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Summary: A fine novel by one of our best living writers. A 5++
Review: I am convinced that Jane Hamilton is one of our finest living novelists. Her first two novels, The Book of Ruth and A Map of the World were magnificent. Her most recent book, The Short History of a Prince is in many respects her most ambitious. Her main character is Walter, a young man who must come to grips with his homosexuality and the fact that he is mediocre, at best, at ballet, the thing he loves the most. Hamilton tells the story in chapters which alternate between Walter's teenage years (at a time when his older brother, an "all-American" type, is dying of cancer) and his mid-thirties (when Walter has accepted his sexual orientation, but is still isolated from his family and alone). I must say that my usual reaction to "gay" themes in literature, and particularly scenes of physical love or affection, is that of many men, that of squeamishness. Hamilton, however, is such a strong writer that Walter as a character, his loneliness, and search for love (both physical and metaphysical) wholly won me over. This is a wonderful book, which I recommend to all readers of serious fiction.
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Summary: My book of 1998
Review: Her sensativaty and insight into homsexuality was brilliant done with humor candor. Her portrail of the "all American" family and the disintergration of it was outstanding.
Rating: 
Summary: A Short History of All of Us
Review: Although I agree with some of the reviews which find it difficult to believe that a family would gather as the one Hamilton describes, I found in the story a reminder of how often we take important relationships for granted. We become so busy in our little worlds in which we're resident royalty, that we forget to take a wider view. I'm glad I read this touching and gentle reminder
Rating:
Summary: Books like this are the reason I read.
Review: I think Jane Hamilton is the best author writing today. Her books are a pleasure to read and each one is unique. All of her books are on my all time favorites list and this is my favorite. I loved her characters, and she expressed more of her wit in this novel. I loved her discription and feeling of place, and the emotions and feelings connected with death.
Rating:
Summary: This was an amazing book
Review: I read The Book of Ruth and liked it a lot, but Jane Hamilton's empathy in The Short History of a Prince was simply amazing. She wrote about being a gay teen in a way that was true to life and also in a way that many gay male authors can't even begin to voice. This book is hopeful and beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Novel
Review: Jane Hamilton proves she is the "real thing" with her third novel. Once again all characters are fully realized and whole. The book deals excellently with denial then acceptance of the illness and death of a sibling and son and the long range impact of that on a family. It captures the warmth and love of an extended family as well as the dysfuctionality of that family. A book I couldn't put down.
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Summary: Don't listen to the negative reviews of this book!
Review: This is a beautiful book. I say this because I thought a lot about these characters and felt for them. How could you ever forget Susan's visit to Daniel's hospital bed while she's wearing a dress she got at Goodwill? The way in which Hamilton describes Walter's running to the taxi in his ballet tutu really tears at your heartstrings. I don't know about the other readers out there, but I was touched by these characters. I saw depth in his sister as well. Hey guys, she wasn't such an air head if she had the sense to say to Walter "I've been wanting to say that if you were ever sick, if you get sick, you know? If you couldn't take care of yourself and didn't have anyone? If that happened, you could come live with Marc and I." This is a story about the bonds between siblings as much as it is Walter's story. As for Walter, you'll just keep hoping for the best for him.
Rating:
Summary: A relatable story!
Review: This story was very hard to get into. I almost put it down through the first 100 pages. After you get through the first 100 pages, the story is wonderful. I could relate very well to the charcter. I as a gay teen, have felt and feel a lot of the things walter feels. My favorite part of the story is his obession with Mitch. I recommend the story as long as you can get through the first 100 pages.
Rating: 
Summary: third novel disappointing
Review: Jane Hamilton has written two superb novels as everyone knows, The Book of Ruth and A Map of the World. This new one is very disappointing. The "big wacky family" exists solely in books like this one. The story is blah, not one character really moved me or stayed in my mind. And the central character is dull, pretentious to the max, not believable at any age. He leads the dullest life of a gay man I have ever read in any book. The only interesting thing was his sexual hijinks at age 15, and there wasn't enought of that! This book really is like a third rate TV movie of the week, only without a real theme. Skip this one!
Rating:
Summary: I wanted to love this book
Review: "Map of the World" and "The Book of Ruth" are two of my favorite books. I was deeply impacted by both and they stayed with me for weeks, months after reading them. I couldn't wait for Jane Hamilton to write another. I'd go to the in-store computer at my local bookstore and search. Then at last I saw a release date for "A Short History of a Prince". Perhaps no novel could have lived up to the hype of my expectations. Maybe it's because the central characters in "Map" and "Ruth" are women, as am I, and "Prince" is about a man. Maybe it's because Alice and Ruth are both heterosexual, like me, and Walter is homosexual. I just could not connect with this book. It seemed to be going nowhere. I was genuinely moved by several individual moments in the work, but as a whole it just didn't work for me. And the ultimate resolution of the Lake Margaret problem seemed a bit facile, like something out of a made for TV movie. I won't stop anxiously awaiting Jane Hamilton's NEXT book, though.
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