One of the most anticipated reads from InStyle, HelloGiggles, Hypable, Bookbub, and Bookriot!
One of Real Simple’s Best Historical Fiction novels of the year!
“The Gown is marvelous and moving, a vivid portrait of female self-reliance in a world racked by the cost of war.”–Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network
From the internationally bestselling author of … Times bestselling author of The Alice Network
From the internationally bestselling author of Somewhere in France comes 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.
“Millions will welcome this joyous event as a flash of color on the long road we have to travel.”
—Sir Winston Churchill on the news of Princess Elizabeth’s forthcoming wedding
London, 1947: Besieged by the harshest winter in living memory, burdened by onerous shortages and rationing, the people of postwar Britain are enduring lives of quiet desperation despite their nation’s recent victory. Among them are Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, embroiderers at the famed Mayfair fashion house of Norman Hartnell. Together they forge an unlikely friendship, but their nascent hopes for a brighter future are tested when they are chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime honor: taking part in the creation of Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown.
Toronto, 2016: More than half a century later, Heather Mackenzie seeks to unravel the mystery of a set of embroidered flowers, a legacy from her late grandmother. How did her beloved Nan, a woman 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. Balancing behind-the-scenes details with a sweeping portrait of a society left reeling by the calamitous costs of victory, she introduces readers to three unforgettable heroines, their points of view alternating and intersecting throughout its pages, whose lives are woven together by the pain of survival, the bonds of friendship, and the redemptive power of love.
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters and the setting were wonderful, and the story had me enthralled from beginning to end.
The multigenerational subgenre in historical fiction in my opinion is reaching a saturation point. As a literary device it is a bit tiresome jumping around. The making of the royal wedding gown and the fictional characters involved was a compelling story in itself. For that reason I was liberal in my rating. Thus this story could have been delivered without the present day references. I won’t criticize the authors who choose to continue this trend, I will just avoid them.
A story of friendship, family bonds, and courage, The Gown is the ideal read for fans of historical fiction and royal watchers alike!
I submerged easily into The Gown. Three points-of-view and two timelines wind through this wonderful novel about the making of a famous, royal wedding dress. Each character is distinct in her goals and personality. The portions about the gown and the mystery behind Ann’s participation in making it all served to make me think about getting back to it every time I was pulled away. The details about 1947 and the life of working women, women working for the the royal family were compelling. But my single favorite part happens at the end when the famous wedding gown is nearly finished and each of the embroiderers in the shop is invited to… I don’t want to spoil it, but it was a lovely, quiet detail that I hope is somehow actually “true!” Great read.
I started this book in the morning. And at lunch was on chapter 5. At 5 pm on chapter 17. Finished at 9:25. It was that good. It is the story of at least two of the women who helped make the dress and a granddaughter who never knew her grandmother’s story. Very good tale. I highly recommend it.
Once I started reading, I couldn’t put this novel down. The story is engaging, memorable, and beautifully imagined.
Very much enjoyed this book. Would highly recommend especially to anyone who loved the series The Crown.
So many things in history that everyone has read. Those fleeing to Canada during WW II those who just tried to be as safe as possible and those who had been in the making of history with the old guard of England. Really good and a quick read.
Great description of the making of the gown intertwined with interesting stories of the people who made it.
I haven’t read historical fiction in a long while and this book made me wonder I I’ve only been reading non-fiction! Such a good book with wonderful characters whose back stories were so appropriate to the era.
Good read for Bookclub . .
Interesting story.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, and the narration especially. So peaceful and calming (for the most part). A beautiful, intricate, heartfelt tale.
Jennifer Robson is a dab hand at striking the right balance between historical research and creating a fictional world her readers will love. The Gown doesn’t disappoint with its descriptions of austere, post-war London on the one hand and the sumptuous details of the wedding of the young Queen Elizabeth II.
I absolutely loved this book. The story follows the making of Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gown but this book is actually an absorbing tale about female friendships, secrets, and the traumas of WWII.
I highly recommend this one to all historical fiction lovers, women’s fiction readers, and those who love the royal history. I was so surprised how expertly crafted the dual timeline stories unfolded too. It grips you in with amazing character detail that is honest yet it’s not droll in too much detail, sounding like a research paper. Jennifer Robson is a master at weaving the emotional concerns of women in the era to those that still resonate today. Absolute gem.
This novel came to my attention just as we had finished streaming season 3 of The Crown, so when I saw the book was about Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown and those whose talents helped create it, I couldn’t resist. Though the central characters are fictional, the setting and circumstances surrounding the gown’s creation have been thoroughly researched. An engaging, heart-tugging story and overall a fascinating read!
I loved this book. Fictionalized history at its best!
The enormous amount of detail describing the making of the gown was interesting as I have done a lot of needlework in my life. Nothing as delicate as this. I found myself bringing up pictures if the gown to look at as descriptions were provided
I especially enjoyed the setting & time of this book as I remember “Princess Elizabeth’s” wedding. It was very predominant in the news & as a very young girl made a “royal” impression on me. But I also was intrigued with the story about those who worked on her bridal gown-wonderful. As one who loves needlework & am proficient in needlework, this book really was “my cup of “Royal Tea”!!
As someone who likes historical fiction, this was an informative and interesting read. The historical part of the book was fascinating, the fiction part rather sad.