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The Dressmaker

by Posie Graeme-Evans (Goodreads Author)

3.57 of 5 stars 3.57 · rating details · 601 ratings · 119 reviews

Set in 1850s London, at the height of Victoria's reign, Posie Graeme-Evans' glorious fourth historical novel tells of a woman ahead of her time. Ellen Gowan is a famous dress designer for ladies of high society and one of the very few women in England who owns her own business. But her life wasn't always one of such privilege.

The only surviving daughter of a Cambridge scho...more

Paperback, 496 pages

Published October 1st 2010 by Simon & Schuster Australia

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Jul 17, 2011 Amy rated it 4 of 5 stars

At first the book was a little slow to get started but then after the first few chapters it was near impossible to put down. Beautifully written, the images just flowed from the pages with the use of such descriptive and emotive language. It also moves quite fast as the story progresses over years once through the slow beginning.
By the end I was deeply saddened when it all had to finish and wish it could've gone on for a lot longer.

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Mar 15, 2012 Christine Darcas rated it 4 of 5 stars

I discovered this book as a result of the Australian Women Writer’s challenge and I’m glad that I did. Based in the early-mid 19th century in England, this is the tale of Ellen Gowen. Born to a poor, scholarly minister and a mother who was ousted by her aristocratic family for marrying below her class, Ellen encounters unmooring loss and ensuing desperation to survive. Her mother’s sister and her loving first cousin are a financially fortunate, though fraught, source of support for her and it’s...more

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Apr 26, 2011 Lisa (Harmonybites) rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Lovers of Harlequin Romances?

Recommended to Lisa (Harmonybites) by: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance, ultimate-reading-list, fiction, novels

I found the style irritating from the very first pages, studded with frequent italics and exclamation points to suit the melodramatic tone. Here's a paragraph of it from the prologue:

Ellen Gowan would not cringe and cry in the dark. She would be warm for she had earned the money so to be. Let there be fire! Let there be candles, not one but several!

That strident tone is kept throughout. After the prologue we see Ellen, the dressmaker of the title, as a girl on her thirteenth birthday in 1843....more

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Dec 06, 2010 Stephanie D. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was hoping for sumptuous descriptions of fashion and fabric in The Dressmaker by Posie Graeme-Evans and I got my wish, along with a fairly entertaining story of a hardworking single mother's meteoric rise to success reminiscent of Jennifer Donnelly's Tea Rose.

"She gazed into Ellen's face---'It is sad to find ability in the hands of one who will never use it to real effect.'

Ellen shrank back. Madame Angelique's eyes were severe. What could she mean? 'But I like to draw.'

'You like to draw? Many...more I was hoping for sumptuous descriptions of fashion and fabric in The Dressmaker by Posie Graeme-Evans and I got my wish, along with a fairly entertaining story of a hardworking single mother's meteoric rise to success reminiscent of Jennifer Donnelly's Tea Rose.

"She gazed into Ellen's face---'It is sad to find ability in the hands of one who will never use it to real effect.'

Ellen shrank back. Madame Angelique's eyes were severe. What could she mean? 'But I like to draw.'

'You like to draw? Many like to draw, but few can draw. Yet girls such as you, Miss Gowan...with all that this world provides, do not have the need, or the hunger, to pursue such talent. God grant that remains the case.' Madame broke off and her face was haunted. Ellen yearned to make a riposte, to say that all this seeming prosperity was insubstantial as a fog."

From beginning to end, The Dressmaker explores how Ellen is subject to the inequality and hardships that faced women of the mid-19th Century. As a young girl, the attentions paid to her by an aristocrat results in tragedy. The loss of her parents and lack of money threatens to push her into a life of prostitution, a very real situation for women come down in the world. A kind relative who takes her in is trapped in an abusive marriage. And even though Ellen's the one who's worked hard to make a success of her business, her husband has the right to take it all away from her even though he abandoned her years ago. Graeme-Evans also manages to touch on a modern-day dilemma set in that time as Ellen is torn between caring for her daughter and pursuing her career as dressmaker. At first I was uncomfortable with how Ellen dealt with this but I liked that this matter was portrayed realistically. Then, as now, a woman's success comes at a price.

