The Lincoln's Sisters: Book Review

The Lincoln's Sisters
By Jennifer Chiaverini

Review copy from
William Morrow


I don't read many books on historical fiction when it is about historical figures. Usually, the books are very dry, and dull. I was pleasantly surprised Mrs. Lincoln's Sisters was better than I anticipated. I have not read any of the author's novels in the Lincoln series. I will also say the book is relevant for the times we live in.

In 1875, 10 years after Pres. Lincoln's assassination. His wife, Mary Todd Lincoln has attempted suicide by poisoning herself. She had many tragedies. Besides her husband's assassination. She had two sons who died with health problems. You add that to her husband's death. Of course, she would have heartache.

 Her son Robert has decided its time to start legal proceedings to commit her to an asylum. Her sister Elizabeth, who has lost touch with her sister.wanted to help her sister. She also wants to get her other sisters involved as well. Her other sisters are skeptical, and would rather leave things as they are.

I love the setup, and style of the novel. The writer goes from 1875 and back and forth in time with Mary, and her eldest sister, Elizabeth, and the other sisters, and brothers. FYI, Mary has a large family. Because her father remarried after her mother died, and married and had other children. After he married for the second time. You will realize Mary had a large family.

She comes from high class. She is charming, educated, and ambitious. Her father is into politics. Mary loves to show off her knowledge in front of her father at the dinner table. Her political aspirations because she was a woman. She could only hope and wish that she would become a president's wife someday.  ( I did some research and didn't find anything that supported it in the book), The four main sisters, Elizabeth, Anne, Emily( youngest sister), Francis.

One of Mary's older sisters had her hooks on Abraham Lincoln first. But, she didn't particularly like him. He was brash, backward,  and no refinement. But, he did have good qualities. The other sister didn't see them. Instead, Mary saw them. Mary saw kindness in place of refinement. Which made up for his backwardness.

Mrs. Lincoln's Sisters showed how divided the country was, in politics, racism, our democracy. It just showed how much our young country was in turmoil when it comes to democracy. The family was divided from North vs. South.  After reading about her sisters, and the families on both sides were divided I understand and have more compassion and empathy about how difficult it must have been living during the Civil War. But, more so now, what we are going through with the Black Lives Matter Movement.

 Realize the book was probably written last year sometime. Before the protesting. It showed a parallel from then to now. I am a political junkie. So it was perfect timing. Especially when it comes to the confederacy, and the north. What the flag means to the south then and now, the statues, the omission of black history in books, So, for me, the book reminded me of how fragile our country is when it comes to democracy. How we take democracy for granted. We need to be careful, and take care of our constitution, and our democracy.

I have not read many books about Mary Todd Lincoln or her family. The book after reading it made me want to research more on her, and her family. The only two things I knew were that Mary Todd was mentally ill. And her son attempted to take her finances. What I found out wasn't true. Her son had his own money. He was only looking out for her. He was always worried that people would take advantage of her. It seemed that Mary had a very supportive family who truly cared about her. The sisters cared deeply about her own welfare. She didn't trust her son. She was a widow. Who would make sure she was ok? So Elizabeth did what she thought was right for her sister, Mary.  I enjoyed reading the multi-layered stories of the sisters, the family, and learning about the Civil War, and Abraham Lincoln, and Mary Todd Lincoln, and her very caring, supportive sister. Who Mary probably thought she needed to mind her own business. I just loved the book, and can't praise it enough. I have more admiration now for Mary, and Abraham then I did before. If you love history, particularly American history, and a political junkie. I recommend it.