What readers think of Courting Mr. Lincoln, plus links to write your own review.

This book was very good - I wanted to give it a 4 1/2. The exploration of the relationships between Mary Todd, Lincoln and Joshua Speed is very beautifully captured. Much of it pulled at my heartstrings! It is written with intelligence - the author has quite an eye for historical detail and the book is filled with both humor and poignancy.

Back and forth among the 3 intertwined characters and their relationship to each other and the culture of the day. The descriptions of Lincoln as a young man hint at the leader he will become in our history books. Not much action in the book - but the 3 main characters and how they work together provide its own suspense.

A good read overall. Bayard takes some liberties with the historical record, which is fine with historical fiction. This book covers Lincoln's early years in Springfield where he meets Joshua Speed and Mary Todd. His growth from bumpkin to a man dressed and appearing as a professional and who could stand up as a lawyer, legislator and politician is fleshed out. Much of this polishing is attributed to input from Speed. In many ways, this reads as a book that could cross over to young adult readers. Lightly written, no overt violence or sex,. The relationship between Lincoln andSpeed is delicately handled - how far did the relationship extend? Some biographies have suggested Lincoln was bisexual and this book seems to accept that suggestion. Both Joshua Speed and Mary Todd are clearly courting Lincoln, each in their own way, each to their own ends. I would recommend this book to historical fiction fans, both young adult and adults. Purists of Lincoln history might find this book too light and straying too far from fact.

Readers of historical fiction will want to read this book..I have read much about Lincoln however this book tells about the early years when he first met Mary Todd and his friendship with Joshua Speed. Although it is fiction much is based on historical facts as all good historical fiction needs to be. The courtship of Mary and Abe is written in a fascinating way and brings to life the culture of that time in our history. I have now purchased the biography of Mary Todd Lincoln mentioned by the author. Reading historical fiction often leads to finding more facts.
I rated this book 4 stars because at times it did progress slowly.
Overall this is a good read for anyone interested in history.

This is a novel that is centered on Abraham Lincoln's young adult life in Springfield Illinois. It focuses on Lincoln, his future wife Mary Todd and his close friend Joshua Speed. The novel delves into the personalities of all three. Lincoln is very closed off emotionally, he and Mary have a lot of difficulty communicating on an emotional level. Lincoln and Joshua share a very close relationship, but they too have trouble understanding each other. No one seems to be able to express their feelings. There is a lot of sadness. I liked that the novel was told from different character's point of view.

I had high expectations for this book because I love Abe and have read a lot of fiction and non fiction about him. I was a bit disappointed! I did like the portrayal of him as the country bumpkin that was coached by his friend on how to behave in civilized society but was bogged down in too many details. Likewise I was interested in Mary's portrayal as a self possessed and politically obsessed debutante who needed to find a husband but felt their relationship was too drawn out. I found the book a slow read and it didn't always hold my attention. Perhaps I was distracted by the fact I know how it ends! If you are a Lincoln fan I'd give it a read and see what you think.

Perhaps knowing a lot about the Lincolns is a disadvantage. This fictionalized account is pallid and flat. There are better, more interesting actual biographies. I doubt that I'll read anything else by this author.