Mrs. Lincoln's Sisters

 I read Jennifer Chaiverini's book, Mrs. Lincoln's Sisters. This historical fiction travels back in time to Mary Todd Lincoln's childhood, her adulthood, and the end of her life. The story is told from the perspective of four of her sisters. In total Mary was one of seven siblings from the marriage of her parents and went on to have nine more half-siblings when her father remarried. Mary's mother died shortly after giving birth when Mary was five. Elizabeth was her eldest sister who acted more like a mother than a sister after their mother died. Francis was younger than Elizabeth but older than Mary and was a peacemaker in the family. Ann was Mary's younger sister and always a bit envious. Emily was a much younger half-sister. According to this book, Mary stated her ambition to be the wife of the President of the United States when she was a teenager. As a child she was moody and stubborn, unwilling to apologize or admit error, and very used to getting her way. Historians say she might have had bipolar disorder because she swung from depression to mania rather quickly. Two of her sons died in childhood. When her third son, Tad, died at age 18 her mental health suffered. She acted erratically and tried to commit suicide. Her remaining son, Robert Lincoln, had her declared insane and committed to a hospital for treatment. Her sister Elizabeth arranged for Mary to live with her which was no easy task because Mary was a difficult person to live with. I really enjoyed reading about this controversial First Lady.