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There are currently 27 member reviews
for The Dressmaker
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Linda Z. (Corydon, IN)
The Dressmaker
I enjoyed this book very much. In fact, I read it in two days, staying up until after midnight to finish it. The author approached the Titanic disaster with a new perspective. The moral questions could lead to some interesting discussions in a book club setting as well as the question of loyalty to an employer. Where is the stopping point? The historical aspect was covered very well from descriptions to the technical. I would recommend it to most readers especially those interested in historical novels. I have found as a former high school librarian that teenagers are interested in disasters of this type and I think they would find this book of interest.
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Carol N. (San Jose, CA)
GOOD READ
The Titanic’s 1912 sinking remains a legend steeped in tragedy and mysterious allure. So just in time for its 100-year anniversary along comes Kate Alcott’s, The Dressmaker, a very compelling historical novel about a young woman who survives the disaster only to find herself in the middle of a media driven government hearing. Having met two men while on board ship, a roughly-hewn, but kind young sailor and a rather enigmatic Chicago millionaire, this young aspiring seamstress gets an incredibly lucky break to be hired as a personal maid to the famous designer Lady Lucile Duff Gordon. But is it a lucky break. . . filled with the raw feelings of a national tragedy and the emotions of young love, this book was one terrific read.
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Sandra G. (Middleton, WI)
Good for historical fiction fans
We are all familiar with the sinking of the Titanic. This novel takes us beyond the tragedy of April 14, 1912 to the Senate hearings that followed , and the effects these events had on the survivors. Lots of historical details are woven in, such as the inclusion of "the unsinkable Molly Brown." Another intertwining storyline follows two independent young women, one a survivor, trying to make their own way in the man's world of 1912.
Because of the writing style, I would consider this novel "light fiction", even though the subject matter is serious. I cannot rate it a 5 because it lacks the richness of language great novels have. Nonetheless, it is an enjoyable read.
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Martha L. (Warner, NH)
very very hard to put down
A story about the Titanic with actual portions from the hearings held in the Senate does not sound at all interesting. Until you throw in real people who actually were on the ship. Until you throw in real people who faced huge challenges and dilemmas, head on. Until you realize how big business and having large amounts of money did indeed determine most of the outcomes. Until you meet Tess and Jim. They wanted honesty and truth in a world where money and influence are all-important. Good writing with young love, compromises, new chances and a girl trained to be a dressmaker all combined with the huge tragedy all lead to the book being interesting and very, very hard to put down!
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Pepper E. (Lawrenceville, NJ)
Enjoyable read
I receiver an Early Reviewer copy of this book.
I found The Dressmaker offered a fresh perspective from hundred year old history. The Dressmaker took me to a time and place I had not considered. I was surprised to think that among the Titanic's survivors might have been both heroes and goats. The characters and story were interesting, especially those based on actual court transcripts and newspapers. I liked seeing the timeline that included people from the world of fashion and the beginnings of the suffrage movement.
I may be the only person in America who never saw the movie, Titanic, but reading this novel has me wishing I knew more about the disaster and the people involved. While I cannot wholeheartedly recommend this book on its merits alone, I can say that I will be looking for more reading about the aftermath of the historic event.
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Florence K. (Encino, California)
The Dressmaker
An interesting premise, a quick read, a slice of 100 year old history -- these elements should have made for an excellent book, but The Dressmaker misses the mark. The sections dealing with the Titanic tragedy and the Senate investigations are well done. The book is weakened by a hackneyed love triangle: poor young woman, wealthy older man, poor young man. One can easily anticipate the outcome. Moreover the writing style was flat and full of fluff and lacking much literary depth. I give it 31/2 stars.
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Brenda (Nebraska)
Titanic Decisions
There are many decisions these survivors of the Titanic will make following the tragic event. In their daily lives and as a part of an official Senate investigation.
What is wrong with being a survivor? Some men sneaked into lifeboats, and some women stayed behind to die with their men. Survivors on the lifeboats rescued others to the point of overloading their boats, others refused help to others even when there was more than enough room.
This story is about forgiving, excusing and accepting.
The main character of this story, Tess Collins, will have to decide between a life handed to her by someone else who could at any time withdraw it, a life of hope and shared struggle with an equal, or an attempt to make it on her own.
