A review by johnaaron
Savage Conversations by LeAnne Howe

dark informative mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was originally nominated for our book club’s “Native American Voices” theme, and I bought the book even though we didn’t decide to read it. This book follows former First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln as she has a bit of a psychotic break and develops a laudanum dependency. Most of the scenes occur within a psychiatric hospital in Illinois. There are only three characters in the book: Mary Todd Lincoln, “Savage Indian,” and The Rope. When former President Abraham Lincoln was in office, he led the largest mass execution in U.S. history with the hanging of 38 members of the Dakota tribe of Native Americans. When Mary Todd Lincoln was having her bout of psychosis, she claimed to be haunted by a Native American who would come into her room and threaten her. 

Overall, I found the story to be a quick but compelling read. I learned a lot about U.S. history that I’d never known before.