Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker: A Novel

(Paperback)

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Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker illuminates the extraordinary relationship the two women shared, beginning in the hallowed halls of the White House during the trials of the Civil War and enduring almost, but not quite, to the end of Mrs. Lincoln's days. The New York Times bestselling author of Mrs. Lincoln's Sisters and Switchboard Soldiers unveils the private lives of President Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, through the eyes of the First Lady's most trusted confidante and friend in this compelling historical novel. In a life that spanned nearly a century and witnessed some of the most momentous events in American history, Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley was born a slave. A gifted seamstress, she earned her freedom by the skill of her needle, and won the friendship of First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln by her devotion. A sweeping historical novel, Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker illuminates the extraordinary relationship the two women shared, beginning in the hallowed halls of the White House during the trials of the Civil War and enduring almost, but not quite, to the end of Mrs. Lincoln's days.

Reviews

Praise for Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker

Required Reading...The story of First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln and Lizzie Keckley, a former slave who became Mrs. Lincolns seamstress and confidante. After the presidents assassination, Keckley created the Mary Todd Lincoln quilt and also a scandalous memoir. A new spin on the story.New York Post

Jennifer Chiaverini imagines the first ladys most private affairs through the eyes of an unlikely confidante.Harpers Bazaar

Chiaverini has drawn a loving portrait of a complex and gifted woman...Mrs. Lincolns Dressmaker helps to illuminate the path on which her long and remarkable life led her.St. Louis Post-Dispatch

All the characters are brilliantly written, and readers will enjoy getting to know them. [Chiaverini] brings to life long-forgotten snapshots of Americas past with style, grace and respect.RT Book Reviews

Taking readers through times of war and peace as seen through the eyes of an extraordinary woman, the author brings Civil War Washington to vivid life through her meticulously researched authentic detail. Chiaverini's characters are compelling and accurate; the reader truly feels drawn into the intimate scenes at the White House.Library Journal

Nuanced...a welcome historical.Publishers Weekly

A compelling fictional account of Keckleys life.Bookpage

More Praise for Jennifer Chiaverini

Chiaverinis themes of love, loss, and healing will resonate with many, and her characters stories are inspiring.Publishers Weekly

Chiaverini has an impressive ability to bring a time and place alive.RT Book Reviews

Emotionally compelling.Chicago Tribune

Jennifer Chiaverini has made quite a name for herself with her bestselling Elm Creek Quilts series. From the Civil War to the Roaring Twenties to contemporary settings, these novels have offered suspense, romance, and, at times, in-depth looks into the social, political, and cultural differences that helped shape a nation.BookPage

Chiaverini excels at weaving stories and at character development. We can relate to the residents of Elm Creek Valley because they remind us of folks we knowa cousin, an aunt, or a grandmother.Standard-Examiner (Utah)

Author Bio

Jennifer Chiaveriniis theNew York Timesbestselling author ofMrs. Lincoln'sDressmaker,Fates and Traitors, Enchantress of Numbers, and other acclaimed works of historical fiction, aswell as the beloved Elm Creek Quilts series. She lives with her husband and two sonsin Madison, Wisconsin.