Book Review: “Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker,” by Jennifer Chiaverini

Genre: historical fiction; Inspirational; Civil War

Playlist…

Plot Summary: Elizabeth Keckley, a former slave woman living in 1860’s Washington DC, is hired by many of the city’s female elite for her superior dressmaking skills.  While serving many congressmen’s wives, as well as Varina Davis, Mrs. Keckley also receives an opportunity to sew for Mrs. Lincoln as her husband prepares to enter the White House.  For the duration of the Civil War, Elizabeth is employed by Mary Lincoln as her personal modiste and she witnesses history in the making first hand.  When tragedy strikes, what will become of the bond of friendship between these two very different women?

My Book Review: Jennifer Chiaverini is known for her fictional “quilt genre” books.  Those haven’t really piqued my interest, but I have a few of her other historical fiction on my TBR.  This is the first I’ve read by her, and I was impressed.  Although it felt a little slow-reading for me at times, I came away from it being glad I learned a lot about the people on whom this story is based.

Elizabeth Keckley was a real person who was born into slavery in 1818.  She was able to buy her and her son’s freedom at the age of 37 and eventually moved to the capitol and established a successful dressmaking business for herself.  This lady was so interesting to learn about.  I would relate more, but it would spoil the book.

We’ve heard about Antietam, Gettysburg, the Emancipation Proclamation, 13th Amendment, the fall of Richmond and John Wilkes Booth.  But this is told from a friend of the First Lady’s point of view which makes the story unique.  The most interesting part for me was the time related after Abraham Lincoln’s assassination.  I had no idea what happened to Mrs. Lincoln after the White House years.  It was fascinating, but if you’re hoping this story ends in a grand fashion with fireworks you would be wrong.  In some ways, it was heartbreaking.

In this story, we learn the kindness of a true friend in Keckley.  She was a fashionable, dignified, self-educated woman with common sense and whom Mrs. Lincoln needed and turned to in times of trouble.  Sometimes, Elizabeth could be too over-giving in a codependent sort of way.  Mary Lincoln wasn’t the easiest person to get along with.  But reading of Keckley’s love and loyalty was beautiful.

I was thinking about our modern era of social media.  How easily one’s text can be misconstrued and before you know it there is a facebook battle or twitter backlash.  We think our troubles are unique to our time, but in reading Mrs. Keckley’s story we find that is not true.  How does she handle the media outrage against her?  As a heroine– with perseverance, honesty, and right living despite not everything being made just this side of heaven.

If we think we have a terrible time of it in politics, it is maybe slightly comforting to learn that nothing new is under the sun.  Lincoln was not elected by the majority of the population, and many Republicans tried to run against him during his second presidential campaign.  Many “friends” deserted them and the news was full of criticism, slander and lies.  But the country made it through, and history remembers Abraham Lincoln as one of our greatest presidents.

I think Chiaverini was pretty methodical in her historical research.  I felt like the characters leapt off the page and it’s been fun to look up their photographs and feel like I know them.  If you are a history buff, I think you will appreciate this one.

PS- As you can tell from my review of Lincoln here, it is one of my favorites.  I was interested to know that Elizabeth puts in a cameo appearance as Mrs. Lincoln’s attendant in some key scenes!

The video below sums up her life in brief, but does contain spoilers:

I also recommend…

 

Book Review: “Just Jane,” by Nancy Moser

Playlist…

Genre: historical fiction; Inspirational Christian fiction

Plot Summary: The youngest daughter of the vicar of the small village of Steventon, Jane leads a pleasantly ordinary life full of friends, town gossip, balls, and family relationships.  She longs for a romantic relationship as well, but Providence doesn’t seem to be providing that.  As the years go by, she matures to find her own voice that she develops in writing some of literature’s more beloved heroines.  This is her story.

My Book Review: I have stacks of books by Nancy Moser I want to read, and I finally tackled my first as an “in between book” (book read while waiting for other books to arrive via Interlibrary Loan).  I have read a few books written by Austen fans meant to be “sequels” to her works, but to be honest I have never cared much for them and don’t go in for them anymore.  I thought this would be a little different in that it is a fictionalized telling of Jane Austen’s life.

