My Theodosia

Pages: 432
Published: 1941
Language: English

In this historical novel by the author of Green Darkness, Theodosia’s romantic life is controlled by her domineering father, the infamous Aaron Burr. Anya Seton’s best-selling first novel, originally published in 1941, captures all the drama of the short life of Theodosia Burr (1783–1813). Her father, Aaron—Thomas Jefferson’s vice president, most famous for his great duel with Alexander Hamilton—holds sway over young Theodosia’s heart. But his arrogance forces her to choose between the man he insists she marry and her love for a young soldier who will turn out to play a decisive role in her father’s fate. Persuaded by Aaron that through his treasonable plans she will soon be crowned princess of the Kingdom of Mexico, she is received like royalty on Blennerhassett Island, only to end up trying to exonerate her father as he awaits trial in a Richmond jail, repudiated by his fickle son-in-law and friends. Theodosia remains a haunting figure in American history, still lovely, still imperious, never vanquished.

Prose complexity: 7/10

Emotional Tense Melancholic Thought-Provoking

Forbidden Love Betrayal Family Saga

Historical Fiction History

Anya Seton

Ann Seton was born in New York, and died in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. She was the daughter of English-born naturalist and pioneer of the Boy Scouts of America, Ernest Thompson Seton and Grace Gallatin Seton-Thompson. She is interred at Putnam Cemetery in Greenwich. Her historical novels were noted for how extensively she researched the historical facts, and some of them were best-sellers. Dragonwyck (1941) and Foxfire (1950) were both made into Hollywood films. Two of her books are classics...