I love historical fiction and Lincoln has alway fascinated me., so I was excited to read this book. Honestly, I was a little disappointed. I had a hard time getting into this book for some reason. I found the characters vanilla- lacking depth. To me I felt like I was reading a history book.

As a lover of historical fiction this was very heavy in the historical part. Lots of history, which was interesting but I felt slowed down the read. There wasn't a lot of character development or investment but still a few interesting story from a unique perspective. Just not a quick and easy read.

2.5 stars: Having loved previous books by Horgan (Loving Frank, Under the Wide and Starry Sky), this one was a miss for me. By using three different viewpoints (Mary Lincoln, her nanny and servant Ana, a Portuguese refugee, and freed slaves living in Springfield, IL), it just felt as if the story skimmed the surface. I did not learn anything new about Lincoln, but I did learn quite a bit about Springfield. Frankly, I would have liked more of a story focused on the race riots at the turn of the century - might’ve made a stronger story, rather than using many many decades across one book.

The House of Lincoln Review

The House of Lincoln is a captivating tale that paints a vivid picture of the injustices of slavery and racism in history. While the story is a work of fiction, it includes several elements that ring true to life. The author's creative approach to the subject matter makes for an engaging read that will leave you thoroughly entertained and enlightened.

Storytelling & Characters

The House of Lincoln is an enthralling tale narrated in the third person. It is fitting as it allows readers to experience the story through the protagonist's eyes while maintaining a comfortable distance due to the presence of historical figures. The main character, Anna, is an outsider, hailing from the Portuguese island of Madeira and settling in Springfield, IL. As a reader, I found her relatable, and her character growth was impressive. 

The novel is set before the Civil War, a time of slavery and racism, and Anna witnesses Cal's heroic efforts to help runaway slaves. Initially, Anna hesitates, fearing for her safety, but she soon realizes that she must do what is right and not let fear dictate her actions. As the story progresses, Anna becomes more aware of the social and racial disparity around her, making her a compelling character.

Abraham Lincoln, one of the most iconic figures in American history, is also portrayed in a refreshing light. The author showcases Lincoln's personal life as a husband and father and his professional life as a hardworking lawyer representing the underprivileged. The author also delves into the making of the Emancipation Proclamation, providing readers with a deeper understanding of this crucial moment in American history. 

Conflict and Themes

The narrative revolves around the rift among individuals caused by slavery and racial differences. This is exemplified by the inhabitants of Springfield, highlighting the discrepancy between races. Even the politicians are divided into opposing camps, with Abraham Lincoln leading one side. The discord between Mary Lincoln and her sister, triggered by their conflicting ideologies on slavery, adds another layer of complexity to the story.

Overall Reading Enjoyment

Exploring the topic of slavery and the struggles endured by those affected can be challenging. However, amidst the injustice and hate, this book also illuminates the compassion and empathy displayed by certain individuals. 

This literary work provides a valuable addition to gaining insight into the behind-the-scenes happenings during Abraham Lincoln's time and the people in his inner circle. Their unwavering commitment and selflessness ultimately contributed to the creation of the Emancipation Proclamation.

As a lover of historical fiction, I relish the opportunity to delve into the past and uncover the truth behind significant events.

Favorite Quotes

“We all trail ghosts. What matters is what we do now.”

“Fear makes fools of us all.”

“Some people are willfully ignorant. They aren’t stupid, they simply choose to be oblivious. That way they aren’t responsible for anything that goes wrong.”


I received a complimentary copy of the book, and all views expressed in this review are my own. A big thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an e-ARC.

I received a digital ARC from Sourcebooks Landmark through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was an interesting read. I learned a lot, but think that at times the story was lost to historical facts that were given, I liked the fact that this story was focused on Lincoln’s road to presidency, the Civil War, and it’s aftermath. It is a time in our history that is not written about much.

The interesting life story of Lincoln starting from his parents roots thru his career as a lawyer culminating in his presidency.

An interesting perspective on Abraham Lincoln, his family, and the community in which they lived.

