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The Paris Dressmaker
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Based on true accounts of how Parisiennes resisted the Nazi occupation in World War II—from fashion houses to the city streets—comes a story of two courageous women who risked everything to fight an evil they couldn’t abide.
Paris, 1939. Maison Chanel has closed, thrusting haute couture dressmaker Lila de Laurent out of the world of high fashion as Nazi soldiers invade the ...more
Paris, 1939. Maison Chanel has closed, thrusting haute couture dressmaker Lila de Laurent out of the world of high fashion as Nazi soldiers invade the ...more
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Feb 23, 2021
Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice*
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
EXCERPT: “I have been asking myself who I intend to be when this war is over—the woman with much who gave little, or the woman with little who gave much. That is always the question, isn’t it, when we walk through the fire in our lives? And I now know my answer.”
ABOUT 'THE PARIS DRESSMAKER': Based on true accounts of how Parisiennes resisted the Nazi occupation in World War II—from fashion houses to the city streets—comes a story of two courageous women who risked everything to fight an evil the ...more
ABOUT 'THE PARIS DRESSMAKER': Based on true accounts of how Parisiennes resisted the Nazi occupation in World War II—from fashion houses to the city streets—comes a story of two courageous women who risked everything to fight an evil the ...more
JUST DIDN'T DO IT FOR ME
I see how many others adore this book. I wish I was one of them. But it just annoys me 🤷♀️
👎 What I Disliked 👎
Dual everything: This is a case of too many good ideas all at once. We have multiple POVs as well as multiple timelines, that don't add up or follow any logical rythm. For me it was too much working constantly having to switch between not only the different POVs but also the different times in the story. Too often I had to go back to be able to make sense of the t ...more
I see how many others adore this book. I wish I was one of them. But it just annoys me 🤷♀️
👎 What I Disliked 👎
Dual everything: This is a case of too many good ideas all at once. We have multiple POVs as well as multiple timelines, that don't add up or follow any logical rythm. For me it was too much working constantly having to switch between not only the different POVs but also the different times in the story. Too often I had to go back to be able to make sense of the t ...more
Paris, 1939.
Lila de Laurent and her friend Amelie work for Coco Chanel as dressmakers and one day they arrive at work to find the salon closed. Lila begins working for another fashion designer Nina Ricci and she dresses the German officer’s mistresses living at the Ritz hotel. Life in France during WW II is hard, the city has been completely over run by German soldiers and they take everything. Lila joins the La Resistance, her job at the Ritz provides perfect cover, the soldiers girlfriends li ...more
Lila de Laurent and her friend Amelie work for Coco Chanel as dressmakers and one day they arrive at work to find the salon closed. Lila begins working for another fashion designer Nina Ricci and she dresses the German officer’s mistresses living at the Ritz hotel. Life in France during WW II is hard, the city has been completely over run by German soldiers and they take everything. Lila joins the La Resistance, her job at the Ritz provides perfect cover, the soldiers girlfriends li ...more
Rich with evocative descriptions of Paris and harrowing details of life during the German occupation, The Paris Dressmaker satisfies on all levels. Kristy Cambron deftly weaves multiple timelines to craft a story as complex and romantic and beautiful as a couture gown. In addition, Lila and Sandrine’s strength and courage in a troubled world inspire us to live likewise. Tres magnifique!
3.5 stars
France, 1943. Lila works with the Resistance and it leads her to Rene, a man she’s met over four years ago. And she has just found out that he is “a willing Nazi collaborateur.” Or rather a posing pastry chef who delivers his delicacies to the Nazis and truly working for the Resistance.
1939. As her story goes back in time, it reveals how they’ve met and what happened between them. Lila is a seamstress working for La Maison Chanel. As Chanel closes her Paris salon, Nina Ricci reopens he ...more
France, 1943. Lila works with the Resistance and it leads her to Rene, a man she’s met over four years ago. And she has just found out that he is “a willing Nazi collaborateur.” Or rather a posing pastry chef who delivers his delicacies to the Nazis and truly working for the Resistance.
