Is An Inconvenient Widow Worth Reading?
The Life of Mary Todd Lincoln
by Lois Romano
Ada’s Score
Romano reexamines Mary Todd Lincoln, the much-maligned first lady, with archival care and an evident desire to rehabilitate her reputation. The research is solid and the portrait sympathetic, recovering a woman flattened by history. But the rehabilitative agenda sometimes tips into special pleading, smoothing contradictions that a tougher biographer would sit inside, and the prose is workmanlike rather than vivid.
“Solid research and a genuine corrective, but the defense sometimes shades into special pleading. The prose informs more than it dazzles.”
Ada Brief
AI reading intelligence“Solid research and a genuine corrective, but the defense sometimes shades into special pleading. The prose informs more than it dazzles.”
Ada’s reservations
Romano's rehabilitative agenda occasionally tips into special pleading, smoothing contradictions a tougher biographer would sit inside; the prose is workmanlike. Anyone wanting a complicated portrait will want more friction. The corrective is deserved.
Ada’s score reflects both strengths and reservations.
Book Details
- Language
- English
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Ada’s Score Breakdown
3.9
This breakdown reflects how Ada weighs the book’s strengths and flaws, not aggregated reader data.
Common Questions About An Inconvenient Widow
- Is An Inconvenient Widow worth reading?
- Solid research and a genuine corrective, but the defense sometimes shades into special pleading. The prose informs more than it dazzles. Ada rates it 3.9 out of 5.
- What are the main weaknesses of An Inconvenient Widow?
- Romano's rehabilitative agenda occasionally tips into special pleading, smoothing contradictions a tougher biographer would sit inside; the prose is workmanlike. Anyone wanting a complicated portrait will want more friction. The corrective is deserved.
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