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kiminindy's review against another edition
5.0
You cannot beat Chiaverini for excellent historical fiction!
missywhidden's review against another edition
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
wendiwoo1's review against another edition
2.0
I feel a bit traitorous scoring this so low. This was my first giveaway win and from one of my favorite authors. I adore the Elm Creek Quilt series. Unfortunately, this book just didn't do it for me. It felt disjointed and rambling. The chapters were supposed to focus on one of the many Todd sisters with each chapter alternating between the past and the present time of Mary's insanity debacle. First, I felt that there wasn't much character development, so the switching of focus on each character never really came through for me. Many chapters were just a rambling off of events. There were also a lot of undeveloped storylines. For example, it was hinted that Mary had bipolar disorder and that Elizabeth suspected her eldest daughter also had it, but we never learned anything about that, her behaviors, Elizabeth's personal struggle with it, etc. I also got lost in the past vs. present because the chapters that were focusing on Mary post Lincoln's death had a lot of flashbacks. The structure didn't make sense to me. I felt like the characters and their personal struggles took a backseat to the historical events of the time.
newfiemom's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
aspasia17's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
kidneynerd's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
seematterce's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting to learn more about the First Lady and her family.
em_schneider's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
teriboop's review against another edition
4.0
Another great book on the life of Mary Todd Lincoln by Jennifer Chiaverini. The focus of this book concentrates on Lincoln's sisters, namely Elizabeth, Anna, Frances, and her half-sister Emilie. The story is written from the perspective of two time periods that eventually connect. The first chapter begins in 1875, ten years after Lincoln's assassination. His wife, Mary, has been committed by her son Robert to Bellvue Hospital for convalescence due to mental instability and severe depression. The court ordered convalescence makes the headlines and the sisters react to the news. Chiaverini then goes back to early life for the Todd sisters to begin telling their story and the events that lead up to Mary's medical issues.
Every other chapter is from either the early days moving forward or from the later days also moving forward. Each chapter also is told from a different sister's viewpoint, cycling through the four women. The second to the last chapter is from Mary's viewpoint. The changes in time and the focal point of characters for each chapter actually works. It seems a little confusing at first but I fell into the rhythm quite well.
There are many books on Mary Todd Lincoln but I enjoy the Lincoln stories by Chiaverini. Although they are listed as historical fiction, Chiaverini does an excellent job of researching her subject and tells an accurate portrayal of real history with creative license on dialogue.
Every other chapter is from either the early days moving forward or from the later days also moving forward. Each chapter also is told from a different sister's viewpoint, cycling through the four women. The second to the last chapter is from Mary's viewpoint. The changes in time and the focal point of characters for each chapter actually works. It seems a little confusing at first but I fell into the rhythm quite well.
There are many books on Mary Todd Lincoln but I enjoy the Lincoln stories by Chiaverini. Although they are listed as historical fiction, Chiaverini does an excellent job of researching her subject and tells an accurate portrayal of real history with creative license on dialogue.