OVERVIEW
This is the first book by Sharon Moon that I have read and her first historical fiction novel. I can see many more historical fiction novels in her future.
The novel is based on a husband and wife who worked for FDR at the White House before his first inauguration until he died in 1945. The wife seemingly gains the trust of FDR and begins sharing letters that she receives from Black Americans (called Negro during this time and in this novel). Slowly, but surely some change begins and then WWII breaks out.
TRIGGER WARNING: Alcohol abuse, lynching discussions, physical and verbal violence
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars
Writing: 4.0 stars
Shana writes really well.
But at times, current language usage slipped in the dialogue. Additionally, everyone spoke perfect English which would not be the case for undereducated staff. It made it ring less true to me.
Character development: 3.5 stars
The main characters are FDR, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mac (FDR's valet), and Lizzie (FDR's maid).
The secondary characters are the many staff members, primarily Black, who worked in the White House.
The tertiary characters were political advisors and politicians.
Again, many characters in the storyline were not developed fully. They, however, were necessary for the detailed storyline.
My real issue was that the relationship between Mac and Lizzie was not deeply detailed. Lizzie was who the novel was about, not FDR. It felt as if it was heavy on FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt instead of Max and Lizzie.
Storyline: 4.0 stars
Mac serendipitously gets a job working for FDR as a valet when he was in Georgia as Governor of New York. Then Mac and Lizzie got jobs at the White House after his first inauguration and worked there until FDR's death.
Since this is a work of fiction, it is unclear what is fact versus fiction. An Author's Note would have been helpful for reference citations and to elaborate on the fictional part of this novel.
Did Lizzie do all of what is written in this novel? I don't know, but I will research Mac and Lizzie.
The main locations were Atlanta/Hot Springs, Georgia; Hyde Park, New York; and Washington DC.
Memorable/Informative: 4.5 stars
I was clueless about how difficult Black Americans, especially men, had it in all parts of the county. I had believed, incorrectly, that lynchings only occurred in the South. Our country was a mess until the Civil Rights Act, but it is backpedaling to the 1950s again.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Lovely!!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Good choice!
DEFINITE recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
NetGalley ARC (eARC/ebook)
Let Us March On by Shara Moon
384 pages
William Morrow
FUTURE release date of 2/4/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
