An Unlikely Friendship: A Novel of Mary Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckley (Paperback)

by Ann Rinaldi (Author)
Key Phrases: locust beer, Mammy Sally, Big Red, Grandma Sarry (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 6–9—Fictionalized first-person accounts portray the first 20 years of the contrasting lives of Lincoln and Keckley. Two brief factual chapters and an epilogue abruptly and briefly summarize the next 25 years and document the "unlikely friendship" that developed once their paths crossed. A wealth of 19th-century details and references enriches both narratives. Mary Todd has a privileged but controlled upbringing in Kentucky where an array of siblings, attentive Mammy Sally, an affectionate but aloof father, and a proud, devoted grandmother help her to cope with a critical, harsh stepmother. In contrast, Lizzy, a master's mulatto child, learns through hardship and heartbreak to live the slave adage, "Got one mind for the boss to see, got another for what I know is me." When the women finally meet, Lizzy has purchased her freedom and has established herself as a renowned dressmaker. Her patience and skill help the fashion-obsessed, volatile First Lady deal with life in the White House and public criticism of both her husband's antislavery views and her family's unrefined "backwoods" status. Although the two figures share a common time and place and an employer-employee codependence, the actual depth of their mutual understanding and friendship is unclear. Nonetheless, they have authentic voices and present meaningful perspectives on social conditions and slavery. Both personalities are well drawn, with real anxieties and emotions.—Gerry Larson, Durham School of the Arts, NC
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

“Fascinating and filled with remarkable gems of historical memorabilia to create a very satisfying read.”—VOYA“Authentic . . . Both personalities are well drawn, with real anxieties and emotions.”—School Library Journal

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; Reprint edition (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152063986
• ISBN-13: 978-0152063986
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #728,900 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, January 19, 2009

By	TeensReadToo.com "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

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

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pranaya's Review, May 9, 2008

By	Vani - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Unlikely Friendship: A Novel of Mary Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckley (Hardcover)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mrs. Lincoln and her dressmaker, April 6, 2008

By	James Guilford (MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: An Unlikely Friendship: A Novel of Mary Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckley (Hardcover)

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+.