Ellen is an admirable modern woman whose strength and spirit sustains her in the vagaries of old fashioned world. Raoul, although you know he is no good for Ellen, is very seductive, with just enough glimmer of sensitivity so that he comes across as a winning scoundrel (as most scoundrels do). Even as he does cold and unforgivable things to Ellen, I somehow wished he'd turn out to be good in the end. Ellen's other love interest was "the good guy" but he was a little too Ashley Wilkes to be interesting. With such a strong and enterprising heroine as Ellen, I was hoping that she would end up with a man equal to her spirit.

The Dressmaker by Posie Graeme-Evans has the winning combination of historical detail, fashion fun, sympathetic characters, and a lively plot that drew and held my interest.
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Nov 29, 2010 Nancy rated it 4 of 5 stars

This took me a few chapter to get into but when I did, I was swept up into Victorian England. Just to clarify, it isn't a pretty sight. Poverty is something to be truly feared, as the women of this time period well know.

I hesitate to call it a story because it trivializes what the author has accomplished. She has created the life of Ellen Gowan during an oppressive time period for women. She intricately weaves aspects into the book to create a believable protagonist who faces the difficulties of...more

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Nov 17, 2010 Cheryl rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When Ellen Gowan was just a little girl, her father died in a tragic accident. Ellen and her mother, Connie moved in with Ellen’s Aunt and her family. While Ellen’s Aunt and cousin did not mind having Ellen and her mother around; Ellen’s Uncle was a different story. It got to be too much for Ellen and her mother dealing with Ellen’s Uncle’s wrath that they moved out.

Years later, Ellen’s mother passes away and Ellen marries the dashing Raoul de Valentin. Ellen gives birth to a daughter. Raoul is...more

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Oct 07, 2010 Stephanie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, women-s-fiction

This review originally appeared on www.readinasinglesitting.com

With a best-selling trilogy about Anne de Bohun and the extremely popular television show MacLeod’s Daughters under her belt, it’s clear that Posie Graeme-Evans has a particular love for strong female characters. But by strong I don’t mean that frustrating and problematic archetype that has become all too common in fiction of late, where strength has become confused with coldness, callousness, and a propensity for butt-kicking. But w...more This review originally appeared on www.readinasinglesitting.com

With a best-selling trilogy about Anne de Bohun and the extremely popular television show MacLeod’s Daughters under her belt, it’s clear that Posie Graeme-Evans has a particular love for strong female characters. But by strong I don’t mean that frustrating and problematic archetype that has become all too common in fiction of late, where strength has become confused with coldness, callousness, and a propensity for butt-kicking. But with Graeme-Evans, independent doesn’t equate to aloof or selfish; determined doesn’t equate to intransigently uncompromising; and self-assured doesn’t equate to crude arrogance, and I must say that it’s refreshing to read a book where the protagonist doesn’t simply spew lines of vitriol and snark as a proxy for being empowered and forthright. (Of course, given that in this novel we’re working with 19th century England, all of this has to be taken with some concession to that whole suspension of disbelief thing. But given Graeme-Smith’s ability to write sympathetic characters and slot them neatly against a rich and sumptuous background, this was a grain of salt to which from the outset I was willing to cling.)

The darling of The Dressmaker is Ellen Gowan, whose tumultuous life we trace from her childhood through to her mid-twenties. Throughout the book, Ellen is positioned as an outsider, as someone who rarely defers to social mores even, ironically, in those cases when she tries so very hard to do so. She’s witty and clever, with an intelligence due less to the intangible innate than to the value she places in scholarship, something her father has always valued highly and has sought to nurture in her. But such notions are unfortunately ahead of her time, as her perspicacious ways serve only to alienate her from rather than endear her to her father’s other students, all of them boys, and of course their parents, none of whom see it fitting that a young girl should be exposed to learned subject matter. This war between the feminine and masculine worlds, and the notion of which is appropriate for each, is highlighted throughout the book, but perhaps most tellingly (and prophetically) when as part of her thirteen birthday celebrations Ellen is given a stunning gown that entices a fellow student, one who has never before shown interest in her, to make an advance. Ellen’s parents, both proud and just, stand by their daughter, although they accept that their already difficult lifestyle (despite being well-educated and well-bred, they are both estranged from their families as a result of their marriage, and rely on Ellen’s father’s pitiful tutor’s salary) will soon become more so. But to what degree they have no idea: Ellen’s father is promptly (and dramatically!) killed in a chapel, as though struck down by the hand of God for his behaviour, and Ellen and her mother are forced to seek refuge at the home of Ellen’s aunt and her cruel and controlling husband Isidore.

