Thoughts On The Omarosa Manigault-Newman Tapes

In 2003, the world was introduced to The Apprentice and one of the show’s most memorable contestants, Omarosa Manigault-Newman.

When you know who was elected President nearly two years ago, he claimed to have “the best people” working for him. Among those he hired was Omarosa. Last December, she was fired and this week, she has been promoting her new book, Unhinged: An Insider’s Account of the Trump White House. One of her accusations against her former boss (surprise, surprise) is that he is both racist and sexist. His response (again, no surprise there) is to discredit her via his favorite social media platform.

As I read about the accusations coming from both ends, I can’t help but argue from both sides of the accusation, as much as I would prefer not to.

A cynic would say that Omarosa is a disgruntled ex-employee who is using her more than extended 15 minutes of fame to promote her book. She also knew that when she recorded the tapes from the Situation Room, that it was a breach of security protocol.

However, any citizen with half a brain also knows that the man known as President Of The United States is both racist and sexist. He routinely sends dog whistles to whose who believe that America should be dominated by those who are Caucasian and Christian (and male by extension).

While I have not yet read the book, I have a feeling that the battle between what is truth and what is “alternative facts” will continue until you know who leaves office.

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The It Girls: A Novel Book Review

For many, the relationship with their sibling, especially the relationship between two sisters can be both tenuous and loving simultaneously.

The relationship between sisters Elinor and Lucy Sutherland is detailed in the 2017 novel, The It Girls: A Novel. Written by Karen Harper, the girls grew into women whose lives remained parallel while going in different directions. As an adult, Elinor wrote a series of novels under her married named, Elinor Glyn. Even though her books were popular, they also were scandalous for the era. Lucy became one of the hottest fashion designers of her era while maintaining her status as noblewoman under her married name, Lucy, Lady Duff-Gordon.

But while Lucy and Elinor have professional success that few women of their era would have, they also dealt with personal trauma. While Elinor’s books were full of passion and romance, her art did not imitate her real life. As Lucy climbs the professional ladder, her personal life is left behind.

I really enjoyed this book. Not only because I am anglophile and a history nerd, but because this book is well written and entertaining. As a writer myself, I appreciated Ms. Harper balancing the historical facts about her characters with novel that does not feel like a bland rehashing of the lives of her subjects. I also appreciated the relationship between the sisters that never wavered, even when they were apart.

I recommend it.