1939. As her story goes back in time, it reveals how they’ve met and what happened between them. Lila is a seamstress working for La Maison Chanel. As Chanel closes her Paris salon, Nina Ricci reopens he ...more
Feb 06, 2021
Marilyn
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
marilyn-s-challenge
The Paris Dressmaker by Kristy Cambron was a brilliant historical novel that was beautifully written. I listened to the audiobook that was pleasantly narrated by Barrie Kreinik. Years ago, I had read Kristy Cabron’s book, The Butterfly and the Violin and had thought at the time that it was one of the best books I had had the opportunity to read. The Paris Dressmaker made a great impression on me as well. The characters in The Paris Dressmaker were so well developed and most memorable. Kristy Cam
...more
The Paris Dressmaker is a beautiful tribute to the many faithful Parisenne's who didn't give up on their city during the occupation. Though Lila de Laurent and Sandrine Paquet only have one actual meeting and short in duration, we the reader are shown how their activity for La Resistance intersected but not necessarily to the characters. Both Lila and Sandrine stood strong in their fight to take back their city, their country, and ultimately, their home, and the measures they took in the name of
...more
Oct 22, 2020
Rachel McMillan
added it
from endorsement:
Destined to delight fans of Melanie Dobson and Natasha Lester, The Paris Dressmaker is a well-researched and beautifully interwoven treatise on courage and conviction in the midst of oppression. Intricately weaving the lives of two women intersecting a world in turn luminous and treacherous, Cambron’s Paris is one of descriptive art to balance the artfully crafted world of haute couture against looming betrayal and the encroaching shadow of war. Her delicate care and clear passi ...more
Destined to delight fans of Melanie Dobson and Natasha Lester, The Paris Dressmaker is a well-researched and beautifully interwoven treatise on courage and conviction in the midst of oppression. Intricately weaving the lives of two women intersecting a world in turn luminous and treacherous, Cambron’s Paris is one of descriptive art to balance the artfully crafted world of haute couture against looming betrayal and the encroaching shadow of war. Her delicate care and clear passi ...more
Dec 10, 2021
Deanne Patterson
rated it
it was amazing
Recommended to Deanne by:
cnnamongirl@aol.com
Shelves:
netgalley-feb-2021,
netgalley
Richly detailed and based on true accounts of how Parisiennes resisted the Nazi occupation in World War II. This novel encompasses the time span of the Nazi occupation. Two courageous women in Paris 1939-Paris 1943 defy the odds bringing light into a very dark time historically.
Pub Date 16 Feb 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Pub Date 16 Feb 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
3.5*
The Paris Dressmaker is a compelling story exploring the courageous actions of Parisienne women during the German occupation of the city in World War 2. While a fictionalised account, the story is inspired by actual events and features a couple of supporting characters who existed in the real world.
Lila de Laurent is the eponymous dressmaker, employed by the house of Chanel prior to the war, but she and her friend Amelié lose their jobs when their boss, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel elects to clos ...more
The Paris Dressmaker is a compelling story exploring the courageous actions of Parisienne women during the German occupation of the city in World War 2. While a fictionalised account, the story is inspired by actual events and features a couple of supporting characters who existed in the real world.
Lila de Laurent is the eponymous dressmaker, employed by the house of Chanel prior to the war, but she and her friend Amelié lose their jobs when their boss, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel elects to clos ...more
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Paris is under siege by the Nazi's and the citizens are doing their best to survive. Lila de Laurent makes couture dresses for the mistresses of the Nazi officers living at the Ritz, gleaning information from their idle chatter, passing it on to those who can benefit from the knowledge. Sandrine, determined to keep her young son safe, is conscripted into cataloging the artwork stolen from Jewish families. Her neighbors believe she has betrayed her country, but Sandrine is secretly keeping record
...more
"Beauty changes as we change."
Beautifully executed and full of details, The Paris Dressmaker reads like general fiction with a few minor references to the characters ' faith. The entire premise had some personal preference strikes against it, namely the storyline being entirely forgettable as yet another WWII French resistance story, and the convoluted method of delivery, with two separate storylines both split into separate timelines, giving you four different options of where you could be land ...more
Beautifully executed and full of details, The Paris Dressmaker reads like general fiction with a few minor references to the characters ' faith. The entire premise had some personal preference strikes against it, namely the storyline being entirely forgettable as yet another WWII French resistance story, and the convoluted method of delivery, with two separate storylines both split into separate timelines, giving you four different options of where you could be land ...more
The years are 1939 to 1944, Germany has occupied France for the best part of those years and the French Resistance is working hard to liberate France. Two women, Lila Du Laurent and Sandrine Paquet, are working hard with the Resistance. Lila is a dressmaker working with CoCo Chanel and later on with Nina Ricci before going out on her own. She was designing dresses for the women who were paramours of the German officers in Paris.
Sandrine was ordered to work preparing for shipment the art the Ger ...more
Sandrine was ordered to work preparing for shipment the art the Ger ...more
This book doesn't just have a gorgeous cover. It contains a beautiful story to match. The recipe was delightful; Location-Paris, Timing-1939 to 1944 (WWII, during Nazi occupation), Themes-history, intrigue, romance. Yes, please. Despite the short time period, Kristy Cambron made this a time-slip novel. I thought that was a delightful idea and so well executed. The stories interwove so well, didn't compete with each other, and swept me away from beginning to end. This was a first time slip novel
...more
I found this to be an intriguing story based on true events in Paris during World War II. Paris has long been known for their haute couture and in this story readers are privy to how the war affected the fashion world and those who were a part of it. Following two very different women, the story is told in alternating timelines that lead up to the liberation of France and beyond.
