My Theodosia (Paperback)

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Key Phrases: parted from the sea, Richmond Hill, New York, Colonel Burr (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Anya Seton’s portraits of Aaron and Theodosia Burr are alike vivid and credible. . . . The narrative is well sustained, and provides as background an entertaining account of the manners, the ways of living and traveling and entertaining followed during the early years of the 19th century.”  —The New York Times

Product Description

Anya Seton’s bestselling first novel, originally published in 1941, captures all the drama of the short life of Theodosia Burr (1783–1813).

            Theodosia’s father is Aaron Burr--Thomas Jefferson’s vice president, most famous for his great duel with Alexander Hamilton. With charm and tenderness, he 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 she will soon be crowned princess of the Kingdom of Mexico as a result of his treasonable plans, she is received like royalty on Blennerhassett Island, only to end up trying to exonerate him 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.

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Product Details Paperback: 432 pages Publisher: Chicago Review Press (September 1, 2007) Language: English ISBN-10: 1556527276 ISBN-13: 978-1556527272 Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #156,354 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
parted from the sea

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Richmond Hill, New York, Colonel Burr, South Carolina, Captain Lewis, Joseph Alston, Aaron Burr, Maum Chloe, Miss Burr, Timothy Green, Colonel William, William Algernon, Miss Prissy, The Indian, General Wilkinson, Waccamaw Neck, Sullivan's Island, New Orleans, General Hamilton, Luther Martin, Doctor Debow, The Patriot, East River, Lady Nisbett, Rose Hill

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	38% buy the item featured on this page: My Theodosia 3.9 out of 5 stars (10) $10.17
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	13% buy The Winthrop Woman: A Novel 4.6 out of 5 stars (35) $10.85

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Customer Reviews

10 Reviews 5 star:  (3) 4 star:  (4) 3 star:  (2) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 3.9 out of 5 stars (10 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 24 of 26 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars I just love Anya Seton!, June 22, 1999 By A Customer This review is from: My Theodosia (Hardcover) I read this in high school, this tragic tale of the ill-fated daughter of former vice- president Aaron Burr, and wife of Govenor Joseph Alston, Theodosia Burr Alston, who is said to haunt a beach in South Carolina. In 1812 Theodosia was on a ship that went down off the coast of North Carolina. The bodies of all the others lost at sea washed up, but hers was never found. It never ceases to amaze me how well Anya Seton can take historical facts, and blend with them just enough drama to make them readable, but not innacurate. You will not be able to put it down. 16 of 17 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars A solid first outing for Seton, August 11, 2007 By  Misfit (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)       This book tells the story of Aaron Burr and his daughter Theodosia (Theo). I have to admit I didn't recall much of Burr from history class outside of the duel with Alexander Hamilton. At the start of the book Theo is 17 and Burr is vice president of the United States. Burr plots to have Theo married to the wealthy but uninteresting Joseph Alston of South Carolina. Burr needs some of that money to cover his debts and also the power of the Alstons to gain him political support in the south. The relationship between Burr and Theo is closer than most father/daughter relationships and Burr is able to manipulate Theo into his increasingly risky and treasonous schemes that distance her ever further from any satisfying relationship she might forge with her husband, and her greatest joy in life is her young son. There are lots of well known names in the story as Theo interacts with them -- Washington Irving (a minor character), Meriwether Lewis (sigh!), Dolly Madison, Alexander Hamilton and more. I love the way she sets her scenes and writes the various dialects, it's like you really hear them as they would be spoken. Her characters could have been fleshed out better, there is so much subject material in the Burr story and it's twists and turns that could be turned into a gloriously fat and meaty work of historical fiction. Writers out there -- HINT HINT HINT. Be advised that if you read up on Aaron and Theo on the internet prior to finishing the book you will end up with some spoilers on your hands. However, do look Theo up afterwards and the legends surrounding her mysterious disappearance and the strange ghost that haunts a Carolina shore. Lastly, I was very glad there was not another forward by Philppa Gregory. The one she wrote for Devil Water and the way she obsessed about the too close relationship between father and daughter really irked me to no end. 12 of 13 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but not as gripping as some of Seton's other works, March 21, 2007 By  Ryner (Chaska, Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews This review is from: My Theodosia (Mass Market Paperback) Theodosia Burr is the smart, adoring, seventeen-year-old daughter of Aaron Burr, who was vice-president at a time when one attained the office by being the runner-up in a presidential election. Thus, the president, Thomas Jefferson, is actually his political rival. Having run into both political and financial hardship, Aaron arranges for Theodosia to marry Joseph Alston, a wealthy but unattractive and dull Carolina planter. Shocked that her father would be desperate enough to send her to such a fate, but resigned, Theodosia goes willingly and begins her life at The Oaks, Joseph's plantation. A son brings her boy joy and pain, as does a clandestine relationship with Meriwether Lewis who, along with William Clark, is about to embark on his famous exploration into the unknown western territory. Theodosia's ultimate fate is suggested at the end of the book, although the reality is that it is still a mystery. This book appears to be out of print, which is unfortunate as Anya Seton is very talented and has become one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. I didn't enjoy this work quite as well as some of her others, but it's definitely worth a read.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars A good read This was a gift for a friend and she loved the story and also the history. She is lending it to everyone she knows. Published 6 months ago by Sharon A. Meyer 5.0 out of 5 stars Anya Seton afficionada Love this book-couldnt put it down. Kept wondering how much was true and blown away by fact of her feeling for Merriwether Lewis. Read more Published 8 months ago by N. delaski 4.0 out of 5 stars My Theodosia I enjoyed the read. I learned a lot about Aaron Burr and the lifestyles of different regions in the early days of our nation. Theodosia's story is a sad one. Read more Published 22 months ago by Marian Straight 4.0 out of 5 stars THE TRAGIC LIFE OF AARON BURR'S DAUGHTER... Having read this well-written book many years ago and having thoroughly enjoyed it, I decided it was time to pay an old friend another visit and re-read it. Read more Published on September 22, 2007 by Lawyeraau 2.0 out of 5 stars almost good It is very obvious to the reader that this is Anya Seton's first book. There are indications here that she will eventually by a wonderful writer, but I would not qualify this as... Read more Published on March 19, 2005 by Emily 4.0 out of 5 stars ANOTHER OLDIE BUT GOODIE... Having read this well-written book many years ago and having thoroughly enjoyed it, I decided it was time to pay an old friend another visit and re-read it. Read more Published on September 20, 2003 by Lawyeraau 3.0 out of 5 stars Theodosia Actually, Theodosia haunts a stretch of beach between Cape Hatteras and Nags Head, North Carolina, on the beautiful Outer Banks. Read more Published on January 1, 2001 by Jennifer Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556527276
• ISBN-13: 978-1556527272
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #156,354 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I just love Anya Seton!, June 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: My Theodosia (Hardcover)

