Victorian Secrets

What a Corset Taught Me about the Past, the Present, and Myself

By: Sarah A. Chrisman

Narrated by: Kristin Kalbli

Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

A true story about discovering positive selfhood, from a woman who moved beyond stereotypes to explore the world of corsetry firsthand.

On Sarah A. Chrisman's 29th birthday, her husband, Gabriel, presented her with a corset. The material and the design were breathtakingly beautiful, but her mind immediately filled with unwelcome views. Although she had been in love with the Victorian era all her life, she had specifically asked her husband not to buy her a corset - ever. She'd heard how corsets affected the female body and what they represented, and she wanted none of it.

However, Chrisman agreed to try on the garment . . . and found it surprisingly enjoyable. The corset, she realized, was a tool of empowerment - not oppression. After a year of wearing a corset on a daily basis, her waist had gone from thirty-two inches to twenty-two inches, she was experiencing fewer migraines, and her posture improved. She had successfully transformed her body, her dress, and her lifestyle into that of a Victorian woman - and everyone was asking about it.

In Victorian Secrets, Chrisman explains how a garment from the past led to a change in not only the way she viewed herself, but also the ways she understood the major differences between the cultures of twenty-first-century and nineteenth-century America. The desire to delve further into the Victorian lifestyle provided Chrisman with new insight into issues of body image and how women, past and present, have seen and continue to see themselves.

©2013 Sarah A. Chrisman (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Good read, a bit fat phobic at times.

I thoroughly enjoy the the works of Sarah Chrisman, however at one point the narrative took on a fat phobic approach that left this reader scratching her head. If the purpose of the story and journey is to live as authentically as possible and to present another level of diversity in everyday life, why would she make lite of larger bodies? Are they not living authentically and are another level of diversity in this world? Beyond that critique, the book gave an interesting insight into modern life in a corset.

Exploration of Vanity

I tried this book as an interesting diversion into the world of historic dress which has become a growing phenomenon. Blogs about historic clothing construction, dress-up dances, parties and conferences are on the rise these days. These discussions and events deal with the smallest details needed to recreate historic garb. This book was well written and nicely narrated.

The problem lies in the fact that the author may have exposed too much of the inner workings of her thoughts, marriage and life to the reader. The extremes the author was willing to take in order to wear antique garments, shoes and reproductions and appear beautiful was surprising. The quickness and harshness of her judgements of other people encountered day to day was painful. The idea that she "knew" what others were thinking about her and their motives became a window into a deeper issue all together. For me it was just too much raw information and vanity exposed and in the end felt embarrassing.

If you like loads of intimate personal detail, and an uncensored, often unkind stream of thoughts retold you might enjoy this listen. To me, pretty is as pretty does.

Witty and charming

A fun narrative of the authors forray into living her fullest and best life. When the author and her husband start to go deeper into their research they choose to become more immersed in the late 19th century by dawning authentic victorian garments they have restored. To do so, the author must acostom herself to corseting her natural waist. This book details her transformation and process over a year period in her life.
I almost did not read this book because of poor reviews, but I am glad I did! This book is a non-fiction personal journal style book, written very much in period narrative style. Those who enjoy reading Victorian literature will enjoy the style, those unacostomed to the period may not. This may also be said for the story, it is not for everyone. Many people are not ready for the idea of a woman taking up space and not apologizing. I feel as though if the author was a man she would be lauded as 'uncompromising in ideals' and 'living intentionally' but the author is indeed a woman. And the internet has many words they like to use when a woman does all the things men are praised for, I needn't repeat them.

The narrator of the book is on the dry side, this is appropriate for the non-fiction autobiography that this book is. You wouldn't want your national geographic narrator to be bubbly or dramatic, the reading style fits the work.

Amazing Story

Sarah A Chrisman’s story of her wearing a corset for a year and how it transformed her life is an amazing story. I loved hearing about her journey into wearing Victorian clothing. It is interesting to see how a corset changed her perspective on a lot of aspects of her life. It is well written and the narration is excellent. I highly recommend this book. I have listened to it multiple times, and still enjoy it. Mona Cunningham

very entertaining

I really enjoyed this book and listened to it whilst hand sewing my own late victorian corset. my only issues were that it would have been lovely to know where the different articles of antique clothing were obtained. also I noted the entire time I listened to this, including the multiple times she had to remove the outer layers of clothing, that no mention of a chemise wss made. or indeed any other garment that was worn between her corset and her skin. As a matter of fact it was highly implied that she never wore such a garment. Which then begs the question as a chemise was such a mainstay of victorian, and indeed most historic types of clothing from premedieval to 1900s, how was such an all important garment overlooked?

Lovely story - not my thing

This was a unique perspective and an educational journey into the Victorian era and the fashion that defined it. I learned a lot and I loved the way the book was written! I bought the book because I was curious about corsets and to learn about the author’s experience with them. The rest was a nice story, but if her accounts on the corset was not included, I would have returned it. It served its purpose and more. Although I am not interested in Victorian fashion, I did find myself cheering for the author in times when she overcame ignorance and put people in their place for their rude comments. She sounds graceful, strong, sophisticated, and elegant. A woman in every sense of the word.

Surprisingly good

A very delightful and unusual book. I learned a lot of subtleties of Victorian dress. The author has a lovely command of the English language. The grace she cultivates in her manner and dress comes through in her language.

Loved it!

wonderful story, wonderful author, wonderful narrator! would love to hear more by this author. awesome.

Frustration holding hands with enlightenment

Is there anything you would change about this book?

A better editor that had the courage to save the author the embarrassment of revealing more personal issues than probably she probably meant to.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

So much of the story is boasting and complaining about "posers" and it really detracts from the well written meat. The author writes quite well and I really enjoyed her progress into a Victorian lifestyle. I just wish some of the personal opinions had remained personal. It made me really dislike the author while thoroughly appreciating her journey. I would definitely take out the migraine chapter as well as the foot breaking chapter. Too much fodder for her to impress her abhorrence for the "general public" into the story.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes

Do you think Victorian Secrets needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I would actually love a follow up. Her writing style is right up my alley but a little more maturity would be wonderful.

Any additional comments?

My opinion of the story flip flopped so many times. I'm glad I stuck it out and finished this audio book because by the end of the story I kind of understood where she was going.

This is a fun memoir of a year in a corset.

If you like non-conformists, this is a bit of fun. She is eccentric, but always interesting.