The Hamilton affair A novel

*Starred Review* Can't get tickets to Hamilton, the megahit Broadway musical? Don't despair, check out Elizabeth Cobbs' finely tuned fictional biography of one of America's most intriguing yet vastly underrated Founding Fathers. Born on the Caribbean Island of St. Croix, the illegitimate Hamilton survived impoverishment, the death of his beloved mother, and a devastating hurricane before emigrating to New York at the age of 16. Determined to better himself, the über-intelligent Hamilton attended King's College (Columbia University), where he excelled as both a student and as a leader. Hamilton's close relationship to George Washington, his friendships and conflicts with his fellow revolutionaries, and the rise and fall of his political star are all detailed, but it is his courtship of and marriage to the beautiful, vivacious Elizabeth Schuyler, a member of one of the oldest and most distinguished colonial families, that serves as the centerpiece of Cobbs' page-turning historical novel. Cobbs paints a portrait of a love so deep it was able to survive betrayal and a devastatingly public scandal. The focus alternates between Alexander and Elizabeth as their tempestuous tale unfolds in all its triumph and tragedy. Hamilton's true story is so fantastical, it is amazing that it has taken this long to transform his life and times into a national sensation.--Flanagan, Margaret Copyright 2016 Booklist

Cobbs's (Broken Promises) second novel is a fictionalized biography that will appeal to both biography fans and general fiction readers. Cobbs's tale of Alexander Hamilton's life concentrates mostly on his wooing of future wife Elizabeth Schuyler. But it's when he is contemplating the future of a newly independent nation and questioning the morality of mankind that the story feels most alive. Beginning in 1768 and ending in 1854, the novel alternates chapters from Alexander's and Elizabeth's point of view, beginning with their respective childhoods, their first meeting, their life in the public eye, and ending from Elizabeth's perspective after Alexander's death. Nearly 100 years is a lot of ground to cover, leaving little time to dwell on the emotions of pivotal moments such as Alexander and Elizabeth's wedding or the death of George Washington. Still, the politics of the time are easy to follow, even for non-historians, and Cobbs's depiction of Hamilton will endear him in the hearts of readers and shed light on one of the most misunderstood figures in American history and the woman who shared his life. Agent: Jim Donovan, Jim Donovan Literary. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

According to historian and author Cobbs (American Umpire; Broken Promises), this novel of the Hamiltons has been five years in the making. It's a happy coincidence that aligns its publishing so perfectly with the Broadway sensation. Despite its title, this novel takes on much more than just the notorious scandal in which Alexander Hamilton found himself blackmailed by his mistress Maria Reynolds and her husband. Rather, it follows Alexander's rise to fame from bastard son and Elizabeth Schuyler's privileged upbringing, their rather sweet courtship and the sordid affair that threatened their marriage, and Alexander's untimely death in a duel, all set against the backdrop of the American Revolution. There's a lot of ground to cover here, and that strain shows. While she can write quite well and has a great feel for the period, Cobbs has an odd habit of building up to a momentous scene, then skipping the event entirely. With a tighter focus or a different structure, this may not have been quite so noticeable. As is, this can make for a disorienting and choppy experience. Verdict While this work can sometimes be a frustrating read, interest in the Hamiltons should bring this title an audience.-Liz Kirchhoff, Barrington Area Lib., IL © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.