The Gown

A Novel of the Royal Wedding

By: Jennifer Robson

Narrated by: Marisa Calin

Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

From the internationally best-selling author of Somewhere in France comes an enthralling historical novel about one of the most famous wedding dresses of the 20th century - Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gown - and the fascinating women who made it.

“Millions will welcome this joyous event as a flash of color on the long road we have to travel.” (Sir Winston Churchill on the news of Princess Elizabeth’s forthcoming wedding)

London, 1947: Besieged by the harshest winter in living memory, burdened by onerous shortages and rationing, the people of postwar Britain are enduring lives of quiet desperation despite their nation’s recent victory. Among them are Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, embroiderers at the famed Mayfair fashion house of Norman Hartnell. Together, they forge an unlikely friendship, but their nascent hopes for a brighter future are tested when they are chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime honor: taking part in the creation of Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown.

Toronto, 2016: More than half a century later, Heather Mackenzie seeks to unravel the mystery of a set of embroidered flowers, a legacy from her late grandmother. How did her beloved Nan, a woman who never spoke of her old life in Britain, come to possess the priceless embroideries that so closely resemble the motifs on the stunning gown worn by Queen Elizabeth II at her wedding almost 70 years before? And what was her Nan’s connection to the celebrated textile artist and holocaust survivor Miriam Dassin?

With The Gown, Jennifer Robson takes us inside the workrooms where one of the most famous wedding gowns in history was created. Balancing behind-the-scenes details with a sweeping portrait of a society left reeling by the calamitous costs of victory, she introduces listeners to three unforgettable heroines, their points of view alternating and intersecting throughout, whose lives are woven together by the pain of survival, the bonds of friendship, and the redemptive power of love.

©2018 Jennifer Robson (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Thoroughly enjoyable

Listening to this book was delightful. Most of the books I read, I read because I have to. So this was lovely to listen to as I went about my day driving or doing chores. I highly recommend it

Excellent listen.

This story provides an intimate look at post war England and the division of social classes.

Beautiful Story! Narration is ok

I loved the story!! Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and this doesn’t disappoint. Beautiful woven story over decades of time.
The narrator on the other hand was annoying. Her attempt at a Canadian accent was horrible. At times it seems like he forgot which accent she was speaking in for the characters and dialogue section.

The Gown

One of the most heartfelt stories I’ve ever read. Beautiful, real, engaging, the whole picture was one I couldn’t leave for long...thank you audible

Horrible narrator

I loved the story and the characters but it was confusing and annoying when the narrator’s accent came and went in the middle of sentences. I’ve never heard a more terrible job of narrating.

I loved it, but I am a wedding gown seamstress.

As a wedding gown seamstress this story was right up my alley. I liked the characters, they were hard working and very sweet women. The narrator had a very pleasant voice and I enjoyed her portrayal of the characters.
The only thing I felt was non realistic was the complete lack of knowledge that Anne's daughter had for her mother's life..( didn't know her maiden name ?????), I rest was very realistic.. I did love it.

A wonderful read; beautifully narrated

This story, about the women who made Princess Elizabeth's wedding gown, captivates from page 1. a thoroughly engaging, wonderful read.

inspiring

moving, exquisite, and poetic. perfectly historical fiction. I am a new fan to the author.

Lovely, absolutely lovely!

I stumbled across this book like I do with a lot of my books on Audible and thought it looked interesting. I couldn’t stop listening, then when it was over I was sad. I wanted the story to continue on! Will be definitely checking out Jennifer Robson’s work from now on! Thank you Audible for pointing me toward this book!!

Review from a professional seamstress

When I chose to read The Gown, I did so realizing that such an article of clothing would have taken many painstaking hours to create. I wondered if the working woman would be given credit or if a designer would claim all the accolades for the masterpiece of fabric. I was pleased that we were given a glimpse of the seamstresses, who had everyday lives woven alongside their work at the sewing warehouse. The seamstresses who worked on portions of the total creation saw their responsibility as just a small part. But as each portion was finished and added to the whole, the Masterpiece came forward to be marveled at. Each portion was as important to the whole as another. Each seamstress was important.

I took this story as a glimmer into how one's lifetime becomes complete, one experience at a time. One ordeal or one triumph at a time comes together, each as important as the other in creating our eventual life story. No where is the pattern or picture of ones life pretold; it takes form as it progresses. Love, death, mishaps, achievements, and even others interventions come together to make our life Masterpiece.