A perfect debut novel is like a perfect dress—it’s a “must have” and when you “try it on” it fits perfectly. In this richly patterned story of sisterhood, ambition, and reinvention Sofia Grant has created a story just right for fans of Vintage and The Dress Shop of Dreams.World War II has ended and American women are shedding their old clothes for the gorgeous new styles. Voluminous layers of … gorgeous new styles. Voluminous layers of taffeta and tulle, wasp waists, and beautiful color—all so welcome after years of sensible styles and strict rationing.
Jeanne Brink and her sister Peggy both had to weather every tragedy the war had to offer—Peggy now a widowed mother, Jeanne without the fiancé she’d counted on, both living with Peggy’s mother-in-law in a grim mill town. But despite their grey pasts they long for a bright future—Jeanne by creating stunning dresses for her clients with the help of her sister Peggy’s brilliant sketches.
Together, they combine forces to create amazing fashions and a more prosperous life than they’d ever dreamed of before the war. But sisterly love can sometimes turn into sibling jealousy. Always playing second fiddle to her sister, Peggy yearns to make her own mark. But as they soon discover, the future is never without its surprises, ones that have the potential to make—or break—their dreams.more
The gorgeous cover and the blurb’s promise of a designer/dressmaker sister duo hint at an idealized world and an escapist plot. But make no mistake: this is a family saga. Though fashion-world details make for a superb, vividly-described backdrop, this is really a story about the consequences of family secrets.
For reasons we can relate to, everyone living under matriarch Thelma’s roof is despondent in the aftermath of the war. Thelma’s son (Peggy’s late husband) never returned from overseas, nor did he meet his daughter, Tommie. The fiance of Peggy’s sister, Jeanne, was also killed in the war. As if grief weren’t enough, money is scarce, and the three women are forced to take jobs as they juggle raising Tommie. Each struggles to reconcile who she has become with earlier expectations of very different lives.
Yet, sisterhood becomes a complicated proposition among relationships with weak foundations. Thelma’s taking in of Peggy and Jeanne is less heartfelt than it is obliged. Between the sisters themselves, distance comes not from petty rivalries but complex history that is hard to face. And neither Thelma nor Jeanne looks kindly upon Peggy’s neglect at Tommie and her lack of committment to being a good mother. Yet, they are stuck together, with no single one of them in a financial position to live independent lives, however much each aches to start fresh and live again.
“The Dress in the Window” is utterly realistic in its depiction of the kinds of secrets women keep–particularly women who were raised at a time of status-seeking and judgment. Women whose bonds were stronger might have confessed their secrets–from the pursuit of lost dreams to the details of inappropriate trysts–yet these women are thrown together, not bonded. Therein lies the conflict.
This makes for a story that shows how women really treat one another, how traumatized people really cope, and how the bonds of family–often forced–can complicate everything. Dedication to the survival of their family juxtaposes each woman’s fight to reclaim herself. This story rang true to life: inescapably complex and utterly messy.
Good story but the ending was abrupt.
I got tired of the plot. I felt it lagged and was too long.
Enjoyed reading the details about sewing and couture work. Characters were uninteresting and the plot was boring and depressing.
Keep trying until you achieve your goal.
The writing is good, the characters are well developed and interesting, the setting different and seemingly well researched. These are all good things. There was a twist near the end that I guess was needed but one I didn’t care for. That was a disappointment. If you like fashion, fabric and some history of fashion in the US in the 50’s read it.
A unique read whose characters bring lots of secrets to the story.
The story of the two sisters is actually rather sad. The plot sort of limps along. The progression of the story is slow. One keeps thinking that this is leading up to a great ending (success), however it deflates (sadly) at the end… The tale doesn’t seem realistic.
On the other hand, The struggle of women to succeed I their jobs (in a man’s world) is well depicted.
Although the book wasn’t riveting, it was a moderately enjoyable read.
Love the relationship with sisters
Overall, a fairly good read. Yet there was just too much included without sufficient explanatory content making following the storyline a bit of a challenge.
Got a bit dull in the middle
Not what I was expecting. I found I just did not care for any of the characters. Depressing read.
I expected more from this book – did not feel like the story line developed as well as I had hoped.
I thought it was a little slow to start and I had a difficult time keeping the characters straight (probably just me and not the author’s fault). Once it got going I thought the different life events were pretty interesting. Just after the war in the late 40’s. I never thought about people at that time, ads, movies and tv were so “cheerful” then. I liked the ending. I would have liked a little more detail in a few parts of the stories.
I have been a sewer for 60 years. The author knew her stuff and did wonderful research for intervening areas.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book, its characters, historical society during post-war period, and the struggles of the women. Yet it was not sad or tragic. Very good read.
Good read, kept my attention. Really could of sat all day to finish it.
Well developed characters. Good story line
This is a terrific book – wonderful character development and plot lines. READ this!
It was a different, interesting book that portray the lives of women after WWII.