Lila, a seamstress was working at La Maison Chanel when the business closed because of the war. Luckily she finds wor ...more
Lila, a seamstress was working at La Maison Chanel when the business closed because of the war. Luckily she finds wor ...more
Ms. Cambron’s book centers around the role of Parisian women during the Nazi occupation in WWII. Spies, traitors, and espionage make for an exciting story. The author does a great job of bringing the setting to life. Multiple points of view are tied together with agonizing (and very enjoyable) slowness. I loved the ensemble cast.
I loved the significance of the title and that the author did allow the characters to suffer (not enough to make the book depressing, though—nicely balanced for me). My ...more
I loved the significance of the title and that the author did allow the characters to suffer (not enough to make the book depressing, though—nicely balanced for me). My ...more
3.5 stars
Another emotional, history-filled read by Kristy Cambron! As are most of her books, this one followed a split timeline, and that presented a few issues for me. But this book was filled with some really beautiful prose and some lovely themes.
Our two MCs, Sandrine and Lila, were both women living in France during WWII. Both endure some really difficult circumstances but live far different lives. I think Sandrine was my favorite, though Lila's story was more intriguing to me. Rene and Chri ...more
Another emotional, history-filled read by Kristy Cambron! As are most of her books, this one followed a split timeline, and that presented a few issues for me. But this book was filled with some really beautiful prose and some lovely themes.
Our two MCs, Sandrine and Lila, were both women living in France during WWII. Both endure some really difficult circumstances but live far different lives. I think Sandrine was my favorite, though Lila's story was more intriguing to me. Rene and Chri ...more
This might be my favorite Kristy Cambron book to date, and I'm so happy to say the story inside is just as beautiful as its gorgeous cover! The characters are compelling and intriguing, the romance is pitch-perfect . . . and that plot! I tend to gravitate toward character-driven stories, but when an author can give me such a fantastic mix of deep characters AND a plot packed with both heart-thudding and heart-wrenching moments, I'm the happiest reader ever. And while I've always been impressed b
...more
The Paris Dressmaker is a breath-taking book that you can preorder now. I think it’s this year’s The Nightengale, and I fully expect it to win a slew of awards because of the beautiful writing and story.
In this sweeping novel, you’ll follow two women (and a host of other characters) from 1938 to 1945. It highlights the ways that Parisienne women survived the years the German occupied the city. Kristy highlights many of the events without lingering on them…yet gives a feel for the scope of the oc ...more
In this sweeping novel, you’ll follow two women (and a host of other characters) from 1938 to 1945. It highlights the ways that Parisienne women survived the years the German occupied the city. Kristy highlights many of the events without lingering on them…yet gives a feel for the scope of the oc ...more
1939-1944 Paris, France
Two French women, one married and one a single dressmaker. Both involved with the French resistance.
"I have been asking myself who I intend to be when this war is over - the woman with much who gave little or the woman with little who gave much." ...more
Two French women, one married and one a single dressmaker. Both involved with the French resistance.
"I have been asking myself who I intend to be when this war is over - the woman with much who gave little or the woman with little who gave much." ...more
Audiobook narrated by Barrie Kreinik and she did a fantastic job. I’m usually not crazy about the narrators in inspirational stories by this one was really good.
This was a different kind of WW11 book in the sense that it takes place in France. I’ve read several books about this war but not one that focused on France. The writing is well developed with a clear portrait of the war. It weaves between past and present.
I highly recommend it to anyone who lives inspirational, historical fiction with ...more
This was a different kind of WW11 book in the sense that it takes place in France. I’ve read several books about this war but not one that focused on France. The writing is well developed with a clear portrait of the war. It weaves between past and present.
I highly recommend it to anyone who lives inspirational, historical fiction with ...more
The Paris Dressmaker by the amazing Kristy Cambron is an amazing historical fiction read about Paris during the Nazi occupation while highlighting two heroic women who did their best joining the resistance to fight against an evil regime.
The sotry was stunning and the way the timelines were interwoven into the story amidst the stories of Lila de Laurent and Sandrine Paquet's, their voices just jump off the page so distinctly and with so much conviction that I thoroughly enjoyed.
The author's no ...more
The sotry was stunning and the way the timelines were interwoven into the story amidst the stories of Lila de Laurent and Sandrine Paquet's, their voices just jump off the page so distinctly and with so much conviction that I thoroughly enjoyed.
