A beautifully crafted story breathes life into the cameo character from the classic novel A Tale of Two Cities.France, 1788It is the best of times . . .On a tranquil farm nestled in the French countryside, two orphaned cousins–Renée and Laurette–have been raised under the caring guardianship of young Ãmile Gagnon, the last of a once-prosperous family. No longer starving girls, Laurette and … girls, Laurette and Renée now spend days tending Gagnon’s sheep, and nights in their cozy loft, whispering secrets and dreams in this time of waning innocence and peace.It is the worst of times . . .Paris groans with a restlessness that can no longer be contained within its city streets. Hunger and hatred fuel her people. Violence seeps into the ornate halls of Versailles. Even Gagnon’s table in the quiet village of Mouton Blanc bears witness to the rumbles of rebellion, where Marcel Moreau embodies its voice and heart.It is the story that has never been told.In one night, the best and worst of fate collide. A chance encounter with a fashionable woman will bring Renée’s sewing skills to light and secure a place in the court of Queen Marie Antoinette. An act of reckless passion will throw Laurette into the arms of the increasingly militant Marcel. And Gagnon, steadfast in his faith in God and country, can only watch as those he loves march straight into the heart of the revolution.
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Enthralling! Brilliantly executed, in The Seamstress Pittman borrows a minor character from Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities and attempts to answer the tantalizing questions that arise in her brief, but pivotal appearance in that literary classic. Rich in historical detail and filled with tremendous heart, I was swept up by this gripping tale of the little seamstress and her cousin, and their struggles to survive and to maintain their faith. Highly recommended.
The Seamstress by Allison Pittman is a phenomenal story. From page one to the end, I was completely captivated. The characters are well-crafted and endearing. And the setting is amazing. I felt like I was in revolutionary France during the 1790s. The Seamstress is an overall stunning read.
Laurette’s storyline is absolutely beautiful, and left me loving Jesus all the more. In her tale, Laurette eventually acknowledges how ugly her sin is, asks for forgiveness, and recognizes just how blessed she is by God. But, as is typical with humans, Laurette’s guilt over her past sticks with her a little. You see, she’s a bit like Gomer from the book of Hosea … Laurette really does struggle with believing she deserves the blessings God gives her. She looks at it all in wonder and asks God, “Why am I so richly blessed?” I love the realism in Laurette’s character. I’ve been there — feeling like I am the worst sinner on earth, and unable to understand how God could love me so much and bless me beyond what I deserve. Laurette’s tale is a great reminder that the God we serve is bigger than any mistake we may make. His love can cover a multitude of filth. We just have to be willing to go to Him and ask for His help.
Renee is a beautifully magnificent character. I knew going into this book that her story does not end well, but I didn’t care. I wanted to see how Pittman would develop this cameo character. Renee is a character full of depth, innocence, and beauty. She endeared herself to my heart right from the start. The best part of Renee’s character is her steadfastness to the Lord no matter the cost to herself. She is brave and courageous in her faith in a way that really made me take a long look at myself. How strong am I in my faith in God? Do I trust Him with my very life? Am I willing to stand for God no matter what the world is demanding from me? I’m not sure anyone can adequately answer these questions until they are tested, but I appreciate the mirror Renee’s character held up so I could contemplate the strength of my faith in God.
The beginnings of the French Revolution are happening here in America. There is so much unsubstantiated hate and baseless anger flying free today it’s sickening. The worst part is that everything is emotions-based. Fact and Truth seem to be things of the past. Mainstream American society has kicked God out and made itself its own god. The pure evil and violence illustrated in The Seamstress is terrifying, but what’s more terrifying is that I can see the unrest and grumblings happening right now in my own home state. People are screaming and yelling. They are knee-jerk reacting. And it’s 100% based on feelings. Try telling someone an actual fact and that person treats you like you’re the most intolerant, evil human who ever walked the face of the earth. It’s scary. There is one part in this novel that I really LOVED. One of the characters, Marcel, is very anti-establishment. He is part of the jeering, pamphlet-reading, screaming crowd who calls for the death of the monarchy. He underestimates the mob he’s helping to create, and when he sees what the French Revolutionists are truly capable of he realizes the errors of his emotional ways. I tell my husband often that one day all of these emotional, violent, hate-filled people we see today in America are going to get exactly what they are screaming for. But it won’t truly be what they want. Once they realize this it will be too late and too many innocent people will have been slain on their altars of blind hatred and unadulterated anger. I wish those yelling the hardest in our country would wake up because they are being played.