In this latest work of historical fiction by author Nancy Horan, Ana Ferreira is a young immigrant girl who is living with her family in Springfield, Illinois, in 1851. They had fled Madeira, Portugal, with a group of others when the far more populous Catholic residents there forced Presbyterian converts like the Ferreiras from their homes. The refugees initially travelled to the island of Trinidad, but were pressed into service harvesting in the sugar cane fields, a brutal and hardscrabble life. When offered refuge in the United States, they seized the opportunity and found themselves in Springfield. A very different climate from that to which they were accustomed, and a language that none initially knew, but there were ways to find work, make money, and create a new life. Ana’s father, a hard worker and optimistic by nature, searches for a new path for himself and his family, while Ana’s mother dearly misses her old home and the family whom she loves deeply but who rejected her when she embraced a new faith. Ana and her two siblings work to adapt to their new life, and Ana in particular quickly learns English and becomes her family’s interpreter and runner of errands. One day, when she and her new best friend Cal, are roaming the square downtown and go to pick up a pair of her father’s boots from the cobbler shop of William Donnegan, they encounter three nasty men who are looking for a man and think that Mr. Donnegan knows where he is. Mr. Donnegan looks at the picture they present, and says he has never seen the man. The men don’t believe him particularly, but when even a large amount of cash doesn’t sway Mr. Donnegan they leave the shop. As they do, Ana sees a pile of pelts in a corner of the shop start to slide, and a hand come out from within the pile to steady it. She and Cal are rushed out of the store, and Ana asks her friend about what just happened. Cal, who is herself part black and regularly on the receiving end of discrimination by racist members of the Springfield community, identifies the trio of men as slave catchers, refuses to say whether or not she too saw the hand, and asks Ana not to say anything to anyone about what just happened. Ana promises to stay silent. This incident, added to the occasions when she sees Cal treated differently than she herself is treated by certain shopkeepers, makes Ana aware that America does not welcome or treat all immigrants in the same fashion, and not everyone has the same pathways available to them in their pursuit of the American Dream. Ana comes to work in the Lincoln home, helping Mary Lincoln with her sons while her husband pursues his work and ambitions, and the reader comes to know the Lincoln family through Ana’s eyes.
The main character in House of Lincoln is not, in fact, Lincoln….instead, it is Ana, Donnegan, and their families and friends, as well as at times Mary Todd Lincoln and the Lincoln family. While the character of Ana is fictional, it is inspired by real immigrants from Madeira who were exiled because of their religious beliefs and found their way to Springfield. William Donnegan was real, a free African American who lived with his family in Springfield when they left Kentucky. He was actively involved in helping people fleeing slavery and oppression in the Southern states on their journeys to freedom in the North. Mary Lincoln has been remembered through history for the losses in her life (her mother, her husband and three of her four sons), from her many physical and mental health issues, and is not one of the more revered First Ladies in US history. I learned more about her, from her early life and its difficulties, to the strong bond with her sisters and the strained relations with siblings and other relatives who sided with the Confederacy. She wasn’t the easiest of women to live with, I suspect, but I developed a bit more sympathy for why she behaved as she did. As the author herself was raised in Springfield, she was able to bring to the story much of its history, including events like the Springfield Race Riot of 1908, of which I had never heard. I don’t believe I ever knew just how much of a microcosm of the divided US Springfield, Illinois, was in Lincoln’s time, a hub of the Underground Railroad as well as a place harboring many who favored the discriminatory Black Laws. Lincoln himself was certainly not born an abolitionist, but was an observer of life around him and was disquieted with many of the inequities that he saw. The story does not end with his assassination, as the lives of the other characters in the book continued onward. The Civil War, which Ana, Donnegan, their families and friends live through as do the Lincolns, did not permanently solve the problem of racism, nor is our country free of it today. But, just as there were then, there are people of all colors and from all walks of life who continue to work towards that goal.
I found the characters engaging, I certainly learned many details of that time and place with which I was unfamiliar, and would recommend this novel to anyone who has enjoyed Ms Horan’s previous titles (including Loving Frank) or who enjoy historical fiction, especially those that seek to flesh out actual historical figures by seeing their lives through the perspective of people in their lives. Titles like The Paris Wife by Paula McLain, An American Beauty by Shana Abe, and Her Hidden Genius and other novels by Marie Benedict spring to mind. Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for allowing me access to an advanced reader’s copy, in exchange for my honest review.

2.5
This was a letdown for me. I was a history and a women's studies major so this book sounded like I was going to love it. I just did not like the over all story. I was a little bored, to be honest.

Informative for me. I had no idea of many of the events and opinions surrounding Lincoln and his hometown of Springfield.
Told through the eyes of several Springfield citizens that knew Lincoln, this shed a lot of misconceptions for me.
The book is well written and I enjoyed the differing points of view as well as learning about the major historical events. Very well researched.

Nancy Horgan once again shows her talent with compositing a story that is the perfect balance of well-researched history with the right amount of fiction to keep the reader engaged. In The House of Lincoln, we learn about the personal story of the lives of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln and their family as well as the story of Springfield, Illinois. Through the eyes of Ana Ferreira, a young Portuguese immigrant, we learn of the personal impact of the social changes and challenges in Springfield at the time leading up to the Civil War until after Lincoln’s assasination.

I can definitely appreciate the amount of research that went into this book. It is told from the immigrants perspective and the characters were very well written. This is not my usual genre, but I can appreciate good work when I read it.

The House of Lincoln by Nancy Horan takes us to Springfield, IL prior to the Civil War. The story is told through Ana, an immigrant from Madeira, Spencer Donnegan, a black pastor/barber and The Lincoln’s. A well researched and written historical fiction. This book gives a different perspective and information on the civil war and Abraham Lincoln. It shows us a young attorney in Springfield and his rise to the presidency. This author also wrote Loving Frank. Both are excellent reads! Thank you to NetGallery for letting me review this book.

