Name: Liz B's review of The Dressmaker's Gift by Fiona Valpy
Item: The Dressmaker's Gift
Rating: 3
Author: Liz B

Fiona Valpy

The Dressmaker's Gift

emma thomson

Liz B

The grandmother's story was interesting. The modern day one was not.

Barbara Williford

I absolutely loved this book! A young woman discovering her roots and how her grandmother was a part of the resistance during WW2. I enjoyed the parallel storyline of how Harriet is discovering her roots and the storyline of her grandmother. The only problem I had with the story is the concept of “inherited trauma.” Trying to make Harriet’s everyday struggles seem as traumatic as concentration camps and war surrounding you was a far reach (and that her grandmother’s trauma is to blame for her insecurities). Even adding in the “accident” at the end still didn’t make Harriet’s struggle as traumatic. Far enjoyed her grandmother’s story more.

Sarah Ryan

Really enjoyed this book. A dual timeline historical fiction novel set between WW2 France and the current day.

Nicole

Excellent novel

This book was an amazing tale of how common people came together to resist the Germans in Paris and how events can affect further generations. The language, the imagery, and emotion all bring you into Paris in the 1940’s during a time of darkness, despair, yet so much hope. It truly is a great book.

Lauren Lopez

DNF - I may try to go back and read the story again, but I couldn’t submerse myself enough in the story to keep going. The writing style felt too simplistic and light despite the seriousness of the story’s setting. I was excited about this one because I enjoy learning morning about World War II, but it was disappointing after reading the first handful of a chapters.

Lucy

I really liked how this book didn’t shy away from really hard hitting subjects. A truly inspiring read about a girl who researches her family history to find out how her grandmother defied Hitler’s rule in Nazi occupied France. Paired together with mental health struggles and terrorist attacks Harriet finds out who she really is through the memories of her grandmother. I would have liked better for Harriets discoveries of her grandmother and Harriet’s own voice to have been explored more thoroughly so that the flow between chapters could have been more seamless. All in all a very good read that I would recommend.

Amy Arthun Lorton 

Some things bugged me about this book but it was relatively short & I still enjoyed it, overall.

emma thomson &
The Dressmaker's Gift by Fiona Valpy

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emma thomson &The Dressmaker's Gift by Fiona Valpy

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emma thomson &
The Dressmaker's Gift by Fiona Valpy