Much has been written about the special friendship between Abraham Lincoln and Joshua Speed. Louis Bayard’s novel is a fictional take, told from the views of Mary Todd and Speed. Since Lincoln and Speed almost always spoke to each other using surnames, I will do the same.
Mary Todd relocated to Springfield, Illinois to live with her sister. The suggestion seemed to be that it was time for Mary to be married and the prospects might be better in Springfield. A mishap on a sleigh ride introduces Speed as her rescuer. His hair “rippled in chestnut waves down to his collar.”
While Speed may have cut a striking figure, Lincoln was less polished. After an awkward meeting, Mary discovers Lincoln lives with Speed above his store. They sleep in the same bed and two other lodgers share the dormitory-like space.
Lincoln was considered ugly and “rough beyond the edges.” Further, he had no money and few prospects from his law and political pursuits. Lincoln, Speed and Mary share witty banter and seem to love puns. Eliza Francis, a yenta to Springfield’s politicos, arranges the introductions.
Speed had arrived in Springfield “a dandyish, though not extravagant, figure.” Speed was much more socially adept than Lincoln. In one instance, he teaches Lincoln how to tie a cravat. He schools Lincoln on basic etiquette. Their close relationship does not go unnoticed. Mrs. Francis proclaims, “Two bachelors, holding themselves aloof! I have said it before—it is a crime against womanhood.”
As the machinations proceed with the pairing of Mary and Lincoln, Speed begins to feel a bit jealous and shut out. When a stranger appears at his store, one Billy Greene, Speed questions what has transpired in Lincoln’s past. The story of their connection is oblique but leads Speed to ponder whether Lincoln has not been forthcoming. It is a question too delicate to ask. Speed doesn’t even tell Lincoln that the man surfaced.
Mary’s younger sister Matilda arrives in Springfield. A lovely, sociable, and maybe even a little conniving person, she begins to assess the situation. She determines Speed is “not the marrying kind.” Lincoln is described as the same, were it not for Mary’s persistence.
Eventually, Lincoln tells Speed of the plans for marriage to Mary. Speed’s angry response seems that of a lover scorned or wronged. Is he cheating on Speed with his affections? Both men had a vow to each other to never marry. Since the story is told from the perspectives of Mary and Speed, different motivations and emotions surface. A bit “Rashomon,” in that everyone remembers things differently.
The engagement is called off by Lincoln. Speed has decamped from Springfield back to Farmington, Kentucky, his family’s base. Lincoln is falling apart. Mary has migraines. Through correspondence, Lincoln promises to come to Farmington. Speed obsesses about a visit from his dear friend. In a scene that appears homoerotic, Speed and Lincoln share a moment in the springhouse at the Speed farm.
There are so many moments of intimacy that occur in this novel. The compulsion to assign the moments a description that would be indicative of our current understanding is obvious. I think it is still unclear. Bayard’s writing navigates this conflict between understanding the past and interpreting it in the present, beautifully.
Louis Bayard is a New York Times Notable Book author and has been shortlisted for both the Edgar and Dagger awards for his historical thrillers, which include The Pale Blue Eye and Mr. Timothy. His most recent novel was the critically acclaimed young-adult title Lucky Strikes. He lives in Washington, DC, and teaches at George Washington University. Visit him online at www.louisbayard.com.
Published by https://www.algonquin.com/
REVIEW: STEPHEN COYQueerguru Contributor STEPHEN COY has been an avid reader all his (very long) life ? and is finally putting his skills to good use. He lives in Provincetown full time with his husband Jim, having finally given up the bright lights of Boston and now haunts the streets mumbling to himself that no one reads anymore …
Labels: 2019, book review, Stephen Coy
