An Unlikely Friendship:
A Novel of Mary Todd Lincoln
and Elizabeth Keckley
by Ann Rinaldi

    AN UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP by Ann Rinaldi
    Category:  Historical
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  11/1/08
    Publisher:  Harcourt
    Reviewed by:  Cat
    Rating:  5 Stars


    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.