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Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray
A general’s wife and a slave girl forge a friendship that transcends race, culture, and the crucible of Civil War.
Mary Anna Custis Lee is a great-granddaughter of Martha Washington, wife of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, and heiress to Virginia’s storied Arlington house and General Washington’s personal belongings.
Born in bondage at Arlington, Selina Norris Gray learns to read and write in the schoolroom Mary and her mother keep for the slave children and eventually becomes Mary’s housekeeper and confidante. As Mary’s health declines, Selina becomes her personal maid, strengthening a bond that lasts until death parts them.
Forced to flee Arlington at the start of the Civil War, Mary entrusts the keys to her beloved home to no one but Selina. When Union troops begin looting the house, it is Selina who confronts their commander and saves many of its historic treasures.
In a story spanning crude slave quarters, sunny schoolrooms, stately wedding parlors, and cramped birthing rooms, novelist Dorothy Love amplifies the astonishing true-life account of an extraordinary alliance and casts fresh light on the tumultuous years leading up to and through the wrenching battle for a nation’s soul.
A classic American tale, Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray is the first novel to chronicle this beautiful fifty-year friendship forged at the crossroads of America’s journey from enslavement to emancipation.
Mary Anna Custis Lee is a great-granddaughter of Martha Washington, wife of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, and heiress to Virginia’s storied Arlington house and General Washington’s personal belongings.
Born in bondage at Arlington, Selina Norris Gray learns to read and write in the schoolroom Mary and her mother keep for the slave children and eventually becomes Mary’s housekeeper and confidante. As Mary’s health declines, Selina becomes her personal maid, strengthening a bond that lasts until death parts them.
Forced to flee Arlington at the start of the Civil War, Mary entrusts the keys to her beloved home to no one but Selina. When Union troops begin looting the house, it is Selina who confronts their commander and saves many of its historic treasures.
In a story spanning crude slave quarters, sunny schoolrooms, stately wedding parlors, and cramped birthing rooms, novelist Dorothy Love amplifies the astonishing true-life account of an extraordinary alliance and casts fresh light on the tumultuous years leading up to and through the wrenching battle for a nation’s soul.
A classic American tale, Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray is the first novel to chronicle this beautiful fifty-year friendship forged at the crossroads of America’s journey from enslavement to emancipation.
400 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2016
159 people are currently reading
2250 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Love
23 books234 followersBefore returning to her writing roots in historical fiction, Dorothy Love published twelve novels for young adults. Her work has garnered numerous honors from the American Library Association, the Friends of American Writers, the International Reading Association, the New York Public Library, and many others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
July 2, 2020
A decent introduction to the lives of Selina Gray and Mary Lee. It’s based on a true friendship between two women known in history. If you’ve ever been to Arlington, you’ve seen both these ladies’ names and pictures.
One drawback was that Love tried so hard to stick to what is known that she showed the two women side by side but gave very few examples of them interacting. What sparked Mary to train up this young girl to become the housekeeper? Most history names the Syphexes as the leaders of the slave faction at Arlington, but they play a very small role here and the Norrises are named as the favorites and the most influential; that did confuse me. I understand the much smaller body of history to work with for Selina but a lot is read into her story; I also didn’t think of her doubting her mistress for decades as it seems she does in the book.
A repeated error of Mary’s pet name is made; she is called Molly (her mother’s name) instead of Mim. That continually threw me off because I have read other accounts and am familiar with her as Mim or “dear Mary.” Love did nail the portrayal of the centrality of family life to Mary and how being with her family was what kept her fighting off the grim clutches of rheumatoid arthritis for so long.
I was a little surprised that the war years were skipped over for the most part, especially the loss of Arlington, which threw Selina out homeless. Not a word about how the property was seized and how Mary was taxed but not allowed to pay the tax even though she sent the money. The actions of Lee to free the slaves even before the North did so was glossed over (Custis’s will specified that the slaves were to be freed within five years, but the home was heavily encumbered with debt; Lee exerted himself to clear that debt before the five years were up instead of allowing the creditors to come and possibly take the slaves as a payment, which was sadly what happened to many other gentlemen's slaves in that time frame: they’d leave a will to free the slaves, but so many debts that the creditors overrode the terms of the will). Yes, he made them work; but it was so that all could go free in those five years.
Love mentioned that Lee’s father was a bit of a deadbeat, but she didn’t illustrate that Lee viewed his father as a hero and that most of America did as well. Light-Horse Harry was nearly killed in a street riot attempting to stand up for his friend, and his “leaving his family” was that he went to the Caribbean for his health. While we don’t know for sure why his wife and family stayed behind, they were apparently hoping he would recover and return, instead of the portrayal of “runaway father” that’s given here. It is a fact that Lee used his father’s name and fame to get the entry into dozens of society homes, so Light-Horse Harry obviously wasn’t suffering too badly from “social downfall.”
So all in all a mixed bag; a good starting point for this family but not by any means a complete introduction to the history. Sadly, many small things distract from some major issues that only got a bare mention or which weren’t even mentioned at all.
One drawback was that Love tried so hard to stick to what is known that she showed the two women side by side but gave very few examples of them interacting. What sparked Mary to train up this young girl to become the housekeeper? Most history names the Syphexes as the leaders of the slave faction at Arlington, but they play a very small role here and the Norrises are named as the favorites and the most influential; that did confuse me. I understand the much smaller body of history to work with for Selina but a lot is read into her story; I also didn’t think of her doubting her mistress for decades as it seems she does in the book.
A repeated error of Mary’s pet name is made; she is called Molly (her mother’s name) instead of Mim. That continually threw me off because I have read other accounts and am familiar with her as Mim or “dear Mary.” Love did nail the portrayal of the centrality of family life to Mary and how being with her family was what kept her fighting off the grim clutches of rheumatoid arthritis for so long.
I was a little surprised that the war years were skipped over for the most part, especially the loss of Arlington, which threw Selina out homeless. Not a word about how the property was seized and how Mary was taxed but not allowed to pay the tax even though she sent the money. The actions of Lee to free the slaves even before the North did so was glossed over (Custis’s will specified that the slaves were to be freed within five years, but the home was heavily encumbered with debt; Lee exerted himself to clear that debt before the five years were up instead of allowing the creditors to come and possibly take the slaves as a payment, which was sadly what happened to many other gentlemen's slaves in that time frame: they’d leave a will to free the slaves, but so many debts that the creditors overrode the terms of the will). Yes, he made them work; but it was so that all could go free in those five years.
Love mentioned that Lee’s father was a bit of a deadbeat, but she didn’t illustrate that Lee viewed his father as a hero and that most of America did as well. Light-Horse Harry was nearly killed in a street riot attempting to stand up for his friend, and his “leaving his family” was that he went to the Caribbean for his health. While we don’t know for sure why his wife and family stayed behind, they were apparently hoping he would recover and return, instead of the portrayal of “runaway father” that’s given here. It is a fact that Lee used his father’s name and fame to get the entry into dozens of society homes, so Light-Horse Harry obviously wasn’t suffering too badly from “social downfall.”
