I love books with strong female characters and Kate Chase fits the bill. Her father is widowed for the third time and his daughter, Kate takes over the role of a wife, as far as helping him with his presence in Washington Society. Kate organizes dinners to help her father's political efforts and goes with him to political functions. She always gives her opinions and advise to her father and he often takes her advice. She is quite savvy in politics. Though he wasn't able to get elected as president, as he had hoped, he was Abraham Lincoln's secretary of treasury. In part, due to Kate.Though Kate and Mrs. Lincoln had much in common, they were not friends but rivals.I believe if Kate was alive today she would be a successful female politician! Instead she falls into the same fate as most women of her time. She is expected to marry, raise a family and tolerate her husbands' mistreatment. Though I did enjoy the book, some of it became a bit repetitive and tiresome. I think some of the book could have been tightened up with some more editing. Some parts of the book really captured my attention yet some, I just wanted to end. I am glad I read 'Mrs. Lincoln's Rival' to get to know who Kate Chase Sprague was in U.S. history. Thank you to the Goodreads First Reads giveaways program for a copy of Jennifer Chiaverini’s novel, “Mrs. Lincoln’s Rival.”I couldn’t wait for this book to arrive in my mailbox. Chiaverini’s fiction had been on my “to-read” list for years, and winning a copy of her most recent historical fiction novel was such a thrill. Unfortunately, after admiring the beautiful, high-quality cover of the book, settling into bed and reading the first few chapters, I knew, with a sinking feeling inside, that I just didn’t have the inclination to proceed with the story. Over the course of the next week or so, I grudgingly returned to the pages, hoping that some event or character would spark my interest for the long haul. But the characters just weren’t appealing, the “rivalry” between protagonist Kate Chase and Mrs. Mary Todd Lincoln was merely a minor happening, and the many military battles were so mired in historical detail that this potentially-fascinating Civil War-era novel was a disappointment. Hopefully, Chiaverini’s earlier historical novels, such as “The Spymistress” and “Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker” have more to offer.
What do You think about Mrs. Lincoln's Rival (2014)?
interesting look into the life (although fictionalized) of a figure i did not know well
—maryselrodriguez
I was very intrigued with the view of political life then. Very illuminating writing
—Jimjolly15
excellent historical fiction backed by strong research
—mjchristine
