5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Courtesy of Teens Read Too, January 19, 2009
This review is from: An Unlikely Friendship: A Novel of Mary Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckley (Paperback)
Gold Star Award Winner!
Mary Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckley met in 1861 when Ms. Keckley, "a free black woman who had purchased her own freedom," came to the White House to interview for the position as the First Lady's dressmaker.
Despite her success among Washington, D.C.'s elite, "Lizzie" never believed she had a real chance at securing the position. Little did she realize that she and Mrs. Lincoln were about to embark on a friendship that would last a lifetime.
AN UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP is a unique breed of historical fiction in that doesn't follow a traditional linear model of storytelling.
Author Ann Rinaldi opens by depicting the day of President Lincoln's assassination, giving us the story from both Lizzie and Mary's perspectives throughout. She then moves on to depict each woman's life from early childhood to young adulthood, each followed by non-fictional, mini-biographies of their lives up to the point of their initial meeting. Ms. Rinaldi closes the novel with a final section describing the womens' lives and friendship after they left the White House.
What makes this novel such a great read is the author's careful attention to historical detail. While it's impossible to be certain of Lizzie and Mary's exact conversations and thoughts, knowing the events described have been verified - not "created" or amalgamated for editorial purposes - gives AN UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP a level of authenticity sorely lacking in most books in this genre.
And while I consider characterizing the relationship between a white woman of privilege and a mulatto woman born into slavery during the Antebellum period a generous overstatement, these two women undoubtedly formed a bond that was unique to their time and place in history - a feat always worthy of consideration.
Reviewed by: Cat
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pranaya's Review, May 9, 2008
This book journies through the lives of two great women. It begins with the assasination of President Abraham Lincoln and shortly after goes into the life story of his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. Rinaldi very appropriately writes from Mary's point of view as she grows from a child to a young, elegant lady. She never forgot her one wish to one day live in the White House. One can rally feel Mary's emotions through Rinaldi's writing.
Lizzy Keckly comes in the second half of the book. Her life as a slave has many hardships, such as the time when her friend has to eat the heads off of worms. It is especially difficult for her because she is mulatto; torn between her white father and black family. All she wants is to buy her freedom one day. She does that as well as become Mary Lincoln's personal dress-maker.
Both of these ambitious women never swayed from their goals. Mary suffered the dislikes of her step-mother to the fullest;Lizzy was tortured in her enslavement, but both fullfilled their dreams. Mrs. Lincoln held dazzling parties. Lizzy became the finest dress-maker in Washington D.C. And when they met, it led to a strong, yet unlikely frienship.
I really enjoyed this book because I felt like I got to know the characters personally. They were brought to life and I related to their emotions. It also gave me a glimpse of the lifestyle back then. Even though it was historical it was very entertaining.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mrs. Lincoln and her dressmaker, April 6, 2008
I really enjoyed this book. It had an engaging storyline and even though the facts about the story have been told before, the dialog and details are so nicely done that the story is beathed new life. I read an adult book on the same subject and I prefer this book. I would recommend this book for 9+.
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