'Advise and Consent' by Allen Drury is a political thriller set in the 1950s that delves into the intricate workings of the US Senate during a time of Cold War tensions. The novel follows the confirmation process of Secretary of State nominee Robert Leffingwell, exploring themes of corruption, blackmail, and the moral dilemmas faced by politicians. Drury's writing style is described as suspenseful and detailed, capturing the political drama with a mix of wit and realism.

Characters:

Characters are portrayed with moral complexity, facing personal and ideological struggles, though some gender portrayals are dated and underdeveloped.

Writing/Prose:

Drury's writing style is characterized by dense, formal prose that is at times lengthy and intricate, employing traditional dialogue while introducing complexity with similar character names.

Plot/Storyline:

The novel's plot involves the intricate Senate confirmation process for a controversial Secretary of State, revealing complex political maneuvers and personal crises as characters confront moral challenges.

Setting:

Set in the U.S. Senate during the Cold War, the novel reflects the political tensions and cultural dynamics of the 1950s.

Pacing:

Pacing is initially slow, especially in the early chapters, but shifts to become more engaging and faster as the plot unfolds.

When Bob Munson awoke in his apartment at the Sheraton-Park Hotel at seven thirty-one in the morning he had the feeling it would be a bad day. The impression was confirmed as soon as he got out of bed...

Notes:

Advise and Consent won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1960.

The novel has over 600 pages and is known for being dense and lengthy.

It presents a behind-the-scenes look at the Senate confirmation process for a Secretary of State.

The main character, Bob Leffingwell, faces allegations of having a communist past during the Cold War.

Drury keeps political party affiliations vague throughout the novel, focusing on character issues instead.

The book touches on timeless themes of personal integrity versus political expediency.

Key characters include a manipulative President and various flawed senators, each with their own agendas.

The novel was adapted into a film in 1962 starring Henry Fonda and other notable actors.

Drury wrote five sequels to Advise and Consent, expanding on its themes and characters.

The style of Drury's writing reflects the formal conventions of the time, which some readers find slow or tedious.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book explores themes of political corruption, emotional distress, and historical injustices regarding sexual orientation.

From The Publisher:

The #1 New York Times bestseller and Pulitzer Prize winner

Allen Drury's Advise and Consent is one of the high points of 20th Century literature, a seminal work of political fiction-as relevant today as when it was first published. A sweeping tale of corruption and ambition cuts across the landscape of Washington, DC, with the breadth and realism that only an astute observer and insider can convey.

Allen Drury has penetrated the world's stormiest political battleground-the smoke-filled committee rooms of the United States Senate-to reveal the bitter conflicts set in motion when the President calls upon the Senate to confirm his controversial choice for Secretary of State. This novel is a true epic showing in fascinating detail the minds and motives of the statesmen, the opportunists, the idealists.

From a Senate old-timer's wily maneuvers, a vicious demagogue's blistering smear campaign, the ugly personal jealousies that turn a highly qualified candidate into a public spectacle, to the tragic martyrdom of a presidential aspirant who refuses to sacrifice his principles for his career-never has there been a more revealing picture of Washington's intricate political, diplomatic, and social worlds. Advise and Consent is a timeless story with clear echoes of today's headlines.

Includes Allen Drury's never-before-published original preface to Advise and Consent, his essay for the Hoover Institution on the writing of the book, as well as poignant personal memoirs from Drury's heirs.

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Advise and Consent

Allen Drury

Book 1 in the series:Advise and Consent