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14 reviews

The Dressmaker: A Novel

by Kate Alcott

Published: 2012-02-21
Hardcover : 320 pages

27 members reading this now
38 clubs reading this now
26 members have read this book

Recommended to book clubs by 11 of 14 members

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Introduction

Just in time for the centennial anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic comes a vivid, romantic, and relentlessly compelling historical novel about a spirited young woman who survives the disaster only to find herself embroiled in the media frenzy left in the wake of the tragedy.

Tess, an aspiring seamstress, thinks she's had an incredibly lucky break when she is hired by famous designer Lady Lucile Duff Gordon to be a personal maid on the Titanic's doomed voyage. Once on board, Tess catches the eye of two men, one a roughly-hewn but kind sailor and the other an enigmatic Chicago millionaire. But on the fourth night, disaster strikes.

Amidst the chaos and desperate urging of two very different suitors, Tess is one of the last people allowed on a lifeboat. Tess's sailor also manages to survive unharmed, witness to Lady Duff Gordon's questionable actions during the tragedy. Others?including the gallant Midwestern tycoon?are not so lucky.

On dry land, rumors about the survivors begin to circulate, and Lady Duff Gordon quickly becomes the subject of media scorn and later, the hearings on the Titanic. Set against a historical tragedy but told from a completely fresh angle, The Dressmaker is an atmospheric delight filled with all the period's glitz and glamour, all the raw feelings of a national tragedy and all the contradictory emotions of young love.

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Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

What did you learn about the sinking that you did not previously know?

In the same circumstances in a lifeboat, discuss what you think your response would be

What did you learn about the early women's movement in the US?

by Callie (see profile) 04/18/13

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Book Club Recommendations

Recommended to book clubs by 11 of 14 members.

Member Reviews

Overall rating:

by julie h. (see profile) 04/22/15

"The Dressmaker"by Brenda M. (see profile) 04/15/15

I enjoyed this venture into the aftermath of the sinking of the Titanic. This novel focuses upon the social, political, and financial consequences of this disaster. Alcott also throws in some interesting... (read more)

"The Dressmaker"by Carol L. (see profile) 08/18/14

Everyone was mostly interested in learning things about the Titanic that they did not know. The club overall thought the book was interesting and insightful. Personally I thought it was a little slow... (read more)

"this book should have gone down with the Titanic"by Donna C. (see profile) 04/25/14

Poorly written unconvincing love story masquerading as historical fiction. Danielle Steel survives on he Titanic. A complete waste of time. some interesting facts about the Congressional hearings but... (read more)

"."by Lee Anne M. (see profile) 10/26/13

"Boring"by Allison R. (see profile) 07/19/13

I love historical fiction but barely made it through this book. Boring characters and a story that was unconvincing. A real disappointment- based on the premise - I thought it would be really good

"The Dressmaker"by Marguerite B. (see profile) 06/03/13

Oh we enjoyed this book. Highly recommend for a light read.

"Historical Fiction"by Carol D. (see profile) 05/31/13

Although a Historical fiction, I learned a lot more about the sinking of the Titanic and the survivors than I knew previously. The book really kept my attention and it was a very fast read.

"Great for anyone who is interested in the aftermath of Titanic"by Nicole A. (see profile) 05/30/13

Although this book centers on a love triangle, I feel that was the least interesting part of the book. What is great about this book is how the author takes a historical figure who was vilified for her... (read more)

"Good read and new knowledge of Titantic sinking"by Carole S. (see profile) 04/18/13

Pluses included character development and variety, the historical facts presented and the realism of the sinking. Minuses included the hard to believe luck of Tess; walking out on her employer and immediately... (read more)

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