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

Interesting Perpective

Any additional comments?

Mostly true story offers a chance to learn more about the Lincoln family, especially Mrs. Lincoln, and what is was like for a successful former slave living in 'Washington City' during the civil war.

mom2_10

I enjoyed this book. Have some realistic insight into the private life of the President and his family. The narrator was easy to listen to as well.

scenes behind the curtains

me gusta como mezcla la pequeña historia tras bastidores y la gran historia con mayúsculas.

Not crazy about the performance.

I didn't thing the voices were accurate. I'm sorry but a colored woman from the 1800's shouldn't be read by a white woman. It wasn't terrible, I didn't love it

Pulls you into history

The author is to be applauded for her effort to portray accurate accounts in her historical fiction. I am now off to read Behind the Scenes by Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley. highly recommend this book

Women Then

I enjoyed listening to this book. I think it was excellently narrated and well written.

I stuck with it, but was not prepared for a historical review.

I did not expect this. But overall I learned a lot and it was very worth listening to.

I felt the portrayal of these woman was very well done. They were very nuanced and really showed the struggles individually and collectively they endured for so many years

I am thrilled that Elizabeth has been honored in this book and at her memorial.

AnnieB

Fun story full of historical facts

Great story of the time period. Fun insight into the lives of the Lincolns and those that loved them. Broadcasts the injustice of post war administrations in supporting equality for all.

Loved it!

I love history and thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. Love this author and really enjoyed this narrator. Will look for works by each of them again.

Seamstress

Excellent work enjoyed the historic storytelling. Always someone behind the scenes of great people. Great book to listen.

New point of view

What made the experience of listening to Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker the most enjoyable?

The narrator did a great job with all the different character's, both male and female. Cadance and rhythm of voice was even and easy to listen to. The book itself is very well written with great detail and visual information, making you feel as if you were there.

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

I hate to state the obvious, but the assassination of Mr. Lincoln. Not the shooting itself but the reaction of Mrs. Lincoln for weeks/months after. It was very sad to witness her grief through Mrs. Keckley's eyes and point of view.

Which character – as performed by Christina Moore – was your favorite?

Although Mrs. Keckley is the narrator of the story, I found Mrs. Lincoln fascinating. It didn't depict her as "crazy" as we usually hear but as a very insecure, lonely character who deeply loved her husband and who had already lost 2 of her sons before her husband. Her best and only friend was Mrs. Keckley, her freed African American dressmaker. I got the impression that she trusted very few people and would push others away before she could get hurt. That explained a lot of her manic/depressive behavior.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not extreme. I just enjoyed it and found I missed hearing it after it was over. I was surprised by the ending. I also was very surprised how the entire country turned their back on Mrs. Lincoln after her husband's death. That was sad too.

Any additional comments?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book-story, narrator, delivery.