Courting Mr. Lincoln: A NovelA page-turning novel about the brilliant, melancholic future president and the two people who knew him best: his handsome and charming confidant (and roommate), Joshua Speed, and the spirited young debutante Mary Todd. When Mary Todd meets Abraham Lincoln in Springfield in the winter of 1840, he is on no one’s short list to be president. A country lawyer living above a dry goods shop, he is lacking both money and manners, and his gift for oratory surprises those who meet him. Mary, a quick, self-possessed debutante with an interest in debates and elections, at first finds him an enigma. “I can only hope,” she tells his roommate, the handsome, charming Joshua Speed, “that his waters being so very still, they also run deep.” It’s not long, though, before she sees the Lincoln that Speed knows: an amiable, profound man who, despite his awkwardness, has a gentle wit to match his genius, and who respects her keen political mind. But as her relationship with Lincoln deepens, she must confront his inseparable friendship with Speed, who has taught his roommate how to dance, dress, and navigate the polite society of Springfield. Told in the alternating voices of Mary Todd and Joshua Speed, and inspired by historical events, Courting Mr. Lincoln creates a sympathetic and complex portrait of Mary unlike any that has come before; a moving portrayal of the deep and very real connection between the two men; and most of all, an evocation of the unformed man who would grow into one of the nation’s most beloved presidents. Louis Bayard, a master storyteller, delivers here a page-turning tale of love, longing, and forbidden possibilities. A Washington Post Bestseller A May Indie Next Pick An Apple Books Best of the Month for April A People Magazine Best Book of the Week “Exquisite.” —People “A triumph of a novel.” —Bookreporter.com “Rich, fascinating, and romantic.” —Newsday |
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Abraham Lincoln afternoon already answered asked Bayard began believe better Billy Conkling course dance dear door drew Elizabeth Edwards eyes face Fanny Farmington father feel feet finger flatboats Francis Francis's gave gaze gentlemen girl glance guests hand head heard hour Illinois John Speed Joshua Speed Julia Kentucky knew ladies laugh Lincoln lips look Louis Bayard married Mary Todd Mary Todd Lincoln Mary's Mary's neck Matilda mean Mercy Meredosia mind minutes Miss Todd morning murmured never night Ninian Ninian Edwards nodded once parlor paused perhaps Presco Quality Hill reached rose round Sangamon Sangamon County seemed side silence sister smile sound speak Springfield stared stood stopped supper suppose sure surprise tell There's thing thought Tibbetts told took turned voice waiting walk watch week Whig window wonder word