The Traitor's Wife

 Synopsis

Everyone knows Benedict Arnold-- the Revolutionary War general who betrayed America and fled to the British-- as history's most notorious turncoat. Many know Arnold's co-conspirator, Major John Andre, who was apprehended with Arnold's documents in his boots and hanged at the orders of General George Washington. But few know of the integral third character in the plot: a charming young woman who not only contributed to the betrayal, but orchestrated it.

Socialite Peggy Shippen is half Benedict Arnold's age when she seduces the war hero during his stint as military commander of Philadelphia. Blinded by his young bride's beauty and wit, Arnold does not realize that she harbors a secret: loyalty to the British. Nor does he know that she hides a past romance with the handsome British spy John Andre. Peggy watches as her husband, crippled from battle wounds and in debt from years of service to the colonies, grows ever more disillusioned with his hero, Washington, and the American cause. Together with her former love and her disaffected husband, Peggy hatches the plot to deliver West Point to the British, and, in exchange, win fame and fortune for herself and Arnold.

Told from the perspective of Peggy's maid, whose faith in the new nation inspires her to intervene in her mistress's affairs even when it could cost her everything, The Traitor's Wife brings these infamous figures to life, illuminating the sordid details and the love triangle that nearly destroyed the American fight for freedom.

Loved

• The man behind the treason! Although this story is fictionalized, it is based on facts, and much of the actual unfolding of the Arnolds' treason is indicative of how the events really played out. I think most of us, or at least I, have always thought of Benedict Arnold as a snake who was sneaky and conniving. But he was actually a war hero who had sacrificed much for his country and received little in return. He was passionate, brazen, and hearty, and beloved by many Americans. Seeing his personality in this story really brought him to life, making him more of a conflicted, disillusioned (and possibly mistreated) veteran rather than the slithery villain history makes him out to be. 

• The woman behind the treason. Again, I had never thought about Benedict Arnold's family or what may have motivated him to turn to the British. But turns out his young, seductive wife is just as responsible for the treason as Arnold himself. Peggy Shippen is a fascinating character of history, and though she may not have been quite the villainess portrayed in this story, she was sure fun to hate. I don't know how more people don't know about Peggy, because her story is so interesting as she manipulated, seduced, and charmed everyone around her to get what she wanted- and ended up getting away with her treason until after her death. 

• Clara's perspective. I love that the author chose to tell Peggy's story through the perspective of her maid, Clara. Clara is Peggy's perfect foil- although they look alike, Clara is every bit as sweet, honest and naive as Peggy is cunning, deceptive, and manipulative. Seeing Peggy's story unfold through Clara's eyes gives the story a fresh, hopeful, and patriotic perspective that Peggy's perspective could not have portrayed.

• The historical setting. I am a huge sucker for American history, and I just love gleaning anything about life during the Revolution. Although the servants' lives were fictionalized in this story, it is a good representation of what it would have been like for servants, as well as socialites like Peggy during this time period. I also savored having celebrity appearances from Washington, Hamilton, and Lafeyette during the story (especially because I'm still majorly obsessed with Hamilton the musical :)

• The romance. Although Clara's romance is very secondary to the major plot of the story, I thought it was adorable and gave me Anne and Gilbert vibes, which is my favorite romance of all time! The sweetness of the romance was a refreshing complement to Peggy's seductive and at times salacious romantic escapades.

Didn't Love

• I absolutely loved this story and wouldn't change anything about it!

Content

• Language: 
• Occasional uses of "damn," "hell," and "bastards."

• Sexual content: 
• Peggy and Major Andre have some suggestive encounters. They exchange a lot of banter filled with innuendo and suggestive comments about her figure, his desire for her body, etc. In one scene they lay together in the grass and he puts his hands up her skirt as they kiss passionately.
• Peggy and Arnold exchange suggestive banter before and after their marriage. She seduces him to bed a few times during their marriage when she is trying to manipulate him, and uses innuendo to incite him. In one scene she entices him to bathe with her, and a scene takes place with them both in the water naked together. Mentions her doing something under the water that makes him flush.
• Some sweet kisses between Clara and her love interest.

• Violence
• Many mentions of battles and men dying, wounded, and starving.
• Bombs are dropped on Philadelphia, but doesn't talk about blood or injuries.
• Shots are fired on British ships, but no death mentioned.
• Woman slaps her maid and at one point threatens to shoot her.
• Mentions of a traitor being hanged.
• Very small amount of violence for a war story!

Overall Thoughts

I bought this book years ago because I was interested in the history behind Benedict Arnold and especially his wife-- and then the book sat on my shelves for five years. My only complaint about this book is that I didn't read it earlier! This history behind this story and this infamous treason is fascinating, especially because so few people know the role Peggy played in her husband's betrayal. The story is written seamlessly, and seeing the events unfold through Clara's eyes gives the story hope and patriotism that would not have been possible if told through Peggy's perspective. Although this is a work of fiction, I think it's a must-read for anyone who enjoys learning about the Revolution, and I want more people to know Peggy's story because it truly is shocking and intriguing. I highly highly recommend this to any historical fiction lovers out there!