Laurie M. (reading-galore) -
Helpful Score: 2
I was absolutely captivated by this lovely post WWII story about the embroiderers of Princess Elizabeth's wedding gown. The story unfolds in alternating chapters of Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, embroiderers in 1947, and Heather MacKenzie in 2016 who is given her deceased grandmother's embroidery matching the embroidered designs on Princess Elizabeth's gown. The two time periods are well developed and it is easy to know which one you are reading. For the British Royal wedding fans, this fictional book allows you to feel as though you are attending the wedding as well as participating behind the scenes. I highly recommend this and found it a joy and a true pleasure to read.
Good historical fiction. About the embroiderers who made Queen Elizabeth II's wedding dress. Interesting facts about the dress and the designer and embroidering. Also interesting about living in London post WWII when, even though the war was over, it was still hard times with rationing, coal shortages, etc. This was all told with two fictional characters, one an English woman apprenticed at 14 to be an embroiderer and the other a Jewish woman who survived Ravensbruck and came to England for a fresh start as an embroiderer - their lives and loves then and moving forward to their grandchildren. Good story.
I for one will never tire of reading about Queen Elizabeth II. While she is a minor character here, (her wedding dress pays more of a role), this is still a breathtaking story of the times after the war. England was still rationing, everything was scarce.But this is an unforgettable story of the friendship of two women, whose paths cross at a very memorable time in history. You will enjoy and marvel at the detail, as we glimpse behind the scenes, into the planning designing and sewing of 'The Wedding Gown'.
