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Madelon's Reviews > Mary: Mrs. A. Lincoln
Mary: Mrs. A. Lincoln
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This book was devastating. I know that it's fictional, but many facts of her life support the author's characterization. I really want to talk to somebody about this book. The fact that she was given laudanum and chloral hydrate - and told to drink as much as she wanted to "help her sleep" - because of "feminine" problems - clearly originated by the loss of 3 sons and the assassination of her husband as she sat by him - it just makes me sick. To think that women were so carelessly treated this way by the men in their lives who had complete power over them (her oldest son - who also seems to have mistreated his wife - and every man who had power over her money or her circumstances). She did some thoughtless things and had a problem being a "shopaholic" - but this book gives some reason for her to have done some of these things - that some love and friendship might well have held in check. I know I'm rambling, but this book really got to me!
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Mary.
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Reading Progress
January 2, 2013
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Started Reading
January 2, 2013
– Shelved
January 8, 2013
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Finished Reading
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I know these drugs were far less understood as addictive in that time period. Their use was just one aspect of the total picture of abuse of this woman portrayed by the book. Part of a total picture.
With you on that ramble of yours
According to some historic accounts, Mary Lincoln was, by all appearances, bipolar and her symptoms were exacerbated by the loss of her sons and husband. Before Abraham Lincoln died, he considered institutionalizing Mary because her behavior was so unmanageable. After Lincoln's assassination, Mary became psychotic and was hallucinating, unable to take care of herself. Unfortunately, modern psychiatric treatment was unavailable during Mary's lifetime and she was often misunderstood. Mary led a very tragic life.