Mrs. Lincoln's Rival by Jennifer Chiaverini

Title: Mrs. Lincoln's Rival
Author: Jennifer Chiaverini
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: A beautiful and intelligent young woman brought up by a father with presidential aspirations, Kate Chase works to establish her widowed father as a member of Lincoln's cabinet. As the people of Washington City praise her, Mary Todd Lincoln feels threatened and the two become rivals as they help the men in their lives to achieve greatness.

My Thoughts

This is the third novel that I have read by Jennifer Chiaverini (Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker, The Spymistress). Mrs. Lincoln's Rival had exactly what I liked about her other novels as well; a strong female lead living during the American Civil War offering a historical perspective different from the one told in history class. 
It was really interesting to learn about Kate Chase and her father, Salmon P. Chase, especially because they were from Ohio. Mr. Chase was governor of Ohio before being elected to represent Ohio in the Senate and then being selected by Lincoln to be Secretary of the Treasury. 
The reader gets inside information into how the government is being run as S. Chase solicits advice and confides in his daughter. Kate also gives a window into the social aspects of life as Washington City elite, holding dinners and attending parties hosted by the president and first lady. Of course, with Kate being a young woman, there is a large portion dedicated to courting rituals of the time as well.
Kate's friends also keep her informed about the happenings at the White House. I find the author's take on the Lincolns to be very intriguing because she does not idealize them, but rather focuses on the fact that they were real people.
Chiaverini chooses to showcase the less desirable aspects of Mary Todd Lincoln's temperament and the fact that Abraham Lincoln was not a strong abolitionist when he first took office.

If you are looking for a historically accurate piece of Civil War fiction then this book is for you! If you have read this novel, let me know what you think in the comments below!

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To see more from Jennifer Chiaverini, visit her website linked above.