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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule by Jennifer Chiaverini is a novel based on the life of Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant (Julia) and her slave, Jule. The novel starts in 1834 (prologue) and then jumps ahead ten years to the spring of 1844.
Julia Dent grew up in Missouri. Her father was a slave owner. When Julia was four years old, she was presented with Julia (they had the same name). Julia was a ginger colored slave. Since they had the same name, Julia changed her maid’s name to Jule. The Dent’s country home was near Jefferson Barracks which housed soldiers. Ulysses, a recent graduate of West Point, was stationed at Jefferson Barracks. Ulysses came from an abolitionist family in Ohio. Despite their differences Julia and Ulys (as Julia called him) fell in love. Despite her father’s reluctance (he did not think that Ulysses could provide for Julia nor did he think that she would like military life) the two married.
Jule grew up with Julia and learned how to read, write (despite the laws to the contrary), dress hair, and make special concoctions (for hair and skin). Jule was in love with Gabriel, the groom. However, she would not marry him for fear that she would have to leave him when Julia married Ulysses. After Julia marries Jule is told that she will not be going with her mistress. Ulysses has been stationed at a posting where there is no room for servants. Jule had always hoped that when Julia married Ulysses values would rub off on Julia. Jule’s primary goal was her freedom.
The book goes on to describe Ulysses’ career, Julia’s and Ulysses marriage, children, the Civil War, and life in the White House, and their later years. Julia’s views on slaves did not change for a long time. She viewed slaves as necessary to the function of a household and the lifestyle Julia was accustomed to. Julia thought slaves liked having a home provided for them as well as clothes and food despite Jule’s attempts to explain how she felt about slavery.
Jule was lucky enough to run away from Julia during a trip and received help escaping to Washington City (Washington D.C.). Jule found success as a hairdresser as well as making and selling her salves, lotions, and tonics. Jule ended up living her life in Brooklyn, New York.
I have tried to give you a brief (as brief as I get) overview of the book without giving away any spoilers. I give Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule 4.5 stars out of 5. It is a exceptional book with incredible writing, but I did not find it as satisfying as The Elm Creek Quilt series. I also wished the book had written more about Jule. The main focus of the book is Julia and Ulysses Grant. Jennifer Chiaverini is a master storyteller and Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule will keep your eyes riveted to its pages. This book can easily be read without reading the previous three books: Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker, Mrs. Lincoln’s Rival, and The Spymistress. Ms. Chiaverini’s next book is Christmas Bells: A Novel. It will be released on October 27, 2015 (according to Amazon.com).
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2015/03/mrs-grant-and-madame-jule.html
Julia Dent grew up in Missouri. Her father was a slave owner. When Julia was four years old, she was presented with Julia (they had the same name). Julia was a ginger colored slave. Since they had the same name, Julia changed her maid’s name to Jule. The Dent’s country home was near Jefferson Barracks which housed soldiers. Ulysses, a recent graduate of West Point, was stationed at Jefferson Barracks. Ulysses came from an abolitionist family in Ohio. Despite their differences Julia and Ulys (as Julia called him) fell in love. Despite her father’s reluctance (he did not think that Ulysses could provide for Julia nor did he think that she would like military life) the two married.
Jule grew up with Julia and learned how to read, write (despite the laws to the contrary), dress hair, and make special concoctions (for hair and skin). Jule was in love with Gabriel, the groom. However, she would not marry him for fear that she would have to leave him when Julia married Ulysses. After Julia marries Jule is told that she will not be going with her mistress. Ulysses has been stationed at a posting where there is no room for servants. Jule had always hoped that when Julia married Ulysses values would rub off on Julia. Jule’s primary goal was her freedom.
The book goes on to describe Ulysses’ career, Julia’s and Ulysses marriage, children, the Civil War, and life in the White House, and their later years. Julia’s views on slaves did not change for a long time. She viewed slaves as necessary to the function of a household and the lifestyle Julia was accustomed to. Julia thought slaves liked having a home provided for them as well as clothes and food despite Jule’s attempts to explain how she felt about slavery.
Jule was lucky enough to run away from Julia during a trip and received help escaping to Washington City (Washington D.C.). Jule found success as a hairdresser as well as making and selling her salves, lotions, and tonics. Jule ended up living her life in Brooklyn, New York.
I have tried to give you a brief (as brief as I get) overview of the book without giving away any spoilers. I give Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule 4.5 stars out of 5. It is a exceptional book with incredible writing, but I did not find it as satisfying as The Elm Creek Quilt series. I also wished the book had written more about Jule. The main focus of the book is Julia and Ulysses Grant. Jennifer Chiaverini is a master storyteller and Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule will keep your eyes riveted to its pages. This book can easily be read without reading the previous three books: Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker, Mrs. Lincoln’s Rival, and The Spymistress. Ms. Chiaverini’s next book is Christmas Bells: A Novel. It will be released on October 27, 2015 (according to Amazon.com).
