Author: Jennifer Close
Published: July 19th 2016 by Knopf Publishing Group
Format: Hardcover, 310 pages
Genre: Fiction
Throughout this book, I was reminded of the television series “Seinfeld”, a show that was about nothing. This book, “The Hopefuls” is about nothing. It is a bland telling of twenty something’s wanting to make it in DC politics and losing sight of themselves and their marriage along the way.
Beginning somewhere in the 2000’s, when Obama is on the rise, narrator Beth chooses to leave her beloved New York for Washington, DC when her husband takes a new job. They develop a rather strange, and at times, incestuous relationship with Texans Jimmy and Ashleigh Dillon. Over the next four years, the couples are inseparable as both husbands, using each other when necessary, strive for their next high profile job.
Things come to a head when Jimmy is tapped to be the next Texas Railroad Commissioner (thankfully Ms. Close describes how this job has nothing to do with the actual railroad) and asks Matt to be his campaign manager.
Where once the lines were drawn, and now with Beth and Matt living in the Dillon’s basement, hostilities begin and egos are getting in the way. There is too much alcohol, marriages are in trouble, and people are not getting the attention or atta-boys that they need. Life in the political spotlight is not what Beth had envisioned and it is tearing everyone apart.
The funny thing, politics was never what Beth wanted. She had always envisioned a quiet life with a family and becoming an author. By the end of the book, you can see Matt gathering a second wind. He moved to this new neighborhood with an alter motive, unfortunately, Beth noticed this just a little too late.
Beginning somewhere in the 2000’s, when Obama is on the rise, narrator Beth chooses to leave her beloved New York for Washington, DC when her husband takes a new job. They develop a rather strange, and at times, incestuous relationship with Texans Jimmy and Ashleigh Dillon. Over the next four years, the couples are inseparable as both husbands, using each other when necessary, strive for their next high profile job.
Things come to a head when Jimmy is tapped to be the next Texas Railroad Commissioner (thankfully Ms. Close describes how this job has nothing to do with the actual railroad) and asks Matt to be his campaign manager.
Where once the lines were drawn, and now with Beth and Matt living in the Dillon’s basement, hostilities begin and egos are getting in the way. There is too much alcohol, marriages are in trouble, and people are not getting the attention or atta-boys that they need. Life in the political spotlight is not what Beth had envisioned and it is tearing everyone apart.
The funny thing, politics was never what Beth wanted. She had always envisioned a quiet life with a family and becoming an author. By the end of the book, you can see Matt gathering a second wind. He moved to this new neighborhood with an alter motive, unfortunately, Beth noticed this just a little too late.
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