Name: The public burning
ISBN: 0802135277

Robert Coover

The public burning

Melody Izard

The Public Burning is a curious mix of fact and fiction whose characters include: Betty Crocker, Jack Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, the Marx Brothers, Mamie and Ike Eisenhower, Billy Graham, and starring Dick Nixon, Uncle Sam, The Phantom and Ethel and Julius Rosenberg. The story of America’s extreme fear of communism during the 50s and the execution of the Rosenberg’s (the only American civilians to be put to death for espionage) is told primarily through Vice President Nixon, (who is depicted to be an almost likeable character). Uncle Sam (a combination of Samuel Clemons and Yosemite Sam with just a smidgen of Daffy Duck) makes regular appearances to encourage Nixon to make sure the Rosenberg’s execution is carried out and to warn him to be on the lookout for The Phantom (who represents the threat of communism). 

I must say, reading the book was not unlike running a marathon for me. I almost returned it to the library without finishing it several times, but talked myself out of it. I fought with Coover’s writing style and humor but hung in there, determined to read every last page. There were enough interesting things mentioned along the way that caused me to stop and look them up to see if they were fact or fiction (and I discovered there is a surprising amount of fact in the book). This contributed to the time it took for me to finish the book because I would become curious about something and then it involved tracking down quotes by Bull Conner or reading about Abel Meeropol, (who wrote the song “Strange Fruit” and later adopted the orphaned Rosenberg children) or determining if Eisenhower was really ever struck by lightning or reminding myself what Mamie looked like. There were several passages that were laugh-out-loud funny but for the most part I trudged along, determined to make it to the end. But after I finished I decided I liked it. I wanted to discuss it, learn more about the Rosenbergs, and reread paragraphs. So even if I didn’t enjoy the actual reading of it, I’m very glad I read it. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions about my marathon running attitude.

The public burning

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