I’ve long admired Abraham and Mary Lincoln. To me, they are the most fascinating people in American history. In this telling of their story, author Louis Bayard focuses not on Abe’s assassination or Mary’s probable mental illness or shrewdness. Instead Bayard focuses on their courtship. And here we get to see a calmer, more focused and a more womanly Mary Todd.

The novel is told from two viewpoints, that of Mary Todd and Lincoln’s BFF, Joshua Speed.

In Mary’s sections, Bayard focuses on the facts from 1839-1842. He describes Mary’s arrival at her sister’s house in the growing capital of Springfield, Illinois. She as there to catch a husband, but it is apparent that Mary is no wall flower. I won’t say she came off as aggressive, but she had a passion for politics as well as a keen intellect. Readers get to watch the couple’s first meeting, their secret meetings at a friend’s home that led to their engagement in 1840, the collapse of the relationship in 1841, and their reunification and marriage in 1842. If anyone came off as a shrew during this time, it was Mary’s sister, Elizabeth.

In Speed’s section, readers have an opportunity to witness a 19th- century bromance. They went virtually everywhere together, lived together, and even slept in the same bed. But before we can label Lincoln as bisexual, readers must remember that their sleeping arrangement was bit uncommon during that time. Bayard subtly hints at Lincoln and Speed’s possible sexual relationship in the way that they word the same color vest to a party and took care of each other when they were very ill. There was also some touching of hands on hands and hands on shoulders when the other seemed to need a subtle. If readers are looking for definitive proof that the two men were intimately involved, it can’t be found.

The novel, for me, was not a fast read, nor was it as engrossing as I had hoped. However, the alternating stories were well told and provided a much deeper understanding of Mary Todd Lincoln and Joshua Speed. Therefore, “Courting Mr. Lincoln” receives 4 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

Lovely novel which provides a more balanced view of Mary Lincoln than we normally see. Bayard has written Mary's story more than Abraham Lincoln's, although this does meander through the early years of his career and he is, of course, the tentpole. What made this especially interesting is the inclusion of Joshua Speed, Lincoln's best friend and, perhaps, lover. Or something. Hmm. It's never explicit but it is intriguing. This is told in the alternating voices of Mary and Joshua, and both are compelling. Clearly well researched and carefully written, this ends with two epilogues from the perspective of each but set years apart. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Recommend to fans of historical fiction. This will make you wonder, if you haven't before, how Mary Lincoln would be viewed were she alive today.

Courting Mr. Lincoln marks my first encounter with Louis Baynard and while I enjoyed the experience, I have to admit I didn’t appreciate it quite as much as the majority of my peers.

I found Baynard’s portrait of Mary Todd refreshing and I appreciated the emotional intimacy of the friendship he created between Lincoln and Speed. I found something relatable in the triangle of their existence and applauded the idea of a romantic relationship impacting the comradery of the other.

Having said that, I found the tone of the novel subdued and sentimental. It did not strike me as saccharin, but I found it heavily romantic and without the ambiguity that would naturally drive such a narrative. I also struggled with the repetitive nature of the dual voices as Mary and Joshua have a tendency to ruminate over the same concerns, experiences, and circumstances.

Atmospherically, I found the narrative thin but I would have no trouble recommending this piece to those who appreciate political dialogue and/or Lincoln enthusiasts.

Before he was President of the United States, and before she was consigned to history as a mercurial woman, driven mad by the loss of her son, they were simply Abraham and Mary. Courting Mr. Lincoln focuses on a fictionalized version of their courtship in Springfield, Illinois. Joining Mary as a narrator is Joshua Speed, Lincoln’s close friend and confidant. The two narratives cover the same events, creating a fuller picture of Lincoln before he was a major player in national politics. All three protagonists are likable but imperfect, and come together to create a fun story. It has been speculated that Lincoln and Speed had a more than platonic relationship, but (as far as I know) there is no definitive evidence one way or another. Bayard captures this ambiguity using the social mores of the time period to skirt the question, rather than drawing a firm conclusion.
While I can’t say that this is my new favorite historical fiction novel, I did generally enjoy the book. I’m not sure how I feel about the way the dual narrative format was structured. Occasionally it was difficult to determine where in the story the new narrator was starting, since most events were covered twice, but there was a substantial interval between each retelling, long enough that I forgot where the prior narrator left off. This is a small quibble about the format, and I do think it is a more enjoyable structure than simply switching back and forth at each chapter break, or having each narrator cover the event prior to moving the story forward. While I’m not compelled to go out and learn more about this period in either Lincoln’s life, I liked reading about a period that doesn’t receive a lot of attention.