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2015/03/mrs-grant-and-madame-jule.html
bargainsleuth's review against another edition
4.0
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Have you read Ron Chernow’s tome on Ulysses S. Grant? I have, and when I saw there was a historical fiction book about his wife and her slave, I had to check it out. That’s right: the leader of the Union army married a woman whose family owned slaves. That should make for interesting reading, right?
Chiaverini admits “Although the lives of Ulysses and Julia Grant are well documented, almost nothing exists about Jule beyond a few brief mentions in Julia Grant’s memoirs . Thus her life as depicted in this story is almost entirely imagined .” That should be great for the reader, because it gives the author more freedom in their writing.
Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule should be the story of Julia Dent Grant and her slave, Jule, who grew up together and were inseparable during those years. However, this book is more about the Grants than Jule, more specifically Julia Grant. By most accounts, she was a good woman, and is frequently mentioned as one of the best first ladies the United States has ever had. She had flaws, and they are shown throughout the book, which to me, makes her more real.
There’s a lot of following Ulysses Grant around as he goes to war and is stationed in different cities. What amazed me in both Chernow’s book, Grant, and this book is how close the Grant children were to the fighting. Going to visit Grant while he’s in the middle of a battle? I can’t imagine doing that these days.
Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule really takes off for me after Jule leaves Julia Grant and escapes slavery and makes her way to Washington D.C. to make a life of her own. I wanted more Jule at that point, but instead got more of the Grants since it was the height of the Civil War. Their paths to Washington are vastly different, and the fact that they knew the same people made this book all the more interesting.
Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule is a good read, if you can get past the historical inaccuracies, which are usually found in historical fiction novels. Ulysses S. Grant was no saint, as I know from reading Grant, but Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule depicts him that way.
I’m enough of a fan of the writing of this book that I’ll be picking up the Lincoln books, Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker and Mrs. Lincoln’s Rival, as well as the newest book that came out in June, Mrs. Lincoln’s Sisters, as soon as I can.
Join our Facebook page Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews or join the group of the same name.
Have you read Ron Chernow’s tome on Ulysses S. Grant? I have, and when I saw there was a historical fiction book about his wife and her slave, I had to check it out. That’s right: the leader of the Union army married a woman whose family owned slaves. That should make for interesting reading, right?
Chiaverini admits “Although the lives of Ulysses and Julia Grant are well documented, almost nothing exists about Jule beyond a few brief mentions in Julia Grant’s memoirs . Thus her life as depicted in this story is almost entirely imagined .” That should be great for the reader, because it gives the author more freedom in their writing.
Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule should be the story of Julia Dent Grant and her slave, Jule, who grew up together and were inseparable during those years. However, this book is more about the Grants than Jule, more specifically Julia Grant. By most accounts, she was a good woman, and is frequently mentioned as one of the best first ladies the United States has ever had. She had flaws, and they are shown throughout the book, which to me, makes her more real.
There’s a lot of following Ulysses Grant around as he goes to war and is stationed in different cities. What amazed me in both Chernow’s book, Grant, and this book is how close the Grant children were to the fighting. Going to visit Grant while he’s in the middle of a battle? I can’t imagine doing that these days.
Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule really takes off for me after Jule leaves Julia Grant and escapes slavery and makes her way to Washington D.C. to make a life of her own. I wanted more Jule at that point, but instead got more of the Grants since it was the height of the Civil War. Their paths to Washington are vastly different, and the fact that they knew the same people made this book all the more interesting.
Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule is a good read, if you can get past the historical inaccuracies, which are usually found in historical fiction novels. Ulysses S. Grant was no saint, as I know from reading Grant, but Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule depicts him that way.
I’m enough of a fan of the writing of this book that I’ll be picking up the Lincoln books, Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker and Mrs. Lincoln’s Rival, as well as the newest book that came out in June, Mrs. Lincoln’s Sisters, as soon as I can.
candylovegirl's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book; however the title is misleading. I excited more interaction of the two women; whereas, there was more emphasis placed on Mr. and Mrs. Grant’s relationship. I am intrigued enough that I will seek out additional material about President Grant. Overall, a well written fiction novel based on historical figures and events.
tstreet's review
5.0
I loved this book. I've always enjoyed reading about General Ulysses S. Grant and reading about his wife and her story was no different. I love how she is so kind hearted and how she becomes good friends with Jule. I love how we see Julia as a young lady and watch her grow into a wonderful woman. I love how Jule is able to marry and how she is finally able to buy her freedom. I love how she begins her own business and how she begins a life for herself becoming Madame Jule. I love how she has kids and how her daughter works for her. This is a great read if you like history. 10/10 stars.
heartofoak1's review against another edition
2.0
more the love story of U.S. Grant & his wife Julia (of the title) than the story of Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule (Julia Grant's slave.) read if you enjoy civil war history as there's lots of it in the book almost to the point that it becomes more of a character than Madame Jule. i had to force myself to finish.
palisca's review against another edition
2.0
I normally like the author’s books but this one was hard to get through. Too much description and not enough dialogue to keep me interested.
mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Incredibly detailed and a fascinating account of the Grants.... Will be reading more to ascertain how much of this book was fictionalized, as I know pretty much everything about Jule was. Love this author.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
3.0
3 STARS
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).
