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The Dream Stitcher
Finalist, 2018 National Jewish Book Awards, Goldberg Prize for Debut Fiction."With a backdrop as hyper-real as the Holocaust, strong characters are required, and Gaal delivers. The women of THE DREAM STITCHER are flawed—creatures of their time and circumstance—but they possess a strength that is both inspiring and beautiful.”—IndieReader"The author sews her varied themes, characters, and surprises into a seamless narrative that is essential reading for anyone who loves elegant writing.”—Kirkus Reviews"It is difficult to convey the full flavor of this great feast of a novel which is an intriguing blend of thriller, history, love, war, magic, deception, and tragedy all wrapped together in a neat package with an unexpected ending.”—BookPleasures Fans of Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See, will enjoy The Dream Stitcher! The Dream Stitcher’s story moves eloquently between two time periods and places, America in 2008 and World War II Poland.Hard times are forcing Maude Fields to take in her estranged mother, Bea, whose secrets date to World War II. Bea arrives with a hand-embroidered recreation of La Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde, the iconic 11th century Bayeux Tapestry. The replica contains clues to the identity of Maude’s father and the mythical Dream Stitcher, Goldye, a Jewish freedom fighter who helped launch the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. With the help of her pregnant daughter Rosie, Maude is determined to unravel decades of family deception to learn the truth about her parentage. With Poland on the brink of invasion by Nazi Germany, Goldye discovers—with the guidance of imaginary friend Queen Mathilda—that she can embroider dreams that come true. She becomes an apprentice at Kaminski Fine Fabrics, where she gains a reputation for creating wedding dresses for Aryan brides that bring their dreams to reality. She becomes known as the Dream Stitcher.Goldye meets and falls in love with Lev, a freedom fighter who wants to unite Jews and Poles to fight the Germans. Goldye sews images to help him. And she creates a powerful symbol for the resistance of the common a stitched hummingbird that spreads hope.Goldye leaves the ghetto to live with her sewing mentor, Jan Kaminski, who gains identity papers for Goldye as his Aryan niece. A Nazi commandant takes Jan and Goldye on a dangerous trip to France to decipher the symbols in The Bayeux Tapestry. The Nazis hope images in the Bayeux will reinforce Germany’s right to world domination. In California, Maude’s quest for the truth leads to family she didn’t know she had, and perhaps, love.
- GenresJudaism
372 pages, Paperback
Published July 19, 2018
About the author
Deborah Gaal
2 books8 followersDeborah Gaal abandoned a love of theatre to take over the family flooring business and ended up running a wholly-owned subsidiary for E.I. Dupont de Nemours (DuPont).
After leaving Dupont she coached entrepreneurs and corporate exes in addition to creating and guiding leadership seminars for women. Finally, she returned to her dream of living a creative life by writing.
The Dream Stitcher was selected as a finalist of the 2018 National Jewish Book Awards in Debut Fiction and won the 2019 IndieReader Discovery Award for literary fiction.. Deborah is also a repeat recipient of the San Diego State University Writer's Conference "Editor's Choice Award." In addition to two full-length works of fiction, her short story "Weekend at the Pere Marquette," appeared in Creative Writing Demystified by Sheila Bender (McGraw-Hill) as well as in the online writing magazine Writingitreal.
She has raised four children and resides in Southern California with her husband, an exuberant Chocolate Lab, and two feral cats. When she is mot writing, you can find her on the lawn bowling green.
After leaving Dupont she coached entrepreneurs and corporate exes in addition to creating and guiding leadership seminars for women. Finally, she returned to her dream of living a creative life by writing.
The Dream Stitcher was selected as a finalist of the 2018 National Jewish Book Awards in Debut Fiction and won the 2019 IndieReader Discovery Award for literary fiction.. Deborah is also a repeat recipient of the San Diego State University Writer's Conference "Editor's Choice Award." In addition to two full-length works of fiction, her short story "Weekend at the Pere Marquette," appeared in Creative Writing Demystified by Sheila Bender (McGraw-Hill) as well as in the online writing magazine Writingitreal.
She has raised four children and resides in Southern California with her husband, an exuberant Chocolate Lab, and two feral cats. When she is mot writing, you can find her on the lawn bowling green.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 21, 2018
In The Dream Stitcher, Deborah Gaal stretches the limits of our imagination when she recounts the story of Goldye Finkelstein who possessed the power to sew dreams into reality. Goldye is also the reincarnation of Queen Mathilda of Flanders who was Queen of England and Duchess of Normandy by marriage to William the Conqueror who lived in the eleventh century. According to French legend, Queen Mathilda commissioned and created the famous tapestry, La Tapisserie de Bayeux (The Bayeux Tapestry) which depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England concerning William, Duke of Normandy, and Harold, Earl of Wessex, later King of England, and culminating in the Battle of Hastings. It is thought to date to the 11th century, within a few years after the battle and recounts the story of the conquering Normans.
As the story unfolds, we learn that Queen Mathilda was quite adept at sewing and at directing others to fashion her creations into thread. In 1923 the Queen decided that she must come back to life as the soon to be born daughter of a young talented Polish seamstress, Alenka Kaminski. Unfortunately, both mother and child die in childbirth and Mathilda, who longs to inhabit the earth once again, enters the body of another baby girl born to a Jewish woman who is named Goldye. Thus begins Gaal's yarn.
Gaal's uses two time frames and places, California in 2008 and Poland during World War ll at the time of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. In Poland, we read about Goldye Finkelstein growing up and becoming an apprentice to a kind Polish widower, Jan Kaminski (Alenka's husband), owner of Kaminski's Fine Fabrics. Jan hires her and teaches her to embroider magical, beautiful dream designs on wedding dresses for his well-off Polish customers. Goldye becomes very much in demand as the dreams she sews are directed by her imaginary friend, Mathilda, who, from time-to-time, she calls upon to help her in her work. Goldye also imagines where all the people of Warsaw are sewing a collective dream into reality, where Jews and Poles alike could imagine hope, sew it and make it come true.
Another character, Lev Berlinski enters the story, whose mother was Jewish and his father, Catholic. He is a member of both the Polish Liberation as well as the Jewish Fighting organization and is one of the fighters which planned The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Lev and Goldye fall in love and Lev convinces Goldye to use her artistic skills to aid the liberation cause. This leads to her sewing a symbol, a hummingbird with a nest of eggs and a nest of candy. It was a code; the hummingbird meant urgency and the eggs were grenades. When the Poles and Jews saw the symbols, energy emerged. They knew they must raise money for arms and the people rushed to give money to the Jews for the uprising as well as for the Polish revolt against the Nazis.
As the yarn shifts to California, we read about Maude Wasserman, her daughter Rosie and Maude's mother, Bea, who lives in her own world with Alzheimer. Maud knows very little about her ancestors and has no idea who was her father.
Astonishingly, one day Maude discovers a replica of the Tapisserie de Bayeux which was stitched by her mother Bea, who, incidentally never sewed in her life.
It is difficult to convey the full flavor of this great feast of a novel which is an intriguing blend of thriller, history, love, war, magic, deception, and tragedy all wrapped together in a neat package with an unexpected ending. What gives its pleasures is the author's skillful narrative pacing and the tight lacing of the book's surprises. And her storytelling gifts are very much confirmed thanks to expertly voiced narration and a masterly evocation of time as well as place which keeps one reading as she imaginatively expands on a variety of themes like a jazz soloist.
It should be mentioned, as we are informed in the novel's bibliography, that in addition to some of the history of The Bayeux Tapestry, this work of fiction was inspired by the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and the main characters are an homage to the brave freedom fighters in this battle, whose stories deserved to be remembered.
Follow Here https://waa.ai/oe2c to Read Norm's Interview With Deborah Gaal
As the story unfolds, we learn that Queen Mathilda was quite adept at sewing and at directing others to fashion her creations into thread. In 1923 the Queen decided that she must come back to life as the soon to be born daughter of a young talented Polish seamstress, Alenka Kaminski. Unfortunately, both mother and child die in childbirth and Mathilda, who longs to inhabit the earth once again, enters the body of another baby girl born to a Jewish woman who is named Goldye. Thus begins Gaal's yarn.
Gaal's uses two time frames and places, California in 2008 and Poland during World War ll at the time of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. In Poland, we read about Goldye Finkelstein growing up and becoming an apprentice to a kind Polish widower, Jan Kaminski (Alenka's husband), owner of Kaminski's Fine Fabrics. Jan hires her and teaches her to embroider magical, beautiful dream designs on wedding dresses for his well-off Polish customers. Goldye becomes very much in demand as the dreams she sews are directed by her imaginary friend, Mathilda, who, from time-to-time, she calls upon to help her in her work. Goldye also imagines where all the people of Warsaw are sewing a collective dream into reality, where Jews and Poles alike could imagine hope, sew it and make it come true.
Another character, Lev Berlinski enters the story, whose mother was Jewish and his father, Catholic. He is a member of both the Polish Liberation as well as the Jewish Fighting organization and is one of the fighters which planned The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Lev and Goldye fall in love and Lev convinces Goldye to use her artistic skills to aid the liberation cause. This leads to her sewing a symbol, a hummingbird with a nest of eggs and a nest of candy. It was a code; the hummingbird meant urgency and the eggs were grenades. When the Poles and Jews saw the symbols, energy emerged. They knew they must raise money for arms and the people rushed to give money to the Jews for the uprising as well as for the Polish revolt against the Nazis.
As the yarn shifts to California, we read about Maude Wasserman, her daughter Rosie and Maude's mother, Bea, who lives in her own world with Alzheimer. Maud knows very little about her ancestors and has no idea who was her father.
Astonishingly, one day Maude discovers a replica of the Tapisserie de Bayeux which was stitched by her mother Bea, who, incidentally never sewed in her life.
It is difficult to convey the full flavor of this great feast of a novel which is an intriguing blend of thriller, history, love, war, magic, deception, and tragedy all wrapped together in a neat package with an unexpected ending. What gives its pleasures is the author's skillful narrative pacing and the tight lacing of the book's surprises. And her storytelling gifts are very much confirmed thanks to expertly voiced narration and a masterly evocation of time as well as place which keeps one reading as she imaginatively expands on a variety of themes like a jazz soloist.
It should be mentioned, as we are informed in the novel's bibliography, that in addition to some of the history of The Bayeux Tapestry, this work of fiction was inspired by the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and the main characters are an homage to the brave freedom fighters in this battle, whose stories deserved to be remembered.
Follow Here https://waa.ai/oe2c to Read Norm's Interview With Deborah Gaal
July 30, 2020
'Dream Stitcher by Deborah Gaal' is historical fiction, set in alternating periods, which begins from World War II and in 2008 America. The book is inspired by true historical events of The Bayeux Tapestry.
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Maude, the protagonist, has to take her mother back to live with her. The old age home she was living in isn't supporting her mother anymore, as she is now suffering from Dementia.
Bea somehow possesses extraordinary craftmanship of sewing a masterpiece which is known as La Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde. Even Maude is shaken by her mother's ability.
On the other hand, we see Goldye's story who is being sent by her family away to save from Nazi's invasion. Who had a dream of becoming a embroider which she accomplished by doing an apprenticeship at 'Kaminski Fine Fabrics.'
--
The author has connected the dots of past and present and crafted an intriguing story. The story has a certain depth which needs the patience to match, and it can be seen in this story.
--
Writing and narration are very fine and smooth. In my opinion, the story isn't for beginners because the plot includes so many characters and storyline to grasp. The historical aspects have an interesting sidenote.
--
The book is meant to be read by a selected target audience of history lovers.
--
Maude, the protagonist, has to take her mother back to live with her. The old age home she was living in isn't supporting her mother anymore, as she is now suffering from Dementia.
Bea somehow possesses extraordinary craftmanship of sewing a masterpiece which is known as La Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde. Even Maude is shaken by her mother's ability.
On the other hand, we see Goldye's story who is being sent by her family away to save from Nazi's invasion. Who had a dream of becoming a embroider which she accomplished by doing an apprenticeship at 'Kaminski Fine Fabrics.'
--
The author has connected the dots of past and present and crafted an intriguing story. The story has a certain depth which needs the patience to match, and it can be seen in this story.
--
Writing and narration are very fine and smooth. In my opinion, the story isn't for beginners because the plot includes so many characters and storyline to grasp. The historical aspects have an interesting sidenote.
--
The book is meant to be read by a selected target audience of history lovers.
January 5, 2020
Fantasy Based on Reality
This book is about such a painful and emotional history that the reader wants to believe in the hope that fantasy brings. Near the end, I convinced myself that there is some reason to believe.
This book is about such a painful and emotional history that the reader wants to believe in the hope that fantasy brings. Near the end, I convinced myself that there is some reason to believe.
January 25, 2019
Buy and Read this book!
Best book I've read in ages! I am an avid reader; I love fantasy, novels, self improvement, spiritual, and science fiction. Somehow, this amazing book manages to encompass all of my favorite genres.
Best book I've read in ages! I am an avid reader; I love fantasy, novels, self improvement, spiritual, and science fiction. Somehow, this amazing book manages to encompass all of my favorite genres.
October 8, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. The combination of medieval France, WWII ghetto Warsaw and current day Newport Beach is magnetic. The characters are complicated and interesting. The plot has some lovely twist and turns. The writing is engaging and made me want to read on and on. I had to save the last two chapters for when I wasn't tired!
August 31, 2020
Book Name: The Dream Stitcher
Genre: Fiction
Summary: The Dream Stitcher’s story moves eloquently between two time periods and places, America in 2008 and World War II Poland.
Hard times are forcing Maude Fields to take in her estranged mother, Bea, whose secrets date to World War II. Bea arrives with a hand-embroidered recreation of La Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde, the iconic 11th century Bayeux Tapestry. The replica contains clues to the identity of Maude’s father and the mythical Dream Stitcher, Goldye, a Jewish freedom fighter who helped launch the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
My Opinion: Oh this is beautiful and much more than I ever expected. Reading this book was such a great experience and I never thought it has the potential to give out goosebumps just through amazing writing and narration. The storyline is running into two different timelines and I wasn't really sure because I am not a very clever reader but it was so engaging that I couldn't believe that it went so smoothly with me without any sorts of doubt or confusion, I just was enjoying the story. The language is the hero of the book, I don't know how to express but at every page it expands so beautifully giving out insights of something unknown. The storyline moves around three stronger woman characters belonging to three generations and each one has her own identity with her own life struggles and even the historical element was so well attached. Gaal has that magic in her writing, saying it again, it's so praiseworthy.
Good and Bad: I loved the way it was narrated, also the characters are so well built. The relationship between the characters are so well developed.
My favorites from the book:
There are many characters which I am in love, some of them I adored are Lev, Maude, Goldye, many...
Target Audience: I don't think you have to be in any age to read this. This book is meant for all.
What to expect: History, parallel story, changing timelines, magic and a spell binding story.
Final verdict: You should not risk to miss this fantastic and spell binding story.
Rating: 5/5
Genre: Fiction
Summary: The Dream Stitcher’s story moves eloquently between two time periods and places, America in 2008 and World War II Poland.
Hard times are forcing Maude Fields to take in her estranged mother, Bea, whose secrets date to World War II. Bea arrives with a hand-embroidered recreation of La Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde, the iconic 11th century Bayeux Tapestry. The replica contains clues to the identity of Maude’s father and the mythical Dream Stitcher, Goldye, a Jewish freedom fighter who helped launch the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
My Opinion: Oh this is beautiful and much more than I ever expected. Reading this book was such a great experience and I never thought it has the potential to give out goosebumps just through amazing writing and narration. The storyline is running into two different timelines and I wasn't really sure because I am not a very clever reader but it was so engaging that I couldn't believe that it went so smoothly with me without any sorts of doubt or confusion, I just was enjoying the story. The language is the hero of the book, I don't know how to express but at every page it expands so beautifully giving out insights of something unknown. The storyline moves around three stronger woman characters belonging to three generations and each one has her own identity with her own life struggles and even the historical element was so well attached. Gaal has that magic in her writing, saying it again, it's so praiseworthy.
Good and Bad: I loved the way it was narrated, also the characters are so well built. The relationship between the characters are so well developed.
My favorites from the book:
There are many characters which I am in love, some of them I adored are Lev, Maude, Goldye, many...
Target Audience: I don't think you have to be in any age to read this. This book is meant for all.
What to expect: History, parallel story, changing timelines, magic and a spell binding story.
Final verdict: You should not risk to miss this fantastic and spell binding story.
Rating: 5/5
June 4, 2020
The reincarnation/magic aspect made me a little queasy, but I thought I'd give it a try. Nope--had to give it up before I lost even more hours. Jewish girl, who is reincarnation of Matilda, William the Conqueror's wife, creates magical embroideries, with the power to make dreams come true. As the Nazis invade Warsaw, her employer at the fabric store creates an Aryan identity for her. She leaves the ghetto and her lover. She decides to create a symbol of hope and so embroiders a hummingbird design. Even though hummingbirds aren't native to Poland, people see the hummingbird & decide to help the Jews and the resistance. Really.
German commandant sees the hummingbird & gets all misty-eyed (so why the Allies didn't just drop embroideries to neutralize the Germans I don't know). Then he recruits her to go with him to study the symbols on the Bayeux Tapestry.