So all in all a mixed bag; a good starting point for this family but not by any means a complete introduction to the history. Sadly, many small things distract from some major issues that only got a bare mention or which weren’t even mentioned at all.
August 4, 2016
My most favorite read of this year so far! Dorothy Love has created everything I hold dear in a historical fiction read. Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray encompassed faith, family, love and loss. This read is not without great sadness but it has earned a spot on the permanent library shelf. Dearly loved.
August 14, 2016
This was my third Dorothy Love novel and my favorite thus far. I'm an avid fan of Fiction based upon fact and this novel hit the mark in that regard.
Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray is based upon the lives of the wife of Confederate General Robert E Lee and great granddaughter of Martha Washington and Selina Norris Gray, a slave of Mrs. Lee's father. Their story spans from 1827 to 1873. According to the author's note, much of the novel was based upon factual events and documents.
The author did a nice job of speaking between the two voices of Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray and sharing how their perspective of the same event could be vastly different.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable novel and I highly recommend it for fans of Historical Fiction.
My gratitude to TNZ's Fiction Guild for a complimentary copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray is based upon the lives of the wife of Confederate General Robert E Lee and great granddaughter of Martha Washington and Selina Norris Gray, a slave of Mrs. Lee's father. Their story spans from 1827 to 1873. According to the author's note, much of the novel was based upon factual events and documents.
The author did a nice job of speaking between the two voices of Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray and sharing how their perspective of the same event could be vastly different.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable novel and I highly recommend it for fans of Historical Fiction.
My gratitude to TNZ's Fiction Guild for a complimentary copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
May 8, 2020
Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray by Dorothy Love, is a work of historical fiction based on the authors in depth research, her interest in the relationship and friendship between two very different women. The story is based around the two main characters of; Mrs. Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee and and Mrs. Selina Norris Gray. Mary is a pampered Southern Bell and Selina is a second generation slave.
Mary was the great granddaughter of Martha Washington, she was born and raised at the family plantation called Arlington. Mary falls in love and marries one of histories most famous General's. The story is about Mary being a military wife, Robert E. Lee was a career soldier, he graduated from West Point, the Lee's never stayed in one place for very long, Mary returned home to Arlington to have her babies and Selina was present during the births.
Selina Noris Gray, was a slave, she was born at Arlington, she lived in the slave quarters and she was included in Mary's inheritance when her father passed away. Selina was educated, she was taught to read and write by Mary and her mother. Selina worked as a young girl in the big house, one of her firsts tasks was to help sew clothes for Mary's wedding trousseau and eventually she became Mary's trusted housekeeper.
Selina was present during the births of Mary's children, she didn't rush into getting married herself due to her not wanting her own children being born as slaves, she did eventually marry and have children.
When the American Civil War began, the Lee's were forced to flee Arlington, Mary trusted her housekeeper Selina and she gave her the keys to her home. They had locked away the family treasures, but Selina couldn't save them from being looted by Union soldiers and she did mange to save some historic items.
Life for the Lee family during the Civil War was hard, they lost their beloved home and they moved often. Mary worried about her husband and her son fighting in the war. She and her daughters made clothes for the General, knitted countless pairs of socks and helped with the war effort. They endured food shortages, patched clothes and worn out shoes like everyone living in the South.
Mary and her two daughters decided to remain in Richmond when the Confederate army retreated, one morning they woke up to the sound of cannon fire, and it didn't take long for the union army arrive. They knew the war would end soon, it did and they waited for a defeated Robert E. Lee to return home. Can you imagine how Robert E. Lee felt returning to Richmond after the war ended he did and riding his beloved horse Traveller home.
Mary and Selina remained in contact during the war, they wrote letters to each other, Mary did return once to visit Arlington years after the war ended, she did see Selina for one last time and her family home's grounds were now the final resting place for hundreds of the Unions soldiers.
Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray is a story about two women who were bound together by family ties and a beautiful home called Arlington. Their unique friendship, the bond formed between them, how the Civil War forced them to be separated, the injustice of slavery for Selina and her family and how they were eventually free. Selina earned her place in history by saving General Washington's belongings and Mary by being married to one of histories greatest and beloved General's.
I loved Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray, I gave it five stars, I shared my review on Goodreads, Australian Amazon, Kobo, Twitter and my blog.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
Mary was the great granddaughter of Martha Washington, she was born and raised at the family plantation called Arlington. Mary falls in love and marries one of histories most famous General's. The story is about Mary being a military wife, Robert E. Lee was a career soldier, he graduated from West Point, the Lee's never stayed in one place for very long, Mary returned home to Arlington to have her babies and Selina was present during the births.
Selina Noris Gray, was a slave, she was born at Arlington, she lived in the slave quarters and she was included in Mary's inheritance when her father passed away. Selina was educated, she was taught to read and write by Mary and her mother. Selina worked as a young girl in the big house, one of her firsts tasks was to help sew clothes for Mary's wedding trousseau and eventually she became Mary's trusted housekeeper.
Selina was present during the births of Mary's children, she didn't rush into getting married herself due to her not wanting her own children being born as slaves, she did eventually marry and have children.
When the American Civil War began, the Lee's were forced to flee Arlington, Mary trusted her housekeeper Selina and she gave her the keys to her home. They had locked away the family treasures, but Selina couldn't save them from being looted by Union soldiers and she did mange to save some historic items.
Life for the Lee family during the Civil War was hard, they lost their beloved home and they moved often. Mary worried about her husband and her son fighting in the war. She and her daughters made clothes for the General, knitted countless pairs of socks and helped with the war effort. They endured food shortages, patched clothes and worn out shoes like everyone living in the South.
Mary and her two daughters decided to remain in Richmond when the Confederate army retreated, one morning they woke up to the sound of cannon fire, and it didn't take long for the union army arrive. They knew the war would end soon, it did and they waited for a defeated Robert E. Lee to return home. Can you imagine how Robert E. Lee felt returning to Richmond after the war ended he did and riding his beloved horse Traveller home.
Mary and Selina remained in contact during the war, they wrote letters to each other, Mary did return once to visit Arlington years after the war ended, she did see Selina for one last time and her family home's grounds were now the final resting place for hundreds of the Unions soldiers.
Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray is a story about two women who were bound together by family ties and a beautiful home called Arlington. Their unique friendship, the bond formed between them, how the Civil War forced them to be separated, the injustice of slavery for Selina and her family and how they were eventually free. Selina earned her place in history by saving General Washington's belongings and Mary by being married to one of histories greatest and beloved General's.
I loved Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray, I gave it five stars, I shared my review on Goodreads, Australian Amazon, Kobo, Twitter and my blog.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
July 6, 2017
A well-researched novel about the complex and changing relationship between Gen. Robert E. Lee's wife and her slave.
June 14, 2016
A heartfelt portrait of two women who forged an enduring bond of friendship over their lifetimes. Based on careful research, the story of Mrs. Mary Custis Lee and and Mrs. Selina Norris Gray is a well-written and fascinating account set during a time when our country and its leaders became greatly divided.
