The splendid torments: A novel

by Margaret Culkin Banning

242 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read my aunt's autographed copy of this book. She and the author were both from Duluth, and there was a copy of Banning's obituary tucked in the back. I was immediately drawn in by the writing style and the feeling that the story was relevant even after almost 50 years. It was interesting to go back to the Nixon era and its upheavals, with parallels to our own time. I was disappointed, however, that the more dominant theme turned out to be romantic -- the struggles of a political wife, tempted by the attentions of a handsome man who is less inclined to put his job first.

[John Pitcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I related to this on several levels. At first, I didn’t think I was going to like it, but eventually it pulled me in. It also showed me that our government hasn’t changed a whole lot over the last 50 years because a lot of the politicians hold office that long. If we want change in our government we need to change the people running it.

[Diane Wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Margaret Culkin Banning, RDC-M #4, 1976, 11/84. Okay