Amy Bloom’s novel White Houses explores the intricate love story between journalist Lorena Hickok and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The book is inspired by a collection of letters exchanged between the two women, revealing the depth of their romantic relationship. Bloom skillfully delves into their private world and captures Hickok’s dry yet nostalgic wit.
The prologue sets the scene in 1945 as the former lovers reunite after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s death. Hickok fondly recalls the early days of their love, capturing Eleanor Roosevelt’s effusive manner and heartfelt declarations. The novel weaves between past and present, portraying different moments in their lives with vivid detail and engaging characters.
Bloom not only delves into the romance between the two women but also sheds light on Hickok’s remarkable life journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a successful journalist. The narrative portrays her resilience and the relationships that shaped her, including her time with a circus where she found kindness and understanding.
Through Hickok’s perspective as a writer, the novel explores Eleanor Roosevelt’s complexities, depicting her love for women alongside her struggles with jealousy and the dynamics of her marriage to FDR. The book also reflects on FDR’s charismatic yet flawed personality and his impact on those around him.
Despite societal expectations and risks of scandal, the characters embrace their love without shame, finding solace and joy in their relationship. As their story unfolds, the novel explores the reasons behind their eventual separation, leaving a lingering question about the nature of their breakup.
Overall, White Houses is a beautifully crafted novel that immerses readers in a poignant tale of love, resilience, and complexities of human relationships.