Told alternately from the point of view of Mary and Selina, the story begins in 1827 while Robert E. Lee was courting Mary, the great-granddaughter of Martha Washington. He is a large part of the story as her life revolved around his. "The entire fabric of our marriage was woven of partings and homecomings." Life as a military wife with the many times spent apart, along with the birth and responsibilities of her children, made Mary a resilient, independent woman. The many tragedies she endured seemed to make her stronger, as she continued to serve wherever needed, keeping her faith and love for her husband through it all. I came to admire and respect them after realizing all they went through, and gained an understanding of why they felt so strongly about wanting to defend their homeland.
Selina's perspective gave an interesting counterpoint to Mary's, as she was ever aware of their differences, yet felt a loyalty and friendship that grew through it all. Her love of reading (taught by Mary and Mrs. Custis in their schoolroom) gave her something that no one could take away from her, a form of freedom in itself before given formal emancipation. Her turmoil over wanting freedom for herself and her family, yet wanting to be loyal to Mrs. Lee, was understandable. Realization that Mary's desire for everything to stay the same would mean Selina's own dreams would never come true was very poignant. Their friendship was indeed a valued and proven one though, as she bravely rose up in a time of need, risking her safety on her friend's behalf.
I really enjoyed reading the author's notes at the end, along with the list of references, documenting what was factual throughout the story. Appreciate all the careful research she did to make this book feel so authentic; it would have been extra special to have a few photos included at the end as well.
Highly recommend this to readers of historical fiction, especially those interested in the Civil War era!
(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the book provided in exchange for my honest review.)
Told alternately from the point of view of Mary and Selina, the story begins in 1827 while Robert E. Lee was courting Mary, the great-granddaughter of Martha Washington. He is a large part of the story as her life revolved around his. "The entire fabric of our marriage was woven of partings and homecomings." Life as a military wife with the many times spent apart, along with the birth and responsibilities of her children, made Mary a resilient, independent woman. The many tragedies she endured seemed to make her stronger, as she continued to serve wherever needed, keeping her faith and love for her husband through it all. I came to admire and respect them after realizing all they went through, and gained an understanding of why they felt so strongly about wanting to defend their homeland.
Selina's perspective gave an interesting counterpoint to Mary's, as she was ever aware of their differences, yet felt a loyalty and friendship that grew through it all. Her love of reading (taught by Mary and Mrs. Custis in their schoolroom) gave her something that no one could take away from her, a form of freedom in itself before given formal emancipation. Her turmoil over wanting freedom for herself and her family, yet wanting to be loyal to Mrs. Lee, was understandable. Realization that Mary's desire for everything to stay the same would mean Selina's own dreams would never come true was very poignant. Their friendship was indeed a valued and proven one though, as she bravely rose up in a time of need, risking her safety on her friend's behalf.
I really enjoyed reading the author's notes at the end, along with the list of references, documenting what was factual throughout the story. Appreciate all the careful research she did to make this book feel so authentic; it would have been extra special to have a few photos included at the end as well.
Highly recommend this to readers of historical fiction, especially those interested in the Civil War era!
(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the book provided in exchange for my honest review.)
July 31, 2020
First Line:
“There was a time when Arlington was a magical place, enchanted, and inviolate, the place where all that was beautiful in my world began.”
Thus begins the story of Mary Anna Custis Lee, great-granddaughter of Martha Washington, and wife of General Robert E. Lee. She grew up on the Arlington Plantation in Virginia. Her father, George Washington Parke Custis, inherited a number of slaves from his father’s estate. Mary and her mother undertook the unusual task of educating the slave children, an act that was highly disapproved of in the 1820s. In the process a friendship developed between Mary Anna and one of the students, a young girl named Selina. This is their story, told in their alternating voices, of the very special friendship that lasted over fifty years until Mary’s death in 1873. The bond was so strong that Selina was the only person that Mary entrusted with the priceless treasures of Arlington House when it was overtaken by Union soldiers during the Civil War.
I really enjoyed this book! I learned much about Arlington House, a place that I have visited before. The author’s notes at the end were very thorough and interesting, as much so as the novel itself. I would recommend this to all history buffs!
Memorable Quotes:
(Pg. 379)-“Because the cemetery was moved to make way for development, the current location of Selina’s final resting place is unclear. However, one of her grandsons, Thornton H. Gray, who served with the U.S. Army in WW1 and died in 1943, now lies in Arlington Cemetery, just a stone’s throw from the cabin where his grandmother was born a slave.”
“There was a time when Arlington was a magical place, enchanted, and inviolate, the place where all that was beautiful in my world began.”
Thus begins the story of Mary Anna Custis Lee, great-granddaughter of Martha Washington, and wife of General Robert E. Lee. She grew up on the Arlington Plantation in Virginia. Her father, George Washington Parke Custis, inherited a number of slaves from his father’s estate. Mary and her mother undertook the unusual task of educating the slave children, an act that was highly disapproved of in the 1820s. In the process a friendship developed between Mary Anna and one of the students, a young girl named Selina. This is their story, told in their alternating voices, of the very special friendship that lasted over fifty years until Mary’s death in 1873. The bond was so strong that Selina was the only person that Mary entrusted with the priceless treasures of Arlington House when it was overtaken by Union soldiers during the Civil War.
I really enjoyed this book! I learned much about Arlington House, a place that I have visited before. The author’s notes at the end were very thorough and interesting, as much so as the novel itself. I would recommend this to all history buffs!
Memorable Quotes:
(Pg. 379)-“Because the cemetery was moved to make way for development, the current location of Selina’s final resting place is unclear. However, one of her grandsons, Thornton H. Gray, who served with the U.S. Army in WW1 and died in 1943, now lies in Arlington Cemetery, just a stone’s throw from the cabin where his grandmother was born a slave.”
October 19, 2019
Told in alternating POV's between Mary Custis Lee and Selina Gray, the book gives a long history of the lives of Mary and Selina, and also Mary's husband Robert.
There is so much in this book that it often reads like a play-by-play, particularly in Mary's POV. We find out about Mary's marriage, the births of her children, all of her visits to her cousins' houses, etc. We find out about her husband's deployments, about Mary's work knitting socks for the Confederate soldiers and trying to acquire the freedom of slaves, etc etc etc. Detail after detail after detail. It is all very interesting and it is all information that I didn't really know. But what is missing is the emotional aspect of Mary's story: how she felt about this or that. There is some emotion in there, but never to a degree that I felt it pulling me in. I never felt connected to Mary, and that is a shame.
Selina, though. This is the part of the story that really interested me. Born a slave at Arlington House, she was taught to read by Mary and her mother, and she was promised that she would one day be free. Selina held onto this promise as she worked hard for this family for many years. The slaves here were "treated well" compared to others, but they still were owned by someone else. Selina felt this, and it absolutely comes through in her POV. Sure, she is friends with Mary, but there is an undertone of being lesser, being owned, being property. In this way, I think that Selina's POV is the better of the two, by far. Still, I think there is an emotional component that is missing: the emotion between Selina and Mary. Selina's willingness to stay (instead of run away, like many others did) through her adulthood and eventually become custodian of Arlington House after Mary and her family had to flee, and her willingness to visit Mary in her older age as a free woman shows that she did indeed have love for Mary. But I think Selina's perspective is probably a little more on course with what could actually be the truth and is more believable than Mary's.
