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Joan N. (Evanston, IL)
(07/25/11)
A Tale of Two Generations
I enjoyed reading The Little Black Dress by Susan McBride, even though I found it a bit contrived and predictable. The story weaves between two generations of women: Evie, who opens the book, looking back at her life from the age of 72, and Antonia, her daughter, who has escaped the confines of southern Missouri wine country to find herself in the big city of St. Louis. Anna, Evie’s sister who is seen mainly in memory and whom Antonia has never met, plays a major role in the story. The novel deeply explores mother-daughter love and the search for a soulmate, and I found this exploration to be the book’s greatest strength.
Marilyn J. (Harvey, ND)
(07/21/11)
Little Black Dress by Susan McBride
After finishing another book filled with footnotes and difficult vocabulary, I found this story a perfect, refreshing summer story. It not only gave me more reason to explore my own relationships with my mother and sisters but also provided entertainment for a long car trip. I loved the magical twist of the black dress, seeing and fulfilling the future, and yes, I also loved that some people might have happy, satisfying marriages. I don't think it's a book club selection, and it is predictable, but it was pleasant and well written, and I didn't have to do any deep thinking.
Sue Z. (Mooresville, NC)
(07/18/11)
The little Black Dress
What a pity that this book will not be published until September, as it would have made a great "beach read" However it will be very enjoyable for readers of chick lit. Surely every woman wishes that she has a little black dress that fits like a dream, regardless of her size. Of course very dream has a down side and there is one to accessing the magic of the dress. Nevertheless a fun and fast read
Ann L. (Arnold, MD)
(07/16/11)
Little Black Dress
This was a nice easy to read story. Sometimes, I thought the dialogue was a little stilted but most of the time, it read smoothly. I personally do not like stories that rely on magic (i.e. the black dress) to solve the characters problems or resolve issues unless it is specifically a fantasy novel. If that does not bother a reader, then it is a good story to read.
Chris W. (Temple City, CA)
(07/16/11)
Magic dress
I really enjoyed this book and thought the characters were mostly well developed. The plot was a bit predictable at times. The viewpoint of the chapters alternates between Evie in the past and her daughter Toni in the present, and this flowed well. I think it would be an interesting book to discuss at a book club because most people can relate to family dysfunction to some degree. This quote will stay with me: "Sometimes you just have to accept the magic that comes into your life and leave it be."
Sharon C. (Newton, IA)
(07/15/11)
Dysfunctional family at its finest
Relationships between mothers and daughters can sometimes be intense, but when you put a magical little black dress into the mix, it's extremely life changing.
The story carries you through the tempestuous relationship between Evie (mother) and Antonia (daughter) and the little black dress that brings them together.
I literally could not put this book down. I read it in one sitting. Every other chapter is written in either Evie's voice or Antonia's voice and the author does a fine job in the transition.
A great summer read!
Lorraine R. (southampton, NY)
(07/15/11)
Little Black Dress
This novel could be classified as "chick lit." It had a somewhat interesting plot involving self-discovery and betrayal, however I found it to be predictable and trite. The introduction of magic in the "black dress" seemed to imply that magic was needed as an excuse for the decisions that women make in their lives. It is not a book I would recommend to others. It is at best, an "airplane novel."
Judy K. (Conroe, TX)
(07/15/11)
Okay book
This was an okay book. It wasn't a huge cerebral read, more like a beach read. Both the story and the ending were entirely predictable. I cared about the characters so I kept turning the pages even though there were no surprises. It was a typical story of family secrets and guilt and misunderstandings with a slight twist thrown in by a magical dress. I expect to see it on the Lifetime Channel sometime soon.
