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American Icon: A Novel
Finding amazing success as a publisher and domestic businesswoman, former model Kate realizes the cost of her triumphs when subsequent events lead to marital infidelities and a tragic accident. 30,000 first printing.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 15, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 11, 2018
If you like light reading and LifeTime American Movies, this book is for you.
And for the hundreds of us who don't, I'd suggest some other book.
The book is basically Martha Stewart, written by Danielle Steel, whose life is a lot more perfect than it should be. The book centers around Kate Haywood, Woman of the Year, the matriarch of a home and garden building TV empire. It's not exactly mentioned what organization gives her the award, but you just go along with it. She's not inspiring nor is she the perfect mother. The book is written with a sort of light airy frivilous white feminist perspective, where Kate's life is all too perfect. Everything is ruined when her literary agent leaves and divorces her. She confides in her daughter and a handsome sculptor. You can probably guess where it goes from there.
The book is a super fast light read - my english-as-a-second-language mother had this book on her bookshelf for quite some time. I got through this novel one afternoon when I broke down due to allergies. The novel is shallow and lacks any real conflict. Life has been too empty for Kate and thus she experiences all her minor troubles as unbearable. The novel could take better twists and turns. The book has potential to explore American fame, family, and the role of marriage, but it never gets deep. For something with such a powerful, I expected more coming in.
And for the hundreds of us who don't, I'd suggest some other book.
The book is basically Martha Stewart, written by Danielle Steel, whose life is a lot more perfect than it should be. The book centers around Kate Haywood, Woman of the Year, the matriarch of a home and garden building TV empire. It's not exactly mentioned what organization gives her the award, but you just go along with it. She's not inspiring nor is she the perfect mother. The book is written with a sort of light airy frivilous white feminist perspective, where Kate's life is all too perfect. Everything is ruined when her literary agent leaves and divorces her. She confides in her daughter and a handsome sculptor. You can probably guess where it goes from there.
The book is a super fast light read - my english-as-a-second-language mother had this book on her bookshelf for quite some time. I got through this novel one afternoon when I broke down due to allergies. The novel is shallow and lacks any real conflict. Life has been too empty for Kate and thus she experiences all her minor troubles as unbearable. The novel could take better twists and turns. The book has potential to explore American fame, family, and the role of marriage, but it never gets deep. For something with such a powerful, I expected more coming in.
March 28, 2008
Super fast light read - Martha Stewart meets Danielle Steel is how I would categorize it.
March 3, 2011
This book was an "okay" book. It wasn't bad but it wasn't great either.
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June 17, 2013This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews