Publication
Thorndike, Me. : Center Point Pub., 2012.
Collection
Call number
Large Print Fiction A
Physical description
455 p.; 23 cm
Status
Available
Call number
Description
A spirited woman survives the sinking of the Titanic only to find herself embroiled in the tumultuous aftermath of that great tragedy. Tess is one of the last people to escape into a lifeboat. When an enterprising reporter turns her employer, Lady Duff Gordon, into an object of scorn, Tess is torn between loyalty and the truth.
Subjects
User reviews
LibraryThing member dizzyweasel
The Dressmaker is the story of the aftermath of the Titanic's sinking in 1912, told from the perspectives of several different characters: Tess, the designer's apprentice; Pinky, the female newspaper reporter covering the story; Jim, the noble sailor; and (to a lesser extent) the Duff-Gordons,
There are some mild *spoilers* in this review, but nothing you won't figure out within the first few chapters anyway.
As strange as this may seem, considering the novel is the story of one of the biggest tragedies of the 20th century, this is a tale of happy coincidences. Tess, an aspiring dressmaker determined to escape a life of servile drudgery, just happens to meet one of the world's top designers while looking for work on the Titanic (a last minute decision on her part). Lucile takes her on with the promise of making her an apprentice - what good luck! Jim happens to be a good woodcarver - well, hey Jim, why don't I set you up with a great job in New York - you'll be rich! says Molly Brown. Part of the novel is about the American Dream and the fantasy of instant upward mobility in America, but instead of debunking that myth, the author perpetuates it. Good things easily fall into the laps of her lower class characters. America seems like a magical land where anything can happen if you just walk out your door in the morning. The author does not acknowledge the large role nepotism and privilege play in that drama.
But the lack of pragmatic historicism could be overlooked if the book were actually original and entertaining. Alcott talks a big game of suffrage and women's rights through the Pinky character, but her main character Tess is no revolutionary. Despite her desire to be free of the trap of marriage, to have her own life and her own space, as soon as she gets shipboard Tess falls for two men, the choice between whom she will agonize over for the remainder of the novel. And despite Tess' being a rather bland woman, these fellows fall hard and fast immediately. I personally didn't see the attraction. Jim is equally bland, but since this is a novel about women, for women, I can let that slide.
The author is more successful in her portrayal of Lucile Duff Gordon and Pinky Wade. Both initially seem invulnerable and hard, out to succeed by any means necessary, sacrificing people along the way, but quickly they are revealed to have more nuanced characters. Pinky is working for sub-par wages despite being the best reporter on staff at the New York Times (women couldn't get raises in the newspaper industry in those days). She has a sick father and no friends. She wants to earn her way, travel the world, and be renowned for her work, but circumstances keep getting in her way). Lucile pulled herself up from nothing, eventually marrying into the British aristocracy and using her husband's name and money to become an international fashion success. She's cold, she plays games, she's catty and cares little for others. Her selfishness and self-preservation result in the sacrifice of many Titanic passengers when she takes a lifeboat seating 60 with only 12 people in it, refusing to go back for others. She shoots her mouth off and she is the stubborn author of her own downfall. But she seems human...which is more than can be said for the half-sketched Tess.
Nevertheless, I was prepared to like this novel. Sure, there's no dramatic impetus, no narrative drive, but these things can be overlooked if the story is pleasant enough. But about halfway through the novel I realized that I was reading The Devil Wears Prada: Titanic Edition. Lucile is the mercurial, manipulative, game playing, office dominatrix bosslady, Tess is her bewildered and beleaguered assistant (but she'll be made over and groomed to succeed the dragon lady!), and Lucile even has a male assistant doing her bidding and showing Tess the ropes. The fashion show is ruined? Tess will fix it, showing her couture character and pulling a miracle out of a hat (or wedding dress)! The post-show interaction between Tess and Lucile has been lifted directly from the Paris limo scene in the film version of Prada (the novel version was quite different). The dragon lady has feelings! Tess is like a surrogate daughter! Stick with me, girl, and I'll make you famous in my world, etc. But like Prada's heroine, Tess has an infantile concept of the blacks and whites of right and wrong, and so she cannot wade into moral ambiguity with Lucile. Instead, she'll give up a sure future of wealth in her dream job to hook up with a fella.
But at least we have Pinky. If you put her and Tess together you might have a whole, modern woman. But that's not really what the author is going for: ladies, you can ride the white horse in the suffrage parade, but you can't really have it all.
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Cosmo, Lucile, and her sister Elinor. We meet many famous personages from that tragedy (the unsinkable Molly Brown makes an appearance, as well as the Darlings and the Astors, among others). It's a story about the choices we make, and how we have to live with those choices.There are some mild *spoilers* in this review, but nothing you won't figure out within the first few chapters anyway.
As strange as this may seem, considering the novel is the story of one of the biggest tragedies of the 20th century, this is a tale of happy coincidences. Tess, an aspiring dressmaker determined to escape a life of servile drudgery, just happens to meet one of the world's top designers while looking for work on the Titanic (a last minute decision on her part). Lucile takes her on with the promise of making her an apprentice - what good luck! Jim happens to be a good woodcarver - well, hey Jim, why don't I set you up with a great job in New York - you'll be rich! says Molly Brown. Part of the novel is about the American Dream and the fantasy of instant upward mobility in America, but instead of debunking that myth, the author perpetuates it. Good things easily fall into the laps of her lower class characters. America seems like a magical land where anything can happen if you just walk out your door in the morning. The author does not acknowledge the large role nepotism and privilege play in that drama.
But the lack of pragmatic historicism could be overlooked if the book were actually original and entertaining. Alcott talks a big game of suffrage and women's rights through the Pinky character, but her main character Tess is no revolutionary. Despite her desire to be free of the trap of marriage, to have her own life and her own space, as soon as she gets shipboard Tess falls for two men, the choice between whom she will agonize over for the remainder of the novel. And despite Tess' being a rather bland woman, these fellows fall hard and fast immediately. I personally didn't see the attraction. Jim is equally bland, but since this is a novel about women, for women, I can let that slide.