In the present day, the now-grown-up-girl, a woman with dementia, has been moved into her daughter's house & her needle work---a large embroidery with scenes from the Bayeux Tapestry & little extras (a Jewish star, hummingbirds) is hung in the daughter's house. I decided to give up on the book when figures from the tapestry come alive. Really.
I love the Bayeux Tapestry and I know the Germans wanted to claim it as part of their Aryan heritage, so the book at first seemed appealing. But couldn't we do without the magic? And would a German commander recruit a Polish woman, no matter how talented, to consult with them on symbols in the Tapestry? Germans weren't too fond of the Poles. There were other problems with the book (why chose something not native to Poland & believe people would see it as a symbol of hope? Oh, right. Magic.) One character was a member of the Nazi youth group & he seemed to have magic as well.
German commandant sees the hummingbird & gets all misty-eyed (so why the Allies didn't just drop embroideries to neutralize the Germans I don't know). Then he recruits her to go with him to study the symbols on the Bayeux Tapestry.
In the present day, the now-grown-up-girl, a woman with dementia, has been moved into her daughter's house & her needle work---a large embroidery with scenes from the Bayeux Tapestry & little extras (a Jewish star, hummingbirds) is hung in the daughter's house. I decided to give up on the book when figures from the tapestry come alive. Really.
I love the Bayeux Tapestry and I know the Germans wanted to claim it as part of their Aryan heritage, so the book at first seemed appealing. But couldn't we do without the magic? And would a German commander recruit a Polish woman, no matter how talented, to consult with them on symbols in the Tapestry? Germans weren't too fond of the Poles. There were other problems with the book (why chose something not native to Poland & believe people would see it as a symbol of hope? Oh, right. Magic.) One character was a member of the Nazi youth group & he seemed to have magic as well.
June 16, 2020
I know the truth of who you are.
I’ll destroy everyone you love.
I’ll hunt you down.
I’ll never let you go.
🦄🦄🦄
When Maude is forced to take her mother Bea back to live with her after she is no longer able to afford caregiving, she finds out there's a lot more to her mother than meets the eye.
While suffering from dementia, Bea has been able to recreate a masterpiece known as La Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde, only thing is, Maudenever knew her mother could sow.
Alternating between two time periods, this journey begins from World War 2 as we meet Goldye, a New who is putin in an unprecedented situation of leaving her family to be safe from the Nazis.
What secrets will Maude discover, and how is Bea connected to Queen Mathilde?
🦄🦄🦄
The Dream Stitcher is a fantasy historical fiction novel by Deborah Gaal
While taking inspiration from the actual history of The Bayeux Tapestry, the author takes on a whirlwind journey to WWII Poland.
Filled with Adventure, magic, love and mystery, the intertwined lives of so many characters from the past and present may seem like a confusing story to tell, but it is done so well I could not put this book down.
I do not know how many facts or details are true and relate to WWII, but I think that the author has done a great job combining the truths of the past to the fictional world of the present.
What I loved was experiencing three generations (Bea, Maude and Rosie, Maude's daughter) uncovering Maude's heritage with the little information they have.
Yes, some details were a little farfetched even for a novel witha touch of fantasy in it, but I didn't mind because I was enjoying the book too much to care.
The three female characters all represent a different generation, but what they have in common is their resilience to push through a difficult situation.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 9/10
Melina L.
I’ll destroy everyone you love.
I’ll hunt you down.
I’ll never let you go.
🦄🦄🦄
When Maude is forced to take her mother Bea back to live with her after she is no longer able to afford caregiving, she finds out there's a lot more to her mother than meets the eye.
While suffering from dementia, Bea has been able to recreate a masterpiece known as La Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde, only thing is, Maudenever knew her mother could sow.
Alternating between two time periods, this journey begins from World War 2 as we meet Goldye, a New who is putin in an unprecedented situation of leaving her family to be safe from the Nazis.
What secrets will Maude discover, and how is Bea connected to Queen Mathilde?
🦄🦄🦄
The Dream Stitcher is a fantasy historical fiction novel by Deborah Gaal
While taking inspiration from the actual history of The Bayeux Tapestry, the author takes on a whirlwind journey to WWII Poland.
Filled with Adventure, magic, love and mystery, the intertwined lives of so many characters from the past and present may seem like a confusing story to tell, but it is done so well I could not put this book down.
