Embroidering a magical moment in royal history, Robson tells a heartrending story of friendship, loss, love, and redemption.
A treat.
A celebration of strength, resilience, and friendship, The Gown transports readers as Robson offers a richly detailed and meticulously researched glimpse of daily life in post-war Britain. An enchanting must-read for historical fiction fans!
2018-10-02
Distraught over her grandmother's death, Heather Mackenzie discovers that her beloved Nan—a woman who never sewed a stitch in her life—has left her a peculiar gift: a box of exquisitely embroidered, pearl-encrusted flowers. In her quest to discover her grandmother's secrets, Heather will find much more than she had bargained for.
Robson's (Goodnight from London , 2017) novel shifts deftly between Heather's world, as she travels from Toronto to London in 2016, and Nan's world, giving meticulous attention to the historical detail of post-World War II London. With everything from sugar and tea to heat and light strictly rationed, Ann Hughes, Heather's grandmother, has done her best to make her drab house happy, but it's tough going. A talented embroiderer and dressmaker to the royal family, Ann's work for Norman Hartnell, the premier dressmaker in England, offers an elegant respite from grim reality. Luckily, Miriam Dassin has decided to immigrate to London from Paris, where she, too, has worked as a superb embroiderer at the house of Christian Dior. Although haunted by her memories of Nazi persecution and imprisonment at Ravensbrück, Miriam secures a job at Hartnell House, befriends Ann, and moves into her house. As Princess Elizabeth and Lt. Mountbatten's nuptials approach, the women of Hartnell House cut, stitch, and embellish her gorgeous wedding gown. Fortune seems to finally smile on the women, as Ann meets the dashing Jeremy Brackett-Milne and Miriam captures the eye of journalist Walter Kaczmarek. Yet they must avoid the snares of spies eager to steal and publish the designer's patterns before the wedding. Untangling the threads of these remarkable women's lives, Heather, too, just may find love.
A fascinating glimpse into the world of design, the healing power of art, and the importance of women's friendships.
★ 10/08/2018Moonlight over Paris ) delivers a satisfying multigenerational epic linked by the intricate embroidery used on Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown. In 1947 London, Ann Hughes works as an embroiderer at Hartnell, an exclusive clothing designer whose designs have been worn by the royals. Ann lost her brother during the Blitz and now lives with her widowed sister-in-law Milly. When French émigré Miriam Dassin starts working as an embroiderer at Hartnell, she and Ann become friends, and she moves in with Ann after Milly leaves England to live in Canada with her brothers. After Hartnell is chosen as the designer for Princess Elizabeth’s wedding dress, Ann and Miriam work on the dress’s embroidery. The story jumps forward to 2016 Canada when journalist Heather Mackenzie’s grandmother dies and leaves her a box with beautifully embroidered fabric. She had disclosed little of her life in England before emigrating to Canada, and Heather travels to London to uncover the secrets of her grandmother’s life in London and her friendship with Miriam, now a celebrated artist. Robson’s meticulous attention to historical details—notably the intricacies of the embroidery work—is a wonderful complement to the memorable stories of Ann and Milly, making for a winning, heartwarming tale. (Dec.)
A treat.” — People
“For fans of “The Crown,” looking for history served up as intimate drama, and those seeking another angle on royal lives, “The Gown” seems likely to dazzle and delight. — Washington Post
“Jennifer Robson embroiders life, friendship, and hope into the somber gray world of post-war London... 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
“...one of the most fun books you’ll read this year.” — Women’s Day
“In The Gown , Jennifer Robson illuminates with her signature meticulous historical detail and sure voice the story behind Queen Elizabeth’s wedding dress... an unforgettable story of friendship, hardship and hope. Robson has managed to craft a story that is personal and universal, timely and timeless. The Gown soars!” — Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Orphan’s Tale
“A moving story about the power of female friendship and renewal in the face of adversity. Like the good luck sprig of heather hidden amid the embroidery on Princess Elizabeth’s wedding dress, this story promises secrets and lives that bloom in unlikely ways. Perfect for fans of The Crown!” — Lauren Willig, author of The English Wife
“Embroidering a magical moment in royal history, Robson tells a heartrending story of friendship, loss, love, and redemption.” — Leslie Carroll, author of American Princess: The Love Story of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
“A story of friendship, family bonds, and courage, The Gown is the ideal read for fans of historical fiction and royal watchers alike!” — Brenda Janowitz, author of The Dinner Party
“Told through the eyes of three compelling women, The Gown is a heartwarming story of friendship, resilience, and the power of heirlooms to connect people through generations, sometimes in the most unexpected ways.” — Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of The Edge of Lost and Sold on a Monday
