St. Barts 2020 #7 - I love Edith Wharton....so, by default I have also discovered and thoroughly enjoy Louis Auchincloss, not only a biographer of hers, but a follower in her literary footsteps. I have always been intrigued by the opulence and extravagant lifestyles of the turn of the century super-rich, and thus love both of these writers. Next on my list of Auchincloss books to read (i read them order of publish date - i know - uber-geek!) was 'Watchfires' but the tag on the cover 'A Novel of the Civil War' just kept me away.....i wanted New York high society, not the Civil War. But when vacation time comes around, i just start grabbing from my 'next to read' list and make a nice pile and mail the box so my books are waiting there when i arrive, and this got put on the pile. Well surprise of all surprise....this is a novel of the Civil War.... High Society New York.DURING the Civil War and beyond! So my reluctance was unfounded.

The characters are not stellar, and there are few if any that i felt i really liked. It is not Auchincloss's best, but certainly gave some insight into the political tone of the time of Lincoln and Johnson. And most striking of all, is how little things change ever....no matter how much political clamor there is today about the divisiveness in our current climate and the claims that it 'has never been this terrible', this book about the Civil War era written in the early 1980s brings to light that it is just the way our system is built....political.....and its constant presence, be it glorious, distasteful or anywhere in between, also encourages and supports our longevity. Imagine turning the page to a new chapter in the book and confronting an in-depth discussion of the shocking impeachment proceedings of then-President Andrew Johnson taking place in Washington, and the disruptful impact it had on society as a whole as citizens tried to wade through a thoroughly political process (by design)....trying to decide which side they were on....was the President's conduct totally appropriate??? Did it rise to the level of High Crimes and Misdemeanor? Did the house do a good job of making the case? What will the Senate ultimately do? I am reading all of this as i prepare to head back home to the U.S. 3 days prior the beginning of the Senate Impeachment trial of President Trump. The similarities are unbelievable and the context that it creates is almost.....comforting...... in that things are basically still just marching along as they were designed to in the very beginning, and that bedrock of constancy is one of out greatest assets. I love literature and fiction!! And even more so, I am amazed at how often random ignorant book choices i make to read are so very often unbelievably relatable to something timely and significant in my life and the world around me! ( )

A look at society in New York during the commencement of the civil war. What is evident is that the book was written in the 1980's as it infuses women with some power and independence and allows the wife of the protoganist to become involved in the abolitionist movement and the underground railway. ( )