I, Eliza Hamilton

Starred review from August 28, 2017
Scott (The Countess and the King) stands to capitalize on the popularity of the Broadway hit Hamilton with this story of the founding father’s wife, Elizabeth Schuyler, who proves not only a passionate guardian of her husband’s home and children, but a protector of his legacy. “Love is not easy with a man chosen by Fate for greatness,” Eliza writes at the opening of this novel, and Scott expertly handles the complex history and complicated romance, moving the personal and political plots briskly. The story follows Eliza’s head-over-heels love of the ambitious, gifted Alexander, through a marriage tested by his boundless energy and attraction to beautiful women, including Eliza’s talented and vivacious sister, Angelica; the grueling fight between the well-equipped British and ragtag Continental armies; the foundering Federalist union; and, finally, the emergence of a new nation after the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. “I will see that he receives all the honor that is his due, and that he will always be remembered by the country he loved and served so well,” Eliza writes five years after Alexander was killed in a duel with political rival Aaron Burr. Readers will be captivated by the affecting portrait Scott has painted of Eliza as an American patriot who was witness and counsel to Alexander’s enduring legacy and a heroine tested by his romantic recklessness. “What you dismiss as gallantry might be perceived as more by others.... Think of how openly he flirts even with me,” Angelica warns Eliza. Yet Eliza acknowledges only the “true and lasting brilliance” of a husband who saw his own valor mirrored in her. “You crave liberty and have no more patience with injustice or tyranny than I,” he tells her, even as she realizes “that these dreams and glories exact a terrible price.”

September 15, 2017

When she first meets Alexander Hamilton, a young aide-de-camp to Gen. George Washington, Elizabeth "Eliza" Schuyler knows he's destined for great things. A passionate courtship against the backdrop of the American Revolution leads to a loving marriage, but Alexander's ruthless ambition and lapses in judgment repeatedly threaten the pair's domestic happiness. Prolific historical fiction novelist Scott (The King's Favorite; Royal Harlot) tells the story of the famous couple's relationship as well as of their involvement in shaping the fledgling Republic. The Hamiltons are undeniably a hot topic right now thanks to the Broadway smash Hamilton, and Scott's detailed picture of Eliza will likely be of great interest to fans curious about the history that inspired the show. The novel suffers somewhat from uneven pacing, with the couple's early years described in much greater detail than their crucial last few years, particularly the build-up to Alexander's famous duel with Aaron Burr. VERDICT Scott's devotion to research is evident, and those who enjoy learning about history through fiction should find this to be a rewarding take on a fascinating historical couple.--Mara Bandy Fass, Champaign P.L., IL

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2017
Elizabeth Schuyler was 20 when she met up-and-coming Alexander Hamilton. Scott begins her novel with that 1777 meeting and ends it with Hamilton's death in 1804 in a duel with Aaron Burr. In between, Eliza's narration depicts a strong and loving marriage, with herself as Hamilton's confidante and advisor. She stands by her man even as she is frustrated by his tendency to dedicate himself to politics instead of spending more time at home with her and their children and even in the wake of the notorious Reynolds affair, the culmination of years of rumors about Hamilton's fondness for baser pursuits. Based on solid research, Scott's novel is packed with political and historical as well as domestic details. Eliza is a relatable narrator, though Hamilton himself, seen through the eyes of a worshipful wife, remains elusive. Too much of the book reads more like a competently written and conventional autobiography than a work of fiction, but the current Hamilton craze may spark interest.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)