking for detail and authenticity; there's plenty of that in here and included in such a natural way that the reader never feels lectured.
It's one of those books that seems to be slow - until you realise you are holding your breath in anticipation of what is going to happen......this happened so many times I am amazed because throughout I never lost the feeling it was a gentle domestic kind of story; to me that is genius storytelling. Jefferson is portrayed warts and all but with a sympathetic touch. The characterisation throughout was convincing and had an authentic voice.
So, my congratulations to both authors! This seems like a great collaborative team. Historical fiction at its best, do go on and read it!
I think this is Stephanie Dray's best book yet and she is a favourite of mine (her HF, that is). This is really, really good. I take note that she is a joint author with Laura Kamoie, a historian. I have history with authors claiming to be historians but I believe this one! The research is impeccable. I am no expert - almost a beginner in fact - in this period, or in American history at all - but I am pretty expert in looking for detail and authenticity; there's plenty of that in here and included in such a natural way that the reader never feels lectured.
It's one of those books that seems to be slow - until you realise you are holding your breath in anticipation of what is going to happen......this happened so many times I am amazed because throughout I never lost the feeling it was a gentle domestic kind of story; to me that is genius storytelling. Jefferson is portrayed warts and all but with a sympathetic touch. The characterisation throughout was convincing and had an authentic voice.
So, my congratulations to both authors! This seems like a great collaborative team. Historical fiction at its best, do go on and read it!
March 15, 2017
I tried reading this as a paperback but I was slogging through it. And I was perplexed by the early very young, and inappropriate, romance that Dray includes. I have no idea if there is any actual historical substantiation to her claims of this romance between Jefferson's assistant and his daughter. I switched to audiobook to see if I could get more out of the book. I couldn't finish it and am returning the audiobook for credit. I am not a fan of first person POV, but at the beginning I felt like that was completely appropriate for Dray to use. The problem was that as the book continued on I grew wearier and wearier of the first person POV account. Plus the story was going nowhere. Although written well enough, it was boring. This book is not a romance but a historical fiction. I always am leery of fictionalized accounts of historical figures' lives (or their offspring) because I wonder exactly how much research has been put into verifying the veracity of the fictionalized version.
April 26, 2017
Apparently not my cuppa... Read the first third; heavily skimmed the rest, reading whole pages here and there. I'm all for historic reimaginings, but something about this particular one just left a bland taste (if you will) in my mind. Patsy as a heroine didn't wow me, and neither of her love interests thrilled me either. Overall, despite my interest in the time period, I felt a great disconnect to this novel. I'm sad that I apparently missed what everyone else loved, but c'est la vie.
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