In Courting Mr. Lincoln, we are given a kinder, gentler portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln and an intimate look at the relationship between Abraham Lincoln and Joshua Speed, his best friend in Springfield, IL. The novel’s narration alternates between Speed and Todd, depicting their introductions to Lincoln and the deepening of their respective relationships to him. Mary Todd is shown as an intelligent and charming young woman, who despite being known as the “Belle of Springfield” seems to want a deeper and more intellectual relationship with her future husband. Though constrained by the restrictions on women during her time, she often tried to carve out a freer life than was expected of her. In the relationship between Joshua Speed and Lincoln, we see the close friendship of two young men, trying to establish themselves in careers and society. Though the author hints at a possible sexual attraction between Speed and Lincoln (the two roommates shared a bed which was not uncommon during the time-period), he draws no conclusions. Instead we see in Speed a mentor, helping to educate Lincoln into the mores of society and facilitate his acceptance.

So many biographical novels try to cover a subject’s entire life and we don’t get to see the importance of the relationships. By limiting the scope of this novel to Lincoln’s early days in Springfield, we are shown how these two important people in his life helped transform him from the hay-seed of his youth to the great statesman he became. This is a page turner, rich with historical detail and complex characters. Well researched and beautifully written Courting Mr. Lincoln is a great addition to the large volume of works on Lincoln.

Goes deep into Abraham Lincoln's life including a love triangle with Mary Todd and his best friend Joshua Speed. Definitely worth reading especially if you are into American history.

Poetic license can only go so far, but this one stretched it to the limit. I read the other reviewers who enjoyed it more than I did, just not my kind of book.

*Thanks to the author and publisher for an ARC in return for a fair and honest review.
"Courting Mr. Lincoln" is an enjoyable historical novel, and one which was obviously well-researched. Interwoven with the tale of Lincoln's courtship with Mary Todd is the story of his friendship with Joshua Speed. I had never heard of the strong bond between Lincoln and Speed, and found it quite fascinating. Although others reviewers seem to hint at a possible homosexual relationship between the two men, that was not the story I was reading. I read of two intelligent young men who roomed together for several years and had an intimate friendship. While the author hints that Mr. Speed may have had feelings for Lincoln, it does not appear that these feelings were ever spoken of or acted upon. The author handled the subject matter with delicacy, decency and respect and obviously did his homework as far as research is concerned. Although the book was well-written, I didn't have enough interest in the Lincoln-Todd romance to be completely engaged.

Courting Mr. Lincoln is a unique book - the first one I've read that is told from Mary Todd's point of view, as well as from Joshua Speed , Lincoln's friend and partner. The book opens on Mary's lengthy stagecoach trip to Springfield, Illinois. Mary is to stay with her older sister and find a husband. She was raised to be independant and opinionated and has a fierce love of politics. She eventually meets the devastatingly handsome Mr. Speed, and eventually his friend, Mr. Lincoln. Mary's opinion of the men changes, depending on what is going on and what they are discussing. Eventually Mr. Lincoln proposes marriage. You know the rest.

I was looking for more of a historical romance, but found frequent discussion of the politics of the time. The book was well-researched and well-written. History buffs and fans of the Lincolns and early American politics will love this!

I will admit that I didn’t know much about Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd’s meeting and courtship, and I had never heard of Joshua Speed, but Courting Mr. Lincoln by Louis Bayard was a fascinating novel about the relationship triangle they shared.

The story switches between Mary’s and Joshua’s perspectives, as they try to smooth out Abe’s rougher edges and learn (sometimes begrudgingly) from his high moral standards. While it’s clear throughout that they both love him tremendously, they fail to completely grasp his love for both of them as they rival for his attention.

What really brings this story to life is the historic detail of the burgeoning city of Springfield, giving the reader the sense that they are in the midst of its rustic infrastructure and complex social rules. It’s an easy novel to picture in one’s mind.

There’s plenty here for a book group to delve into. Thank you to Algonquin Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy.

A fascinating fictionalization of young Abe Lincoln and the relationships he had with Joshua Speed and Mary Lincoln. Beautifully told with historical detail, I enjoyed this very much. Thought-provoking and moving.

