Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini

Well.  I really, really wanted to like this book and for the most part I did.  I guess I am just not a historical fiction genre lover.  It is well written, well reviewed and well researched but it just sort of drug for me.  That being said, here is an overview ~

The main character, Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley was born a slave who earned her freedom by working as a dressmaker in Missouri.  She makes her way to Washington DC and by her exceptional talents, becomes the dressmaker for Mary Todd Lincoln.  As the years pass she becomes a treasured friend and confidant as well.  Elizabeth also works as a seamstress for Washington's finest including Mrs. Jefferson Davis and Mrs. Robert E. Lee.  These relationships draw Elizabeth into the intimate life of the cities elite and an eye witness within the private quarters of the White House.  Not only was Elizabeth a sought after seamstress but also the founder of the Contraband Relief Association which was organized to bring relief to the tens of thousands of former slaves as they sought refuge in Washington.

Although this is a fictional work, the events and people are very real.  Elizabeth published a book called, "Behind the Scenes.  Or Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House" which was intended to tell her story and also clear the misconceptions of Mrs. Lincoln.  However, it brought nothing but scandal and heartbreak thanks to a less than honest publisher. 

I think if you like historical fiction, you will like this book.  I am glad I read it, but am glad to move on.

350 pages

The 19th Wife

I have finally finished reading The 19^th Wife by David Ebershoff and overall enjoyed the read.  This style and subject of book is not something that usually interests me but I gave it a try based on a recommendation from Michael’s sister.  The book intertwines two stories; a murder mystery set in today’s time and a historical fiction of Ann Eliza Young.  Ann Eliza was one of the wives of Brigham Young and this book tells the story of her separation from him and her fight to ban polygamy in the United States in the late 1800’s.  It is interesting to learn some of the background of the Mormon church and also to gain insight to the thoughts and opinions of someone who grew up in a polygamist family. The other story twisted in is that of a murder in a present day Utah polygamist community.  The story is told from the point of view from a young man who was thrown out of the church and abandoned by his family as an early teenager who now searches for the truth of the murder that his mother is being accused of committing.

                Although I did not always enjoy the switching back and forth between stories it did the job of keeping me wanting to read more.  I would recommend this book for others to read but probably not pay full price for it.  I am glad that I found it at Goodwill for $0.75.  With that being said, if anyone would like to borrow it just let me know and I will send it your way!

Joop

I just finished a book called Joop by Richard Lourie. It is a fictional account of the man who was the most likely betrayer of the hiding place of Anne Frank. It makes you wonder how far you would go to feed your family and care for them during the horrors of WWII. It is a short and easy read - 180 pages.