The author is more successful in her portrayal of Lucile Duff Gordon and Pinky Wade. Both initially seem invulnerable and hard, out to succeed by any means necessary, sacrificing people along the way, but quickly they are revealed to have more nuanced characters. Pinky is working for sub-par wages despite being the best reporter on staff at the New York Times (women couldn't get raises in the newspaper industry in those days). She has a sick father and no friends. She wants to earn her way, travel the world, and be renowned for her work, but circumstances keep getting in her way). Lucile pulled herself up from nothing, eventually marrying into the British aristocracy and using her husband's name and money to become an international fashion success. She's cold, she plays games, she's catty and cares little for others. Her selfishness and self-preservation result in the sacrifice of many Titanic passengers when she takes a lifeboat seating 60 with only 12 people in it, refusing to go back for others. She shoots her mouth off and she is the stubborn author of her own downfall. But she seems human...which is more than can be said for the half-sketched Tess.
Nevertheless, I was prepared to like this novel. Sure, there's no dramatic impetus, no narrative drive, but these things can be overlooked if the story is pleasant enough. But about halfway through the novel I realized that I was reading The Devil Wears Prada: Titanic Edition. Lucile is the mercurial, manipulative, game playing, office dominatrix bosslady, Tess is her bewildered and beleaguered assistant (but she'll be made over and groomed to succeed the dragon lady!), and Lucile even has a male assistant doing her bidding and showing Tess the ropes. The fashion show is ruined? Tess will fix it, showing her couture character and pulling a miracle out of a hat (or wedding dress)! The post-show interaction between Tess and Lucile has been lifted directly from the Paris limo scene in the film version of Prada (the novel version was quite different). The dragon lady has feelings! Tess is like a surrogate daughter! Stick with me, girl, and I'll make you famous in my world, etc. But like Prada's heroine, Tess has an infantile concept of the blacks and whites of right and wrong, and so she cannot wade into moral ambiguity with Lucile. Instead, she'll give up a sure future of wealth in her dream job to hook up with a fella.
But at least we have Pinky. If you put her and Tess together you might have a whole, modern woman. But that's not really what the author is going for: ladies, you can ride the white horse in the suffrage parade, but you can't really have it all.
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LibraryThing member Quiltinfun06
The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott follows several survivors of the Titanic. Tess Collins boarded the ship in Belfast at the very last minute when she became employed by Lady Duff Gordon a very famous dress designer. While hired as a lady's maid, her skills as a seamstress become extremely important to
Once safely on American soil, all who survived become center of attention. Senator Smith proceeds to investigate how the impressive Titanic could have sunk and why so few survived. Tess witnesses the Lady as she speaks without thought to a reporter, Pinky who writes for the New York Times. Soon her words are front page news and they are not well received by those she implicates.
Basically, The Dressmaker shows the class differences that existed in this time period. It was a time of change and the beginning of Women's Rights. Alcott enhanced her fiction with historical facts. Unfortunately for me, it was rather boring and predictable and just not my cup of tea.
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Lady Duff Gordon.Once safely on American soil, all who survived become center of attention. Senator Smith proceeds to investigate how the impressive Titanic could have sunk and why so few survived. Tess witnesses the Lady as she speaks without thought to a reporter, Pinky who writes for the New York Times. Soon her words are front page news and they are not well received by those she implicates.
Basically, The Dressmaker shows the class differences that existed in this time period. It was a time of change and the beginning of Women's Rights. Alcott enhanced her fiction with historical facts. Unfortunately for me, it was rather boring and predictable and just not my cup of tea.
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LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott is the story of Tess Collins a young seamstress who agrees to work as Lady Duff-Gordon’s maid while aboard the Titanic in order to realize her dream of going to America to make her fortune. Lucille Duff-Gordon was a major dress designer of the day and seemed to be
Of course, we know that the Titanic did not reach New York, but in this book, all the main characters eventually turn up. Still under the wing of Lucille, Tess starts to work for the designer and is provided with a roof over her head. Meanwhile the shock and scandal of the sinking of this enormous passenger liner on her maiden voyage has the American government opening enquiries and investigations into what caused this disaster. As the witness testimonies are gathered, it is pointed out that some lifeboats were barely filled before they were launched. Also many accusations about the lifeboats not returning to search for survivors in the frigid waters came to light. Lord and Lady Duff-Gordon came in for heavy scrutiny as they were in a lifeboat that could have held up to forty people, yet there was only twelve people in it at the time of rescue. A rumour came to light about bribes being offered the sailors not to return to the search, and it was hinted that survivors that tried to cling to the lifeboat were pushed off.
I found this part of the book very interesting as I have read a great deal about the Titanic, but very little about the aftermath. Although there was never any hard evidence against them, the Duff-Gordons never recovered from the gossip nor did they regain their place in society. As to the romance part of the book, I found this rather more predictable and the character of Tess was a little too perfect to be convincing. I would have rather had Lucille Duff-Gordon as the main character as I found her, with all her flaws and arrogance, a much more interesting character.
My final verdict on this book is one of mixed feelings. I thought the details about the Titanic were authentic and interesting. The author scattered enough real people throughout her story to give it a feeling of the times. However, the love story part of the book didn’t enthrall me. Being torn between the rich, older man and the younger, earnest one was a familiar plot and as I felt no chemistry between any of the parties, the romance was sadly lacking.
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promising to give Tess a hand when they reached New York. While on board, Tess meets two men, one a rich American businessman and the other a poor young man working as a sailor for his passage. Of course, we know that the Titanic did not reach New York, but in this book, all the main characters eventually turn up. Still under the wing of Lucille, Tess starts to work for the designer and is provided with a roof over her head. Meanwhile the shock and scandal of the sinking of this enormous passenger liner on her maiden voyage has the American government opening enquiries and investigations into what caused this disaster. As the witness testimonies are gathered, it is pointed out that some lifeboats were barely filled before they were launched. Also many accusations about the lifeboats not returning to search for survivors in the frigid waters came to light. Lord and Lady Duff-Gordon came in for heavy scrutiny as they were in a lifeboat that could have held up to forty people, yet there was only twelve people in it at the time of rescue. A rumour came to light about bribes being offered the sailors not to return to the search, and it was hinted that survivors that tried to cling to the lifeboat were pushed off.
