Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker

By: Jennifer Chiaverini

Narrated by: Christina Moore

Length: 14 hrs

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling 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.

In Mrs. Lincoln’s 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.C. by outfitting the city’s elite. Keckley made history by sewing for First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln within the White House, a trusted witness to many private moments between the President and his wife, two of the most compelling figures in American history.

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.

©2013 Jennifer Chiaverini (P)2013 Recorded Books

Good Story

Interesting story from the perspective of a close friend of Mrs. Lincoln. Historically accurate. More truth than fiction. Elizabeth's story, is so much more appreciated today than when she lived it. What a difficult life Mrs. Lincoln lived, and it eventually had detrimental effect on Elizabeth while she sacrificed so much to be a good and protective friend. Heartbreaking.

Good history

Where does Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book rates in the upper 3/4 of my listening

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker?

History - the freedom of slaves, at least for a while! Also the friendship that was formed between a very lonely person and her dependable dressmaker.

What does Christina Moore bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A very good reader that makes you want to listen more. Her ability to emphasize important information but also to have a kindness and empathy in her voice.

If you could take any character from Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Elizabeth - I would like to learn her art from her, but also just sit and ask questions and listen to her experiences.

Any additional comments?

I think the author does her history research and homework very well before she starts writing.

Riveting, Compelling, Heartbreaking, Amazing

Would you listen to Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker again? Why?
Yes - Elizabeth Keckly's story is riveting, amazing - and true. Until reading Chiavarini, did not know that 'Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker' is rooted the story of an amazing women in one of the United States' darkest times.

What other book might you compare Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker to and why?
Twelve Years a Slave.

What does Christina Moore bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Christina Moore articulates each character effectively, narrating Chiavarini's Elizabeth Keckly with dignity and drama. Her firm tone and wonderful pace made made the story one I could not put down, and I walked and drove worked with this story in my ear, unwilling to let it go until story's end.

If you could rename Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker, what would you call it?
Needle in the Whitehouse

Any additional comments?
'Mrs Lincoln's Dressmaker' inspired me to my next read, Elizabeth Keckley's own memoir.

I am a history buff

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the historical back round of the book and it held my attention throughout I listened to it while I fell asleep at night and in the morning I would go back to the last thing I heard and listen from there. It was interesting and gave me an in depth look at the Lincoln white house. I feel that it is a great book and that all should listen to it or read it.

Two Worlds in one space and time ignite here!

Where does Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Quite High!

What other book might you compare Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker to and why?

The original book

What does Christina Moore bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Far too many to list.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Perhaps a few more than one.

Any additional comments?

Excellent listen with history and fiction.

Too much history

Would you try another book from Jennifer Chiaverini and/or Christina Moore?

Yes, I've read others by JC and loved them. This one I did not love. I'm a complete fan of historical fiction but this book seemed to drag on and on. I felt like I might as well pick up a text book.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Gave up and didn't get that far.

Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker has a name.

Where does Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favorites because it is based on a true story of a remarkable woman, who made a name for herself in a time, where not only people of color and women had little "show". she showed off her talents in the most beautiful of ways, through her art of sewing.

What did you like best about this story?

It was based on a true person in history.

What does Christina Moore bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her accent, her demeanor, her voice of reason.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Mrs. Lincoln's Dress maker had a name,

Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker

This book was a wonderful offering of a beloved historical account and a beautiful re-telling.

history at its best

A wonderful well written and researched book. The details are rich and you can almost smell and hear the sounds of that terrible time in our nation's history. I would have liked to have met both her and Mr. Lincoln.

Remarkable

This is a well written, historical novel based on a real person in America's history, Elizabeth Keckley, who was born a slave, and due to her diligence and grace, became dressmaker to the wealthy and powerful. The characters and events in the novel are well documented, but it is the 'fleshing out of the bones' of these facts that make it compelling.
This book reminds us that events and people in the temples of power in Washington D.C. haven't changed much: There was as much poison, corruption and games back in Lincoln's time as there is now. This also reminds us of the venom of white privilege that can alter and harm the events of history.
The book's narrator is Elizabeth Keckley herself, and she is eloquent, knowledgeable and gracious in her recounting her life. She was dressmaker primarily to Mrs. Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of the president and and controversial figure herself. Even today she is blasted as being 'insane,' she was not prepared for her role in politics, nor was she emotionally prepared for the slings and arrows of misfortune. She relied on Mrs. Keckley for emotional support as a friend, but rejected her when needs arose. Mrs. Keckley's life was not easy, and even in death she was not given the respect she deserved.
The reader of this book, Christina Moore, does a wonderful voice of Mrs. Keckley, as well as the voices of Mary Todd Lincoln. and President Lincoln. She even excels with the voices of the Lincoln sons. Very well done.