My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It was watching the trailer for Kate Winslet’s next movie that led me to reading The Dressmaker. As a fan of the beautifully talented Kate Winslet and fashion, I was instantly entranced by the 2 minute trailer and needed to read the book that inspired the film.
The Dressmaker by Rosalie Ham takes place in the 1950s as it follows dressmaker Mrytle “Tilly” Dunnage as she returns to her small hometown in Australia to take care of her sick mother. Right away the little town of Dungatar makes it know that Tilly is not welcome back. As the story progresses, Tilly’s past is slowly revealed while she begins to transform the people of Dungatar with her fashionable creations.
Just as Tilly’s creations transform the people of Dungatar, Ham’s beautiful syntax brings vivid imagery to every page. Ham does an exceptional job of revealing Tilly’s secrets as well as those of the townspeople, to the point where you don’t know what’s going to happen next.
Filled with secrets, love, loss and determination, The Dressmaker will leave you thinking about it weeks after reading. I recommend this book to anyone who loves fashion and dark comedy and is looking for something to cleanse their palate.
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