The first third of the book did not really have my attention.  It was hard to get used to the first person/present tense narrative, and I disliked Jane’s immature voice.  It just wasn’t how I imagined her.  However, she matures as the story progresses and Jane and her sister Cassandra endure many hardships over the years.  In some ways, I found I could identify.  Moving away from a home one loves; moving multiple times; financial hardships; family quarrels…  In a lot of ways, Jane wasn’t a lot different than the average “jane”.  I loved the theme of the book—Jane struggles to find her own meaning and purpose in life in an age where women’s only status was that of matrimony.  Jane had several offers and therefore opportunities to “better” herself in the world’s eyes.  But she had an overriding factor in the midst of all of it that was common sense driven by her faith.  What a true-life heroine for our young girls to follow!

I came away from the book with a deep appreciation for Jane Austen than I ever have before.  She really gleaned truth and wisdom from her life experiences and packaged them into her fiction.  She may have felt like only an obscure, single woman at times, but she lived her life faithfully and it had such an impact on the lives of countless generations of ladies ever afterwards.  It is sad when some only celebrate her stories for their romance and ridiculous characters; sometimes it seems they capitalize so much on that aspect that one’s impression of Austen books is that they are shallow, bawdy, and titilizing (I believe she would be rolling in her grave if she knew).  But the real essence of Austen is her good sense, wise living and humorous observations of humanity.  They are stories we can all learn from.

Bottom line: If you are hungry for more all-things Austen… if you disliked Masterpiece’s “Miss Austen Regrets”… if you would benefit from a wholesome story of a real-life heroine…

I think you will like this.

…

I also recommend:

 

Random Books: Fall’s Hurrahs

And then… 🙂  I went to two more book sales over the weekend and came home with EVEN MORE!

I remember first reading this Jacques book all afternoon on a summer’s day in our front yard when I was a kid. This is actually the audiobook, which I got to hear the author’s accent.

Did you know that the first female millionaire in America was black? I can’t read to read this inspiring true story.

Because I do have other interests than just books.

This actually had a bio section on my family name!

This book has interested me ever since I first read about it in BookPage. I would love to see a movie made of it.

There’s this woman I know– always so put together. Sigh… That’s why I bought the Nail book.

I could deal with an easier life.

 

Free Jane Austen course

A few months ago I was alerted by an email from Hillsdale College of a new free online course they’re making available on Jane Austen.  As I keep slowly working on the C. S. Lewis lectures, I haven’t tackled the newest ones yet.  But I’m looking forward to it and am finally getting around to passing the link on to anyone else who is interested.

While browsing the Hillsdale website, I notice there are several other excellent courses available for free as well.  Lots of American civics and history lectures, Churchill homage, and many literature courses besides.  Among them are talks elaborating on: Shakespeare’s Hamlet; Great Books 101 & 102, and Mark Twain stories.  Enjoy!

 

C. S. Lewis Audio Drama

I wish it had not taken me so long to listen and pass this excellent audio drama on to you, but such has been my [lack of] blogging activity lately I’m afraid!  The Northern Irish Man in C. S. Lewis* stars Geoffrey Palmer as that famous author, who reminisces about his childhood in Ulster.  The acting felt very realistic and it was interesting to find the pieces of Narnia that inspired Lewis as a boy.  Settle in and enjoy, but don’t forget that this is only available for a limited time!

*For some reason cannot insert link to text, so click on picture to take you to the drama!

 

Random Books Post, the Thick of Yard Saling Season

It’s about time I posted about my random book findings, as I have about three STACKS (deserving of capitals) to update on.  Please forgive me for posting links to goodreads.  It was just a little too much HTMLing for me.  But as always, you can click to view them up closer on slideshow and read my comments on them all.  Ready?  Here we go!:

I told you. random. stacks.

The subject of body language has been intriguing to me. I’m intuitive by nature, but would like to find out more on picking up on people’s cues. Doesn’t that sound fascinating?

Another library discard that I’m keeping for whenever I get my own place. Which should be happening any year now…

This book came in handy today! I have a cold and was able to alleviate some of the congestion in my skull by using some of the techniques in this guide.

Oh my. I saw this about ten years ago in a library in another state and always wished to find it again. Found it at a yard sale and scooped it up immediately! What a fascinating read, even if it was in LARGE PRINT.

Well, if my library is going to purge this I might as well pick it up for the nieces and nephews. Which don’t exist. Yet.

A loved one deals with this, so was thankful to pick this up at a sale.

We have a book of children’s poems by this author. I was intrigued when I discovered him in the church library.

Came across a lot of Foster and Nouwen books at a church rummage sale.

Very nice condition for 25 cents at a yard sale. 🙂 Me happy.