I'm a little disappointed at some of the parts of the story that either weren't mentioned here or weren't given much page space: Robert E Lee's resignation from the Union and subsequent career with the Confederacy as well as the details surrounding the loss of Arlington House to the government. These things are so interesting and so important to our history - and really, they move the story along in big ways even though they're not on the page. As lengthy as this book is, some of the many details of Mary's life could have been exchanged, I think, and replaced with some of this information and it could have made for a more well-rounded story. But I did not write this story; that's my own opinion and this is the story that we have. And that is fine.
Ultimately, I felt like I was watching this story take place instead of being fully immersed in it, and that is one of the things that makes the difference between a good book and a great book for me. There is a good story here. The best thing about this book is that it is a great jumping off point for exploring what happened with Arlington House, how Arlington National Cemetery came to be in the place that it is, Robert E Lee's career, to read more about Selina Gray's life, and to read more about Mary Custis Lee's life. This is a good fictional story but it is not exhaustive, and I appreciate what the author has done here.
There is so much in this book that it often reads like a play-by-play, particularly in Mary's POV. We find out about Mary's marriage, the births of her children, all of her visits to her cousins' houses, etc. We find out about her husband's deployments, about Mary's work knitting socks for the Confederate soldiers and trying to acquire the freedom of slaves, etc etc etc. Detail after detail after detail. It is all very interesting and it is all information that I didn't really know. But what is missing is the emotional aspect of Mary's story: how she felt about this or that. There is some emotion in there, but never to a degree that I felt it pulling me in. I never felt connected to Mary, and that is a shame.
Selina, though. This is the part of the story that really interested me. Born a slave at Arlington House, she was taught to read by Mary and her mother, and she was promised that she would one day be free. Selina held onto this promise as she worked hard for this family for many years. The slaves here were "treated well" compared to others, but they still were owned by someone else. Selina felt this, and it absolutely comes through in her POV. Sure, she is friends with Mary, but there is an undertone of being lesser, being owned, being property. In this way, I think that Selina's POV is the better of the two, by far. Still, I think there is an emotional component that is missing: the emotion between Selina and Mary. Selina's willingness to stay (instead of run away, like many others did) through her adulthood and eventually become custodian of Arlington House after Mary and her family had to flee, and her willingness to visit Mary in her older age as a free woman shows that she did indeed have love for Mary. But I think Selina's perspective is probably a little more on course with what could actually be the truth and is more believable than Mary's.
I'm a little disappointed at some of the parts of the story that either weren't mentioned here or weren't given much page space: Robert E Lee's resignation from the Union and subsequent career with the Confederacy as well as the details surrounding the loss of Arlington House to the government. These things are so interesting and so important to our history - and really, they move the story along in big ways even though they're not on the page. As lengthy as this book is, some of the many details of Mary's life could have been exchanged, I think, and replaced with some of this information and it could have made for a more well-rounded story. But I did not write this story; that's my own opinion and this is the story that we have. And that is fine.
Ultimately, I felt like I was watching this story take place instead of being fully immersed in it, and that is one of the things that makes the difference between a good book and a great book for me. There is a good story here. The best thing about this book is that it is a great jumping off point for exploring what happened with Arlington House, how Arlington National Cemetery came to be in the place that it is, Robert E Lee's career, to read more about Selina Gray's life, and to read more about Mary Custis Lee's life. This is a good fictional story but it is not exhaustive, and I appreciate what the author has done here.
August 17, 2018
I would give this a 4.5 as it was immensely interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed it!!! I loved the history and learning so much about these characters that were made so personal! Only 50 pages of the book talk about the civil war time, so the majority of the book is before that time. Highly recommend!
July 11, 2016
Dorothy Love is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. She has a writing style that I love. In Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray she has topped my expectations of what a well written novel should be.
Told in an alternating point of view, she tells the story of Mary (Mrs. Lee) and Selena (Mrs. Gray). Mary Custis Lee was born into a life of privilege as the great-granddaughter of Martha Custis Washington. We learn in great detail about the love of Mary’s life, General Robert E. Lee. They had an enduring love even through the many hardships they faced. Long separations that led her to raise their children without him. It made her become more mature and it was interesting to see a different side of her.
Selena Morris (Mrs. Gray) was born into an entirely different life. One of servitude and an eagerness for freedom. I had a great deal of admiration for the inner strength she possessed. She had a warmth to her and I loved her quest for knowledge.
Through the years, the two form a close and enduring friendship based on love and trust. I could see how they would form such a special bond as they seemed to rely on each through the years, especially getting through the horrors of the war and the uncertainties they both faced.
They both were exceptional women with exceptional stories. This is a book that I’ll want to reread.
If you like historical fiction or Christian fiction, this book is one that I recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley and have given my honest opinion.
Told in an alternating point of view, she tells the story of Mary (Mrs. Lee) and Selena (Mrs. Gray). Mary Custis Lee was born into a life of privilege as the great-granddaughter of Martha Custis Washington. We learn in great detail about the love of Mary’s life, General Robert E. Lee. They had an enduring love even through the many hardships they faced. Long separations that led her to raise their children without him. It made her become more mature and it was interesting to see a different side of her.
Selena Morris (Mrs. Gray) was born into an entirely different life. One of servitude and an eagerness for freedom. I had a great deal of admiration for the inner strength she possessed. She had a warmth to her and I loved her quest for knowledge.
Through the years, the two form a close and enduring friendship based on love and trust. I could see how they would form such a special bond as they seemed to rely on each through the years, especially getting through the horrors of the war and the uncertainties they both faced.
They both were exceptional women with exceptional stories. This is a book that I’ll want to reread.
If you like historical fiction or Christian fiction, this book is one that I recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley and have given my honest opinion.
March 5, 2023
So this was definitely a 3-star or maybe a 4-star book in the middle, because I didn’t feel like there was much driving the story forward. But history is history and it’s not always gripping. 😆 Then the Civil War happened, and I couldn’t stop— turning pages or crying. 😆 The backstory on the Lees is powerful— that he would think that of course the Union has to be preserved and then to fight against that for four long years; that he would regret choosing his military education; that MCL would lose Arlington, never to return; that Selina would stand up to a Union officer and tell them to stop looting— so many parts in this book really moved me. Will definitely stick with me for a while. Can’t wait to visit Arlington! Highly recommend 👍🏼📖⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 28, 2022
The best part is it's a true story!
July 4, 2016
I love reading books by Dorothy Love. She quickly transports me to another place and time, and I become immersed in the story she is telling and feel like I am part of the story. Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray immediately captured my attention and held me captive from start to finish.
When I started reading this book I didn't know anything about Mrs. Lee and only knew about Mr. Lee from his role in the Civil War. It was interesting to read about the two and their love story which wasn't quite what I thought it was going to be. I felt sorry for Mrs. Lee as she spent a lot of her married life separated from her husband due to his military duties. Raising seven children basically on her own seemed to be a daunting task and at times I felt she really had no control over her children.
