Review: "Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray" by Dorothy Love

What a great, summer read about two little known historical figures! I have read quite a few books about Robert E. Lee but Mary Lee has just been a footnote to most of them. This historical fiction brings her to life and fleshes out her character. It also tells the story of Selina Gray, a girl who was not only a close confident of Mary, but also her slave. It brings to light Mary and her mother’s fight to free the slaves on the Curtis plantation. It highlights the confusing times for both, because although the Lees wanted to free the slaves, they were reliant upon them for their way of life. Although the slave Selina loved Mary and felt her and her family held a special place in the household, their indentured state was brought home many times. Still the bond was strong and Mary depended on Selina for protection of Arlington and Mary held a special place in Selina’s heart her whole life.

This is the first novel that I have read by Ms. Love and it was wonderful. She allows you a glimpse into both women’s lives and thoughts without swaying the reader to either side. Each chapter is told in the first person and is identified by the person speaking at the beginning of the chapter. This allows you to witness first hand their lives and what they entail. It also allows you to understand how both could unwittingly turn a blind eye to the other’s feelings and needs, both were a product of their environment. She also does an amazing job of separating Mary Lee from her husband’s story.

I recommend this to readers young and old. It allows the reader to get the feel of the thoughts of both slave and master, even when the master was kind and how perceptions were misconstrued. It also portrays the life of a slave from young until old and what their life involved.

I requested and received this book for review from NetGalley.