Lincolns dressmaker is a wonderful noveljennifer chiaverini has researched her history well, and writes elegantly and formally. New york times bestselling author jennifer chiaverini s 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. After the presidents assassination, keckley created the mary todd lincoln quilt and also a scandalous memoir. The smithsonian museum has the dress mary wore to her husbands second inauguration. Chiaverini brings to life longforgotten snapshots of americas past with style, grace and respect. Lincolns dressmaker new york times bestselling author jennifer chiaverinis compelling historical novel unveils the private lives of abraham and mary lincoln through the perspective of the first ladys most trusted confidante and friend, her dressmaker, elizabeth keckley. Jan 28, 20 an example of what jennifer chiaverini does so well in her enlightening new historical novel, mrs. Facilitator, barbara fisler, had questions for small groups that dealt with war, race relations, discrimination, and friendship. Lincolns dressmaker jennifer chiaverine, 20 penguin group usa 384 pp.
The characters are poorly developed, especially mrs. Lincolns dressmaker is a wonderful novel that covers many topics surrounding the events of the 1860s in washington and the following decades any reader interested in president lincoln, civil war history, or historical fiction should love this book. Lincolns dressmaker an absorbing standalone historical novel. Lincolns dressmaker a talented seamstress and savvy businesswoman, she catered to washingtons socialites. The public felt this was a violation of privacy and mrs. Jun 20, 2018 the all good books group will meet this thursday, june 21, 2018 to discuss mrs. Elizabeth lizzy keckley, a freed slave in washington, d. Louis postdispatch all the characters are brilliantly written, and readers will enjoy getting to know them. Dust jackets a book club of extraordinary sophistication. Although this book was interesting, it was a frustrating.
Discussion questions book club recommendationsdiscussion. Lincolns dressmaker by jennifer chiaverini goodreads. Its subject matter the friendship between elizabeth hobbs keckley, seamstress and former slave, and her patron, mary todd lincoln is intriguing and has such potential, unfortunately the story suffers in the execution. Our club had a great discussion on this book regarding the two main characters as they were portrayed in this book compared with other accounts about mary todd lincoln. Taking readers through times of war and peace as seen through the eyes of an extraordinary woman, the author brings civil war washington to vivid life through her meticulously researched authentic detail. In 1860, fortytwoyearold elizabeth keckley moved to washington city the presentday washington, d. Lincolns dressmaker helps to illuminate the path on which her long and remarkable life led her. Lincolns dressmaker, written by jennifer chiaverini, and published. Lincolns dressmaker illuminates the extraordinary relationship the two women shared, beginning in the hallowed halls of the white house during the trials of the civil war and enduring almost, but not quite, to the end of mrs. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. The story of elizabeth keckley, formerslaveturnedmrs. Participants will read the book and then join on a lively discussion via zoom meeting space. Chiaverinis book is based on the memoir of elizabeth keckley, a former slave who bought her own freedom and rose to become mrs. Mrs lincoln whose upbringing contrasted with a slave girl who bought her freedom and was able to earn enough to support herself and others.
Lincoln s dressmaker the new york times bestselling author of mrs. Keckley made history by sewing for first lady mary todd lincoln within the. Books are available at ouray bookshop, at a 25% discount for book club participants. Lincolns dressmaker, occurs late in the book, when a newly widowed mary todd lincoln shares a letter of condolence from queen victoria with her dressmaker, a former slave named elizabeth keckley. In the springfield, illinois, museum, elizabeth is a figure behind mary, who is in a dress described in the book. Lincolns dressmaker by gregorylibrary see profile 021914. Lincolns dressmaker by jennifer chiaverini about the book new york timesbestselling author jennifer chiaverini illuminates the extraordinary friendship between mary todd lincoln and elizabeth hobbs keckley, a former slave who won her freedom by the skill of her needle, and the friendship of the first lady by her devotion. Elizabeth was born into slavery, raped by her white master, and betrayed by her husband. Lincolns negative example that the only way to redeem oneself from scandal was to live an exemplary life every day thereafter p. Lincoln s dressmaker illuminates the extraordinary relationship the two women shared, beginning in the hallowed halls of the white house during the trials of the civil war and enduring almost, but not quite, to the end of mrs. In a life that spanned nearly a century and witnessed some of the most momentous. Lincoln s sisters unveils the private lives of president abraham lincoln and his wife, mary todd lincoln, through the eyes of the first lady s most trusted confidante and friend in this compelling historical novel. Lincolns dressmaker takes readers through the entirety of the civil war with the lincoln family filling the background and keckleys story in the foreground.
