Henry and Clara

[Gene C]

Historical Fiction by Thomas Mallon. Written in 1994, about 350+ pages.

This was the second time I read it, and I didn't care for it. I thought the story moved to slow. It's page 183 (half way through the book) when Henry and Clara join the Lincolns for the ride to Ford's Theater. From the very start of the book, there's something not quite right about Henry. Book is mainly written from Clara's perspective, her feelings, her problems, her relationships. I didn't find her all that interesting.

[RJNorton]

(07-26-2013 10:09 PM)Gene C Wrote:  From the very start of the book, there's something not quite right about Henry.

I sure agree with you, Gene. I mentioned this as a possibility previously - that Henry most likely would have faced some sort of mental difficulties in his future even if he hadn't been in Ford's State Box on Friday, April 14, 1865. IMO there was something not quite right about the man (at least based upon the way he comes across in Mallon's book).

[LincolnMan]

Any other authors mention the possibility regarding Henry (that he wasn't quite right)?

[Eva Elisabeth]

I just read "Henry and Clara" during my vacation and indeed enjoyed it as the perfect reading for such an occasion.
I agree that Henry Rathbone seemed (or is presented as) latently a bit off-center from the very beginning, and much more visibly after his "Crater-experience".

One thing I found odd as well was that Clara didn't stay with Henry after he had been stabbed and wounded by JWB. Is it true she did not take care of her fiancé and leave him alone until the next morning? Did it really happen like this?

[L Verge]

That has been my understanding. She remained with Mrs. Lincoln in the Petersen House. Has anyone read anything different? I might add - and this is pure speculation - that perhaps "etiquette" of the day would not permit a single woman of her social class to be present in the bedroom of a man who was not a blood relative?

[LincolnMan]

Laurie: I would think that to be true based on the little I know of the era.

[BettyO]

I have to agree with both you, Laurie and Bill. I think that propriety during the Victorian era would definitely not "permit" an unmarried lady to frequent the bedside/bedroom (unchaproned of course!) of a gentleman - even if he was her fiance!

[Gene C]

(07-27-2013 05:34 PM)BettyO Wrote:  I have to agree with both you, Laurie and Bill. I think that propriety during the Victorian era would definitely not "permit" an unmarried lady to frequent the bedside/bedroom (unchaproned of course!) of a gentleman - even if he was her fiance!

Not even if they promised to keep the door wide open?

With all the doctors at the Peterson house, you would think he would have received a little more medical attention from one of them.

[LincolnMan]

Remember that one scene in the movie The Patriot where the young lad is sewn into the bed (as he is a guest in the home of his girlfriend)-to ensure no straying? I know the movie depicted times in the Colonial era, but it demonstrates the kind of social norms that were present early on- which our Civil War ancestors were still living under to a large extent.

[Eva Elisabeth]

(07-28-2013 06:34 AM)LincolnMan Wrote:  Remember that one scene in the movie The Patriot where the young lad is sewn into the bed (as he is a guest in the home of his girlfriend)-to ensure no straying?

Brrr, this reminds me of the wooden chastity belts the wifes of Henry VIII had to wear while he was away and which are exposed in the Tower of London...

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(07-27-2013 08:09 PM)Gene C Wrote:  With all the doctors at the Peterson house, you would think he would have received a little more medical attention from one of them.

Good point, Gene. Was anything non-fictional reported about this? (In Mallon's book an army major named Potter assisted Henry.)