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A review by beyondsolitaire
Scandalmonger by William Safire
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was an interesting read. The book is sometimes plodding, and sometimes reads like narrative nonfiction even though it is a novel. But I was interested the entire time, and Safire's sharp historical research allows him to capture both the events of his story and the way his characters must have felt about the events they lived through.
Scandalmonger is also interesting because of issues it brings up to a modern American. We prize our freedom of the press, but this novel really drives home how hard won that was, and how undemocratic early politicians in the United States truly were. Negative attitudes towards immigrants, partisan judges, and biased press outlets abound. We live in strange times, but this novel made them seem a little less so, which was both depressing and comforting. You will not read this book and come away with the idea that anyone in it is a hero. But you might gain a renewed appreciation for a free press.
Scandalmonger is also interesting because of issues it brings up to a modern American. We prize our freedom of the press, but this novel really drives home how hard won that was, and how undemocratic early politicians in the United States truly were. Negative attitudes towards immigrants, partisan judges, and biased press outlets abound. We live in strange times, but this novel made them seem a little less so, which was both depressing and comforting. You will not read this book and come away with the idea that anyone in it is a hero. But you might gain a renewed appreciation for a free press.