Here, too, Ellen is an exile of sorts, existing in an uncomfortable in-between space in the household, her education and confidence drawing the loathing of her harsh new governess and challenging her uncle’s sense of propriety. Here too it’s possible to tease out not only gendered expectations, but also the importance of class and background: Isidore will always loathe Ellen’s mother for having married poorly for love, and clearly fears any potentially damaging influence to the prospects of Oriana, his own daughter. Indeed, while Ellen seeks comfort with Oriana, with whom she develops a fast friendship, she is increasingly aware that she and her mother hold a tenuous position at best within the household, and it is one that they walk with a sort of tentative terror. Though Ellen throws herself into her studies, excelling not only at her core subjects but also demonstrating considerable artistic flair, as time passes she is unable to deny that the goodwill upon which they are relying is quickly dissipating. Things come to a head when Ellen encourages her cousin to admit to her father her love for a wealthy, but common, young man, and it is with a sense of deja vu that Ellen and her mother are once more homeless and unsupported–this is, of course, the second time that Ellen’s mother has been forcibly removed from the family for reasons of love. Ellen and her mother eventually settle into a new life where Ellen turns her skills towards fashion, working as an apprentice dressmaker to cover their daily expenses. But again, it seems that Ellen’s skills and quick-wittedness are a curse, with her punishment this time being her mother’s short-lived battle with tuberculosis.

Ellen, now a young orphan in an unfamiliar city, momentarily admits defeat, and turns on her skills and heretofore impressive self-sufficiency, which she sees as resulting only in a pointed torment that seeks to challenge her pragmatic efforts to overcome the limitations of her class and gender. Ellen perhaps misguidedly, perhaps through a temporary self-loathing, seeks refuge this time in a hasty and desperate marriage to the handsome but dastardly Raoul de Valentin, but it is a union that leaves Ellen in a dark and tormented state with only her skills and fortitude to support her. But of course, this is a rags to riches type story in the vein of “overcoming adversity through sartorial splendour”, and we watch in admiration as Ellen determinedly drags her life back on track, doggedly applying herself to her craft until things begin to turn around–and goodness, how they do.

I have to admit that after its slow beginning, I delighted in this book almost until the very end. It’s formulaic, of course, and unabashedly so, and there are vanishingly few places where the reader finds themselves anticipating any sort of astonishing plot twist: rather, the story pans over a decade of Ellen’s life, drawing back to look on with a bit of schadenfreude as she finds herself in some terrible lows, and then glorying with her in the fabulous things to come. Coincidences abound, and long-lost acquaintances and lovers pour out of the woodwork like an infestation of termites, but this is all part of the fun, and a confident author like Graeme-Evans can, and for the most part does, pull it off. The author not only loves romping about in unlikely narrative scenarios, but also delights (to the equal joy of the reader) in sheer unfettered melodrama. She’s certainly not shy of kicking her characters whilst they’re down: poor Ellen, despite being a genuinely lovely character who works hard to right any past wrongs–hers or otherwise–and to work herself into a position of substantial respect and success, is constantly surrounded by death and despair, with her family and friends dropping like flies every time she makes a decision. It’s an interesting notion, that of a character being punished for being ahead of her time–which Ellen undoubtedly is, but our disbelief is amply suspended, so never fear–and for daring to make choices that are at odds with gender expectations. Ellen, though, is so inalienably motivated that she presses on regardless of the costs of doing so, evoking in the reader’s mind that more modern conception of the woman who sacrifices everything in the pursuit of a dream. Graeme-Evans’s approach to this is quite interesting, however, and she seeks to problematise this notion throughout the novel, which culminates in quite a challenging turn in the final few pages; one can imagine some quite fiery discussions about social norms and expectations, gender, feminism, self-sufficiency, and compromise at book club as a result! Readers may find the ending a little rushed, weirdly sentimental, and unmotivated by the previous logic of the plot, but considered thematically rather than at a plot level, I think it perhaps is fitting to the book overall. Indeed, the book itself is strongest when considered thematically rather than on narrative terms, as Graeme-Evans cleverly works to bring in certain thematic parallels and allusions that act as neat sign posts and foreshadowing. The recurring motif of the dress, for example, and the fact that its appearance is always a prelude to some dramatic turning point, is sewn in (pardon the pun) quite gracefully.