I found this part of the book very interesting as I have read a great deal about the Titanic, but very little about the aftermath. Although there was never any hard evidence against them, the Duff-Gordons never recovered from the gossip nor did they regain their place in society. As to the romance part of the book, I found this rather more predictable and the character of Tess was a little too perfect to be convincing. I would have rather had Lucille Duff-Gordon as the main character as I found her, with all her flaws and arrogance, a much more interesting character.
My final verdict on this book is one of mixed feelings. I thought the details about the Titanic were authentic and interesting. The author scattered enough real people throughout her story to give it a feeling of the times. However, the love story part of the book didn’t enthrall me. Being torn between the rich, older man and the younger, earnest one was a familiar plot and as I felt no chemistry between any of the parties, the romance was sadly lacking.
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LibraryThing member LauraBrook
I was one of "those people" who, back in the day, saw the movie in the theater a dozen times and bought anything that had anything to do with the real-life Titanic. When I saw this book was available for Early Reviewers, I was thrilled! Surely, this will be a book that I adore, and will read again
It's an interesting concept, one that I usually like, weaving fictional characters into a factual event. Somehow this time this didn't seem to work so well for me. The book is told mainly from Tess's POV, but also swings into other character's heads occasionally too. The whole time span ranges only 2 months, the ship sinks in chapter two, and then spends the rest of the time following Tess around as she rapidly advances up the ranks under her employers' watchful eye and follows the events of the trial off and on. The whole book never seemed to find its footing, or anchor, like it couldn't decide to simply tell the entire story from Tess's POV, or if it should have an unknown omniscient narrator instead. I listened to part of this on audio, and I didn't really enjoy the narration - she seemed to have a 4 note, sing-song, way of talking, and while the voices for the American characters really shine, Tess and anyone else always seemed too hoity.
A fine story, but nothing that I'll run out and recommend to all and sundry. If you like historical fiction and/or are interested in the Titanic story told from a new and different viewpoint, by all means give this book a read. 3 stars.
p.s. I've read the review written by JaneSteen, and she does an excellent job. It's what I would've liked to have written for a review had I her talent.
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and again! Sadly, I ended up only liking this book. That's not a bad thing! But my hopes were set so high that it would've been impossible to live up to my own expectations. It's an interesting concept, one that I usually like, weaving fictional characters into a factual event. Somehow this time this didn't seem to work so well for me. The book is told mainly from Tess's POV, but also swings into other character's heads occasionally too. The whole time span ranges only 2 months, the ship sinks in chapter two, and then spends the rest of the time following Tess around as she rapidly advances up the ranks under her employers' watchful eye and follows the events of the trial off and on. The whole book never seemed to find its footing, or anchor, like it couldn't decide to simply tell the entire story from Tess's POV, or if it should have an unknown omniscient narrator instead. I listened to part of this on audio, and I didn't really enjoy the narration - she seemed to have a 4 note, sing-song, way of talking, and while the voices for the American characters really shine, Tess and anyone else always seemed too hoity.
A fine story, but nothing that I'll run out and recommend to all and sundry. If you like historical fiction and/or are interested in the Titanic story told from a new and different viewpoint, by all means give this book a read. 3 stars.
p.s. I've read the review written by JaneSteen, and she does an excellent job. It's what I would've liked to have written for a review had I her talent.
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LibraryThing member mchwest
Really fun read, and so interesting the history of the days after the titanic sunk. Of course there would be a long drawn out media and government investigation. Funny how things haven't changed in so many years. I was able to read at a good pace and book flowed nicely. Well done Kate Alcott, if
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this isn't your first book I'll look to read the others. Show Less
LibraryThing member karen_o
In the months leading up to the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, The Dressmaker is but one entry into what will be many books rehashing the event. This particular tale is unique among others I have read in that it focuses mainly on events following the event, including the
This is most definitely a book about women, for women and perhaps some aspects of it are wrapped a little too pleasingly, but for all of that I found it an enjoyable read that taught me a couple of things I didn't know about the aftermath of the sinking of the Titanic.
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Congressional hearings in the U.S., and the protagonist is servant to a wealthy woman rather than a wealthy passenger herself.This is most definitely a book about women, for women and perhaps some aspects of it are wrapped a little too pleasingly, but for all of that I found it an enjoyable read that taught me a couple of things I didn't know about the aftermath of the sinking of the Titanic.
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LibraryThing member Maydacat
So many books on the Titanic focus on the passengers and the hours during which the ship struck the iceberg and sank. This interesting book focuses the aftermath. Acts of bravery and cowardice cut across social and class lines: money and social standing were suddenly no longer important. What was
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it like for the survivors? Did they feel guilt for surviving while so many died? In the search for answers and the truth, the inquiries disclosed that disreputable acts were committed by respectable people. And yet, conflicting reports abounded. This novel explores the true feelings of the rich and the working class, bound together by chance. Wanting only to resume a normal life, they must survive the relentless attacks by reporters and politicians bent on uncovering the reasons behind the sinking and the survival instinct of some passengers that led them to ignore the pleas for help of those in the water. This historical fiction novel is cleverly wrapped around a plot concerning a famous dress designer, her very rich husband, and a working class seamstress who, wanting to make a new start in America, decides she is the luckiest girl on earth when she is offered a last-minute chance to work as the famous designer’s maid on board the ship. Thus starts a tale you won’t soon forget. Show Less
LibraryThing member jwitt33
I've always been fascinated with the story of the Titanic sinking, so when I saw this book offered on NetGalley, I had to request it, especially as this is the centennial anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. One of the things I really loved about this book is how it melded fictional accounts
When they reach New York, they are faced with senatorial hearings to determine what really happened that night. Some acted with courage, some with cowardice, but all with fear, and the acts of that night will affect all of them for some time to come.
