Over all, I thought The Gown was superbly enjoyable.

I'm a fan of books which tell you the story in fits and starts so this book suited me well, although I suppose it is a style that could annoy some. In delving into the unknown parts of her grandmother's past, Heather discovers both things about her grandmother that the family had often wondered at, and also how to live her own life in the process. How she stumbles into the story of the gown and her grandmother's involvement is something of a mystery itself. The third woman in the story, Heather, lives in Canada and she is the granddaughter of Anne. During the book we learn about how the gown was created, what the media circus was like surrounding the royal wedding, and, of course, we get to know Anne and Miriam.

The two girls friend one another and form a bond that is sweet and endearing. Miriam has left France to move to England and she also has hardships in her past which she would rather not discuss. Anne is British and has lived in London through the Blitz, suffering her own heartaches and losses. Anne Hughes and Miriam Dassin are two embroiderers who have been chosen to create the stitchwork design on the Princess's gown and veil. The Gown takes us on a journey during life in post-World War II England with the royal wedding fast approaching. The writing is engaging and the subject matter a win for me so I really have mostly positive things to say, with one caveat which I'll explain (without spoilers) at the end. Robson clearly did a good job researching the dress, dressmakers and various points in history in writing this book which made it all the easier to relax into. If you are the type of reader who enjoys stories which hop back and forth between eras, then you will enjoy this. Robson tells her tale of the dress through the lives of three different women and in two different time periods. It's been awhile since I've accepted a book for review, but I do love the Royal Family and read up on them all of the time so a novel about the dressmakers who made Queen Elizabeth's dress sounded right up my alley! Indeed, it was! I received a complimentary copy of The Gown, by Jennifer Robson from William Morrow for review purposes, a fact that makes me very happy. Chronicles of Narnia Reading Challenge (74).

Book review the gown by jennifer robson