Jennifer Robson delivers a satisfying multigenerational epic linked by the intricate embroidery used on Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown. Robson’s meticulous attention to historical details—notably the intricacies of the embroidery work—is a wonderful complement to the memorable stories of Ann and Milly, making for a winning, heartwarming tale. Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Robson deftly weaves issues of class, trauma, romance, and female friendship with satisfying details of Ann and Miriam’s craft. This unique take on the royal wedding will be an easy sell to fans of Netflix’s The Crown and a sure bet for readers of women-centered historical fiction.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Robson vividly brings to life these three women’s struggles. Historical details about fabric, embroidery, and the royal family are well incorporated into their stories, with light romance rounding out this charming work of historical fiction.” — Library Journal
“Robson’s novel shifts deftly between... Toronto to London in 2016... giving meticulous attention to the historical detail of post–World War II London. A fascinating glimpse into the world of design, the healing power of art, and the importance of women’s friendships.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A celebration of strength, resilience, and friendship, The Gown transports readers as Robson offers a richly detailed and meticulously researched glimpse of daily life in post-war Britain. An enchanting must-read for historical fiction fans!” — Chanel Cleeton, author of Next Year in Havana
“Jennifer Robson’s novel is a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Elizabeth’s gorgeous wedding gown and its talented embroiderers. It tells of three generations of women overcoming adversity, and honors the strengthening power of friendship and art. It’s a charming and romantic novel with style and substance.” — Christian Science Monitor
A story of friendship, family bonds, and courage, The Gown is the ideal read for fans of historical fiction and royal watchers alike!”
In The Gown , Jennifer Robson illuminates with her signature meticulous historical detail and sure voice the story behind Queen Elizabeth’s wedding dress... an unforgettable story of friendship, hardship and hope. Robson has managed to craft a story that is personal and universal, timely and timeless. The Gown soars!
A moving story about the power of female friendship and renewal in the face of adversity. Like the good luck sprig of heather hidden amid the embroidery on Princess Elizabeth’s wedding dress, this story promises secrets and lives that bloom in unlikely ways. Perfect for fans of The Crown!
Jennifer Robson embroiders life, friendship, and hope into the somber gray world of post-war London... The Gown is marvelous and moving, a vivid portrait of female self-reliance in a world racked by the cost of war.
Told through the eyes of three compelling women, The Gown is a heartwarming story of friendship, resilience, and the power of heirlooms to connect people through generations, sometimes in the most unexpected ways.”
For fans of “The Crown,” looking for history served up as intimate drama, and those seeking another angle on royal lives, “The Gown” seems likely to dazzle and delight.
For fans of “The Crown,” looking for history served up as intimate drama, and those seeking another angle on royal lives, “The Gown” seems likely to dazzle and delight.
Robson deftly weaves issues of class, trauma, romance, and female friendship with satisfying details of Ann and Miriam’s craft. This unique take on the royal wedding will be an easy sell to fans of Netflix’s The Crown and a sure bet for readers of women-centered historical fiction.
Booklist (starred review)
Jennifer Robson’s novel is a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Elizabeth’s gorgeous wedding gown and its talented embroiderers. It tells of three generations of women overcoming adversity, and honors the strengthening power of friendship and art. It’s a charming and romantic novel with style and substance.
Christian Science Monitor
...one of the most fun books you’ll read this year.
Marisa Calin narrates this novel about the making of Princess (now Queen) Elizabeth's wedding dress during an intense six months in London in 1947. Calin’s flowing voice smoothly describes the lives of the women involved, including Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, who sewed the gown and embroidered the incredible designs on the garment in Norman Hartnell's couturier studio. British native Ann is given a slightly crisp accent, which contrasts with Parisian Miriam’s soft French tones. Calin uses a hard Canadian accent for Ann's Canadian granddaughter, Hannah, who searches for clues about her grandmother in present-day London. Descriptions of the meticulous embroidery are filled with images of beaded flowers on satin and lace. The women’s passion for needlework is infectious. The beautiful gown and the excitement surrounding its creation come to life through Calin’s exceptional performance. M.B.K. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
Marisa Calin narrates this novel about the making of Princess (now Queen) Elizabeth's wedding dress during an intense six months in London in 1947. Calin’s flowing voice smoothly describes the lives of the women involved, including Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, who sewed the gown and embroidered the incredible designs on the garment in Norman Hartnell's couturier studio. British native Ann is given a slightly crisp accent, which contrasts with Parisian Miriam’s soft French tones. Calin uses a hard Canadian accent for Ann's Canadian granddaughter, Hannah, who searches for clues about her grandmother in present-day London. Descriptions of the meticulous embroidery are filled with images of beaded flowers on satin and lace. The women’s passion for needlework is infectious. The beautiful gown and the excitement surrounding its creation come to life through Calin’s exceptional performance. M.B.K. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