This book is written from the perspective of a young Portuguese immigrant, Ana Ferriera, whose family settled in Springfield, Illinois, having been victims of religious persecution. The story follows Mary Lincoln, and Abraham Lincoln’s career, with slavery and the Civil War as major points. However, this is not a biography, and more of a saga. Horan is a very talented writer who has done an extensive amount of research for this book. I loved her book, Loving Frank, as well.

I chose to read the Houseof Lincoln because I adored Loving Frank, an earlier work of Nancy Horgan from several years ago. I also was very interested in the setting of Springfield, IL, , as it is just 100 miles from my home and an area I am somewhat familiar with. Ms Horgan paints a picture of the family life of the Lincoln’s, the minds of the community regarding the increasing racial diversity and a clearer picture of the somewhat unstable mental health of Nancy Todd Lincoln. Much of this is presented thru the eyes of Portuguese Immigrant, Anna Ferreira, a Mother’s Helper in the Lincoln household who becomes close to Mrs. Lincoln. Anna’s Best Friend is a young Black woman and provides a connection to the Black community, including a glimpse of the Underground Railroad. There is a lot of food for thought in this simply presented novel and I would especially recommend it for teen history buffs! Thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity for an early read in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley. #HouseofLincoln

Another great book by Nancy Horan. It gives a different perspective on the Civil War era. It covers the ways society dealt with the issues of slavery and race.

I was excited to read this because Horan’s Loving Frank was a book that has resonated with me for years and I was hoping this would deliver as well. I read Booth earlier this year so I was in the Lincoln mindset and I enjoyed this different perspective. While this novel was not a page turner, I still enjoyed it. I loved the narration from Ana, a different narrator than one might expect from a civil war novel; she’s a Portuguese immigrant living in Springfield and working (at points in the book) for the Lincoln family. The three narrators (Ana, Mary Todd Lincoln and a freed Black man, Spencer Donnegan) all had such different experiences in this time period leading up to the civil war, during and after that it lead to the novel’s richness. Their chapters also gave their observations of Lincoln as a person, a family man and a politician.

This novel is dense with historical lessons as told from the multiple narrators: the Lincoln Douglas debates, the Underground Railroad, the Illinois Black Laws, the Springfield Race Riot of 1908 as well as Lincoln’s run for president. While the story is ostensibly about Lincoln, it doesn’t end with his death (nor is he is not one of the narrators), it continues with the ramifications of the Civil War and the reactions of the country (and more specifically Springfield) to it.

I enjoyed the characters both real and fictional through Horan’s writing and learning more about a historical period about which I thought I knew.

I wanted to read this book because I grew up in Central Illinois near Springfield and Petersburg. I have not been back there very much as an adult but I was familiar with some of the areas. I did not know about the race riot of 1908 so that was an interesting part of history that I was not familiar with.

The story is about Abraham and Mary Lincoln. However, much of the story is through the eyes of an immigrant girl, Ana Ferreira, that works in the Lincoln home and with the children. Ana gets to see the rise of Lincoln going from rumpled lawyer, to President, and his assassination. I also found the story of Mary Lincoln interesting. I did not realize that she battled depression. I also did not realize that the Lincoln's were not very well received in DC. They were kind of considered backward hicks.

I did recommend this book for my mom because she volunteers at the Illinois State Museum. As a volunteer she is asked about the life of the Lincoln's and I think this book is a nice way to learn history with a story that keeps you interested in the book with the immigration story and the home life of the Lincoln's while they were in Springfield.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book for an honest review. #NetGalley #TheHouseOfLincoln #NancyHoran

House of Lincoln is most effective during the passages involving Abraham Lincoln—his candidacy for the Illinois Senate and his debates against Stephen Douglas, his family life, his unlikely candidacy for the U.S. presidency and winning it, his years as president, and his tragic death — and the Civil War (key battles, human toll, and political aftermath), and less so in the years prior or after these events.

Nancy Horan does an excellent job of explaining the circumstances that led to the Civil War and how it unfolded, melding historical and fictional characters to great effect. I was both riveted and horrified in equal measure, a sign of success, in my opinion. I was heartbroken for the fate of the Lincoln family, even though I knew some of it from other readings. So many tragedies in quick succession…

Disclaimer: The publisher provided me with a digital ARC, via Netgalley, in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book obviously has been extensively researched because it provided some interesting accounts of happenings and little known characters during the time of the Civil War. However, although I really enjoy historical novels, this novel often read like a textbook instead of a work of fiction and made me sort of plod my way through it. Nonetheless, I found many interesting tidbits here and there which made this a decent read for me — and because I enjoy reading about Lincoln, having him and Mary be a main point in this novel helped a lot.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

I was impressed with my first reading of Nancy Horan and look forward to exploring her other works. She combines fictional characters with historical details to enhance the read and your learning of the past. The work was engrossing and shares little tidbits of history and trivia. Thanks for the chance to read!