Thanks to the Broadway smash-hit Hamilton, people left and right are quickly becoming History Buffs to find more juicy details about our Founding Fathers. Fanfictions and fan art about these historical figures have just about taken over the internet, offering new ideas and theories to the life of Alexander Hamilton.
But while reading things created by fans is fun and intriguing, fans have also been eager to get their hands on official material involving the story, such as a famed biography by Ron Chernow, and the infamous Hamiltome, written by the musical creators themselves. But now there’s one book in particular that has appeared and is quickly becoming a staple in the collection of official Hamilton literature, and that is ‘The Hamilton Affair’ by Elizabeth Cobbs.
As expected, this is a historical fiction story solely about the relationship between Alexander and Eliza. It offers points of views from both sides of the couple, starting from their childhood and giving brief glimpses into particular events that will affect them in the future, such as Alexander’s mother dying.
Even though they don’t meet one another until a nearly halfway through the book, this tactic allows people from both ends of the spectrum to enjoy the book and know what’s going on. Fans of Hamilton can easily recognize the names and faces, and those who haven’t seen or listened to the musical (yes, they do exist) can learn more about Alexander, Eliza, and their families without having a history lesson shoved down their throats.
The story slowly builds their relationship, starting from cute and smitten lovebirds to a devoted but still flawed couple. There are many light-hearted scenes between them that will make your heart flutter, such as Alexander revealing his status to Eliza, and watching the two ice skate together in the winter.
And unlike the musical, the book is allowed to be a bit more historically accurate without any songs holding them back. In fact, a more entertaining aspect about this book for Hamilton fans is that the chapters can be measured by songs. If you lose your place, just remember that you stopped at ‘Say No to This’ or ‘Stay Alive’. And yes, there are a few itty bitty references to the musical hidden among the text, but they are hardly distracting.
The book also gives a bit more of an identity to figures that musical was unable to incorporate, such as the multiple Hamilton children, and the rest of Eliza’s family, such as her parents and brothers, expanding the universe of Hamilton even more.
There are some who may complain that the other significant figures in Hamilton’s life are glossed over, and yes, that is true. Figures such as John Laurens, the Marquis de Lafayette, Angelica Schuyler, and Aaron Burr only appear or are mentioned once in awhile (sorry shippers, no Laurens/Hamilton here). But that’s because the story isn’t about Alexander’s relationship with them, it’s about his relationship with Eliza, which is arguably the most important relationship in his life as she is the reason that Alexander was remembered at all.
Despite knowing what's coming at the end, like the musical, it's worth the pain.
So, if you still have Hamilton stuck in your head, don't feel like reading a plain biography, want to read the story of Hamilton from a different perspective, or just want to read a cute love story about one of the best couples of the 1700s, you should definitely give this book a read. There’s enough substance for both fans and nonfans of the musical to enjoy it.
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll go "aaaawwwwww!" and you will greatly enjoy it! Don't throw away your shot and give it a try; that would be enough.