Where there are weaknesses, however, other than in the plot, which does rely very heavily upon the crutch of coincidence (and of sudden deaths), is at the prose level. Graeme-Evans is overall a confident writer, blending a modern authorial voice with that of an earlier era, but there are notable jarring instances that serve rather to pull the reader out of the book–the sudden and rather vertiginous point of view switches being a rather frequent case in point.

Still, The Dressmaker is written as a soap-operaesque historical novel about an unlikely, but fabulous, heroine who really does work to make the best of what a certain children’s author would label a series of unfortunate events, and Graeme-Evans accomplishes this goal admirably. If you have a thing for gusty women who err on the side of nice rather than towards snarky, and can’t go past a rich setting 19th century setting filled with beautiful fashions and English ostentation, then you’ll enjoy spending an evening snuggled up on the couch with this novel.(less)

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Oct 21, 2010 *MystGrrl* rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of historical fiction, strong female characters and fans of the book called the Linnet Bird

Recommended to *MystGrrl* by: Saw it at Kmart

Shelves: tales-of-historical-fiction, tales-of-romance, tales-of-ghosts, tales-of-fiction

Ok, I debated for a while whether or not to get this book... When I read the back of the book it reminded me of stories I had read before that had started with so much promise but in the end disappointed me with a badly put together/completely dissatisfying conclusions. So I ummed and ahhhed for awhile before I finally gave in...

First of all, I want to say if the summary blurb at the back of the book mentioning teen pregnancy makes you feel uncomfortable or puts you off reading this book, please...more Ok, I debated for a while whether or not to get this book... When I read the back of the book it reminded me of stories I had read before that had started with so much promise but in the end disappointed me with a badly put together/completely dissatisfying conclusions. So I ummed and ahhhed for awhile before I finally gave in...

First of all, I want to say if the summary blurb at the back of the book mentioning teen pregnancy makes you feel uncomfortable or puts you off reading this book, please reconsider. Especially if you like historical fiction and heroines that come into their own after many soul weary trials and heartaches.

The Dressmaker follows the life of Ellen Gowan, a woman that deals with so much bad fortune, tragedy & betrayal from such a young age in this book that you can't help but cheer her on when Ellen finds the strength to pick herself up, brush herself off and follow her dreams. There are many times in this book where the trials that Ellen goes through are sufficiently heartbreaking that my heart goes out to her, especially when she occasionally begins to see a silver lining, only for it to disappear again.

Among the cast of characters in this book there is Polly, a maid from her original family home whose destiny seems entwined with Ellen's and who eventually becomes her pillar of strength in hard times. Oriana, her beloved cousin and sister, if not in blood at least in heart, who faces her own personal trials and must find the courage overcome her fears. Raoul de Valentin, a charming rogue with his best interests at heart. And yummy handsome Connor Moncrieff, an unrequited first love from Ellen's youth who is without a doubt the absolute perfect gentleman. Seriously, this guy is what girls dream about.

Connor aside, the other bonus to the book was reading the beautiful creations created by Ellen Gowan as she strives to become successful modiste & mantua maker. You almost feel like you know what it would be like to wear a gown made by Madame Gowan.

If this was a movie at the cinema I would pay to see it. If it was a TV movie, I would happily sit down and watch it. If it was a Dvd I would buy it straight out. It was a very addictive read. It's rare to find a book that hooks you at the beginning and keeps you snared all the way through to the end.

Oh and yes, the ending certainly did not disappoint me, at all.

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Sep 17, 2011 Éowyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

I have previously read Posie Graeme-Evans' trilogy based around Anne de Bohun, and very much enjoyed it. The Dressmaker was another well written book with a likeable female protagonist. I found the first half of the book a bit of a struggle to get through as so many bad things happen to Ellen, our heroine and you get a sense of how awful things are, but the lingering sense that worse is still to come! I liked the second half of the book better as it had a more positive feel to it and of course i...more

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May 03, 2011 Angie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Well... This book is between a 3 & 3.5 stars

I will start out saying that I anticipated this book being a bit better than it was. For me personally, it was too depressing of a story. Ok, I know that bad things need to happen to make a story interesting, but I feel that a little happiness should be mixed in occassionally! Over two-thirds of this book was so sad, it seemed that everything bad that could happen to this girl did! She is painted as perfect in everyway but still makes some stupid c...more

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Feb 15, 2012 Nada rated it 3 of 5 stars

Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com...