I found the friendship between Mrs. Lee and Selina (who later becomes Mrs. Gray) to be interesting but maybe not so unusual. I can easily imagine other friendships such as this one occurring during this time between mistresses and those who served them. Even though Selina was Mrs. Lee's favorite I could still feel a distance between the two that seemed greater at times than others.
I love the way the story is told. The story switches back and forth between the women and the chapter headings of either "Mary" or "Selina" lets the reader know who they will be hearing from. Even though some events are told from both women's perspectives I never found the story to be boring or repetitive. Love does a wonderful job of keeping the story fresh and interesting as we hear both sides of the story from the storytellers.
Even though this book is 400 pages it is a quick read. The story is interesting and the descriptions are well-written. This is one of those books I found myself thinking about when I wasn't able to be reading it. I couldn't wait to get back to the story and what was going on in these ladies' lives. Fans of historical fiction are sure to enjoy this story of the woman behind Mr. Lee and the slave who was her friend. A book worth reading again and again.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley inexchange for my honest opinion which I have given.
When I started reading this book I didn't know anything about Mrs. Lee and only knew about Mr. Lee from his role in the Civil War. It was interesting to read about the two and their love story which wasn't quite what I thought it was going to be. I felt sorry for Mrs. Lee as she spent a lot of her married life separated from her husband due to his military duties. Raising seven children basically on her own seemed to be a daunting task and at times I felt she really had no control over her children.
I found the friendship between Mrs. Lee and Selina (who later becomes Mrs. Gray) to be interesting but maybe not so unusual. I can easily imagine other friendships such as this one occurring during this time between mistresses and those who served them. Even though Selina was Mrs. Lee's favorite I could still feel a distance between the two that seemed greater at times than others.
I love the way the story is told. The story switches back and forth between the women and the chapter headings of either "Mary" or "Selina" lets the reader know who they will be hearing from. Even though some events are told from both women's perspectives I never found the story to be boring or repetitive. Love does a wonderful job of keeping the story fresh and interesting as we hear both sides of the story from the storytellers.
Even though this book is 400 pages it is a quick read. The story is interesting and the descriptions are well-written. This is one of those books I found myself thinking about when I wasn't able to be reading it. I couldn't wait to get back to the story and what was going on in these ladies' lives. Fans of historical fiction are sure to enjoy this story of the woman behind Mr. Lee and the slave who was her friend. A book worth reading again and again.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley inexchange for my honest opinion which I have given.
August 15, 2016
"True friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation." - George Washington
Mary Custis Lee and Selina Norris Gray's relationship had little chance of survival. Mrs. Lee was married to one of history's greatest generals, bore her husband seven children, battled significant health issues, and once stood to inherit a fortune. On the other hand, Mrs. Gray was born as a second generation slave on the beautiful Arlington estate, spent her childhood serving the Lee family, and grew up to marry a slave; all while dreaming of her freedom, which Mrs. Lee's gracious education efforts accelerated. The fact that the vine of these two lives continually intertwined, proves to be a story just waiting to be told.
Using recent discovery of Lee family artifacts, Love's research into this amazing family not only highlights the lives of two extraordinary women, but gifts her readers with insights surrounding the events leading up to, and resulting from, our nation's only civil war. Robert E. Lee's own words describe his personal angst when he writes, " Every day is marked with sorrow and every field has its grief, the death of some brave man." The war changed everything, the loss of Arlington inflicting a mortal wound to Mary Lee's spirit, from which she never truly recovered. Sometime later Selina would muse, "this was another of those times in the long friendship of Miss Mary and me, when getting my own wish (of freedom) would mean Miss Mary couldn't get hers." (to recover ownership of her beloved Arlington)
This is a book for readers to savor and appreciate for many years to come. It's outstanding. I received a copy of "Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray" from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
Mary Custis Lee and Selina Norris Gray's relationship had little chance of survival. Mrs. Lee was married to one of history's greatest generals, bore her husband seven children, battled significant health issues, and once stood to inherit a fortune. On the other hand, Mrs. Gray was born as a second generation slave on the beautiful Arlington estate, spent her childhood serving the Lee family, and grew up to marry a slave; all while dreaming of her freedom, which Mrs. Lee's gracious education efforts accelerated. The fact that the vine of these two lives continually intertwined, proves to be a story just waiting to be told.
Using recent discovery of Lee family artifacts, Love's research into this amazing family not only highlights the lives of two extraordinary women, but gifts her readers with insights surrounding the events leading up to, and resulting from, our nation's only civil war. Robert E. Lee's own words describe his personal angst when he writes, " Every day is marked with sorrow and every field has its grief, the death of some brave man." The war changed everything, the loss of Arlington inflicting a mortal wound to Mary Lee's spirit, from which she never truly recovered. Sometime later Selina would muse, "this was another of those times in the long friendship of Miss Mary and me, when getting my own wish (of freedom) would mean Miss Mary couldn't get hers." (to recover ownership of her beloved Arlington)
This is a book for readers to savor and appreciate for many years to come. It's outstanding. I received a copy of "Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray" from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 24, 2016
This book is honestly not what I thought it was. From the description, I assumed that most of it would be set during the Civil War, with a few chapters at first building up to it. Instead, a large portion of the story is about the two women's lives long before the war starts, beginning when Selina is still a child and before Mary and Robert E. Lee were married. At times this was interesting. Selina is a very well written character with a compelling voice, particularly in the beginning when she is still struggling with what she wants in life versus what the Curtis family demands of her.
Mary's voice was not as compelling, however. First, the beginning of the book seems to be her floundering about in life, unsure of how to behave. This may have been interesting if it were a fish out of water scenario, but this was a life that she was raised for and it seemed to be willful ignorance that kept her from knowing what to do.
The writing itself is beautifully done, again particularly in Selina's scenes. Her voice seemed to continually grow and change, first from a childish perspective with ill grammar to an increasingly more refined tone as she spent more time in the main house and continued to read. There was much about this novel to be commended, and I think that if it had focused more on Selina than on Mary then I would have enjoyed it more. As it stands, there is a lot of dull day to day activity recounted by Mary, a lot of which is then retold from Selina's perspective.
I have provided an honest review after having received a copy of this book from through the Fiction Guild.
Mary's voice was not as compelling, however. First, the beginning of the book seems to be her floundering about in life, unsure of how to behave. This may have been interesting if it were a fish out of water scenario, but this was a life that she was raised for and it seemed to be willful ignorance that kept her from knowing what to do.
The writing itself is beautifully done, again particularly in Selina's scenes. Her voice seemed to continually grow and change, first from a childish perspective with ill grammar to an increasingly more refined tone as she spent more time in the main house and continued to read. There was much about this novel to be commended, and I think that if it had focused more on Selina than on Mary then I would have enjoyed it more. As it stands, there is a lot of dull day to day activity recounted by Mary, a lot of which is then retold from Selina's perspective.
I have provided an honest review after having received a copy of this book from through the Fiction Guild.
September 12, 2016
4.5 Stars
I'll start by saying this is my favorite of Dorothy Love's books. I love anything written about the civil war, I love going to the battlefields and the historical houses (both Confederate and Union). There is just so much to learn and to write about and to debate. This is my favorite time period.