The perspective is thirdperson and emphasizes the historical and real over image and gossip. The novel paints a broad picture of what it must have been like to live in america during that age, and revisits the lives of the remaining members of the former. For lovers of historic fiction, be forewarned, mrs. Lincolns dressmaker, occurs late in the book, when a newly widowed mary todd lincoln shares a letter of condolence from queen victoria with. Well meet at the community of christ mission road congregation 7842 mission road, prairie village, ks in the church library. The book covers the daily lives and challenges of ordinary americans, including former slaves who struggled to make a living and washington elites whose names we still know. Lincolns dressmaker, elizabeth observed washingtons elite and the character and philosophy of the president. New york times bestselling author jennifer chiaverinis compelling historical novel unveils the private lives of abraham and mary lincoln through the perspective of.
Lincoln and elizabeth both suffer terrible tragedies. Lincoln s dressmaker by gregorylibrary see profile 021914. Lincolns dressmaker, new york times bestselling author jennifer. Lincolns dressmaker complement and add to the portrait of president lincoln in the recent, oscarwinning film lincoln. I read this back in october for book club and while i appreciate learning about elizabeth keckley and. Lincolns dressmaker by jennifer chiaverini reading. Join us for a virtual book club hosted by weehawken and ouray bookshop. Lincolns dressmaker by jennifer chiaverini audiobooks.
Apr 24, 20 the story of elizabeth keckley, formerslaveturnedmrs. Lincolns dressmaker, written by jennifer chiaverini, and published in 20 has sold well. Lincolns dressmaker is heavy on the history and much lighter on the fiction. The author is known for her elm creek quilts books, which focus on the civil war era. When you began reading the novel did you think that. Lincoln s dressmaker by jennifer chiaverini all six of us were able to meet at marcia s lovely home on tuesday, august for a meal and book discussion. Marcia had prepared a tuna salad that appealed so much to all of us that we had her share the recipe with us. The all good books group will meet this thursday, june 21, 2018 to discuss mrs. Lincolns dressmaker, novelist jennifer chiaverini presents a stunning account of the friendship that blossomed between mary todd lincoln and her seamstress, elizabeth lizzie keckley, a former slave who gained her professional reputation in washington, d. Eventbrite first ladies national historic site national first ladies library presents virtual book club.
Presents a fictionalized account of the friendship between mary todd lincoln and her dressmaker elizabeth keckley, a former slave. Dust jackets, the book club of dresher and oreland, pa, began on october 1, 2001 with a meeting that focused on tom brokaws the greatest generation. Jan 15, 20 from the intimate domestic circles of the political elite, a dressmaker witnesses the upheavals of 19thcentury america. Lincolns dressmaker, an enthralling historical saga that recreates the danger, romance, and sacrifice of an era and brings to life one courageous, passionate americanmildred fish harnackand her circle of women friends who waged a clandestine battle against hitler in nazi berlin. The story of first lady mary todd lincoln and lizzie keckley, a former slave who became mrs.
720 587 345 142 1265 511 144 441 637 900 776 1522 28 508 958 985 33 1206 1391 204 1359 969 1227 1459 883 1257 560 248 1149 669 809 580 1163 45 625 1464 1045 266 1257 1239