Believe it or not, I actually found this book in the dumpster! (That’s another story…)

I probably don’t need most of this book, nor need it for long but it might serve a temporary purpose on my bookshelf.

I love this art era.

Have read this and was happy to find my own nice copy to have and to hold.

This book that I got for free promises to save my life. Hmm…

Yes, I bought this for me. No, I’m not there yet. But I am a slow walker. I love to read travel books while eating breakfast anyway…

Guess what I’m doing lately?

Just what I’ve been wanting!

I read this book last year and absolutely loved it!

Might sound funny, but I often read books for writers in order to pick up tips on how to read audiobooks better.

Fortunate to acquire so many of these spiritual classics at one sale!

Oh, a book right up my ally!

Yes!

I remember this event very well. My family and I could hardly eat while Terri Schiavo was being slowly murdered before the world’s eyes. A terrible tragedy and I will never forget.

I was hoping this book would be full of watercolor paintings, but on closer inspection I guess it’s not. But it still seems like a beautiful spiritual book to add to my library.

Always better to learn early than too late, I think.

I know someone who bought their wedding dress from this shop.

Oh wow. I really had no idea what I picked up at the big library sale until I was looking at it later at home. What an amazing story!!

No, this post is not a disguised cry for help, but I’m sure this is one that everyone could utilize at some point in their life. I heard it recommended on the former MidDay Connection radio program.

More Henri Nouwen…

On my TBR.

I haven’t read The Giver yet, but I loved the movie and would like to read these books by Lois Lowry.

I love illumination art, and would like to attempt it myself someday as a hobby.

These, along with a couple others here, have a funny story. Recently my church library weeded out some of it’s more dated fiction & non-fiction. I asked permission to take some of them home before they got rid of them, but they were carted off before I could adopt them. (I had not known this.) Two weeks later I attended the town’s senior citizen rummage sale. Low and behold, there were the church library discards, along with the very ones I’d marked with sticky notes! I told the sale organizers what had happened, but unfortunately they wouldn’t let me have them for free. Nuts! Oh well– 25 cents is a close second.

Books on relationships make up a certain percentage of my home library. As an introvert, this is a struggle for me to do well.

I already have one of his books, and I believe I recommended it on one of my non-fiction posts.

I originally discovered this on goodreads and then found it at a sale recently. I think it will make for a fascinating read.

An early Lawhead book.

Any book should be approached thoughtfully, with the mind engaged. That is especially how I plan on reading this author.

The movie and film music captivate me, so I want to read the book, too.

A naturopath I recently visited had me take a test out of this book. Although I didn’t know what the name of it was, my mom and I found this at a book sale and I was happy to find it was where the test came from. Now I can read more info. on it!

Yet another contemplative book…

Has long been part of my TBR. Part of The Oxford Chronicles series.

I actually already had this but I liked this copy better than the paperback. My Aunt E. started me onto this author many years ago.

I’ve checked this out of my local library several times in the past. Now it’s mine after they purged it this week.

A continuation of Mrs. Lindbergh’s diaries.

I book I need for reference when in discussion with others with differing opinions.

My interest was piqued after going through the free course on C. S. Lewis on Hillsdale College’s website.

Love this author.

I’ve read differing opinions about this author and would like to find out for myself what I think. But so far it appeals to me.

#2 in the Empyrion Series.

Another TBR.

After doing a lot of reading on contemplative authors and coming to an opinion, I also had a conversation with my pastor about them. I value my pastor’s insight and he said he enjoyed reading them even if he might not accept everything. So you’ll be seeing Nouwen plus several others along the same spiritual genre among my finds here.

I need. Has great diagrams on proper posture.

My church library recently got rid of this book and I was unable to snag it in time. But I just found it the next week at a library sale! I am a fan of the Mains and would like to learn how to make more of my day of rest.

 

Movie Review: Arthur & George

Based on the book by Julian Barnes.

Version: 2015; starring Martin Clunes; Hattie Morahan; Michael Gregson

Genre:  mystery; period drama; biographical

Plot Summary: George Edalji is the son of a respectable vicar from India, under suspicion of murder.  Sir Arthur is a famous mystery writer grieving the death of his wife.  The two are fatefully connected and the latter takes it upon himself to clear Edalji’s name so he and his family can live in peace.  But things are not so clear cut and simple as they seemed at the beginning.  The details of the case get weirder and weirder, and the body count rises.  Can Arthur Doyle solve the mystery in time, or is George really guilty of the crimes?