I was excited to read this. I've read a lot about Robert E Lee, but Mrs. Lee was always in the background and Mrs. Gray wasn't in the picture at all. This is new to me and very interesting. I liked how Love contrasted their stories and perspectives. Yes, Mary Custis Lee did reach her slaves to read and write and she supported the Colonization effort (which I learned!), but she was still immensely privileged, naive, and prejudice towards the plight of slaves in America. Selina Gray gave us the other perspective. She was the favorite, allowed to marry in the church, friends with the mistress, but still longed for freedom. Not in Liberia, but in America. Dispute obvious differences, they were friends and Mary Custis Lee left Arlington in Selina Gray's capable hands. We have a slave to thank for the preservation of the house and Washington's possessions.
A facinating and compelling read, I recommend this for fans of Civil War fiction. It will also be a wonderful book club book and has many conversation starters.
Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I'll start by saying this is my favorite of Dorothy Love's books. I love anything written about the civil war, I love going to the battlefields and the historical houses (both Confederate and Union). There is just so much to learn and to write about and to debate. This is my favorite time period.
I was excited to read this. I've read a lot about Robert E Lee, but Mrs. Lee was always in the background and Mrs. Gray wasn't in the picture at all. This is new to me and very interesting. I liked how Love contrasted their stories and perspectives. Yes, Mary Custis Lee did reach her slaves to read and write and she supported the Colonization effort (which I learned!), but she was still immensely privileged, naive, and prejudice towards the plight of slaves in America. Selina Gray gave us the other perspective. She was the favorite, allowed to marry in the church, friends with the mistress, but still longed for freedom. Not in Liberia, but in America. Dispute obvious differences, they were friends and Mary Custis Lee left Arlington in Selina Gray's capable hands. We have a slave to thank for the preservation of the house and Washington's possessions.
A facinating and compelling read, I recommend this for fans of Civil War fiction. It will also be a wonderful book club book and has many conversation starters.
Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 27, 2016
I. Do. Not. Care. For. This. Book. At. All. Doris.
February 8, 2018
Having never read much about the Lee family, and certainly never about Selina Gray, I enjoyed this detailed look into both their lives.
I do feel that the purpose of the novel -the friendship between Mary and Selina - was not fully realized, perhaps because of all the detail in the story. Mary's entire life is narrated at length, which necessarily spreads the focus of the story widely over the lives of all in her immediate family. Although it was very interesting to read and learn about the Lee family, it did detract from the mistress/slave friendship story.
I also was occasionally confused by the timeline as the book went back and forth between two narrators with overlapping time segments.
There were a few big details left out of the story as well, like how exactly the Lees lost Arlington. Other big moments were mentioned rather casually.
Overall, I did enjoy the book and I found the details of the story fascinating.
I do feel that the purpose of the novel -the friendship between Mary and Selina - was not fully realized, perhaps because of all the detail in the story. Mary's entire life is narrated at length, which necessarily spreads the focus of the story widely over the lives of all in her immediate family. Although it was very interesting to read and learn about the Lee family, it did detract from the mistress/slave friendship story.
I also was occasionally confused by the timeline as the book went back and forth between two narrators with overlapping time segments.
There were a few big details left out of the story as well, like how exactly the Lees lost Arlington. Other big moments were mentioned rather casually.
Overall, I did enjoy the book and I found the details of the story fascinating.
January 29, 2023
The underlying history for this novel - the relationship between the wife of Robert E. Lee and an enslaved woman - is fascinating and made me want to know more. This novel itself, however, felt meandering and seemed to shy away from the most interesting and controversial pieces of history. The nuances and motivations in a relationship between a white women and an enslaved black women during the Civil War felt absent to me and I concluded this book with more questions than answers about these two women (which is fine when one is writing nonfiction, but novels have license to fill in some of those gaps).
July 24, 2024
I might not have finished this book except I listened to it on audiobook.
There were several slow parts but I feel like learned a lot more about Mrs Lee, Mrs Gray, and Arlington House!
It also was interesting to read especially after visiting Arlington house recently!☺️
There were several slow parts but I feel like learned a lot more about Mrs Lee, Mrs Gray, and Arlington House!
It also was interesting to read especially after visiting Arlington house recently!☺️
April 22, 2017
I enjoyed the book. This book was about the friendship between Robert E Lee's wife, Mary, and her slave, Selena, before, during, and after the Civil War. It was interesting reading about that time in history, and how, at a time when slaves were horribly mistreated, that Mary took the time to teach Selena and other slaves how to read and how she wanted freedom for the slaves. I felt that the book was well written. The only thing that could have improved the book is if dates were included within the story. I would be reading about the kids or an event and suddenly, there was a time jump of several years. Overall, this was a good book. The book stayed true to Robert and Mary's history and that of the South.
September 9, 2016
Many times when overcome by illness and death, crushing defeat, and unremitting physical pain, I wondered whether there is any purpose in human suffering. Whether there is any reward for having borne the unbearable. The poet says the wound is the place where the light enters you. Perhaps it's true, and it's only in the broken places that we find healing and grace.
Hands down, this has to be my favorite historical fiction for 2016. Based on new information found, the author has taken the life Mrs. Lee (Mary Ann Custis) and her family slave Selina Gray, and weaved a relationship that was redemptive and made me long for change. That these two women who clearly loved each other, because of slavery, were kept at arms length. Before the civil war broke out, Mrs. Gray entrusted her slave and friend to the Arlington Estate (the historical home of George Washington). Instead of trusting the overseer, she put her trust in a slave for the home she loved and the historical significance she sought to maintain.
Not only is this a good read on friendship and human heart, I revisited a history lesson on slavery and the affects it had on our nation. For one, I did not realize that Robert E. Lee's wife was the great grand daughter of George Washington. They had slaves but they sought to equip their slaves for freedom instead of freeing them into despair. Mary Ann taught her slaves to read giving her slaves a type of freedom and with that knowledge, they would be equipped to one day to make their own claim. Her family did give freedom papers to some of their slaves while keeping others as property. The sin of slavery is seeing men/woman as property and not as image bearers of their creator.
The narration becomes engaging as you imagine the relationship between Mary Ann and her husband the General Lee. Robert Lee as a husband and father to their many children. He was a good father, a loving husband, and firm with own dealing of slaves. The adversity of their family with the death of several of their children and Mary Ann's mother and father. In the death of her father, Mary Ann discovered secrets that her family kept that became something that she would have to deal with. All in all, if you are historical buff but also appreciate the human faults and overcoming, you will be totally engaged.
A Special Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Hands down, this has to be my favorite historical fiction for 2016. Based on new information found, the author has taken the life Mrs. Lee (Mary Ann Custis) and her family slave Selina Gray, and weaved a relationship that was redemptive and made me long for change. That these two women who clearly loved each other, because of slavery, were kept at arms length. Before the civil war broke out, Mrs. Gray entrusted her slave and friend to the Arlington Estate (the historical home of George Washington). Instead of trusting the overseer, she put her trust in a slave for the home she loved and the historical significance she sought to maintain.