The Dressmaker is the story of Ellen Gowan set in Victorian England. Her happy childhood ends abruptly, and life brings struggles and successes, joy and sadness. She and her mother are forced to leave their home.

They are helped by relatives, finding love and acceptance, but also abuse and struggle. They travel to London to create a life for themselves. Further life events ensue, including a love affair, a job, a home, a c...more

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Mar 05, 2011 Patricia rated it 3 of 5 stars

The plot was plodding and several times I wanted to shake the main character in frustration. She does some things I think are pretty stupid, and the author (in my opinion) doesn't adequately motivate her to make those stupid decisions.

What I liked, and what kept me reading, were two things - first, the status of women and the utter horror of living a life in which you are chattel. The book looks at several relationships, marital, love and friendship, and comes down strongly on the side of women...more

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Jan 13, 2011 Heidi rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I started this book in December (not a good idea) but was too busy to really get into it. I've only read the beginning where the main character is a little girl and loses all her family. Very sad so far. Hoping to actually read it when things settle down. Looking at other reviews it looks like it gets a lot better. OK, so I finished this during our wonderful snow days this week. I didn't really think that it got much better. It seems like a book that I should love, but the writing was pretty wea...more

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Dec 26, 2010 Jennifer (JC-S) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: librarybooks

‘It was the season of Advent and the night was blade sharp.’

On 1 August 1843, Ellen Gowan has her thirteenth birthday. Ellen is the only surviving child of an impoverished village curate, Edwin, and his wife, Connie. Tragically orphaned and then abandoned when pregnant at fifteen, Ellen manages to overcome loss, loneliness and betrayal to become a highly sought after dressmaker to the aristocracy of Victorian England. But her success as Madame Ellen draws attention from the one person who can de...more

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Oct 14, 2011 Jo at Jaffareadstoo rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When tragic circumstances force Ellen Gowan, and her mother,Constance into Victorian London it is inevitable that this move will be fraught with danger. Ellen is a very naive character, and on the premature death of her mother, she is soon seduced by an unscrupulous man and is left pregnant and alone. However, her extraordinary skill as a dressmaker will prove to be her saviour, and will take her from despair through to glittering success.

Initially the book gets off to a slow start, the descript...more

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Feb 06, 2011 Jodie Storm rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Great, face paced piece of historical fiction.
The language is rather simplistic, and a tad saccharine. A very easy read.

Summary
Ellen Gowan turns 13 the day her father, a pastor and former professor of religion is killed, after an earthquake in her town. Their poverty results in her and her mother taking refuge with her wealthy Aunt Daisy, Cousin Oriana and her abusive Uncle.
Oriana and Ellen forge a close friendship. During this period a ball is held where both meet a handsome young man named Co...more Great, face paced piece of historical fiction.
The language is rather simplistic, and a tad saccharine. A very easy read.

Summary
Ellen Gowan turns 13 the day her father, a pastor and former professor of religion is killed, after an earthquake in her town. Their poverty results in her and her mother taking refuge with her wealthy Aunt Daisy, Cousin Oriana and her abusive Uncle.
Oriana and Ellen forge a close friendship. During this period a ball is held where both meet a handsome young man named Connor. He falls for Oriana, so Ellen keeps her feelings of love to herself. After a violent incident, Ellen and Connie (Mother) are forced to flee, to her Aunt's dressmakers home. After several months Connie insists they leave, when she observes the growing attraction between the seamstresses son Raoul and Ellen.
On the day of their departure Connie dies, and Raoul convinces Ellen to marry him. After the ceremony it is mentioned the church has suffered a fire, and the details of their marriage will be recorded when the parish records are returned.
Raoul and Ellen establish an unsuccessful dressmaking business. Raoul turns to drink, and abandons Ellen. Ellen gets a job designing gowns in a clothing factory. Raoul returns the day Ellen gives birth to their daughter Connie, and insists they sell her in order to make some money. Raoul is chased from the home by some local men. After this incident Ellen reconnects with her cousin Oriana, who has eloped with her love Connor, and who is living comfortably in the country. Ellen returns to live with them.
After several years, Connor and Oriana loan Ellen the capital to establish her own dressmaking business in London. A wealthy Countess is advised to try her services, and the success of the gown makes Ellen the most sought after dressmaker in London.
Several years later Raoul hears of Ellen's success, and attempts to blackmail her, demanding 1000 pound or he will take their child, most of her business and divorce her. Soon it is discovered their marriage was never legal - it had been a ruse between Connor and the preacher, who had gambling debts.
Oriana dies, and Connor asks Ellen to marry him. After some initial fear it would be a marriage of convenience, Connor professes his love for Ellen.(less)

