Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker: A Novel
This compelling historical novel unveils the private lives of Abraham and Mary Lincoln through the perspective of the First Lady’s most trusted confidante and friend, her dressmaker, Elizabeth Keckley who had been born a slave. A sweeping historical novel, Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker illuminates the extraordinary relationship the two women shared.
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Community Reviews
My simple advice - pass on this novel.
It's not poorly written, I don't want to be entirely negative; however, it is incredibly dull. It really should have been titled Mary Todd Lincoln's Life as Observed by her Dressmaker. This novel had such potential to bring to life a person from history - several persons from history - and it just falls flat. I was actually bored reading this book. The narrative lacks depth - for historical fiction there is no characterization, no connection, no development of the plot. It's a textbook - plain and simple.
In a nutshell: This book is set amid the start of the Civil War as Abraham Lincoln comes into the Whitehouse. It's 1861 and Mrs. Lincoln will need a dressmaker to fill her closet with appropriate styles for her new position as first lady. Elizabeth Keckley is selected from a variety of modistes that apply for the job - her ability to create a frock that is exquisitely for its wearer is beyond reproach. She becomes not only her "designer," but also her "ladies maid" (to borrow a term from the British) and her confidante because apparently everyone hated Mary Todd Lincoln (not quite heard it told that way before). And that's pretty much it.
While the women become far closer to one another than employer/employee, the novel lacks the intimacy that this relationship should inspire. We learn, yet again, the struggles of the Lincoln family, only this time it's through the limited narrator of Ms. Keckley and from what I can tell in this novel, wasn't keen on the observation. I wanted more from their friendship - I was left feeling empty and bland.
It has a rating of 3.43 on Goodreads - and I should have looked first. Rarely do I find a book rated less than 4 stars that I like - those numbers don't lie folks.
I give this ☕☕ because I respect the research done to write this novel, but then again - I could have learned most of this from Wikipedia in a far shorter amount of time. This was bland enough for me that I won't be tempted to check out any of her other novels. Her Elm Creek Quilts series does seem to have an impressive following so I may give that a go - but there are other series to read right now. #cozymysterieslove
If you want to read a truly gripping novel about The Civil War check out Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy by Karen Abbott - that is a great book!
It's not poorly written, I don't want to be entirely negative; however, it is incredibly dull. It really should have been titled Mary Todd Lincoln's Life as Observed by her Dressmaker. This novel had such potential to bring to life a person from history - several persons from history - and it just falls flat. I was actually bored reading this book. The narrative lacks depth - for historical fiction there is no characterization, no connection, no development of the plot. It's a textbook - plain and simple.
In a nutshell: This book is set amid the start of the Civil War as Abraham Lincoln comes into the Whitehouse. It's 1861 and Mrs. Lincoln will need a dressmaker to fill her closet with appropriate styles for her new position as first lady. Elizabeth Keckley is selected from a variety of modistes that apply for the job - her ability to create a frock that is exquisitely for its wearer is beyond reproach. She becomes not only her "designer," but also her "ladies maid" (to borrow a term from the British) and her confidante because apparently everyone hated Mary Todd Lincoln (not quite heard it told that way before). And that's pretty much it.
While the women become far closer to one another than employer/employee, the novel lacks the intimacy that this relationship should inspire. We learn, yet again, the struggles of the Lincoln family, only this time it's through the limited narrator of Ms. Keckley and from what I can tell in this novel, wasn't keen on the observation. I wanted more from their friendship - I was left feeling empty and bland.
It has a rating of 3.43 on Goodreads - and I should have looked first. Rarely do I find a book rated less than 4 stars that I like - those numbers don't lie folks.
I give this ☕☕ because I respect the research done to write this novel, but then again - I could have learned most of this from Wikipedia in a far shorter amount of time. This was bland enough for me that I won't be tempted to check out any of her other novels. Her Elm Creek Quilts series does seem to have an impressive following so I may give that a go - but there are other series to read right now. #cozymysterieslove
If you want to read a truly gripping novel about The Civil War check out Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy by Karen Abbott - that is a great book!
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