I can’t remember how I first came across this book by Anya Seton. The ebook probably went on sale at some point and I grabbed it thinking it looked interesting. Recently, when I was looking for something to read while out with my dog, I was looking through my Kindle library on my phone and found this, so I started reading.
It’s pretty well written and it’s certainly fascinating. Theodosia might not have lived a long life, but it was certainly not boring. She was educated by her father, who then married her off for his own political and financial agenda. She couldn’t stand her southern slave-owning husband or his family. While she may not have been in favor of slavery she was certainly racist, or at least Seton was because there are some very derogatory comments about black people throughout the book.
Apparently Theodosia fell in love with Meriwether Lewis of Lewis and Clark, but not before her father had her engaged for his own gain. The book makes it seem like they came in contact throughout the years, but never had an affair. Whether or not that’s true I suppose we’ll never know for sure.
Also apparently Aaron Burr was put on trial for trying to wage war against the U.S.? According to Wikipedia, the goal of Burr’s alleged conspiracy was never confirmed, but Seton posits he was aiming to start his own empire in Mexico, where he thought he was sure to become rich.
Throughout the book Aaron and Theodosia’s relationship is portrayed as being so close as to be almost incestuous. There’s a comment made in the book when Aaron is talking his daughter into accepting the slave owner’s proposal about how he doesn’t want her to marry for love because he would be jealous. And Theodosia’s husband is always jealous of Theodosia’s close relationship with her father. The whole thing just felt icky.
Overall I enjoyed the book OK, but I’m not sure if I’ll be reading anything else by Seton.