I do not know how many facts or details are true and relate to WWII, but I think that the author has done a great job combining the truths of the past to the fictional world of the present.
What I loved was experiencing three generations (Bea, Maude and Rosie, Maude's daughter) uncovering Maude's heritage with the little information they have.
Yes, some details were a little farfetched even for a novel witha touch of fantasy in it, but I didn't mind because I was enjoying the book too much to care.
The three female characters all represent a different generation, but what they have in common is their resilience to push through a difficult situation.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 9/10
Melina L.
July 7, 2020
🍷The Dream Stitcher🍷
I have heard a lot of praise about this book and it was on my tbr from so long, finally I am here with my review, now after reading the book I feel the book deserves much more acknowledgement than its receiving, because it's one of those books which moved me for real. This is a historical fiction with a blend of fantasy and magical elements, the storyline moves between two time periods and places, America in 2008 and World War II Poland. Honestly, I am in love with the author's storytelling, there was so much magic in her words and I could feel the efforts that were put to bring the story in such a magnificent manner that it just not touched my heart but it's also going to stay there forever.
.
It's a story of love, ancestry, war, self discovery, legacy and overall it represents another unheard story of World War II. It revolves around Bea, Maude's mother and Rosie Maude's daughter, also the "Dream stitcher Goldye who weaves much more than one can imagine and discover. Her relationship with Lev and finally when everything is going the settle the story takes unusual turns that changes every character's life. I honestly enjoyed each and every character, because they are so well portraited, especially Goldye and Maude, I felt I was a part of the story as it moves forward.
.
The author very carefully weaves her words and honestly even after the changing timelines I never had to face confusion, though I will recommend you to read it in peace! Yes, it's emotionally demanding, also it leaves a mark on the reader's heart, it filled me with so much of vintage vibes that came from her beautiful writing. It's about so much, but at last it's about hope that keeps us alive. I also think the fantasy element was well used. Yes, it's definitely one of my favorite historical fiction reads ever!
.
Rating: 4.5🌟
June 30, 2020
MY TAKE🌼:
• "I believe every book has its own surprising pieces but Dreams Stitcher is one step ahead".
The Dream Stitcher’s story moves eloquently between two time periods and places, America in 2008 and World War II Poland. Hard times are forcing Maude Fields to take in her estranged mother, Bea, whose secrets date to World War II. Bea arrives with a hand-embroidered recreation of La Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde, the iconic 11th century Bayeux Tapestry. The replica contains clues to the identity of Maude’s father and the mythical Dream Stitcher, Goldye, a Jewish freedom fighter who helped launch the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
The authors stitched the whole story together very beautifully, it's so beautiful and cute that I almost felt I was living in that era. The novel offered historical undertones, it also highlights the cultural background during the World War II Poland. It's about a woman's love of sewing turning into a Nazi fighting sovereign. I think, the cover is not doing justice to this book, it's much more than just being an amazing read.
I am super impressed fellas!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
• "I believe every book has its own surprising pieces but Dreams Stitcher is one step ahead".
The Dream Stitcher’s story moves eloquently between two time periods and places, America in 2008 and World War II Poland. Hard times are forcing Maude Fields to take in her estranged mother, Bea, whose secrets date to World War II. Bea arrives with a hand-embroidered recreation of La Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde, the iconic 11th century Bayeux Tapestry. The replica contains clues to the identity of Maude’s father and the mythical Dream Stitcher, Goldye, a Jewish freedom fighter who helped launch the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
The authors stitched the whole story together very beautifully, it's so beautiful and cute that I almost felt I was living in that era. The novel offered historical undertones, it also highlights the cultural background during the World War II Poland. It's about a woman's love of sewing turning into a Nazi fighting sovereign. I think, the cover is not doing justice to this book, it's much more than just being an amazing read.
I am super impressed fellas!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
May 13, 2021
This book was a time-jumping, magical, historical fiction based on happenings in WWII and after. I'm tempted to say this book is not my usual genre, but then I'd have difficulty picking what specific genre fits it best :) Somehow the author makes it work because I couldn't put it down.
She writes complex characters with a subtlety that makes them feel authentic and human.
Shaping meaningful lives within the backdrop of some of the most horrible times our world has ever experienced, the story is infused with love, hate, sacrifice, redemption, hard truths, and magic to weave it all together.
Considering the challenging times and situations the author addresses, this book has an unexpected sweetness and foundation in the peace found in acceptance and forgiveness.