While I liked this book, I didn't love it. I found that after the Titanic sank, and the survivors got to New York and began to pick up the pieces of their lives, the story dragged a bit. I liked Tess, for the most part, but she was a little bit too wishy washy at times for my liking. Lucile Duff-Gordon was not very likable at all, and Jim and Jack, the love interests, were just kind of there, not really jumping off the pages as a potential love interest with Tess. There wasn't a lot of chemistry with either couple, so it was hard to root for one over the other.
I enjoyed the historical aspect of the book, and when there WAS something happening, I found it easy to read. The problem was that there wasn't a lot going on through the middle, which was disappointing.
In summary, I liked this book, but didn't love it, and while I don't recommend running out to buy a copy, I definitely think it's worthwhile for lovers of historical fiction to borrow a copy from a friend or the library and read it, then decide what YOU think about it. If anybody else has read it, let me know what you thought about it: Like it, Love it, or just Meh :D
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with actual historical accounts of some of the people who were on the Titanic, including the unsinkable Molly Brown and the Darlings. The story starts with Tess, a serving girl who dreams of being a fashion designer. Her plan is to find some way on board the Titanic so that she can sail to New York, where dreams can actually come true. She meets up with Lady Duff Gordon, a fashion designer of some renown, who hires her as a personal assistant, with the promise of a chance to show what she can do when they get to New York. During the voyage, she meets two men who catch her eye, Jim, a simple sailor, and Jack Bremerton, a middle-aged Chicago millionaire who is in the midst of a divorce. When the Titanic sinks, you get to see everyone in action, and find out what many of the characters are really made of.When they reach New York, they are faced with senatorial hearings to determine what really happened that night. Some acted with courage, some with cowardice, but all with fear, and the acts of that night will affect all of them for some time to come.
While I liked this book, I didn't love it. I found that after the Titanic sank, and the survivors got to New York and began to pick up the pieces of their lives, the story dragged a bit. I liked Tess, for the most part, but she was a little bit too wishy washy at times for my liking. Lucile Duff-Gordon was not very likable at all, and Jim and Jack, the love interests, were just kind of there, not really jumping off the pages as a potential love interest with Tess. There wasn't a lot of chemistry with either couple, so it was hard to root for one over the other.
I enjoyed the historical aspect of the book, and when there WAS something happening, I found it easy to read. The problem was that there wasn't a lot going on through the middle, which was disappointing.
In summary, I liked this book, but didn't love it, and while I don't recommend running out to buy a copy, I definitely think it's worthwhile for lovers of historical fiction to borrow a copy from a friend or the library and read it, then decide what YOU think about it. If anybody else has read it, let me know what you thought about it: Like it, Love it, or just Meh :D
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LibraryThing member ethel55
Tess is a young girl near Cherbourg, who considers herself very lucky to get a spot on the Titanic as a personal maid for Lady Duff-Gordon. Tess is a seamstress, more than ready to learn her craft from such a famed designer. The short time spent on the Titanic is full of wonderful descriptions of
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this glamorous ship, and the time after docking with the Carpathia focused somewhat interestingly on the hearings about the disaster. I found a lot of these historical tidbits really fascinating, but some of the actions of the characters seemed not so much forced, as too quick for reality. Tess' immediate invitation into the fashion fold in the week after the sinking was quick and her two beaux (both becoming interested before the disaster) were entranced almost immediately. There was also some fascinating info about fashion of the time. Tess saw her first new fastener,which I believe we would call a zipper, in those first weeks at Lucile's design studio. After some googling, I discovered that the Duff-Gordons were real people and were indeed on Lifeboat #1, nicknamed the Millionaire's Boat. This quick descriptive read relies on a bit of chick lit with Titanic history. With the 100 anniversary approaching, I am sure there will be many novels to choose from that involve this event. Show Less
LibraryThing member bearette24
This is a book about the Titanic, from a different angle than the movie. This story focuses on the survivors and their politics, including the Senate hearings, and some foul play in Lifeboat One. The writing is not very sophisticated, but it is a spirited, interesting tale. Worth reading if you
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like historical novels or want to learn more about the Titanic and its aftermath. Show Less
LibraryThing member Pat.Egan.Fordyce
This is a fact/fiction story about the sailing of the Titanic, and the aftermath of it's sinking. I have never read much about the hearings, so this was an interesting addition to my knowledge of the Titanic.
Tess is a young woman, who is looking to change her life, having been "shoved" into
On her lifeboat is the infamous Molly Brown, who will have an effect on her future. After rescue she is ensconced in a beautiful hotel with the Duff-Gordons, who want to celebrate their rescue with everyone they know. We meet Pinky Wade who can quickly deduce there is a story here, who befriends Tess, and warns her that trouble is brewing. The rest of the novel tells a story of New York's upper class, women's suffrage fight, and Tess making her life decisions. It is a great blend of romance, actual history, and the world in 1912. I enjoyed it a great deal, and finished it in one day!
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Tess is a young woman, who is looking to change her life, having been "shoved" into
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servitude as a teenager. She hates being a maid, and the abuse she takes from her employers son, so when she hears the great ship Titanic is hiring for it's maiden voyage, she throws her old life away. By sheer determination, and a lot of luck, she is hired by Lucille Duff Gordon, dress designer of the very upper class. Her job description is somewhat nebulous, but when she is moved to the upper deck from steerage, she feels her life is on it's way. She is dazzled by attention from the great financier Jack Bremerton, and forms a quick friendship/flirtation with a sailor named Jim. The actual sinking is dealt with a kind of centering on the main characters we have met. Details of the terror, frigid temperatures, and the despair of dying voices crying out, grabs your senses.On her lifeboat is the infamous Molly Brown, who will have an effect on her future. After rescue she is ensconced in a beautiful hotel with the Duff-Gordons, who want to celebrate their rescue with everyone they know. We meet Pinky Wade who can quickly deduce there is a story here, who befriends Tess, and warns her that trouble is brewing. The rest of the novel tells a story of New York's upper class, women's suffrage fight, and Tess making her life decisions. It is a great blend of romance, actual history, and the world in 1912. I enjoyed it a great deal, and finished it in one day!