The Seamstress by Allison Pittman is a stellar novel — a true 2019 must-read! This book is a masterpiece in the same way A Tale of Two Cities is. The Seamstress has sown its way into my heart, and will not easily be forgotten. I highly, times infinity, recommend this amazing piece of exquisite literature.
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author via Celebrate Lit through NetGalley. I also received a paperback copy of this novel via the publisher, Tyndale. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
In The Seamstress, Allison Pittman has given us a novel of Revolutionary France sweeping in its scope, a story of hope and despair, strength and frailty, courage and cowardice seamlessly stitched. With its pages filled with characters who will haunt the heart long after the last is turned, it is a story hemmed in triumph—of the human spirit in the midst of national chaos, but even more of Christ’s infinite love, transcending ideology, reaching alike into palaces and poverty. I finished this novel with a holy hush in my soul.
I’ve long been a fan of novels set during the French Revolution and so I was very much looking forward to reading The Seamstress. Pittman’s telling does not disappoint. In fact, it far exceeded my expectations.
Lyrically written, peopled with true to life characters, and infused with hope, this book is absolutely gasp-worthy. This deserves a second and third read and will find a home on my classic literature shelf.
This is the first book I’ve read by Allison Pittman and I absolutely loved it. Pittman did a masterful job with everything from storytelling to structuring the novel to creating memorable characters. I loved the depth of the characters, the story itself, and the glimpse of French history it provided. I especially loved how Pittman opened the novel with a prayer poem and then went on to structure the book using each line of the prayer as the basis for each subsequent part of the novel. So effective. And wow, the ending. And double wow, that last line that used a turn of a phrase to perfection. Like I said earlier, a masterful job. I highly recommend.
What an amazing and epic historical fiction set during the earlier years of the French Revolution. This is the first book I’ve read by Allison Pittman and she has garnered another devoted reader! The author’s writing style is hauntingly melodic and nostalgic; the combination of first person and third person narrative works well to bring a cohesive and well-constructed plot that spans quite a few years and takes place in several places. The characters are wonderfully layered, real, flawed, yet relatable and unforgettable. Faith and prayer play major roles in the characters’ lives even as the religious landscape of France changes drastically.
Laurette and Renee are cousins and worlds apart in looks, personality, faith, and outlook on life. Laurette’s story is told in third person and Renee’s in first person. Though Renee is easier to like from the beginning, Laurette grew on me as the story progressed and she herself matured. My favorite character, though not truly a main character, has to be Gagnon. His faithfulness, gentleness, loving kindness, and steadfastness even in the midst of famine and heartbreak make him a godly man, though he does have plenty of faults. This book will make you examine what it is that we live and die for and what forgiveness and mercy truly look like.
If you enjoy well-written and well-researched historical fiction, you will absolutely adore this book. It’s a must read. I was given a copy of the book by Tyndale House Publishers via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Allison Pittman has a stunning novel about the French Revolution in “The Seamstress”. From the first page, one feels an empathetic connection to the wonderful characters whose lives, loves, and faith are woven throughout the story. It is a haunting tale that stays with the reader long after the last page has been read. It is a tale of loyalty, loss, and lives well-lived. Because the novel is about the Revolution, there is plenty of tragedy, and I must admit tears as well. However, one can still say it ends happily-ever-after.
“God of heaven, see me now . . . . ”
France is on the brink of a revolution, while two orphaned cousins are rescued by a man of faith and unprecedented generosity. As Renee and Laurette grow into lovely young women, their paths seem destined to either flourish in the idyllic village of Mouton Blanc, where sheep produce fine wool and the air is crisp and clean; or to diverge into a place where dreams are made, only to be forever lost in the middle of a nation’s nightmare.
Renee’s natural talents as a seamtress provide her with a life-changing opportunity, while Laurette’s lust for significance lead her down the path of a prodigal. One man loves them both, the one who has provided them with food and shelter for much of their young lives; a mentor guardian of sorts, with wisdom far beyond his years; Emile Gangon. As the years go by, Gangon’s steady influence and unconditional love provide a haven of memories for one woman and a home to return to for another . . . “grant me dreams to sleep in peace”.
The beautiful word flow in this story is nearly impossible to describe; it carries a story that is deep, but not heavy, sweeping alongside characters who might think that they are forgettable, but they’re not.