Not only is this a good read on friendship and human heart, I revisited a history lesson on slavery and the affects it had on our nation. For one, I did not realize that Robert E. Lee's wife was the great grand daughter of George Washington. They had slaves but they sought to equip their slaves for freedom instead of freeing them into despair. Mary Ann taught her slaves to read giving her slaves a type of freedom and with that knowledge, they would be equipped to one day to make their own claim. Her family did give freedom papers to some of their slaves while keeping others as property. The sin of slavery is seeing men/woman as property and not as image bearers of their creator.
The narration becomes engaging as you imagine the relationship between Mary Ann and her husband the General Lee. Robert Lee as a husband and father to their many children. He was a good father, a loving husband, and firm with own dealing of slaves. The adversity of their family with the death of several of their children and Mary Ann's mother and father. In the death of her father, Mary Ann discovered secrets that her family kept that became something that she would have to deal with. All in all, if you are historical buff but also appreciate the human faults and overcoming, you will be totally engaged.
A Special Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
July 10, 2016
Dorothy you have written another fantastic novel!
When I opened this book I thought it would be like all the other Civil War novel but it wasn't.
This talks about a true friendship that lasted for more than 50 years. Selina and Mary had a friendship that went deeper than most ppl could understand.
While I admired General Lee, there were some things he did that I very highly disapproved of.
The war didn't start because of slavery it started when the southern states succeeded from the Union and the South fired upon Fort Sumter. Later, it was about freeing the slaves.
I liked Mary at once. I thought she was a kind hearted lady who wanted what most ppl did. She did her part in the war by taking care of soldiers and making things for them.
Mary was a lady with a quiet determination to keep her family together but as always we are here for a short time on this earth.
Mary's oldest daughter was something else altogether. She had what ppl would call wonderlust. She couldn't wait to eave Arlington. I'm wondering if later on she lived to regret in making this choice?
I'm thinking this was one of the reasons ppl had such big families back in those days. If someone does then they'll still have the surname to carry in through the generations.
It seems like the boys turned out pretty good even though they were rambunctious as children. I don't see how Mary kept track of them all even when she did have help! Oh my!!!
Dorothy has made her story come alive in ways I know I wouldn't be able to. I admire her talented writing!
I recommend this book to anyone who loves history.
I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review
When I opened this book I thought it would be like all the other Civil War novel but it wasn't.
This talks about a true friendship that lasted for more than 50 years. Selina and Mary had a friendship that went deeper than most ppl could understand.
While I admired General Lee, there were some things he did that I very highly disapproved of.
The war didn't start because of slavery it started when the southern states succeeded from the Union and the South fired upon Fort Sumter. Later, it was about freeing the slaves.
I liked Mary at once. I thought she was a kind hearted lady who wanted what most ppl did. She did her part in the war by taking care of soldiers and making things for them.
Mary was a lady with a quiet determination to keep her family together but as always we are here for a short time on this earth.
Mary's oldest daughter was something else altogether. She had what ppl would call wonderlust. She couldn't wait to eave Arlington. I'm wondering if later on she lived to regret in making this choice?
I'm thinking this was one of the reasons ppl had such big families back in those days. If someone does then they'll still have the surname to carry in through the generations.
It seems like the boys turned out pretty good even though they were rambunctious as children. I don't see how Mary kept track of them all even when she did have help! Oh my!!!
Dorothy has made her story come alive in ways I know I wouldn't be able to. I admire her talented writing!
I recommend this book to anyone who loves history.
I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review
December 14, 2016
To start with I ADORE historical fiction. . . its even more of a passion when a author puts as much thought and reapectful research into their work as Dorothy did with this story. The time period just before and just after the Civil War has been my favorite historical time period to read about since the first time I watched Gone With The Wind with my grandma when I was 7. its remarkable to me how life was lived then. . . I don't understand how one person thinks they were able to own someone else but it was the main ideology of the time and socially acceptable. this story deals with the unorthodox relationship between a descendant of George Washington himself (who is Mary, who eventually is married to General, Robert E. Lee) and a slave girl who is Selina Gray (the keeper of the Washington artifacts) This story spans multiple years beginning when Mary is young (in her late teens early 20s) and Selina is around 9ish and finally wrapping up when both ladies are in their twilight years with families grown.
the rich tapestry of the story immediately draws you in and really gives you something to think about, how society has this dramatic shift during that time period and the ripple effect that is wide reaching.
it also deals with historical figures and events that even with as many novels and educational books I have read about this time I admit I was not as familiar with. this is my top historical read of the past 5 years! I loved every minute of this story. this may have been my first Dorothy Love novel but it will definitely not be my last.
the rich tapestry of the story immediately draws you in and really gives you something to think about, how society has this dramatic shift during that time period and the ripple effect that is wide reaching.
it also deals with historical figures and events that even with as many novels and educational books I have read about this time I admit I was not as familiar with. this is my top historical read of the past 5 years! I loved every minute of this story. this may have been my first Dorothy Love novel but it will definitely not be my last.
March 7, 2017
I received an advance review copy of this book via Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction in exchange for an honest review.
Mrs. Lee & Mrs. Gray tells the story of Mary Anna Custis Lee and Selena Norris Gray. Mary is the great-granddaughter of Martha Washington, and the only living child of George Washington Parke Custis and Mary Lee Fitzhugh Custis. She lives with her parents at the family home, Arlington. Selina is one of Arlington’s slaves, the daughter of Leonard and Sally Norris. The story is told, alternately, in each woman’s point of view, sometimes allowing the reader to see an event through the eyes of Mary and Selina both.
I really enjoyed reading this, and thought the writing was excellent. I have a fondness for historical fiction, and American history is an area of particular interest for me, as well. I’d never heard of Selina Gray before reading this book, which is astounding considering what she did. Left in charge of Arlington after Mary and her children fled their home after the start of the Civil War, it was Selina who prevented the loss of all the George Washington heirlooms hidden inside the house.
This is the first book I’ve ever read by Dorothy Love, but I’m interested in reading more of her work in the future.
Mrs. Lee & Mrs. Gray tells the story of Mary Anna Custis Lee and Selena Norris Gray. Mary is the great-granddaughter of Martha Washington, and the only living child of George Washington Parke Custis and Mary Lee Fitzhugh Custis. She lives with her parents at the family home, Arlington. Selina is one of Arlington’s slaves, the daughter of Leonard and Sally Norris. The story is told, alternately, in each woman’s point of view, sometimes allowing the reader to see an event through the eyes of Mary and Selina both.
I really enjoyed reading this, and thought the writing was excellent. I have a fondness for historical fiction, and American history is an area of particular interest for me, as well. I’d never heard of Selina Gray before reading this book, which is astounding considering what she did. Left in charge of Arlington after Mary and her children fled their home after the start of the Civil War, it was Selina who prevented the loss of all the George Washington heirlooms hidden inside the house.
This is the first book I’ve ever read by Dorothy Love, but I’m interested in reading more of her work in the future.