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LibraryThing member bachaney
Nearly 100 years ago, the Titanic "the unsinkable ship" sunk into the cold North Atlantic after striking an iceberg. Most of us are familiar with this famous story, and the fact that most of the people traveling on the Titanic froze to death in the North Atlantic after being denied access to the
I really enjoyed this novel, which explores a side of the Titanic Story I didn't really know. My knowledge about the sinking pretty much ended at the end of that famous movie. It was nice to hear the story of the aftermath, and the novel does a good job of exploring how different people react in situations of crisis, and how the social norms of the late Victorian period shaped peoples views of the disaster and its aftermath. I thought the historical parts of the novel related to the Titanic and the Congressional hearings were the strongest parts of this novel. Some of the love story, particularly with Jack, felt a bit forced to me, but not enough to detract from the novel overall.
I definitely enjoyed this story and hope to see more from Kate Alcott in the future.
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ship's lifeboats, which were woefully under filled. What we don't know is the aftermath, which is faithfully explored by Kate Alcott in The Dressmaker. Alcott uses, Tess, a fictional maid to Lady Duff Gordon, the woman who's husband famously gave crew members money so they didn't row their lifeboat back to the site of the Titanic survivors, to explore the aftermath of the sinking. Tess befriends two survivors--Jim Bonnie and Jack Bremerton--both of whom are vying for her affections, and Pinky Wade, a reporter for the New York Times covering the aftermath of the sinking. Tess, along with the rest of the world, tries to piece together what happened in the Titanic's lifeboats that night, while trying to decide where her destiny lies, with Lady Duff Gordon or with one of her men.I really enjoyed this novel, which explores a side of the Titanic Story I didn't really know. My knowledge about the sinking pretty much ended at the end of that famous movie. It was nice to hear the story of the aftermath, and the novel does a good job of exploring how different people react in situations of crisis, and how the social norms of the late Victorian period shaped peoples views of the disaster and its aftermath. I thought the historical parts of the novel related to the Titanic and the Congressional hearings were the strongest parts of this novel. Some of the love story, particularly with Jack, felt a bit forced to me, but not enough to detract from the novel overall.
I definitely enjoyed this story and hope to see more from Kate Alcott in the future.
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LibraryThing member NovelChatter
Publisher's synopsis:
Just in time for the centennial anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic comes a vivid, romantic, and relentlessly compelling historical novel about a spirited young woman who survives the disaster only to find herself embroiled in the media frenzy left in the wake of the
Tess, an aspiring seamstress, thinks she's had an incredibly lucky break when she is hired by famous designer Lady Lucile Duff Gordon to be a personal maid on the Titanic's doomed voyage. Once on board, Tess catches the eye of two men, one a roughly-hewn but kind sailor and the other an enigmatic Chicago millionaire. But on the fourth night, disaster strikes.
Amidst the chaos and desperate urging of two very different suitors, Tess is one of the last people allowed on a lifeboat. Tess’s sailor also manages to survive unharmed, witness to Lady Duff Gordon’s questionable actions during the tragedy. Others—including the gallant Midwestern tycoon—are not so lucky.
On dry land, rumors about the survivors begin to circulate, and Lady Duff Gordon quickly becomes the subject of media scorn and later, the hearings on the Titanic. Set against a historical tragedy but told from a completely fresh angle, The Dressmaker is an atmospheric delight filled with all the period's glitz and glamour, all the raw feelings of a national tragedy and all the contradictory emotions of young love.
My thoughts:
I knew when we first met Tess, putting unironed, crumpled sheets on her employer's bed, that this wasn't going to be the usual Titanic story. This one was going to have a different spin to it. I was really looking forward to reading Kate Alcott's The Dressmaker, and I am really glad that I did get to read it! Tess wrangles her way on to the Titanic by seizing an opportunity to work for Lucile, Lady Duff-Gordon, the infamous clothing designer and the somewhat questionable survivor on the Titanic. Tess is no maid, she's a talented seamstress, with a gift in design and Tess uses this opportunity to get to New York and find a future there.
Unlike other books and stories with a Titanic plotline, The Dressmaker's author, Kate Alcott, wisely places the tragic sinking towards the beginning of her story and places all of the action and development around the survivors and the U.S. Senate hearings that asked questions that one hundred years later, are still being asked.
I enjoyed reading The Dressmaker, I think the plot lines were interesting and the writing even and consistent. I do have to add that I was a bit disappointed in the character development in some of the second tier characters and I felt that we really didn't get to know Tess, or what she really thought of the two diametrically opposed men who Tess is involved with from the ill fated cruise, Jack, the wealthy Chicagoan and Jim, the sailor.
Alcott, in a brilliant move, used actual testimony from the hearings to help paint the scenery of what the world was like in 1912 and how the Titanic was evacuated. It was good to see the names of the famous and infamous included in her telling and it was enlightening to learn that even a hundred years ago, the paparazzi were present (and hounding in their pursuit of a photo and a story from the mournful, dazed survivors) as the Carpathia docked in New York. Alcott also includes a daring and somewhat pushy female reporter, Pinky, so that she could provide the readers a look at the about-to-explode world of the suffragettes and women's rights.
Tess grows in wisdom and strength, the story is interesting and it's told from a new angle, I just wish there was more emotion there. I wish we knew Tess better. She's a character worth knowing,
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
*This galley was provided to me by the publisher's publicist at my request, and that in no way affected my fair review.
Just in time for the centennial anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic comes a vivid, romantic, and relentlessly compelling historical novel about a spirited young woman who survives the disaster only to find herself embroiled in the media frenzy left in the wake of the
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tragedy.Tess, an aspiring seamstress, thinks she's had an incredibly lucky break when she is hired by famous designer Lady Lucile Duff Gordon to be a personal maid on the Titanic's doomed voyage. Once on board, Tess catches the eye of two men, one a roughly-hewn but kind sailor and the other an enigmatic Chicago millionaire. But on the fourth night, disaster strikes.
Amidst the chaos and desperate urging of two very different suitors, Tess is one of the last people allowed on a lifeboat. Tess’s sailor also manages to survive unharmed, witness to Lady Duff Gordon’s questionable actions during the tragedy. Others—including the gallant Midwestern tycoon—are not so lucky.