My Review:
Cousins Laurette and Renee are orphaned and taken in by the kindly Gagnon. Renee is a talented seamstress, and her craft takes her within the palace walls working for Queen Marie Antoinette. Laurette longs for adventure and love, following her desires.
Inspired by The Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, this story tells of two cousins on different sides of the revolution. Renee is content with her simple, yet when she receives the opportunity to make the dreams she never dared to dream a reality she takes it. I admired her faithfulness, and level-headedness, she is plucky and strong beyond her diminutive size.
This book does a fantastic job of drawing the vast contrasts between the upper class excess of the royal family and the desperate poverty of those with a common plight. Marcel and Gagnon could not be more opposite in their philosophies. I loved Gagnon’s commitment to his faith, often standing alone against the tide.
This is a riveting book that captures both sides of the revolution, showing the desperate and unsatisfied side of the wealthy in their humanity, while showing the need for change and reform in the wave of the future. Good and bad are present on boths sides of the battlelines, and in many ways I couldn’t help but think of the present day and the way that many on both sides are impassioned by their political fervor. It wasn’t always easy to root for Laurette, but her story arch is beautiful nonetheless. Marcel was the kind of guy that I loved to hate, yet still felt sorry for. An engagingly spun story set against the French Revolution, that I couldn’t put down. Ms. Pittman is an expert of storytelling evoking stark imagery in my head that set the tone and emotion of the story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is a story of complex characters who lived during a complex time in history. This all takes place right before the French Revolution. You get to meet Marie Antoinette and her children and see that she wasn’t quite as bad as she was portrayed. The rich should have been a little more understanding. They did not understand what it was like to starve. I loved the characters in the story. My favorite character was Renée. She seems to be the most level headed. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
The Seamstress
An historical set in 1788. Two orphaned cousins that are taken in by Emile Gagnon who has the means to support them. They did have to help around his place.
Laurette and Renee end up going their separate ways through different circumstances. Laurette only left for a short time but Renee ended up leaving and becoming a seamstress for Queen Marie Antoinette. The book is based on the novel called The Tale of Two Cities. If I read that book it was a long time ago.
I did find the book interesting, good flow of words. Fast reading. The chapters did let me know which character it was about. Being in first person that was really helpful. I was disappointed at the end of the book, but don’t let that stop you from reading it. There is a lot of good scenes in the book.
I received a advanced copy of the book. I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.
The Seamstress
“In one night the best and worst of fate collide” in the life of a penniless seamstress. Just as the sewing skills of the main character Renee bring beauty to the most mundane of colours and fabrics so does the writing of Allison Pittman bring richness and power to the pages of her novel.
Take an old classic and weave a new tale
I have not read a Tale of Two Cities, but having read The Seamstress, I am eager to delve into the original story that inspired Allison Pittman to scoop out a minor character and bring flesh to the bones of this talented young lady. “I do not know the idleness of a moment. (Who) when not engulfed in silk, is running through the endless passages of Versailles on one errand or another.”
A must read
I just loved this book. From the moment I started reading the first line, I became hooked. The descriptions hurled me into another century where I hungered alongside the destitute and swished my flowing gown in the Royal Court where opulence ruled.
Wisdom abounds through the pages, and bad choices fuel a rebel heart.
“You must never, Laurette, find your esteem in the eyes of anyone other than our heavenly Father who loves you. The way men determine the value of others means nothing.” But does Laurette heed her mentor’s words?
Desperate times
And the book is about the desperate, “Desperate men take desperate action.” I could feel that desperation. “The women carry weapons in their hands, but they carry hunger in their bellies, dead children in their hearts, broken men in their arms.”
And contradictions
The Seamstress is a powerful book with many contradictions. And Allison Pittman seamlessly sews each chapter together to create a story that had me crying. I do not usually shed tears when reading books, but this tale got to me. Not just The Seamstress but the whole tragic situation of a country divided, by poverty and wealth. Not unlike our world today. But the author does her best to show both sides of the story, and I felt torn like a shirt ripped in half from the back of an innocent child.
Would I recommend The Seamstress?
This story is just brilliant. There are no surplus characters as all carry the tale along, all are important and engaging. Even the scoundrel has a place in my heart. And I didn’t want it to end, but it had to because I needed to dry my eyes.
Therefore if you get a chance grab yourself a copy and emerge yourself in this classic.