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Dec 11, 2011 Laura rated it 1 of 5 stars

I shouldn't judge this too harshly, since it isn't the kind of thing that I would normally read, and since I was pretty much expecting it to be rubbish after receiving it as a gift. I have little patience, however, for stories featuring 'strong', 'clever', 'creative' heroines, who show little evidence of these qualities, except in the adjectives appended to them, and who are forever being persecuted because of their talent/ virtue/ beauty/ etc. In fact, almost all of the characters seemed to be...more

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Jan 22, 2011 Lila rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: british-fiction, historical-fiction, own-it, read-in-2011

3.5 stars
And so begins Ellen's road to to success paved with humiliation, deprivation but also with good people, friends who love her, care for her and want to help. One request to all who want to read this book: do not read the description provided by the publisher because you might as well just stop there. It pretty much tells the whole story almost from beginning to the very end. It was very disappointing to me to keep reading, nearing the end and realizing that I already knew all that from t...more

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Oct 27, 2010 Kaitlin rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I enjoyed reading The Dressmaker and falling into the Victorian era. Ellen starts off as a book-smart but not street smart child and grows into a lovely adult who is both. It was a realistic (even if you are rooting for her to not make some of her life choices, you know she will anyhow) and engaging story.

The descriptions of the dresses that are worn and created in the book are wonderful. You will want one of the dresses.

There were a couple of moments when the author added details or had small...more

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Oct 31, 2010 Elizabeth Whitehead rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Dressmaker
October 23, 2010
Posie Graeme-Evans

I love historical novels and was totally entranced by The Dressmaker. With 439 pages I was interested in each and was sad when the story was over. I was a little confused about the location in England of some of the homes that Ellen lived in and the speech and slang seemed a little off in some parts of the story. But these were such slight imperfections that it didn’t detract from the story at all. I loved the descriptions of the clothing and homes...more

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Feb 19, 2012 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: amazon-vine

This is a good read, Ellen starts her life as the daughter of a poor country curate and the book relates the misfortunes that befall her as she grows up. Poor Ellen does not have an easy life, starting with the death of her father, the illness of her mother, abusive relatives and the seemingly charming Raoul de Valentin. However, Ellen has talent as a designer and creator of clothes and a determination to be independent and support her daughter. She has some good friends and relatives who help h...more

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Jul 04, 2012 Adele rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Dressmaker is about Ellen and her life from age 13 to her mid-twenties. It takes place in the 1800s in England, and I learned much about life and the different behavioral expectations for children and women at that time. It's not the 'normal' kind of book that I usually read. I'm more apt to read a mystery that is so exciting, when I finish a chapter I can't wait to read the next one, and I think about the book and how it will end the whole time I'm reading it. But while this book didn't hav...more

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Oct 16, 2010 Carla Ford rated it 5 of 5 stars

I very quickly became enamored with Ellen, she was such a brave and strong hearted girl. When her father died on her 13th birthday, she had to grow up fast. Her mother never recovered from the loss, and the burden was on Ellen to find a new home for herself and her mother. Ellen took charge, and was never a child again. Written with such passion, this book transported me to that era of Victorian England where women had their beautiful dresses hand made just for them. Reading about the clothes wa...more

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Mar 30, 2012 Susanne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Really like this story, and the setting and flavour of the times are well established. I guess I was always going to be beguiled by a book with such a title - my mum was a dressmaker, an incredibly talented one. She worked for Norman Hartnell decades ago, and made for the Royal family, so you can imagine the sorts of gorgeous gowns she got to work on, just like Ellen. Graeme-Evans captures the public's "love affair" with celebrity and with appearance in 19th century London. Sounds like today - s...more

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Jan 12, 2011 Christine Christman rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was a bit put off at first by the "Dickensian" voice of this novel, but understood the author's intent in making it true to the era. I was especially impressed by the research she must have done to make everything from fabric and dress styles, to laws and marriage practices authentic to the period. It is encouraging to see stories of strong women about this period of time that was so oppressive to women. And I liked the way she portrayed her characters as empowered, and finding their own empow...more

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Nov 22, 2012 Rachel Zylstra rated it 1 of 5 stars

This story failed for me on many levels. It took me until at least halfway through the novel to become slightly interested. But it's short-lived.

