Pitoniak doles out Lara’s back story in elegant, gulpable chapters ... Pitoniak braids timelines to create a portrait of a woman torn between two countries, two belief systems, two selves. And she confidently gallops through the turbulent Russian-U.S. chronology ... The result is an elegant and well-paced 'thriller' — I put this in quotes, because even the tensest moments put you down gently — that doesn’t wrestle much with its own provocative premise ... could be a wry bit of satire or a cautionary tale. It could be read as an examination of the unspoken treaties between politicians and their profilers. It could even comment on how first ladies (especially those born outside of the United States, of which Melania Trump was only the second in history) are treated by the press. But ultimately, it’s more like Emily in Paris meets Scandal — fantastic fun if a bit frivolous.
... twisty ... this fast-paced combination of thriller, Cold War history and sharp commentary on making one's way in the world as a woman stands on its own ... Pitoniak expertly evokes the tense atmosphere of Cold War-era Europe ... With sharp observations on everything from D.C. insider politics to the mundane details of family life, Our American Friend is both an engaging feminist thriller and a meditation on the ways history often surprises even the people who make it.
Readers will gasp at revelations that resound with the truth of recent headlines ... Pitoniak, whose earlier novels deftly depicted the conflicted lives of young professionals, portrays Sofie’s challenges in bold yet sympathetic colors ... Viewers who followed the TV series The Americans will recognize and enjoy its thrilling hallmarks in this exciting novel about the erstwhile first couple.
Pitoniak has glazed current events with an intriguing veneer of fiction, letting readers accompany Sophie on an enthralling journey into the life of one of the most powerful women in the world ... xploring interpersonal loyalties and the difference between cowardice and patience, the well-researched and twist-filled Our American Friend is a natural next-read for fans of Curtis Sittenfeld, A. Natasha Joukovsky, and Stacey Swann.
Pitoniak’s characters may sound familiar, but the author takes them in imaginative directions as she explores and expands upon their memories and motives and the moments in which, as they weigh individual sacrifice for greater good, their decisions change the trajectories of their lives. And although the book traffics in espionage-saga tropes...and Pitoniak ultimately wraps things up perhaps too prettily, it’s fun to pick up the clues and piece together the truth about Lara Caine, Sofie, and those with whom they interact ... This lively political thriller mulls love, loyalty, and the rewards of playing the long game.
... tepid ... The narrative alternates between Lara’s reminiscences and Sofie’s efforts to make sense of her claims, with little tension and a cast of rather stock characters, though Pitoniak’s account of palace intrigue has its entertaining moments. This will keep readers turning the pages, but it’s not particularly thrilling or deep.