It definitely deserves 5* if not more.
Thank you, Allison Pittman, for writing such a clever extension to the original Tale of Two Cities.
This has been one of the most detailed historical books I have ever read. There are twol characters in the book that are equally important to the story. Renee and Laurette are cousins and have suffered greatly in poverty in their young years. The author does an exceptional job of drawing readers in with vivid descriptions that made me feel like I was there as the two cousins leaned on each other.
The setting takes place during the French Revolution and the hardships it caused. I loved learning more about the Revolution and how it defined people during that time. The author takes two characters that are close and gives them different paths to take. Renee is a likeable character but to me was a bit naive at times. I think she was ready for something or someone to take her away to a better life. When her chance comes, she is a bit reluctant but seizes the opportunity. I loved reading how she could take a simple piece of fabric and make it into a work of beauty. With Renee suddenly finding herself living in a place with a queen must have been hard to adjust to. I loved when the queen said to Renee, ” Never under estimate the value of loyalty.” Our word is everything and it speaks volumes to people who come to trust us. Can Renee find happiness living in a grand place away from her cousin?
Laurette is a little more reserved and follows rule to perfection. She is sad that Renee has left, but prays for her safety and happiness. Laurette seemed to be somewhat ready to change her life. She will find herself having to make difficult choices that could cause her to go down a path not suited to her. I think I related to her because she was always seeking approval from others. Her insecurity was evident and her desire to be needed and loved sometimes made her make poor choices.
I loved the questions certain characters had about God and how one spoke up and said that in his house he would not allow anyone to speak against Him. What a great stance he took and showed how faithful he was to God. There is a strong presence of faith in the book and I liked how the author used it to show how characters needed God in times when they felt lost or alone.
It is a historical adventure with Marie Antoinette making a big splash in the story during the French Revolution. It was hard to read about how people were starving and trying to find ways to survive. There is a sense of hope in the story and it showed as people still believed that God hadn’t left them. The time period is during a difficult time in history and the author captures the emotional turmoil with grace.I wanted to give a warning to those who may be sensitive to bad language, hints of unkind things done to a woman and unthinkable violence. There are a few of those moments in the book but it is done tastefully and does hinder the story at all. It is a very well written story that I will not forget.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher and Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
The Seamstress takes a reader back to 1788 in the countryside of France with cousins Renee and Laurette. They are orphans and live with their guardian, Emile Gagnon, where they help take care of his sheep. Renee is then offered a position as a seamstress in the royal court of Marie Antoinette. It is, also, time of turmoil in Paris. People are starving and wanting change, bringing on a violent rebellion. How will the lives for them all when these new events begin?
The Seamstress is a good read. This historical takes a reader back in time to one of the most important times in French history. I found the story to be an inspiring one that is rich in faith. The characters are ones that I admired. The author was so vivid with the details that I had to look up to see if certain scenes actually happened.
I give The Seamstress four stars and recommend to those who enjoy novels involving French history.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
4.5 Stars
Let me start by saying how amazed I am that Allison Pittman took two sentences out of a Charles Dickens book and weaved an entirely new and engaging story out of it. Two sentences about a seamstress at the end of A Tale of Two Cities and readers get this beautifully stitched juxtaposition of wealth and poverty, city and county, opulence and simple.
Told through points of view of two cousins, The Seamstress takes readers from the French countryside to the palace in Versailles. Laurette and Renee are young women living in the tumultuous preface to the French Revolution. I found it interesting how quickly their situations flipped in this story. Even more so the ease in which Pittman presented these two story lines, so different than each other, is pure mastery of writing.
While Laurette wasn’t too likable at the start of The Seamstress, she learned and grew from her impetuousness and fickle heart and by the end of the book completely changed my opinion of her. Renee, the more grounded of the cousins to begin with, is talented and loyal until the end (again, if you read about her in Dickens, you are already aware of a big spoiler. But don’t let that detour you).
From the desperation, unrest, hopelessness and filth of the common people to the elaborate fashions, décor, and excess in the lives of royalty and upper class, Pittman pours it all out onto the pages of a story that draws readers in and puts them in the middle of the French Revolution.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I have read a number of Allison Pittman’s historical romances, and they were okay. The Seamstress sounded like a wonderful read, but sadly I was disappointed. The characters appeared flat and had no personality. They appeared to be cardboard characters flitting around on the pages of the story. I had a hard time empathizing with any of them. As for the plot, it started out with a wonderful synopsis, but Pittman drags the story along for a LONG time, getting to the good part of the uprising. I had a hard time focusing, and I kept finding other things to do beside read the book. The ending might be historically accurate, but I had a hard time believing I spent all this time with the character to have her end up the way she did. I really didn’t enjoy this novel and was glad when I reached the end. Fans of Sandra Byrd’s Henry VIII series might enjoy this novel.