On dry land, rumors about the survivors begin to circulate, and Lady Duff Gordon quickly becomes the subject of media scorn and later, the hearings on the Titanic. Set against a historical tragedy but told from a completely fresh angle, The Dressmaker is an atmospheric delight filled with all the period's glitz and glamour, all the raw feelings of a national tragedy and all the contradictory emotions of young love.
My thoughts:
I knew when we first met Tess, putting unironed, crumpled sheets on her employer's bed, that this wasn't going to be the usual Titanic story. This one was going to have a different spin to it. I was really looking forward to reading Kate Alcott's The Dressmaker, and I am really glad that I did get to read it! Tess wrangles her way on to the Titanic by seizing an opportunity to work for Lucile, Lady Duff-Gordon, the infamous clothing designer and the somewhat questionable survivor on the Titanic. Tess is no maid, she's a talented seamstress, with a gift in design and Tess uses this opportunity to get to New York and find a future there.
Unlike other books and stories with a Titanic plotline, The Dressmaker's author, Kate Alcott, wisely places the tragic sinking towards the beginning of her story and places all of the action and development around the survivors and the U.S. Senate hearings that asked questions that one hundred years later, are still being asked.
I enjoyed reading The Dressmaker, I think the plot lines were interesting and the writing even and consistent. I do have to add that I was a bit disappointed in the character development in some of the second tier characters and I felt that we really didn't get to know Tess, or what she really thought of the two diametrically opposed men who Tess is involved with from the ill fated cruise, Jack, the wealthy Chicagoan and Jim, the sailor.
Alcott, in a brilliant move, used actual testimony from the hearings to help paint the scenery of what the world was like in 1912 and how the Titanic was evacuated. It was good to see the names of the famous and infamous included in her telling and it was enlightening to learn that even a hundred years ago, the paparazzi were present (and hounding in their pursuit of a photo and a story from the mournful, dazed survivors) as the Carpathia docked in New York. Alcott also includes a daring and somewhat pushy female reporter, Pinky, so that she could provide the readers a look at the about-to-explode world of the suffragettes and women's rights.
Tess grows in wisdom and strength, the story is interesting and it's told from a new angle, I just wish there was more emotion there. I wish we knew Tess better. She's a character worth knowing,
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
*This galley was provided to me by the publisher's publicist at my request, and that in no way affected my fair review.
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LibraryThing member countrylife
This story caught and held my attention with its tale of a young woman yearning to do what she knows she excels at, while yet stuck in the drudgery of servitude. Tess takes the only way out that she can see and offers herself in service among the crowd waiting to board the Titanic at Cherbourg. So
This was a very nicely done debut novel. Kate Alcott’s characters, both the real and fictional, were fully realized and felt true to their times and history. The lifeboat scenes seemed to be correctly portrayed, though, to my mind, they came across with more of a sense of detached emotion, and not the depth of feeling to the extent that the breadth of the story demanded. Her depictions of the ship and of New York felt quite real.
If you enjoy historical fiction, and have an interest in the Titanic, this is a book that I am happy to recommend.
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begins this fictional story of a young dressmaker working her way across the ocean for Lady Duff-Gordon, a real personage of the day, famous in the clothing design world, and for her actions at the time of the ship’s sinking. With a strong backbone of actual happenings upon the Titanic, in the sea after the tumult, and in the aftermath of the trials, the author’s story of Tess and her aspirations is woven through with an education of the times. Further enriching this story are the glimpses into the life of women journalists and other working women. This was a very nicely done debut novel. Kate Alcott’s characters, both the real and fictional, were fully realized and felt true to their times and history. The lifeboat scenes seemed to be correctly portrayed, though, to my mind, they came across with more of a sense of detached emotion, and not the depth of feeling to the extent that the breadth of the story demanded. Her depictions of the ship and of New York felt quite real.
If you enjoy historical fiction, and have an interest in the Titanic, this is a book that I am happy to recommend.
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LibraryThing member melaniehope
The story is about Tess, a fictional seamstress who is hired by Lady Lucile Duff Gordon, a famous clothing designer the day the Titanic is to set sail. Lady Lucile was an actual survivor of the sinking of the Titanic. This novel is loosely based on the inquiry and subsequent scandal in the
While on board the ship, Tess catches the interest of wealthy millionare Jack Bremerton and also of sailor Jim Bonney. Tess also manages to secure a place on another lifeboat from Lady Lucile and survives.
Once back in New York, Tess is very loyal to Lady Lucile until she discovers that she and her husband, Sir Cosmo, may have acted extremely dishonorably while aboard their lifeboat.
I love that this book used real life events and characters. I had never read any book on the aftermath of the Titanic tragedy and found it rather fascinating. My one critique is that there was not enough historical data. I would have loved to have had more facts about the time period added, more on the trials in England, as well. This story is mainly about Tess, her love interests and her inevitable choice of which destiny to choose. Also the sinking of the ship occurs very early in the story...but that was ok, since the story is about the aftermath.
An enjoyable read, but wishing it had more depth to it. I would still recommend it.
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aftermath of the tragedy.While on board the ship, Tess catches the interest of wealthy millionare Jack Bremerton and also of sailor Jim Bonney. Tess also manages to secure a place on another lifeboat from Lady Lucile and survives.
Once back in New York, Tess is very loyal to Lady Lucile until she discovers that she and her husband, Sir Cosmo, may have acted extremely dishonorably while aboard their lifeboat.
I love that this book used real life events and characters. I had never read any book on the aftermath of the Titanic tragedy and found it rather fascinating. My one critique is that there was not enough historical data. I would have loved to have had more facts about the time period added, more on the trials in England, as well. This story is mainly about Tess, her love interests and her inevitable choice of which destiny to choose. Also the sinking of the ship occurs very early in the story...but that was ok, since the story is about the aftermath.
An enjoyable read, but wishing it had more depth to it. I would still recommend it.
