No, First Family by David Baldacci is not another book about Barack Obama. It is an exciting thriller that begins with a kidnapping and ends with an extremely shocking revelation about the moral weight of power.
Initially, I was not too thrilled to find that Sean King and Michelle Maxwell were the main characters in this book because in their previous book, Simple Genius, I thought they were slightly stereotypical. However, in First Family I thought Mr. Baldacci did a great job of fleshing both of them out. I won’t spoil anything for you, but I will say that we finally get an opportunity to learn more about Michelle Maxwell’s haunted past that played such a large role in Simple Genius.
Speaking of the characters, another interesting aspect of First Family was that I found the antagonists to be more interesting than the protagonists. Mr. Baldacci gives the reader a chance to understand why the evil doers are so obsessed with going forward with their evil plans and, in my opinion, the back story behind the antagonists is more interesting than the protagonists. But maybe I’m just a fan of the underdog.
Overall, First Family may be my favorite David Baldacci book so far! There were multiple plots, extensive back stories, and gritty, complex characters (even they were the antagonists). If you haven’t picked up a David Baldacci book in a long time (more maybe you never have, GASP!) I highly recommend buying a copy on April 21.
Rating: 9 out of 10
7 comments ↓
I agree with evrything except for the characters in “Simple Genius.” I don’t think that the characters were stereotypical. It is actually one of my favorite books. I am an avid reader and writer and Sean & Michelle are my all time favorite characters. First Family quickly became another favortie. I bought it on the 21st and finished it on the 22nd. I couldn’t seem to put it down.
Thanks for your comments Danielle.
But, seriously, don’t you think Sean & Michelle’s flaws are a little too convenient? It seems to me that they just have silly personality issues that barely casts a shadow on their perfect loyalty and devotion to America and each other.
Bordered on cheesy sometimes, but hey, I still give it 9 out of 10. It didn’t bother me THAT much.
Honestly, I think that characters end up in certain situations because of their flaws,” just as as it happens in real life. Characters are meant to be dynamic and we should not nessisarily be able to difine them from the very beginning, but there is so much to a person or character that their personalities are limitless, and just as we saw in “First Family”, it was very easy to pull away from that cheesy factor. Sometimes life is predictable and sometimes its not.
I give it an 10 : )
David Baldacci has done it again after the novel ‘Simple Genius’. Released in the year 2009 ‘First Family’ reached the number one position on The New York Times Bestsellers List. The two secret agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell were featured for the first time in Simple Genius. Baldacci is considered as the best producing thriller novel with his latest effort ‘ First Family’. It brings forward the complex plot which involves lot of action and drama in the lives of the President, First Lady and their extended family. A totally gripping crime thriller about a high prolific American family with multiple plots, gritty and complex characters. A book with a real page turner from the beginning to the end. Although the story ends with lot of twists, surprises, subterfuge and chilling climax.
Hi – great book but can someone please tell me whether I’m being totally stupid or not. Did I dream that Tippi Quarry had a sister, Susan, who was estranged from her father? She was mentioned at least twice (and a photo mentioned) but at the end (I won’t spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read it!) then why didn’t she surface, or be contacted or investigated tetc etc??? Please help!
a must read book…
Awesome book just love the way Baldacci presents the story
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