Comments (22)

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Apr 12, 2022Haywood1947 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I loved this book and learned so much about the Civil War and the Lincolns. It was evident that Ms. Chiaverini had done extensive research.
Nov 06, 2021Daisybates rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Excellent historical fiction about life in the Lincoln White House and the friendship of Mary Todd Lincoln and her personal seamstress, Elizabeth Keckley, a former slave who had bought her freedom. Highly recommend.
Jan 12, 2020AnneCarolineDrake rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Tedious. Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley lived an amazing life, and this book didn't do her justice. As another reader opined, you could learn as much from reading Wikipedia in a few minutes as you learn from this 600+ page tome. In a…
Nov 19, 2019JackieRuesink rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
Mama Lou recommendation
Sep 25, 2019mpye rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This book is based on solid research of a tumultuous time in US history. The growing confidence and friendship that the Lincolns, especially Mary Todd, extend towards their seamstress, freed black woman Elizabeth Keckley, mirrors the…
Nov 20, 2017TheresaAJ rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Chiaverini has written a historical novel based on the relationship between Elizabeth Keckley, a freed slave who was a modiste, and Mary Todd Lincoln. The story spans the years 1860 to 1901 and focuses on life in the White House during…
Apr 04, 2017cknightkc rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
For lovers of historic fiction, be forewarned, MRS. LINCOLN’S DRESSMAKER is heavy on the history and much lighter on the fiction. Its subject matter (the friendship between Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley, seamstress and former slave, and her…
Jan 29, 2017trudat rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
A unique perspective of a tumultuous time in history. I happened to read it over the weekend of Trump's inauguration and first week of his presidency, which added a new level of depth to my ponderings about the White House during the Civil…
Nov 10, 2016dgh1953 rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
This book was picked for my local book club so I had great hopes for it. Unfortunately, it is poorly written and I could not develop any empathy for the characters. Got about half way through and decided it wasn't worth finishing.
Aug 02, 2016funkycanuck rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Great book to get a perspective of the Civil War from an inside angle. Good read, but I found the ending a tad rushed and unsatisfying.
Jun 02, 2016sunnyrea56 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This was a good read. Parts were too "military" for me. But to tell the story perhaps they had to be in there.
Jan 02, 2016cemetery613 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Interesting historical biographical fiction. Dragged. Didn't complete reading it. Some of the people in my book club liked it though.
Oct 31, 2015breinkeks rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I would give this only a 3 star. Although the subject matter was wonderful, I ordered her actual memoirs and it was almost like this author plagiarized the original work of Elizabeth Keckley. Sorry, I was a bit disappointed in that. was…
dralac00
Aug 12, 2014dralac00 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
this book was wonderful~~~l highly recommend it!
Jun 27, 2014tea_n_tomes rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I have not read any of the author's previous books; however, i agree with other readers who found this somewhere between fiction & fact. Though it piqued my interest to research this subject.
athompson10
Jan 22, 2014athompson10 rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
The history was interesting but the narration of the novel was very dry. It felt like the author just patched together historical facts with excerpts from Elizabeth Keckley's memoir without ever delving into her as a person. Most…
Jan 03, 2014
Costco pick of the month for January 2014.
Aug 31, 2013mdelane2 rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
Not as good as her other works. Having been a loyal fan for years, sadly, I think her best work is behind her. :(
Aug 01, 2013writermala rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Jennifer Chiaverini's book is about Elizabeth Keckley, Mrs. Mary Todd Lincoln's dressmaker. She gained her fame as Mrs. Lincoln's modiste - but she was far more than that; she was Mrs. Lincoln's dear friend and confidante, seeing her…
Jul 07, 2013LouiseWilson rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Mrs. LIncoln's Dressmaker makes history come alive. Very well written, and quite moving. Louise Wilson
sablegirl
Feb 20, 2013sablegirl rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I was a bit disappointed with this book. I thought the author, known for her quilt books, would have made this subject matter a bit less dry. I recently read a very short story about this subject matter and was satisfied with that. I…
LaughingOne
Feb 14, 2013LaughingOne rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Slow-going at times, this novel is an insider's look at what could have been going on during the time leading up to and through the Civil War, as well as many years after. Elizabeth Keckley is portrayed as a sensitive, insightful,…