Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray
Civil War-era historical novel inspired by the true friendship between two extraordinary women from history
- Fiction
- Publisher: Thomas Nelson
- Published: 2016
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Publisher's Description
Acclaimed historical novelist Dorothy Love brings to life an extraordinary true story of friendship, courage, and loyalty in Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray. Inspired by real historical figures and set against the sweeping backdrop of the American Civil War, this richly detailed novel explores a remarkable bond that crosses lines of race, class, and culture--illuminating the complex human relationships behind one of the most turbulent eras in American history. 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 enslaved 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. Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray tells a powerful, well-researched, deeply human story about loyalty, courage, and the unexpected relationships that shape history. Perfect for fans of historical reads or anyone who enjoys reading about unexpected, but powerful, friendships.
Endorsements (9)
“Dorothy Love has a gift for weaving ordinary stories into remarkable books. I enjoyed her vivid descriptions and the well-written narrative of her latest novel, Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray. Most of all, I loved how Mrs. Love was able to make each of the novel’s heroines completely relatable. By the time I finished the book, I felt I had made two new friends.”
“This novel, Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray, fills in an important missing piece of our shared history. It explores the complicated personal bonds that develop, even in morally complicated situations.”
“Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray is a beautiful and haunting story of friendship, family, war, and the common threads of love and loyalty that weave through them all. Full of historical details and wise insight into the complexities of one of the United States’ most trying times, this is a profoundly important book that I know will stay with readers long, long after the last page—just as it has for me.”
“This excellently researched and readable novel faithfully depicts an era of contrasts with two very different narratives. Two women, two lives, intertwined but ever separate, provide a compelling portrait. Freedom and slavery. Sadness and hope. Biographical fiction at its best.”
“Dorothy Love writes with such rhythm and grace. Her attention to historical detail creates the perfect setting for characters we swiftly grow to love and cheer for. The Bracelet is a jewel of a story.”
“The Bracelet by Dorothy Love was a fascinating and exciting antebellum novel that kept me flipping pages way into the night. I loved the insight into events that triggered the war, and Love’s writing is beautiful and evocative. Highly recommended!”
“The Bracelet is the perfect blend of mystery, history, and the quest for love and truth. A great read for not only lovers of period fiction, but for anyone who hungers for a well-told story.”
“With a country on the brink of war and her own future uncertain, Celia Browning’s faith will be tested and her very life put in jeopardy by the mystery of the bracelet. In a novel inspired by actual events, Dorothy Love artfully recreates the lavish world of power and prestige in 1850s Savannah with unforgettable characters and the attention to historical detail her readers have come to expect. Vivid and entrancing . . . I was swept away!”
“Subtle and suspenseful with exquisite descriptions of antebellum Savannah, Georgia, and a tender love story to boot, Dorothy Love’s The Bracelet takes the reader on a chilling journey into the mysteries surrounding one of Savannah’s most prominent families during the days before the Civil War. Love’s careful research and poignant prose provide a story that will delight fans of historical fiction.”
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