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nearly_empty_nesting's review against another edition
4.0
For a title that included the name of Mrs. Lincoln, I thought the story would include her more. That thought aside, this storyline was in right in Chiaverini's wheelhouse. She took another strong woman whom history has forgotten and brought her story to the life.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
MRS. LINCOLN'S RIVAL
Written by Jennifer Chiaverini
(Narrated by Christina Moore)
2014; Dutton/Penguin (435 Pages)
(Audio length: 17 hours and 23 minutes)
Genre: historical fiction, american, women, politics, presidents, based on true events
Rating: ★★★★
Kate Chase Sprague is the eldest daughter of an ambitious lawyer, Salmon P. Chase who had his eye on the Presidential seat. With the death of his second wife, Kate becomes Salmon's hostess. She was at his side to attend parties and threw parties on his behalf. Kate saw herself as the First Lady as her father rose in politics. Unfortunately for Kate and Salmon, Abraham Lincoln would become President and thus putting Kate and Mary Todd Lincoln at odds.
While Kate liked Mr. Lincoln she felt snubbed by his dull wife. Mary on the other hand thought Kate was snubbing her because Kate felt she was the rightful First Lady. The two would try to outdo the other through proper social circles.
Kate then focuses on her own life and falls for an ambitious Rhode Island politician William Sprague. The two political minds seem perfect for one another or do they?
I enjoyed this novel but it is a bit overly descriptive in the day to day activities I appreciated most of the acts as I did not know too much about Lincoln's presidency or the key players. At the time I found the main character, Kate Chase, to be arrogant but she did not turn me off reading the book. Other than Lincoln and Kate's younger sister most of the characters seemed unlikeable - very flawed but realistic characters. I really enjoyed listening to this novel in audiobook format.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
My Novelesque Life
Written by Jennifer Chiaverini
(Narrated by Christina Moore)
2014; Dutton/Penguin (435 Pages)
(Audio length: 17 hours and 23 minutes)
Genre: historical fiction, american, women, politics, presidents, based on true events
Rating: ★★★★
Kate Chase Sprague is the eldest daughter of an ambitious lawyer, Salmon P. Chase who had his eye on the Presidential seat. With the death of his second wife, Kate becomes Salmon's hostess. She was at his side to attend parties and threw parties on his behalf. Kate saw herself as the First Lady as her father rose in politics. Unfortunately for Kate and Salmon, Abraham Lincoln would become President and thus putting Kate and Mary Todd Lincoln at odds.
While Kate liked Mr. Lincoln she felt snubbed by his dull wife. Mary on the other hand thought Kate was snubbing her because Kate felt she was the rightful First Lady. The two would try to outdo the other through proper social circles.
Kate then focuses on her own life and falls for an ambitious Rhode Island politician William Sprague. The two political minds seem perfect for one another or do they?
I enjoyed this novel but it is a bit overly descriptive in the day to day activities I appreciated most of the acts as I did not know too much about Lincoln's presidency or the key players. At the time I found the main character, Kate Chase, to be arrogant but she did not turn me off reading the book. Other than Lincoln and Kate's younger sister most of the characters seemed unlikeable - very flawed but realistic characters. I really enjoyed listening to this novel in audiobook format.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
My Novelesque Life
connieaw's review against another edition
4.0
Slow start building the story but once I hit the middle, I couldn't put it down.
tamaralgage1's review against another edition
5.0
Katie Chase is an excellent counterpoint to Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind. The big difference is that Katie Chase was a real life 18 year old that lived in Ohio and Washington D.C. just before the start of the Civil War. Her observations of life in the North is a stark difference to Scarlett's life in the South. Katie Chase was the daughter of a prominent politician and frequently acted as an advisor to her father. She would circulate in Washington Society.
In various events and circumstance, I could not help but think "what would Scarlett do?" Regardless, it is an interesting glimpse into this time and place. The effort and knowledge she used to help her father is very perceptive. At one point, her younger sister says she should run for Congress. In response, the both giggle and it was a preposterous idea. Oh how things change.
In various events and circumstance, I could not help but think "what would Scarlett do?" Regardless, it is an interesting glimpse into this time and place. The effort and knowledge she used to help her father is very perceptive. At one point, her younger sister says she should run for Congress. In response, the both giggle and it was a preposterous idea. Oh how things change.
brock111's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book - didn't love it. At times it seemed to drag on. I loved Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by the same author. This had a different feel to it. I always enjoy reading about the this time period. I will still look for other books by this author.
teriboop's review against another edition
4.0
I think a better title for Jennifer Chiaverini's latest historical fiction is Mr. Sprague's Thoroughly Annoying Playtoy instead of Mrs. Lincoln's Rival. Whereas Chiaverini did touch upon a rivalry between Kate Chase and Mary Lincoln, it did not seem to be the focal point of the story. Kate Chase was the daughter of Salmon P. Chase who was Secretary of Treasury under Lincoln, as well as Chief Justice. This story was more about the life and times of Ms. Chase acting as her father's secretary and the long and tumultuous relationship between her and her future hustand William Sprague, one-time governor of Rhode Island. Chiaverini portrays Sprague as a drunken, abusive man who likely cheated on Chase often without her knowledge. There were also hints that Chase herself was not so...well, chaste. And by the way, Mary Todd Lincoln hated her and the feeling was likely mutual.
I liked the book, although I was often annoyed with Chase and Sprague, and Salmon Chase...well, really everyone. However, the book is well written and is stated that it is a work of fiction based on real people, some characters being a mesh of two or more others. Chiaverini is very descriptive and can bring a story to life and makes you feel for the characters, whether you like them or not.
I liked the book, although I was often annoyed with Chase and Sprague, and Salmon Chase...well, really everyone. However, the book is well written and is stated that it is a work of fiction based on real people, some characters being a mesh of two or more others. Chiaverini is very descriptive and can bring a story to life and makes you feel for the characters, whether you like them or not.
mmulvaney's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
froydis's review against another edition
2.0
Thanks to Edelweiss and Dutton Hardcover for early access to this title.
Well… what can I say? I think my biggest struggle with this novel is that Chiaverini tells us whats going on, but doesn't show us anything. The result is a dry, slightly boring, tedious work filled with people who should be compelling and fascinating, but in the end I couldn't bring myself to care much about. I'm sure people who enjoyed "Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker" will enjoy this one as well - some of this book seems to be almost a direct recycling of parts of that one. I wouldn't recommend it, and that's kind of a shame. Both her Mrs. Lincoln books could have been really great, but, for me at least, fall way short of the mark.
Well… what can I say? I think my biggest struggle with this novel is that Chiaverini tells us whats going on, but doesn't show us anything. The result is a dry, slightly boring, tedious work filled with people who should be compelling and fascinating, but in the end I couldn't bring myself to care much about. I'm sure people who enjoyed "Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker" will enjoy this one as well - some of this book seems to be almost a direct recycling of parts of that one. I wouldn't recommend it, and that's kind of a shame. Both her Mrs. Lincoln books could have been really great, but, for me at least, fall way short of the mark.
turtlemagix's review against another edition
1.0
I enjoyed this at the start but it quickly became extremely dry & dull to me.
DNF.
DNF.