I read this in high school, this tragic tale of the ill-fated daughter of former vice- president Aaron Burr, and wife of Govenor Joseph Alston, Theodosia Burr Alston, who is said to haunt a beach in South Carolina. In 1812 Theodosia was on a ship that went down off the coast of North Carolina. The bodies of all the others lost at sea washed up, but hers was never found.

It never ceases to amaze me how well Anya Seton can take historical facts, and blend with them just enough drama to make them readable, but not innacurate.

You will not be able to put it down.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid first outing for Seton, August 11, 2007

By	Misfit (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This book tells the story of Aaron Burr and his daughter Theodosia (Theo). I have to admit I didn't recall much of Burr from history class outside of the duel with Alexander Hamilton. At the start of the book Theo is 17 and Burr is vice president of the United States. Burr plots to have Theo married to the wealthy but uninteresting Joseph Alston of South Carolina. Burr needs some of that money to cover his debts and also the power of the Alstons to gain him political support in the south. The relationship between Burr and Theo is closer than most father/daughter relationships and Burr is able to manipulate Theo into his increasingly risky and treasonous schemes that distance her ever further from any satisfying relationship she might forge with her husband, and her greatest joy in life is her young son.

There are lots of well known names in the story as Theo interacts with them -- Washington Irving (a minor character), Meriwether Lewis (sigh!), Dolly Madison, Alexander Hamilton and more. I love the way she sets her scenes and writes the various dialects, it's like you really hear them as they would be spoken. Her characters could have been fleshed out better, there is so much subject material in the Burr story and it's twists and turns that could be turned into a gloriously fat and meaty work of historical fiction. Writers out there -- HINT HINT HINT.

Be advised that if you read up on Aaron and Theo on the internet prior to finishing the book you will end up with some spoilers on your hands. However, do look Theo up afterwards and the legends surrounding her mysterious disappearance and the strange ghost that haunts a Carolina shore. Lastly, I was very glad there was not another forward by Philppa Gregory. The one she wrote for Devil Water and the way she obsessed about the too close relationship between father and daughter really irked me to no end.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but not as gripping as some of Seton's other works, March 21, 2007

By	Ryner (Chaska, Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Theodosia (Mass Market Paperback)

Theodosia Burr is the smart, adoring, seventeen-year-old daughter of Aaron Burr, who was vice-president at a time when one attained the office by being the runner-up in a presidential election. Thus, the president, Thomas Jefferson, is actually his political rival. Having run into both political and financial hardship, Aaron arranges for Theodosia to marry Joseph Alston, a wealthy but unattractive and dull Carolina planter. Shocked that her father would be desperate enough to send her to such a fate, but resigned, Theodosia goes willingly and begins her life at The Oaks, Joseph's plantation. A son brings her boy joy and pain, as does a clandestine relationship with Meriwether Lewis who, along with William Clark, is about to embark on his famous exploration into the unknown western territory.

Theodosia's ultimate fate is suggested at the end of the book, although the reality is that it is still a mystery. This book appears to be out of print, which is unfortunate as Anya Seton is very talented and has become one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. I didn't enjoy this work quite as well as some of her others, but it's definitely worth a read.