Item: The Gown
Rating: 5.00
Author: wcs53

by Jennifer Robson

Perfect for anyone who's captivated by The Crown, The Gown 'will dazzle and delight' (Independent)!

The Gown is an enthralling historical novel about one of the most famous wedding dresses of the twentieth century - Queen Elizabeth's wedding gown - and the fascinating women who made it.

London, 1947: Besieged by a harsh winter, burdened by shortages and rationing, the people of post-war Britain are suffering despite their nation's recent victory. For Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, embroiderers at the famed Mayfair fashion house of Norman Hartnell, a glimmer of brightness comes in the form of their unlikely friendship and being chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime honour: taking part in the creation of Princess Elizabeth's wedding gown.

Toronto, 2016: Heather Mackenzie seeks to unravel the mystery of a legacy from her late grandmother. How did her beloved nan, who never spoke of her old life in Britain, come to possess the priceless embroideries that so closely resemble the motifs on the stunning gown worn by Queen Elizabeth II at her wedding almost seventy years before? And what was her nan's connection to the celebrated textile artist and Holocaust survivor Miriam Dassin?

With The Gown, Jennifer Robson takes us inside the workrooms where one of the most famous wedding gowns in history was created to tell a story of women whose lives are woven together by the pain of survival, the bonds of friendship, and the redemptive power of love.

'Robson succeeds in creating a riveting drama of female friendship, of lives fully lived despite unbearable loss, and of the steadfast effort required to bring forth beauty after surviving war' Independent

'A great tale of female friendship' The People's Friend

I read this on the recommendation of my wife, plus I was curious about it. It's a great story, centring around the gown worn by the Queen, when she was still a princess, at her wedding in 1947. The book follows the lives of three women, with each chapter in turn telling part of their individual story. Two of the women, Ann and Miriam, are involved in making the gown in 1947, whereas the third woman, Heather, the granddaughter of one of the other two, has her perspective from 2016 shared.

The different perspectives are interesting, especially as Heather, who lives in Canada, had no idea that her grandmother was even involved in the making of the gown. Her story picks up after the death of her grandmother. She decides to travel to England after she discovers some mysterious patches of embroidery left to her by her grandmother. This journey becomes one of discovery for her, not just about her grandmother, but also about herself.

Rather than she any more, of you are interested, then give this book a go. It is well worth the read. The history is accurate and the characters are believable, plus the story is a great one.

The Gown

by Jennifer Robson

Reviewed by wcs53 on Jan 3, 2020

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