"The New York Times bestselling author of Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker and Mrs. Lincoln's Rival imagines the inner life of Julia Grant, beloved as a Civil War general’s wife and the First Lady, yet who grappled with a profound and complex relationship with the slave who was her namesake—until she forged a proud identity of her own.
In 1844, Missouri belle Julia Dent met dazzling horseman Lieutenant Ulysses S Grant. Four years passed before their parents permitted them to wed, and the groom’s abolitionist family refused to attend the ceremony.
Since childhood, Julia owned as a slave another Julia, known as Jule. Jule guarded her mistress’s closely held twin secrets: She had perilously poor vision but was gifted with prophetic sight. So it was that Jule became Julia’s eyes to the world.
And what a world it was, marked by gathering clouds of war. The Grants vowed never to be separated, but as Ulysses rose through the ranks—becoming general in chief of the Union Army—so did the stakes of their pact. During the war, Julia would travel, often in the company of Jule and the four Grant children, facing unreliable transportation and certain danger to be at her husband’s side.
Yet Julia and Jule saw two different wars. While Julia spoke out for women—Union and Confederate—she continued to hold Jule as a slave behind Union lines. Upon the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, Jule claimed her freedom and rose to prominence as a businesswoman in her own right, taking the honorary title Madame. The two women’s paths continued to cross throughout the Grants’ White House years in Washington, DC, and later in New York City, the site of Grant’s Tomb.
Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule is the first novel to chronicle this singular relationship, bound by sight and shadow." (From Amazon)
I enjoyed this novel as we get to see the woman behind legend of a General and President...but this is not as the title claims a book about two women from the same time with different perspectives. This novel is about Julia Dent Grant and her love, support and sacrifice for her husband and his aspirations. Yes, we do get to hear Jule's story but it's an afterthought and does not seemed to be as fleshed out as the Grants. This could be due to the lack of historical facts about Jule. In this novel it is the Grants that we learn the most about...and even at the end Chaiverini places a higher importance on the love story of a husband and wife rather than the story of Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule. The writing was engaging and Chiaverini has done some great research of Civil War - post, present and past.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).
"The New York Times bestselling author of Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker and Mrs. Lincoln's Rival imagines the inner life of Julia Grant, beloved as a Civil War general’s wife and the First Lady, yet who grappled with a profound and complex relationship with the slave who was her namesake—until she forged a proud identity of her own.
In 1844, Missouri belle Julia Dent met dazzling horseman Lieutenant Ulysses S Grant. Four years passed before their parents permitted them to wed, and the groom’s abolitionist family refused to attend the ceremony.
Since childhood, Julia owned as a slave another Julia, known as Jule. Jule guarded her mistress’s closely held twin secrets: She had perilously poor vision but was gifted with prophetic sight. So it was that Jule became Julia’s eyes to the world.
And what a world it was, marked by gathering clouds of war. The Grants vowed never to be separated, but as Ulysses rose through the ranks—becoming general in chief of the Union Army—so did the stakes of their pact. During the war, Julia would travel, often in the company of Jule and the four Grant children, facing unreliable transportation and certain danger to be at her husband’s side.
Yet Julia and Jule saw two different wars. While Julia spoke out for women—Union and Confederate—she continued to hold Jule as a slave behind Union lines. Upon the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, Jule claimed her freedom and rose to prominence as a businesswoman in her own right, taking the honorary title Madame. The two women’s paths continued to cross throughout the Grants’ White House years in Washington, DC, and later in New York City, the site of Grant’s Tomb.
Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule is the first novel to chronicle this singular relationship, bound by sight and shadow." (From Amazon)
I enjoyed this novel as we get to see the woman behind legend of a General and President...but this is not as the title claims a book about two women from the same time with different perspectives. This novel is about Julia Dent Grant and her love, support and sacrifice for her husband and his aspirations. Yes, we do get to hear Jule's story but it's an afterthought and does not seemed to be as fleshed out as the Grants. This could be due to the lack of historical facts about Jule. In this novel it is the Grants that we learn the most about...and even at the end Chaiverini places a higher importance on the love story of a husband and wife rather than the story of Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule. The writing was engaging and Chiaverini has done some great research of Civil War - post, present and past.