I receive a complimentary copy of The Seamstress by Allison Pittman through Tyndale Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
We follow two cousins back at the time prior and during the French Revolution, living on a farm, having been given sanctuary by their guardian.
One is a talented seamstress and we follow her to the royal court and watch her win favor there. What a hard time in history for the French people, and we put faces on what leads to the over thrown of their government.
Surprises are found here, and all the way to the end I was hoping for different answers, but once you start on this story you will have to keep on reading, sheep and all, starvation and violence, you will need to know who is going to survive.
I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.
I only needed to read the first few pages of The Seamstress, by Allison Pittman, to know that this story was not only powerfully profound, but that it was most certainly going to have an undeniable and lasting impact upon my heart. The Seamstress is historical fiction at its absolute finest. Utterly memorable and touching, this novel is the rare piece of literature that evokes the full spectrum of human emotions, thoughts, and sympathies.
Nestled within its pages, this novel holds everything a reader wholeheartedly desires. The intensely compelling plot flows effortlessly between two points of view while also weaving together intricate scenes of adversity, suspense, intrigue, romance, sacrifice, and redemption. Every word and phrase within this outstanding book is rich with deep meaning and thoughtful purpose. The well-researched details and the remarkably stunning descriptions ensure that every moment spent reading this story is a moving experience to be savored and treasured. Most assuredly, this novel deserves numerous compliments, ongoing attention, and purposeful re-readings.
Page after page, the Seamstress succeeded in stitching an indelible pattern upon my heart and in my mind. That a story so full of tragedy and loss could be told so beautifully and still be infused with such hope is a testament to the phenomenal writing talent the author possesses. This is the first book I have read by Allison Pittman, but with it she has easily secured a place among my most favorite of authors. It is my sincere pleasure to recommend this unforgettable novel to all readers.
*I was given a copy of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley and Celebrate Lit. A review was not required. The review I have written contains opinions that are entirely my own.
Sometimes a novel inspired by a famous classic achieves classic status in and of itself, and that is what I believe The Seamstress by Allison Pittman is destined to become. Intrigued by the cameo appearance of a seamstress in the closing pages of A Tale of Two Cities, Pittman fleshes out an epic and haunting tale of two young orphan cousins, their kind guardian, and the life-changing choices they made during a bloody and turbulent time. Personally, I have never read, nor wanted to read, this Dickens novel, and only chose to read The Seamstress because I’ve enjoyed Pittman’s writing so much in the past. The result was to become totally immersed in this moving and compelling story.
Pittman’s prose and storytelling are exquisite, vividly drawing readers into the heart of the French Revolution. The four main characters – Renee, Laurette, Gagnon and Marcel – are richly drawn and reflective of the times. With the exception of Gagnon, the guardian, faith seemed to be either ritualistic or nonexistent. It was an era of hunger, heavy taxes, hatred for the ruling class, and a court blind to the plight of its people. The setting is not one that bodes happiness, yet inspiration and hope are found in this story of honor, grace, and forgiveness.
Renee’s chance encounter leads her to the court of Marie Antoinette and brings this historic figure to life. But while The Seamstress came to be written because of Renee, it was the storyline revolving around her country cousin, Laurette, that I loved most. The young Laurette had a wildness about her, a desire to seek love in the wrong ways, and Gagnon’s strong faith, patience and influence were exactly what she needed.
The Seamstress is a captivating story, relevant for today, and contains much to reflect upon. I look forward to much more from the pen of Allison Pittman. Very highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
The Seamstress was inspired by The Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. It was the first book that I have read by Allison Pittman. She takes the readers back in time to the time of the French Revolution in the 18th century and makes the readers feel like they are a part of the action. The chapters switched back and forth between two cousins and their differing experiences during the French Revolution. The characters had strong loyalty and patriotism toward their country, but expressed those traits in different ways. Some of the storyline was a little slower paced than I would have preferred, but fans of historical fiction will enjoy this latest novel by Allison Pittman.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.