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LibraryThing member mpmills
Tess Collins becomes a personal maid to Lady Duff Gordon to start a new life in America. Unfortunately, they boarded the Titanic for the crossing from England. They both survived, but on different lifeboats. Tess starts to work at Lady Duff Gordon's fashion house. There is a congressional inquiry
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about the Titanic, and Lady Duff Gordon's behavior aboard her lifeboat is questioned. Tess must decide between her new job and her loyalty to Lady Duff Gordon, and her growing friendship she has with Jim, a man she met on board the ship. I loved Tess, and her courage and ambition to build a new life for herself in the changing fashion industry. Also, I never thought about what the survivors of the Titanic tragedy went through. Good book. Show Less
LibraryThing member Beamis12
This book was interesting as far as seeing glimpses into the lives of the wealthy viewed through the eyes of a young woman who wants only to be a dressmaker. Tess manages to get onto the Titanic as a last minute edition as the maid of Lady Lucile Duff Gordon. A unique take on the Titanic disaster
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as it follows Tess of the ship as the media questions and subsequent hearings as most of the Titanic stories do not. I would have liked more depth to the characters and often times the dialogue seemed a bit stilted. Fun read and those who read everything about the Titanic will enjoy this novel. This was an ARC won from Library Thing. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookgirljen
With the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic being recognized this year ("celebrated" doesn't seem an appropriate word to use here), there is a slew of Titanic-themed fiction and non-fiction being released over the next few months. The Dressmaker is one of those novels.
I found this
Tess is thrilled and honored that Lady Duff Gordon has hired her as her maid, and hopes to parlay that good fortune into one day becoming a dressmaker herself. What she doesn't bargain for is the sinking of the Titanic, and the reprecussions of events in a lifeboat that continue to have an impact on her and Lady Duff Gordon's lives long after they have been rescued.
Like any good romance, Tess ends up with two suitors - the good-hearted but poor sailor Jim Bonney, and the rich, aristrocratic divorcee Jack Bremerton. Her involvement with Mr. Bremerton (the rich older man) again seems somewhat unlikely. It's these types of things that prevented me from giving this book more than 3.5 stars, in that I just couldn't find some of the things that happen to Tess to be believeable.
Still, if you can look past those things, you'll find this an interesting piece of historical fiction, that keeps you intrigued until the end. If you enjoy Titanic-themed fiction, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up.
I found this
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story of an aspiring dressmaker/maid who is brought on to the Titanic at the last minute to be engaging, and a fresh take on the Titanic story. Tess Collins runs away from her position as a maid in Cherbourg, France and ends up on the dock before the sailing of the Titanic. In an unlikely turn of events, she is hired on the spot by the aristocratic Lady Duff-Gordon, famous dressmaker and head of the House of Lucile.Tess is thrilled and honored that Lady Duff Gordon has hired her as her maid, and hopes to parlay that good fortune into one day becoming a dressmaker herself. What she doesn't bargain for is the sinking of the Titanic, and the reprecussions of events in a lifeboat that continue to have an impact on her and Lady Duff Gordon's lives long after they have been rescued.
Like any good romance, Tess ends up with two suitors - the good-hearted but poor sailor Jim Bonney, and the rich, aristrocratic divorcee Jack Bremerton. Her involvement with Mr. Bremerton (the rich older man) again seems somewhat unlikely. It's these types of things that prevented me from giving this book more than 3.5 stars, in that I just couldn't find some of the things that happen to Tess to be believeable.
Still, if you can look past those things, you'll find this an interesting piece of historical fiction, that keeps you intrigued until the end. If you enjoy Titanic-themed fiction, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up.
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LibraryThing member sunqueen
This was a fun and entertaining read, with some of the classic "rags to riches" story lines. Interesting take on the Titantic story, as most of the action regarding this event happens after the ship sinks, with the media and the senate hearings.
LibraryThing member Supera710
I admit, I'm a sucker for books about the Titanic, and I enjoyed The Dressmaker's spin on it. I liked that one of the main characters, Lady Lucille Duff Gordon, was a real person on the ship, and Kate Alcott kept certain facts about Madame's life true. Tess was at the right place at the right time
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to get a spot on board to work with Lucille, and become a seamstress for her in NY, even if only for a little while. The love triangle between Jim and Jack kept me wondering who she was going to pick, and got me thinking about relationships after tragic events. I wish the ending would have given us a little more of a glimpse into what happens with Tess, where her choices take her, but I have a good enough imagination I guess I can put it to good use. Show Less
LibraryThing member FemmeFare
The story had potential, but I found the writing distracting. The dialogue seemed too contemporary for historical fiction, and I didn't connect with the characters.
LibraryThing member susiesharp
I really liked this book even with the romance storyline; it made me want to do research on what happened after the sinking of the Titanic and to learn more about the survivors, which to me is what makes a good historical fiction book. We all know the story of the sinking of the Titanic but I for
This book is about more than just the aftermath of the Titanic but that is the backdrop that makes it fascinating. A young lady named Tess is an aspiring dressmaker and is hoping to get a job on the Titanic to get passage to America however no jobs are to be found the day of sailing while on the dock wondering what to do but not willing to give up she overhears a conversation, famous designer Lady Duff Gordon’s maid isn’t going to make the trip and Tess jumps at the chance and talks the woman into hiring her. Tess is astounded by the opulence of the ship and is also enamored by Lady Duff Gordon. But as we all know the trip does not go as planned but it is what happens afterwards that makes this story. Tess and the Duff Gordon’s are in separate lifeboats and the rumors about what happened in the Duff Gordon’s boat are shocking and to Tess completely unbelievable, but what really happened, is her new boss what she thought or are the stories true?
There is also a bit of a chaste love triangle involving Tess which didn’t deter me from my enjoyment of this book it actually added nicely to the story and fleshed out the character of Tess. The other characters in this book were all well fleshed out and believable.
I really enjoyed this book and stayed up till 3 am finishing it because I just needed to know what was going to happen with Tess. I would actually love a second book to find out what happens to Tess next and if she ended up fulfilling her American dream.
I highly recommend this well written historical drama.
