Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker
by Jennifer Chiaverini
Publisher: Dutton Adult
Pages: 352
Format: book
Buy the Book: Amazon
Goodreads: In March 1861, Mrs. Lincoln chose Keckley from among a number of applicants to be her personal “modiste,” responsible not only for creating the First Lady’s gowns, but also for dressing Mrs. Lincoln in the beautiful attire Keckley had fashioned. The relationship between the two women quickly evolved, as Keckley was drawn into the intimate life of the Lincoln family, supporting Mary Todd Lincoln in the loss of first her son, and then her husband to the assassination that stunned the nation and the world.
Keckley saved scraps from the dozens of gowns she made for Mrs. Lincoln, eventually piecing together a tribute known as the Mary Todd Lincoln Quilt. She also saved memories, which she fashioned into a book, Behind the Scenes: Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House. Upon its publication, Keckley’s memoir created a scandal that compelled Mary Todd Lincoln to sever all ties with her, but in the decades since, Keckley’s story has languished in the archives. In this impeccably researched, engrossing novel, Chiaverini brings history to life in rich, moving style.
Kritters Thoughts: An educated free slave becomes Mrs. Lincoln's dressmaker, confidant and friend. Told through Elizabeth’s eyes, there is a new perspective on the Lincoln presidency and the impact that his decisions and the timing of those on the slaves in the United States.
I know there are many books on the Lincoln presidency and
now a Speilberg movie, so I was worried this book was going to be redundant and
not feel fresh, but I was wrong – using an outside character to tell the story
and where the story really impacts her life was a perfect way to see the
Lincoln presidency and the Civil War.
I absolutely adored that this story went beyond the moment
where President Lincoln was assassinated.
I had never heard Mary Todd Lincoln’s story beyond President Lincoln’s
last breath and the hurdles she had to endure as the country moved on without
her and her famous husband. To read
about her ups and downs after leaving the White House was so interesting, I
wouldn’t have minded if the author had inserted a chapter or two that told her
perspective before he was assassinated and after to give even more detail as to
who she was through it all.
There was a lag in the middle where I felt like the story didn't quite center around Elizabeth, but instead the bits of war that more focused on Mr. Lincoln and the Union. Once the details of war were complete, the story picked up in pacing and then I couldn't put it down.
A piece of historical fiction that although packed with information, read with ease.
Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This is one I have been curious about being a big fan of Lincoln
ReplyDeleteI really wanted to love this one, but I felt like Elizabeth didn't have a personality and was used solely as a lens through which to view Mrs. Lincoln. That's not to say that I didn't appreciate a closer and more balanced look at Mary Todd Lincoln though, as most media portrayals seem to focus on her eccentricities but don't see her as a multifaceted character.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI started reading the novel "Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker" by Jennifer Chiaverini, and began wondering what parts of the book were facts, and what parts were fiction. Therefore, I decided to lay that book aside for now, and read this book, "Behind The Scenes" an autobiography memoir by Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley, the dressmaker of Mrs. Lincoln.
I always enjoy reading autobiographies, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mrs. Keckley's account of her life as a slave and dressmaker. I didn't enjoy how she was treated as a slave, but it was an eyeopener for me. She was a brave lady, a hard worker, to the point that she worked long and difficult hours to make $1200 to buy her and her sons freedom out of slavery.
She was a close friend of the First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, and publishes many of the letters that Mrs. Lincoln wrote to her. It is a piece of history that otherwise would have been forgotten if not for this brave woman's decision to write about her life and the years she spent in the White House with the Lincoln's.
When Mrs. Keckley published this book in 1868, she was criticized severely. I, personally, view it as a piece of history that would have been lost if not for this brave woman's decision to publish the book. I'm sure at the time she needed the money, but that is the reason most people today write and publish books is for the money, isn't it? If you like books about history, I feel you would like this book, whether you agree with it or not.
This book is a part of my Nook library. I liked this book so I am awarding it 5*****
Now I'm back to reading "Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker" by Ms. Chiaverini.
I'm glad you enjoyed this book. Thanks for being on the tour!
ReplyDelete