Mount Vernon Love Story: A Novel of George and Martha Washington (Hardcover)

by Mary Higgins Clark (Author) "IT WAS A WINDSWEPT, RAW MARCH MORNING and the city looked bleak and dreary as it shivered under the overcast sky..." (more)
Key Phrases: Mount Vernon, George William, Colonel Washington (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Originally published in 1969 under the title Aspire to the Heavens, this slim, muted historical romance is the long-out-of-print debut by America's reigning queen of suspense. As the quasi-biographical novel opens, George Washington is preparing to attend the inauguration of his successor, John Adams; Clark, employing inelegant but efficient transitional techniques (Adams's "rather flat nasal voice seemed to become more clipped and sharp-toned.... It became his mother's voice"), quickly moves the narrative back to George's boyhood. The temporal seesaw continues as she juxtaposes George's trials (his mean mother, his unrequited love for a friend's wife) and triumphs (his land acquisitions, his bravery in battle) with his reflections on the state of the union in the novel's 1797 present. But her focus remains on the domestic (a French and Indian ambush at the Monongahela River in 1755 is rendered with far less care and credibility than scenes of George's skill on the dance floor) and the emotional (George's "mantle of leadership" concerns him much less than the naughtiness of his stepson). What passes for a driving narrative force is George's slow transfer of affection from the beautiful, charismatic Sally Carey to the small, "pretty widow" Martha (known as Patsy) Custis he married, and then the growing bond between "my old man" and "my dearest Patsy." Though it can be argued that Clark's tale is neither sufficiently historical nor romantic and it's definitely "not a suspense story," as Clark allows in a brief prefatory note this is a light read that completists will devour, and that Clark's other fans may appreciate simply because it's a different bill of fare.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Clark launched her career in 1968 with this historical romance, published as Aspire to the Heavens. The plot follows George Washington as he exits the White House after his presidency. Clark is more interested in Washington the husband than the nation's leader, and this focuses on his sometimes bumpy marriage to Martha. Higgins has the Midas touch, so even though this isn't a thriller, fans will want to read it.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (June 18, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743229878
• ISBN-13: 978-0743229876
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #694,252 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting biography, June 20, 2002

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

George Washington's father died when the future president was young. His mother was a harsh disciplinarian insuring George and his siblings behaved. George seemed to flee her whenever he could get away spending time at his half-brother's Mount Vernon home (yes - that historical home). George's first love is Sally Fairfax and his chosen profession surveyor, but war seemed to be his destiny. First he fought (unsuccessfully) during the French and Indian War and then the American Revolution.

This biography uses Washington's retirement to Mount Vernon with his beloved Patsy (Martha's nickname) as a focal point for looking back over the lives of the first president and his spouse. The book concentrates on his personal life not his public life. Thus, readers see another side to Washington. Though opinions are interspersed throughout, mystery suspense thriller writer Mary Higgins Clark provides a strong insightful look at Washington and literally the first "First Lady" that historical readers will enjoy.

Harriet Klausner

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Washington Goes to Mount Vernon, June 22, 2004

By	Eric A. Klee "gapkid" (Charlotte, NC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Mount Vernon Love Story : A Novel of George and Martha Washington (Mass Market Paperback)

Having recently visited Mount Vernon on vacation, I was very interested to read "Mount Vernon Love Story" by Mary Higgins Clark since I assumed it would lead into further insight of the relationship between George and Martha ("Patsy") Washington. Not only did it delve deeper into their relationship than was learned on the visit to their home, but it also provided a deeper insight into the history of the United States.

The book's chapters alternate between the beginning of George and Martha's relationship and the end of his presidency. It's a very clever way of storytelling, and each chapter leads into the next with grace, bouncing between time.

I must admit that this is the first book I've ever read by Mary Higgins Clark, so I am not familiar with her writing style. And I am sure that this book of history is quite different from her mystery books. It is her first book, however, and it shows.

The love story in the title is more the love of Mount Vernon -- the home, the grounds, the idea of it, etc. -- than the love story between George and Martha Washington. It's about the growth of Mount Vernon and the love its owners and visitors had for it. And why they couldn't stop being excited returning to it day after day.

Although I wasn't that drawn into the book and the romance between George and Martha, it was intriguing to learn some details about the Washingtons' lives. I especially enjoyed the chapter involving George introducing Martha to his domineering mother for the first time. Here, I felt drawn into the characters and loved the interaction between them. George tries to keep his temper in place over his mother's criticisms while Martha calms him down with her gentle touch. Unfortunately, this type of character development did not seem to continue through the rest of the book.

It was definitely an enjoyable read, but I guess I was hoping for something more.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected but still very good, June 18, 2002

By	Kristen (Colorado) - See all my reviews

I read this book under it's original title of "Aspire to the Heavens" and was pleasantly surprised. I picked it up expecting a suspense story by my favorite author and found instead a well written tale about the relationship between George and Martha Washington. The era is well researched and the Washington's relationship is human and believable.
My only complaint about the book is it seemed somewhat short to me. I found myself wanting more. I felt like certain events were glossed over and could have been woven into the plot more.
Still, it's an excellent read and a major departure from the "Queen of Suspense".