Ellen Gowan loses her father and mother by the age of 15, and is seduced and 'married' shortly after to the horrible Raoul De Valentin. (This name infuriated me the whole time as I didn't know how to pronounce Raoul'). All seems well until he abandons her once she becomes pregnant.

She works for a fashion label as a designer/sketcher to scrape by befor...more This story failed for me on many levels. It took me until at least halfway through the novel to become slightly interested. But it's short-lived.

Ellen Gowan loses her father and mother by the age of 15, and is seduced and 'married' shortly after to the horrible Raoul De Valentin. (This name infuriated me the whole time as I didn't know how to pronounce Raoul'). All seems well until he abandons her once she becomes pregnant.

She works for a fashion label as a designer/sketcher to scrape by before having her baby. She has talents in drawing/dressmaking etc picked up along the way. Once the baby is born, there is a freak incident where Raoul tried to kidnap the newborn to sell her to pay off his debts to a brothel owner who is also his lover. How weird does this all sound right now?

Anyway, Ellen eventually finds refuge at her newly married cousins home. Ellen has been in love with her cousin, Oriana's, husband, since the first time she laid eyes on him. So all the while Ellen and Oriana are great cousins who love each other dearly, yet Ellen hold's this torch for her husband (Connor).

Connor sets Ellen up in business in London to become a sought-after dress maker. Ellen leaves her child with Connor and Oriana without much thought, to pursue her dreams. She becomes famous for her dresses. I never really got over the fact that she just left Connie (her daughter) behind like that.

Of course Raoul shows his face again all these years later and tries to blackmail Ellen into giving him 1000 pounds. He tells her he will take what he is entitled to of her business seeing as they are still married. But wait! Turns out they were never legally married in the first place so that whole thing just dissolves into the ground after Connor and Ellen pay him a visit which involves knives.

Ellen's cousin, Oriana, eventually dies soon after childbirth and amazingly not long after Connor proposes to Ellen and they live happily ever after.

Everything seemed too convenient for my liking. I did not like the way things turned out AT all. Not much thought or imagination. (less)

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Mar 30, 2012 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Ellen's life is happy until her 13th birthday. She lives with her parents, her father, a village minister and teacher, and her mother, disowned from her family when she married for love. When she is kissed by a wealthy family's son, a series of unpleasant events occurs, including the death of her father, their eviction from the home, forcing them to beg for a place to live from her mother's sister and her wealthy, but cruel husband. After several violent incidents, they seek refuge with the sist...more

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Jul 11, 2011 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars

I borrowed this from a coworker, and am about 100 pages into it. So far so good! I am definitely enjoying it.

Update- after forcing myself to stay awake long after the lights should have been turned off, I have reached the heart warming conclusion of this novel. As Ellen struggled through heartbreak, poverty, and dispair I found myself constantly rooting for and hoping that she would find true happiness. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end, and am rather excited to explore other...more

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Feb 02, 2012 Bronwyn Rykiert rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: library-book, australian, family, friends

I quite enjoyed this story about Ellen Gowan, who grew up in a happy home until her 13th birthday when her father was killed at his church. Ellen and her mother Connie went to live with Connie's sister Daisy but they were unwelcome by Daisy's husband Isodore. Ellen was happy living at 'Skene' and she got along quite well with her cousin Oriana. The first chance Isodore had though he told Connie and Ellen that they were to leave his house. Daisy arranged for them to go and live with her dressmake...more

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Nov 22, 2010 Shannon rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: swapped-donated, favorites

The story of Ellen Gowan's rise, through difficult circumstances, from poverty to success as a dressmaker.

I have no idea what the fabrics and gown components really are, but they sound like they make beautiful outfits.

Sample descriptions I enjoyed from the book (ARC):

"The point of the blade whipped to Raoul's throat just below the Adam's apple. The touch was light but depressingly accurate."

"The man's bravado hissed out of him, punctured like a bladder."

I had respect for and affection for the ma...more

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About Posie Graeme-Evans

Posie Graeme-Evans has worked in the Australian film and television industry for the last twenty-five years as an editor, director, and producer on hundreds of prime-time television programs, including McLeod's Daughters and Hi-5. She lives in Sydney with her husband and creative partner, Andrew Blaxland.

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