June 24, 2016
Review:
In this contemporary culture, when Image is Everything, and History is literally a thing of the past, ignored and underappreciated, it is important to bring History to vivid and identifiable life. As we tend to forget, History was made by humans living in their present, humans who had emotions, thoughts, fears, needs, just as do we. Author Dorothy Love shines a beautiful light on two very disparate women who were nonetheless simultaneously products of their divergent cultures, and fast friends throughout. Kudos to Ms. Love for bringing this pair to our reckoning, and for humanizing a brutally heartwrenching era in American history.
In this contemporary culture, when Image is Everything, and History is literally a thing of the past, ignored and underappreciated, it is important to bring History to vivid and identifiable life. As we tend to forget, History was made by humans living in their present, humans who had emotions, thoughts, fears, needs, just as do we. Author Dorothy Love shines a beautiful light on two very disparate women who were nonetheless simultaneously products of their divergent cultures, and fast friends throughout. Kudos to Ms. Love for bringing this pair to our reckoning, and for humanizing a brutally heartwrenching era in American history.
June 2, 2018
Yes, Mrs. Lee is General Lee’s wife & Mrs. Gray is a slave who becomes a cherished friend. “Mary Anna Custis Lee is a great-granddaughter of Martha Washington, wife of Confederate General Robert E. Lee......”
“Born in bondage at Arlington, Selina Norris Gray learns to read & write in the schoolroom Mary & her mother keep for the slave children & eventually becomes Mary’s housekeeper & confidante.”
This is the first novel to chronicle this fifty-year friendship spanning the time frame for America from slavery to emancipation. Very interesting story!
“Born in bondage at Arlington, Selina Norris Gray learns to read & write in the schoolroom Mary & her mother keep for the slave children & eventually becomes Mary’s housekeeper & confidante.”
This is the first novel to chronicle this fifty-year friendship spanning the time frame for America from slavery to emancipation. Very interesting story!
February 2, 2017
Historical Fiction about Mary Custis Lee, wife of Robert E. Lee and great-granddaughter of Martha Washington.
December 29, 2016
The story is supposed to focus on the relationship between Mary Custis Lee, wife of Robert E. Lee and Selina Gray, slave to the Custis family. In reality, though, it felt more like a telling of the events just prior to, during and immediately after the Civil War from the separate perspective of each woman. There was no real depth to their interactions with each other, although the author hinted at it. Despite having a different idea of how the book would read before actually reading it, I liked the book a lot.
Selina Gray: Selina lived much of her life as a person who was OWNED by someone else. This defined her, set her expectations of life and made her choices for her, yet did not quell the longing to be free of human bondage. No loyalty to a family or even love for her owner's daughter would dampen that longing. You feel the reality that there can be loyalty, empathy and even a type of love between these women, but that there can be no friendship (as we think of today) between them as long as they are slave and owner. After Selina is free, social, cultural and political factors continue to come between the women and yet there is a new equality there that pushes the relationship into a more voluntary, because-you-are-special-to-me kind of existence which is nice and happy ending-ish without ignoring the enormity of what has passed between them and come between them.
Mary Custis Lee: Mary lived her life, in the typical fashion in which ante-bellum Southern ladies are portrayed. That is to say, even as an advocate for humane treatment of slaves and, indeed, a supporter of eventual emancipation, Mary lived a life of luxury and privilege, sustained by the back breaking and endless labor of an army of humans in bondage to her and her family, without fully (or even partially) realizing that her life was only made possible by forcibly (in this case, through the threat of implied violence) removing the equality, dignity, self-worth, self-sufficiency and right to life of an entire subset of humanity. I liked her character.....she seemed gentle but passionate and was a clearly loving family member, wife and mother. Yet, how much can you relate to someone who doesn't understand why her slaves, and the abolitionists, can't be reasonable and just wait patiently in line, for decades, for their turn at emancipation?
Robert E Lee: The character of General Lee, although central to Mary's happiness and the basis of so much of what she does, is not overly detailed in the novel and he appears more on the sidelines as a part in the events of Mary Custis Lee's life than in the story as a main character. He must needs place the welfare of his country over the welfare of his family and this forces them to be apart more than together and forces Mary to solve the family crises (securing food and housing, being forced out of her home, facing poverty and considerable hardship) with little or, often, no help from him. She becomes, in many ways, a single mother who finds herself in a town occupied by the enemy, who don't necessarily go away once the War is over.
All in all, a good book that I recommend to anyone interested in this time period or even just a good book about what is was to be a woman slave just prior to the Civil War and what is was like to be a woman, raised in innocence and luxury, who finds herself having to be strong and a leader in order to keep her family going.
Selina Gray: Selina lived much of her life as a person who was OWNED by someone else. This defined her, set her expectations of life and made her choices for her, yet did not quell the longing to be free of human bondage. No loyalty to a family or even love for her owner's daughter would dampen that longing. You feel the reality that there can be loyalty, empathy and even a type of love between these women, but that there can be no friendship (as we think of today) between them as long as they are slave and owner. After Selina is free, social, cultural and political factors continue to come between the women and yet there is a new equality there that pushes the relationship into a more voluntary, because-you-are-special-to-me kind of existence which is nice and happy ending-ish without ignoring the enormity of what has passed between them and come between them.
Mary Custis Lee: Mary lived her life, in the typical fashion in which ante-bellum Southern ladies are portrayed. That is to say, even as an advocate for humane treatment of slaves and, indeed, a supporter of eventual emancipation, Mary lived a life of luxury and privilege, sustained by the back breaking and endless labor of an army of humans in bondage to her and her family, without fully (or even partially) realizing that her life was only made possible by forcibly (in this case, through the threat of implied violence) removing the equality, dignity, self-worth, self-sufficiency and right to life of an entire subset of humanity. I liked her character.....she seemed gentle but passionate and was a clearly loving family member, wife and mother. Yet, how much can you relate to someone who doesn't understand why her slaves, and the abolitionists, can't be reasonable and just wait patiently in line, for decades, for their turn at emancipation?
Robert E Lee: The character of General Lee, although central to Mary's happiness and the basis of so much of what she does, is not overly detailed in the novel and he appears more on the sidelines as a part in the events of Mary Custis Lee's life than in the story as a main character. He must needs place the welfare of his country over the welfare of his family and this forces them to be apart more than together and forces Mary to solve the family crises (securing food and housing, being forced out of her home, facing poverty and considerable hardship) with little or, often, no help from him. She becomes, in many ways, a single mother who finds herself in a town occupied by the enemy, who don't necessarily go away once the War is over.
All in all, a good book that I recommend to anyone interested in this time period or even just a good book about what is was to be a woman slave just prior to the Civil War and what is was like to be a woman, raised in innocence and luxury, who finds herself having to be strong and a leader in order to keep her family going.
January 11, 2017
I really enjoyed getting to know Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray during the course of this book. Their unique friendship was a great focus for highlighting true friendship, forgiveness, and acceptance. Civil War novels are always interesting to me; the different viewpoints held by people, even within the same city and social status, is fascinating. The Lee's oldest girl, "Daughter", was somewhat confusing to me. There didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to why she acted as she did. Christian historical fiction fans will enjoy this book.
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