“The Gown”, by Jennifer Robson. Reviewed by ASG Member Linda Abel

 Our web master, Jude Hernly, suggested since I read quite a bit and also sew that I might want to review books that have are of particular interest to us as sewist.  For my first review I picked “The Gown”.  It is an historical fiction that revolves around the making of Queen Elizabeth’s wedding dress.  (FYI, the dress is still on display.)

My book club, mostly non sewers were impressed with the detail concerning how the embroidery was completed.   The creation, even financing of the dress is scaffolding for the interplay of generations, and friendship well-crafted into the story.  The main characters of the book did not exist in real life; however, the dress does.  The story line pulls you in and makes you care about them all.  Some more than others depending on your own history. 
It provides a view of life in London after WW II.  It touches on the relationship between a grandmother and granddaughter as well as the women involved with the embroidery and fashion at the time.  The author gives a view to her writing process at the end of the book, don’t miss that part, very interesting. 

 As I said before you don’t need to be terribly interested in sewing, or fashion to enjoy this novel.  I will look for other books from this author given her attention to technical facts and her character development.  Put this one on your list to enjoy.

LindaD