The Dressmaker
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 her personal maid on the Titanic. Once on board, Tess catches the eye of two men--a kind sailor and an enigmatic Chicago businessman--who offer differing views of what lies ahead for her in America. But on the fourth night, disaster strikes, and amidst the chaos, Tess is one of the last people allowed on a lifeboat.
The survivors are rescued and taken to New York, but when rumors begin to circulate about the choices they made, Tess is forced to confront a serious question. Did Lady Duff Gordon save herself at the expense of others? Torn between loyalty to Lucile and her growing suspicion that the media's charges might be true, Tess must decide whether to stay quiet and keep her fiery mentor's good will or face what might be true and forever change her future.BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
I enjoyed this book it was a fast read. It was a soap opera type book about the Titanic. Ok after going to book club I decided to lower the stars I gave. Many in club pointed out how poorly written it was and I have to agree with what they said. However I still found it entertaining and an enjoyable read.
Set in Liverpool during the Blitz, this is the story of 17-year-old Rita, who lives with her two aunts, Nellie (the eponymous dressmaker) and Margo. Her widowed father, whom she refers to as Uncle Jack, lives nearby but keeps his emotional distance. Right from the beginning, Bainbridge pulls you into the bleak, hopeless lives of this dysfunctional family. Rita longs for love and latches onto an American GI, Ira, who doesn't return her affection, but she is blinded by love. Her aunts don't trust him, and they try to help her move on from him, in their own way...
Despite the gray and depressing circumstances of the book, I actually laughed out loud a few times. Bainbridge had a gift for dialogue.
Despite the gray and depressing circumstances of the book, I actually laughed out loud a few times. Bainbridge had a gift for dialogue.
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