The Hamilton Affair by Elizabeth Cobbs

Amy   

historical fiction

I read The Hamilton Affair by Elizabeth Cobbs for book club and we timed it so that we could read it before Hamilton the Musical comes to town. I didn’t know much about Alexander Hamilton before reading this novel. I found parts of his story interesting (his childhood, his drive to make something of himself, his intelligence, his stupidity, his bravery, his family life with Eliza) but much of it dealt with stuff that doesn’t interest me (war and politics). The novel itself felt clunky in the telling as it jumped through important points in his life, was sometimes too textbookish, and sometimes too mundane. The best section, with the most compelling storyline and clearest writing, was when Eliza returned to her parents’ house after the Reynolds’ Pamphlet was published. Other than that section, the book never grabbed me. I didn’t know what to expect of Hamilton's story but this wasn’t really it. I’m amazed that a musical about his life has been so successful. I had just assumed that his life story was more spectacular somehow. Instead, he was misrepresented and slandered, never seemed to get the respect he deserved and craved, was always fighting an uphill battle in almost every aspect of his life, and died too soon. It doesn’t seem like material for a successful Broadway production which makes me want to see the musical all the more. I'm intrigued to discover how this story could be presented in such an impactful manner on stage.