When Mary Todd meets Abraham Lincoln in Springfield in the winter of 1840, he is rough and reticent, he’s a country lawyer lacking money and manners, living above a dry goods shop, but with a gift for oratory. Mary, the exact opposite, is a debutante with a tireless interest in debates and elections. It’s not long, though, before she sees in Lincoln a man who, despite his awkwardness, is amiable and profound, with a gentle wit to match his genius and a respect for her keen political mind. But as her relationship with Lincoln deepens, she must confront his inseparable friendship with Joshua 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 rich with historical detail, Courting Mr. Lincoln creates a sympathetic and complex portrait of Mary Todd Lincoln; a moving portrayal of the deep and very real connection between the two men; and most of all, an evolution of the man who would grow into one of the nation’s most beloved presidents. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have never read anything about Mary Todd Lincoln so this was all new to me. I got an ARC from NetGalley because of the description of the book as I had never read anything from this author and was curious about how Lincoln and his wife met.

This book begins with Mary Todd moving to Springfield in hunt of a husband. She lives with her sister's family, while making the rounds among the politicians and elite. One day, she meets a poor country lawyer, Abraham Lincoln. At first she is put off by his lack of manners and lack of social nicety. However, she is quickly won over by his wit and way with words. The book then switches to Joshua Speed's point of view. Joshua is a dry goods merchant, who has taken Abraham under his wing.

Although the book was engaging, there were a few problems with the timeline and flow between the points of view. The first part of the book spent a long time with Mary Todd's point of view. It was a bit jolting when Joseph's point of view as first introduced and a bit off-putting. Despite this criticism, the characters were well developed, and entertaining. Overall 3 out of 5 stars.

Enjoyed learning about some of Lincoln's personal life prior to being elected President. While some of the events don't seem to be historically accurate, must are. This novel will give students an idea of life in mid-nineteenth century.

Historical fiction with a focus on Mary Todd Lincoln, this novel describes her arrival in Springfield, Illinois to live with her sister Ellen. Ellen is a respectable matron whose mission is to find a husband for Mary, but she finds Mary less malleable than she wishes. Her response to Mary's fascination with Lincoln is dismay. The other main character is Joshua Speed, Lincoln's landlord and close friend. Bayard's description of this friendship is unexpected in its implications, and shows another side of Lincoln than the conventional view. The courtship of Todd and Lincoln takes many twists and turns, thanks in large part to meddling by Speed and Ellen, and also because of Mary's independent nature. I found Mary's astute knowledge of politics of the time intriguing. Her migraines and Lincoln's depression do not bode well for their future as we know, but perhaps Mr. Bayard will continue the story and shed more light on these two famous figures.

A fascinating, often surprising (to me, anyway) take on the relationships of Joshua Speed and Mary Todd to Abraham Lincoln - and to each other. This compelling read has motivated me to read more on the early life of Lincoln, and more books by Louis Bayard, who I knew primarily from his hilarious NYT recaps of "Downton Abbey." Four stars for this one, with thanks to NetGalley for pre-pub access.

From the synopsis to the last line, I was excited for this novel. I'm not a history buff, so I was unaware of the claims of Mr. Lincoln potentially identifying as bisexual - and whether or not this is fiction or fact, Bayard did a fantastic job of bringing up emotional and sexual identity crisis' from that time period. The start of this novel is slow, but it is building towards a well developed story.

*Received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A dazzling, vibrant, fascinating and fresh look at historic characters who seldom break free of the tropes. Nuanced and insightful, this novel spectacularly showcases Bayard's talents as an historical novelist. Don't miss this one.

This was a very intriguing historical fiction dealing with Abraham Lincoln’s early years in Springfield, IL and his relationships with various people from that city. It also dealt with how he met Mary Todd and their possible courtship. I especially enjoyed the chapters alternating between events from the viewpoints of Lincoln, Mary Todd, and Joshua Speed.

Highly recommended to any who enjoy reading historical fiction.

Mary Todd is shown in a different light; this is a new viewpoint of her.
Joshua Speed and his close friendship with Abe
Abraham Lincoln, thinking of politics and that in 20 years he would still be living over Bell and Company.
I liked the new approach to Lincoln's past, very interested!
Liked the code names for each other Mary/Molly and Abe/Richard, amusing!

I liked the premise, it was hard to follow, I got lost in overall story.
I wish it flowed better/smoother.