Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini - Blog Tour, Book Review and Giveaway

I received a free copy of Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker from TLC Book Tours for my honest review.

About the Book:

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Plume (September 24, 2013)

Jennifer Chiaverini departs from her New York Times bestselling Elm Creek Quilts series to debut her first stand-alone novel, MRS. LINCOLN’S DRESSMAKER. This compelling historical novel unveils the private lives of the Lincolns from the time of their rise to White House glory, through the President’s shocking assassination and its tumultuous aftermath, until the end of Mary Todd Lincoln’s troubled life—all told from the perspective of the First Lady’s most trusted confidante and friend, her dressmaker Elizabeth Keckley. A New York Times bestseller, MRS. LINCOLN’S DRESSMAKER (Plume / September 24th / $16.00) is now available in paperback from Plume.

The Lincolns have been immortalized in countless works, but Keckley’s story has really been told only once—and that was in her own controversial memoir, published in 1868. Meticulously researched as well as highly imaginative, MRS. LINCOLN’S DRESSMAKER brings an all but forgotten piece of history back to life.

Born into slavery, Elizabeth Keckley earned freedom for herself and her son by the skill of her needle. She moved to Washington, DC, where she quickly made a name for herself as the city’s most talented dressmaker. It didn’t take long for Washington’s political and social elite to take notice of her intricate designs, flawless needlework, and the flattering fit of her dresses. After moving into the White House, Mrs. Lincoln called upon Keckley to be her personal modiste—but she soon became much more. A devoted friend, Keckley supported Mrs. Lincoln through political scandal, the loss of a child, her husband’s assassination, and her eventual descent into poverty.

About the Author:

Jennifer Chiaverini is the author of the New York Times bestselling Elm Creek Quilts series, as well as five collections of quilt projects inspired by the novels. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the University of Chicago, she lives with her husband and sons in Madison, Wisconsin.

Connect with Jennifer on her website,elmcreek.net, and on Twitter @jchiaverini.

My Opinion:

I must admit to not knowing about Elizabeth Keckley prior to reading this novel. What a fascinating person to use as the basis for a historical novel. Born into slavery but with a talent for sewing that enabled her to buy herself and her son into freedom. She moved to Washington, D.C., just as the Union was breaking up but not before making dresses for the likes of Mrs. Jefferson Davis and Mrs. Robert E. Lee. As those ladies left with their husbands she was introduced to the new first lady, Mary Todd Lincoln. That began long relationship that went beyond client and dressmaker.

The novel is rich in history and for those with a knowledge of the Civil War-it’s battle, the personalities of the generals, the politics of the times – the book will be read with that certain foreknowledge rather like having read the ending before you have finished the tale. For those not initiated into the details of this horrific War it will not over educate you but just provide a basic play by play of important events. I’ve done a lot of reading about this period in history and I do think it made the story richer.

The title is a bit of a misnomer if you ask me. It’s really more Mrs. Lincoln’s story than it is Mrs. Keckley’s. In that I was a touch disappointed. The story bookends with Mrs. Keckley’s life but the bulk of the tale belongs to the First Lady. I knew that Mrs. Lincoln had issues but was surprised to learn what I did about her. It was an interesting read and from what I understand it was heavily drawn from Mrs. Keckley’s own book. It was by no means a page turner but it was a fascinating look at a woman who defied a system determined to keep her as property at a time when women were barely thought to be capable of more than keeping house, let alone a woman of color. Bravo to Elizabeth Keckley – at least for a while – for becoming a woman of influence and power in her community. It’s a sin that she died in near poverty and lapsed into almost obscurity.

Rating:
3.5

You can see the Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker Tour Schedule

You can purchase Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker on Amazon.com

The Giveaway:

One lucky reader (US/Can) will win a copy of Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker. How do you win? It’s easy – just hop on the Rafflecopter. Good luck everyone.

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Disclosure: I received a free copy of Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker from TLC Book Tours for my honest review. I received no compensation for this post.

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Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini – Blog Tour, Book Review and Giveaway

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