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Rodham

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Rodham

By: Curtis Sittenfeld
Narrated by: Carrington MacDuffie
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin

WHAT IF HILLARY RODHAM HAD TURNED DOWN BILL CLINTON'S PROPOSAL OF MARRIAGE?

‘Awfully opinionated for a girl’ is what they call Hillary as she grows up in her Chicago suburb.

Smart, diligent, and a bit plain, that’s the general consensus. Then Hillary goes to college, and her star rises. At Yale Law School, she continues to be a leader— and catches the eye of driven, handsome and charismatic Bill. But when he asks her to marry him, Hillary gives him a firm No.

The rest, as they say, isn’t history. How might things have turned out for them, for America, for the world itself, if Hillary Rodham had really turned down Bill Clinton?

With her sharp but always compassionate eye, Sittenfeld explores the loneliness, moral ambivalence and iron determination that characterise the quest for high office, as well as the painful compromises demanded of female ambition in a world ruled by men.

Uncannily astute and witty in the telling, RODHAM is a brilliant reimagining – an unmissable literary landmark and truly a novel of our times.

©2020 Curtis Sittenfeld (P)2020 Penguin Audio Biographical Fiction Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Biography Witty Funny Inspiring

Critic Reviews

‘Startlingly good. One of my favourite writers.’ Kate Atkinson
All stars
Most relevant  
Took a little while to settle in with the narrator's voice but once I did it was a great listen

Fantastic

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I like this book and I admire the author so much. It's amazing how she wrote this book as a biography but not a biography at the same time. I really like the idea of making Hillary take different choice from the one she chose in her life "The idea of no marrying Bill Clinton". It's really amazing. Many authors are writing about how multi-universes run simultaneously but in different direction. However, no one (that I know of) explore it really, like in this book. It amaze me, how different life could be if we just decided to change one past decision.

There are some ethical argument about this book. As it includes public figures and it dwell in their private life (Who's sleeping with Whom). The author toke the responsibility to show Hilary and other figures (real people) as any normal characters. Did the author get at least a promotion from the main characters?! I'm not sure but I guess the author herself wouldn't want in that position. Important to mention these concerns are for all the people involved including Bill Clinton.

The author gave example of media cruelty and how it's manipulated by people in power.

This book is Amazing and make me want to read Hillary Clinton biography. I think she is amazing women and if she was elected she will do better than many men who entered the White House.

Multi-universes in action...

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I found this story strange. Maybe I wasn’t quite prepared for this view, or any fictional story about someone’s real life, while they’re alive.

A strange book

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Absolutely loved this book and could not stop listening. The writing is witty, believable and performance was also great!

Utterly compelling! Highly recommend

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The sliding doors premise of Curtis Sittenfelds ‘Rodham’ is clever and captivating. What would happen if Hilary didn’t marry Bill ? You’ll have to read to find out. As a politics buff, this book still managed to change my thinking about things I thought were no-brainers . The made up Trump anecdotes (that are borrowed from real world anecdotes yet set in a new context) made me laugh out loud (and rewind so I can hear again!).

A genius sliding doors premise

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A good read and an interesting proposition on Hilarys life story. The weaving of the facts through the book make you think about Hilary and her abilities and what a great President she would have been. The story also shows how hard it is for women and how they are judged. Really enjoyed the book, cannot wait to read others by this author.

Interesting take on a ‘Sliding Doors Moment’

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I couldn’t put this recording down and found every minute I could to listen to it. Such a clever melding of fact and fictional narrative and had me seeing Hilary in a totally different light. The narration was emotive and fluent. Highly recommended!

A must-listen for US politics junkies

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I’m sure Hillary will have enjoyed it too. I’ll have to loook at the author’s other work.

Excellent storyteller

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Gripped from the beginning by this book, "Rodham's" plausability is finely crafted by Settenfeld's storyline & wordsmithing, to provide speculation of an alternative USA, circa 2020.

Rodham...an alternative present

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Thoroughly recommend. Fascinating narrative and perfectly performed narration.
Would that this book were non-fiction.

Excellent

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