Rodham: A Novel Summary
Curtis Sittenfeld

Rodham: A Novel Overview

Curtis Sittenfeld’s novel Rodham explores an alternate universe in which Hillary Rodham does not become Hillary Rodham Clinton. The novel, written as a personal memoir, begins with Hillary giving her Wellesley commencement speech in 1969, looking out at her graduating class, and considering her destiny. She meets Bill Clinton at Yale, and they quickly fall in love. But instead of marrying him, they split up and go their separate ways. Hillary Rodham charts her own path, showing the reader what could have happened to Hillary Rodham, had she not married Bill. However, her path is not easy or straightforward, and her life in public service is rampant with sexism and unfair media bias. This novel, based on the real lives of Hillary and Bill Clinton, explores the themes of sexism, service, and the intersections of personal and political.