Dear George, Dear Mary: A Novel of George Washington’s First Love
I couldn’t wait to begin the story of the ill-starred romance between the young, striving George Washington and Mary Philipse, a New York heiress, especially when I read that the book was based heavily on primary sources. Unfortunately, this novel, inspired by the author’s curiosity about a mansion in her native city of Yonkers, failed to live up to my expectations.
While George, seen here long before he achieved fame and glory, is an intriguing character, I never warmed to Mary, here portrayed as the quintessential poor little rich girl who can’t enjoy even a game of shuttlecock without tragedy ensuing, nor did I feel any chemistry between the lovers. I never really understood the motivations of the villain of the story, James Jay, nor was I convinced by Calvi’s explanations for why the lovers allowed themselves to be separated so easily, especially since the author insisted on giving them a last-minute opportunity to reconcile.
There are some redeeming qualities here: an occasional flash of wit, and some vivid descriptions, especially of Mary’s home. Unfortunately, they only leave the reader longing, like the protagonists, for what might have been.