The author's no ...more
Kristy Cambron’s lush writing and addictive narrative reveal how two gutsy women defied the Germans during the Paris occupation from 1939 to 1945. Lila makes couture gowns for top Nazi wives, while Sandrine catalogues stolen treasures for the Germans. Both gather intel valuable to La Resistance, a cause for which they’re willing to die. THE PARIS DRESSMAKER is not always an easy read due to the heartbreaking times, but an ever inspiring one, as it asks, “Would you give all if called?”
5 of 5 Star ...more
5 of 5 Star ...more
Sep 28, 2020
Jocelyn Green
added it
With as much skill and care as the title’s namesake possesses, The Paris Dressmaker weaves together the stories of two heroines who boldly defy the darkness that descends on the City of Light. In this shining novel, Kristy Cambron has lovingly designed and crafted a fresh perspective on a familiar war. Every word is expertly stitched into graceful lines in this seamless masterpiece of historical fiction. This is Cambron at her very finest. A luminous must-read, and a timeless reminder that light
...more
This is another novel set in World War II Paris. The two main protagonists are women....one a dressmaker and the other an art expert. Both still able to pursue their vocations they are brought into contact daily with an environment that puts them in danger. They both feel compelled to join the resistance when things start to heat up but close down in Paris and daily life becomes so much more dangerous. It’s good historical fiction and a must read for fans of this type of fiction. You can sink in
...more
Inventive storytelling, immersive details, talented narrator. This story of two brave women & the men they love is told in a creative way, with shifts in time period that share aspects of their personal lives & what has brought them to working for the resistance. I found the delve into their hearts & struggles riveting & appreciated the satisfying ending. An inspiring, entertaining listening experience!
3.5 stars
Incredibly detailed look at two courage-filled women during World War II in France. Sandrine and Lila are both working to help the Resistance, but they are also praying and waiting for the men that they love and do not know what has happened to them.
The descriptions of Lila's work as a dressmaker is entwined with Sandrine's work to help catalogue stolen art work are stunningly portrayed. The author's expertise and research shines from each page. The romance is subtle, but present, and i ...more
Incredibly detailed look at two courage-filled women during World War II in France. Sandrine and Lila are both working to help the Resistance, but they are also praying and waiting for the men that they love and do not know what has happened to them.
The descriptions of Lila's work as a dressmaker is entwined with Sandrine's work to help catalogue stolen art work are stunningly portrayed. The author's expertise and research shines from each page. The romance is subtle, but present, and i ...more
This was a fascinating story about two women fighting to preserve the art and culture as Nazi's invade Paris. The two stories meshed well. Although it was hard at first to remember which women I was with only because I was listening to it and not reading, soon I was able to distinguish the narrator's voices for each and really separate the storylines.
I had no idea how the French had fought to preserve this culture, especially women. I'd heard of clothing being used but never this way with such ...more
I had no idea how the French had fought to preserve this culture, especially women. I'd heard of clothing being used but never this way with such ...more
I've followed Kristy Cambron since her debut in 2014. Those who've interacted with her online know how much she loves all things vintage and Parisian so I feel this story must be very close to her heart. It's apparent by the way she has added beauty and depth to each scene. While she's already proven herself able to write a cohesive time-slip novel, I can't help but admire how she tied these two women's lives together. If you are a member of a book club, I think your group would have a lively di
...more
Feb 18, 2021
Jultri
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
world-war-ii,
historical-fiction
Historical fiction set in Paris during WWII and follows two young women who slowly become drawn into the French Resistance movement - for family, for country, for love. The dual love stories (especially Lila's) are a bit cliched and I would have preferred less emphasis on the romances. Solid story-telling which puts the spotlight on ordinary citizens contributing to the Resistance effort in the best way they knew how, not with bombs or gunfire but by utilising their pre-war skills - in this case
...more
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Readers also enjoyed
KRISTY CAMBRON is a vintage-inspired storyteller writing from the space where art, history, and faith intersect. She's a Christy Award-winning author of historical fiction, including bestselling novels, THE BUTTERFLY AND THE VIOLIN and THE PARIS DRESSMAKER, and nonfiction, including the Verse Mapping Series. A self-proclaimed history nerd, she loves to chase all things research, going behind the s
...more
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“Maybe that's the point. Beauty changes as we change, doesn't it? The things we thought we were supposed to do and be once upon a time, they evolve as we do.”
—
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“Replacing the note and the page from the Bible back in the envelope, Rose folded her hands of the desk. "He gave you hope." Sandrine smiled, for Rose understood. "Oui. Christian knew I would need it in order to wait. He reminded me it is the noblest call to be brave, especially when everything within us would have us give in to our deepest fear. he tucked an address in our family Bible, right next to this page.”
—
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