My Review: Disclaimer*: I have not read the original book, so this review will not be comparing it to that novel.  Only as a story in and of itself, totally unrelated to the book.  

I’d been seeing the book at the library lately, and was itching to watch something other than Downton Abbey on PBS, so I gave this movie a shot. I’m so glad I did!

Atmosphere, suspense, historical period setting—all the ingredients for the perfect mystery are present in this Masterpiece film! Everything from creepy music, tweed suits, Clunes’ Scottish accent, the glow of candles, and the crunch of autumn leaves contributed to the mysterious atmosphere that pervaded throughout all three episodes of the story.  It kept my attention well, and although I had to rewind to catch certain details and may not have followed the plot/motives entirely, I still highly enjoyed watching it. I’m not sure how much was based on actual truth or if it was pure fiction, but I found the actors believable, and Martin Clunes especially so in the role of Dr. Doyle.

During the course of the story, we discover that Sir Arthur is filled with remorse over the fact that he had an admiration for another woman while his wife was still living. I appreciated this element.  Later, Doyle pursues a relationship with the woman he loves, and when accusations are thrown against it, he insists he had never used her as his mistress.  The rest of the film is pretty clean, except for perhaps mild swearing, some unsightly animal killings and a rather gruesome death at the end.  Probably the most unsettling is the pervading sense of unease throughout, which I found to be quite fun!

If you’re in the mood for a spooky-strange mystery, I’m sure you will enjoy this Victorian-era flick!

 

Used Book Shopping at Thrift Stores

Ah!  🙂  Time to grab a chai and a blanket and for a little ‘random book shopping’ post!  There aren’t a ton this time around, but I can tell you I was pretty excited over these:

Edith Schaeffer’s non fiction book, “Hidden Art [of Homemaking]” is one of my favorites. I was fortunate to find this in the free bin at the thrift store!”>”A Way of Seeing,” by Edith Schaeffer

As a kid, one particular summer when I had a walloping case of poison ivy, Mom had me soak in ginger baths while she read to me the Mains’ “Tales of the Kingdom.” I later learned there is a trilogy of these wonderful children’s stories, and I was finally able to get my hands on the second one.

*See note below gallery of post.

Ron Dicianni is one my favorite modern day artists. His paintings of the spiritual life are so full of light and the supernatural. I used to have a book of his paintings before (“Tell Me a Story”), but somewhere along the way of moving 5 times, it got lost or destroyed. I was so happy to find this one! It has even more paintings in it!

*This was the best find out of all of them!  Have you heard of the story of Diet Eman?  This brave young Dutch woman defied the Nazis along with her fiancé in hiding Jews during WWII.  About ten years ago, I listened to a recorded speech she gave that aired on Focus on the Family.  It was split into two parts and I remember being so engrossed in the Part 1 and not wanting to miss the next day’s continuation.  But I was unable to at that time (didn’t have the benefit of looking up past programs on the internet), and was so sorry to have missed it.  A short time later after moving to another state, I saw a flyer announcing a small community theater performing a play based on Diet Eman’s biography.  It was said that Diet herself may be there to meet and greet afterward!  I was so excited and we all bought tickets.  The play (named after the book, “Things We Couldn’t Say”) was riveting.  Unfortunately, Ms. Eman (who is now quite elderly) couldn’t make it that night and we never got to meet her.  But.  I was looking through the wealth of books at a local Salvation Army store and came across her autobiography in great condition.  And when I opened it up… I saw she had autographed it!  !!!!!  How COOL is that?!  I am so thrilled and honored to have a book signed by her own hand to keep for my own and pass on.  It is my hope that I get to meet her one day in person.

You never know what you might find at a thrift store!  Do you have any special book finds?  Please share!

 

Non-Fiction Books I’m Liking (Summer 2016)

Thought I’d get my Summer non-fiction faves posted before summer turns to fall!  Ha!  During what’s left of this season, learn the truth about discounts and controversial figures…

Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half with America’s Cheapest Family, by Steve & Annette Economides ~ I’ve been on a coupon, money-saving roll ever since last summer when I read “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Couponing” by Rachel Singer Gordon (see book review here). Although I wouldn’t consider myself an extreme couponer, I have felt the thrill of being able to stretch the budget a little further.  As many of you know, I’m an avid listener of Moody Radio and I have heard the Economides interviewed on In the Market with Janet Parshall. So I was curious to take my saving skills a little deeper and check out their book from the library to see what I could learn from yet another book.  I found their style user-friendly and appreciated the fact that they were writing from a Christian worldview.  The Economides aren’t hoarders, but they are savvy and make it their life calling to teach others how to save money.  I probably won’t be following all of their advice in their book (for example, grocery shopping one day a month or grinding my own meat), but I’ve been implementing a few tips here and there.  For example, we’ve reorganized our whole deep chest freezer to be able to utilize it more efficiently.  We’ve also gone the extra step to print out price tracking sheets for each item we regularly buy and chart the price differences from the local stores we frequent.  I wouldn’t have believed it would make that much difference, but it does and the work pays off!  I learned organization is the key.  I’m already benefitting greatly from the Economides’ book.  Hooray!!

The Story of Alice, by Robert Douglas-Fairhurst ~ How much do you know about Charles Dodgson (aka, Lewis Carroll), the author of Alice in Wonderland?  If you’re like me, you knew little snatches here and there.  Something about a boat ride and a real little girl named Alice.  And oh yeah, wasn’t he in love with her?  Forget all you thought you knew about Mr. Dodgson and introduce yourself anew with this well researched biography.  Although I didn’t read it cover to cover, I did find it fascinating as I spent several days skim reading my way through.  I really appreciated that the author didn’t clamp onto scandalous rumors in order to churn out something sensational.  He thoughtfully presented all the possibilities and the end result was a well-balanced account that one can make up one’s own mind about.  It’s my opinion that Charles Dodgson was an old-fashioned Victorian who was terribly misunderstood in his own day, and especially in our’s.  I also enjoyed looking at his hobby photographs displayed in the book.  I think this would be of interest to anyone who is an Alice fan, or who enjoys history.

 

Movie Review: The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

Based on the non-f book by Terry Ryan.

Version: 2005; starring Julianne Moore.

Genre: drama; biographical

Plot Summary: Evelyn Ryan is a housewife and mother of five who keeps her family afloat during the 1950’s by entering jingle-writing contests.

My Review: Disclaimer*: I have not read the original book, so this review will not be comparing it to that novel.  Only as a story in and of itself, totally unrelated to the book.  

I vaguely remember reading something similar (about a mother entering contests to make money) in an old edition of Reminisce magazine at the dentist’s years ago.  It may have been about the same family, or perhaps another family of the same era.  In any case, I interested in seeing this movie with a strong, female character.  Also, I was wanted to see Julianne Moore’s acting since she won an Oscar last year for Best Actress.  I was not expecting this film to be as thought provoking as it was.

You’re a hardworking housewife with a family of 10 kids. You’re husband has a job but drinks all the money away.  It’s the 1950’s.  Few women work outside the home and there aren’t many options.  What would you do?  For a woman named Evelyn Ryan, the answer was sitting right in front of her in the living room via the television. Decades ago, it used to be that companies would put out commercial contests in which ordinary citizens could win prizes and cash money by winning jingle-writing ads for products.  But there weren’t many who could actually say they made a living off of it.

It’s remarkable the talent, creativity and ingenuity that an ordinary woman with no degree in anything had to put food on the table. Most would shrivel up in bitterness and negativity, full of blame and despair.  But even though the Ryan children grew up in a family with an alcoholic father, they saw their mother persevere with optimism and a compassionate attitude toward her husband.  We see the family’s story through the eyes of the middle daughter, Tuff.  Their pain is not masked by a fake smiley-face and the realities of growing up in a dysfunctional family take their toll, but their mother’s strength manages to keep them all together through the many hardships they face.  As a result, the children grew up to be quite successful adults.  The complicated interactions between Evelyn and her husband are well acted, and the food scene in which Mr. Ryan begins a tantrum while Mrs. Ryan enjoys her meal was quite interesting psychologically.

I enjoyed the acting, costumes and props in this movie. There really is no adult content, but there are some curse words (during the father’s drinking binges).  There is some sensuousness between husband and wife, but nothing gets graphic.  I believe my favorite scene was when Evelyn wins an all-you-can-pack-into-a-cart-in-10-min. shopping spree.  Do not cross a woman with a method!

It’s hard for me to say if this is a ‘family movie’. It’s not easy watching the themes presented, but sadly it is a reality for many in this world.  It may be one for parents to prewatch if they have concerns.  Otherwise, I really would recommend it.  There was nothing shabby about the quality of this film, and there was a lot of retro eye candy for vintage lovers!