4 ½ Stars
I received this book from Librarything Early Reviewers Program
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one knew almost nothing about the aftermath, the scandal of what happened on the lifeboats, and the senate hearings. This book is about more than just the aftermath of the Titanic but that is the backdrop that makes it fascinating. A young lady named Tess is an aspiring dressmaker and is hoping to get a job on the Titanic to get passage to America however no jobs are to be found the day of sailing while on the dock wondering what to do but not willing to give up she overhears a conversation, famous designer Lady Duff Gordon’s maid isn’t going to make the trip and Tess jumps at the chance and talks the woman into hiring her. Tess is astounded by the opulence of the ship and is also enamored by Lady Duff Gordon. But as we all know the trip does not go as planned but it is what happens afterwards that makes this story. Tess and the Duff Gordon’s are in separate lifeboats and the rumors about what happened in the Duff Gordon’s boat are shocking and to Tess completely unbelievable, but what really happened, is her new boss what she thought or are the stories true?
There is also a bit of a chaste love triangle involving Tess which didn’t deter me from my enjoyment of this book it actually added nicely to the story and fleshed out the character of Tess. The other characters in this book were all well fleshed out and believable.
I really enjoyed this book and stayed up till 3 am finishing it because I just needed to know what was going to happen with Tess. I would actually love a second book to find out what happens to Tess next and if she ended up fulfilling her American dream.
I highly recommend this well written historical drama.
4 ½ Stars
I received this book from Librarything Early Reviewers Program
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LibraryThing member bookmagic
Tess is desperate to get out of her job as a servant and work as a dressmaker. At the last minute she tries to get work on the Titanic before it sets sail and gets a job as a maid for Lady Lucile Duff Gordan, a famous designer. Because Lady Duff wants Tess near her, Tess ends up in a room in first
This was an interesting read, especially the aftermath of the Titanic and the investigation into it. I never thought of it beyond the fact that they didn't have enough lifeboats. I didn't think about the resentment of the survivors by the families of those lost. I liked Tess, she was pretty independent though torn between the choices she now has in America. The author did a good job of making old New York come to life. The Dressmaker is a light and enjoyable read.
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class. It is because of this, she is able to survive when the Titanic goes down. Once the survivors arrive in New York, Tess discovers that something happened aboard the Duff Gordon's lifeboat and they are accused of not letting others in even though there was plenty of room. But Tess isn't willing to believe it and goes to work as a seamstress for Lady Lucile.This was an interesting read, especially the aftermath of the Titanic and the investigation into it. I never thought of it beyond the fact that they didn't have enough lifeboats. I didn't think about the resentment of the survivors by the families of those lost. I liked Tess, she was pretty independent though torn between the choices she now has in America. The author did a good job of making old New York come to life. The Dressmaker is a light and enjoyable read.
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LibraryThing member Fjumonvi
Tess, chafing in the servitude into which she was sent at a tender age, aspired to improve her station by going to the United States. Talented with thread and needle, surely she could find employment there. Upon learning that a ship was soon to sail for New York, she quit her job and,
On board the ship, spunky Tess soon discovered the comforts of the privileged class and the beginnings of romance. She was among those who survived when the Titanic sank, and her story linked those of other survivors, both the fact-based and the fictional, as she moved among the Senate hearings on the catastrophe, the mercurial Lady Duff Gordon's workrooms, two suitors, and a burgeoning friendship with Pinky Wade, one of the reporters covering the disaster and an active suffragist.
The Dressmaker vividly portrays the Titanic sinking and subsequent hearings, effectively entwining the several threads of the narrative. As a leading character, however, Tess seems overshadowed by the unsympathetic but more fully developed Lady Duff Gordon and, to a lesser extent, the crusading Pinky Wade. There is excessive reliance on coincidence and characters turning up unexpectedly. These quibbles notwithstanding, The Dressmaker engages the reader's interest immediately as the ship goes down and holds that interest as it imagines how the tragedy affected the lives of those who experienced it.
Obviously, The Dressmaker is based on extensive research. An "Author's Note" at the end offers information as to which of the survivors were derived from actual persons, but this reader would have welcomed more extensive information (for example, that Lady Duff Gordon really was the sister of racy novelist Elinor Glyn).
Recommended.
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characteristically displaying more nerve than sense, went down to the dock expecting to obtain passage by securing work on the Titanic. The shipping company, however, had the foresight, if not to provide sufficient lifeboats, at least to engage its workers somewhat in advance of setting sail, and Tess's hopes were dashed. Coincidentally, a wealthy passenger, renowned fashion designer Lady Lucile Duff Gordon, found herself abruptly without a maid and reluctantly hired the frantic Tess.On board the ship, spunky Tess soon discovered the comforts of the privileged class and the beginnings of romance. She was among those who survived when the Titanic sank, and her story linked those of other survivors, both the fact-based and the fictional, as she moved among the Senate hearings on the catastrophe, the mercurial Lady Duff Gordon's workrooms, two suitors, and a burgeoning friendship with Pinky Wade, one of the reporters covering the disaster and an active suffragist.
The Dressmaker vividly portrays the Titanic sinking and subsequent hearings, effectively entwining the several threads of the narrative. As a leading character, however, Tess seems overshadowed by the unsympathetic but more fully developed Lady Duff Gordon and, to a lesser extent, the crusading Pinky Wade. There is excessive reliance on coincidence and characters turning up unexpectedly. These quibbles notwithstanding, The Dressmaker engages the reader's interest immediately as the ship goes down and holds that interest as it imagines how the tragedy affected the lives of those who experienced it.
Obviously, The Dressmaker is based on extensive research. An "Author's Note" at the end offers information as to which of the survivors were derived from actual persons, but this reader would have welcomed more extensive information (for example, that Lady Duff Gordon really was the sister of racy novelist Elinor Glyn).
Recommended.
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LibraryThing member Electablue
I loved the premise of this book and highly enjoyed the first part. The description of the Titanic, the people and their clothes was fascinating to read. Once they were rescued, however, I thought the book dragged on far too long and the romance element made it seem like an entirely different book.
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Overall, I think it was worth reading, but it could have been so much better. Show Less
Language
Original publication date
2012-02-21
ISBN
9781611733518
Other editions
The dressmaker : a novel by Kate Alcott (Paper Book)