She writes complex characters with a subtlety that makes them feel authentic and human.
Shaping meaningful lives within the backdrop of some of the most horrible times our world has ever experienced, the story is infused with love, hate, sacrifice, redemption, hard truths, and magic to weave it all together.
Considering the challenging times and situations the author addresses, this book has an unexpected sweetness and foundation in the peace found in acceptance and forgiveness.
August 14, 2019
Part WWII action thriller, part paranormal, multi-generational family history, The Dream Stitcher by Deborah Gaal turns one woman’s love of sewing into a Nazi-fighting superpower. Told both by Goldye, a Polish teen in the ghettos of Warsaw, and Maude Fields, a baby-boomer dealing with the fallout of the housing crisis in 2008, Gaal deftly handles both time periods with flowing prose, thorough research, and tear-inducing empathy. I tore through this book as fast as life would allow, and had more than one dream influenced by The Dream Stitcher.
October 1, 2019
Read this book. I honestly was in tears at the end of The Dream Stitcher, and I don’t remember the last time that has happened. Vivid imagery, strong characters, history with a little fantasy thrown in for good measure what’s not to like? To me the ending was a powerful affirmation of unconditional love and acceptance. I will never look at hummingbirds the same way again.
April 30, 2020
I'm in awe of the author's ability to create realistic dialogue and a fantastical yet believable story -- as well as a gift for taking ordinary words and using them in original and beautiful ways. I also enjoyed listening to the consistent and engaging cadence of the narrator’s voice, even as she changed characters.
January 7, 2020
Some good historical facts that would have been well researched, but the book was spoilt by the strange fantasies that seemed unnecessary, and frankly unbelievable. I was so angry with this that I delete it from my kindle, something I rarely do.
What a shame without this crazy stuff, it could have been a great book, as it was an interesting theme and idea.
What a shame without this crazy stuff, it could have been a great book, as it was an interesting theme and idea.
July 16, 2020
Drivel. This book had potential, but the author ruins it by knowing nothing about embroidery and constantly mislabeling it, by failing to follow through with any kind of denouement for the main antagonist, and for turning nauseatingly sappy at the end.
September 4, 2020
Overall a good read. I found the character of Maude and Rosie too cliche/not well developed. Plus how Maude is so angry with Bea and then all of the sudden forgives her was too hasty. I don’t even understand how Lev could forgive her! I am interested to read up on the tapestry’s history.
October 5, 2020
A novel idea that revolves around gilgulim, the Holocaust, and a famous tapestry from French and English history.
I thought the historical parts were more compelling and stronger than the current parts. Overall, worth a read!
I thought the historical parts were more compelling and stronger than the current parts. Overall, worth a read!
January 27, 2022
Lovely, engaging book. I’m not always a fan of magical realism but found myself totally engaged in the story of Goldye & Lev as well as the partaken story of Bea and Maude. The strength of women through the generations resonated with me.
April 25, 2019
This book is an unusual mix of Warsaw ghetto/reincarnation/magic. Oddly enough, it works if you suspend belief a little bit and just go with it.
August 16, 2020
Best book I have read thus far in 2020. Stunning.
November 22, 2020
Read for book club. Can’t say I loved it or hated it. It was good. The method of moving backward and forward in time was nice and helped keep the book interesting.
January 23, 2022
Historical fiction well read by the author. Interesting premise about a woman who stitched and made peoples dreams come true during the time of the holocaust.
January 25, 2022
This is a book that will stay with you!
January 30, 2022
A wonderful read and good example of magical realism. The magical aspects were nicely woven in throughout the book. Highly recommend!
March 16, 2025
Wow what a book!
April 11, 2022
Anne's book group had her speak. Good, wwII but magic twist
July 1, 2019
Moving between World War II Warsaw and 21st Century America, this richly woven novel is a page-turner with an unsuspected ending. The characters throughout are believable and draw you into their worlds. The narrative in Warsaw right before the Nazi occupation recalled "All the Light We Cannot See," by Anthony Doerr. It was fascinating to revisit the Bayeux Tapestry in the context of a story. The book is well-researched. There is an element of magic woven throughout that somehow enhances the story without detracting from the character arcs or the plot. It is almost believable and a testimony to the skills and imagination of the author.
April 1, 2022
It took me awhile to get into this when listening to the audio sample, but once I got the ebook and read the prologue, knowing what it was, I read and loved the book
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