Booth
This is not a novel about John Wilkes Booth.
In her author’s note at the beginning of the book, Fowler makes clear that this work on the entire Booth family was inspired by yet another American mass shooting. Wondering how the shooters’ families deal with the monstrous acts of someone they’ve loved, Fowler began thinking of the Booth family. There were ten children, six of whom survived to adulthood, including John Wilkes. Throughout, she seeks to answer the question: “What is it like to love the most hated man in the country?”
Beginning in 1822 and following the Booth family through the infamous days of 1865, Fowler tells the family’s story through the points of view of three of the older siblings, Rosalie, Asia, and Edwin. Rosalie, bent and crippled by an unknown condition, possibly scoliosis, who resents never being allowed to leave the nest. Asia, who dreams of grandeur and adventure, and Edwin, who struggles to break free from his famous father’s shadow and become an accomplished actor in his own right. Through it all, they watch the descent of their beloved little brother, John Wilkes, into madness. Try as they might, John Wilkes refuses to listen to any facts that contradict his worldview and latches onto conspiracy theory after conspiracy theory.
Interspersed with the siblings’ points of view are historical asides explaining what was happening politically in the nation at the time and how so few of the issues underlying the Civil War have been resolved. Quotes from Abraham Lincoln show his increasing despair and depression during the war and seem to predict his own assassination.
Booth is a sad, astonishing, and beautifully written look at a complicated, secretive family that failed to save one of their own from himself. Highly recommended.
