Susan's Review of The Gown by Jennifer Robson

The Gown
London, 1947

Though the war ended two years ago, England’s recovery has been difficult. But the nation’s spirits are lifted when Buckingham Palace announces the engagement of Princess Elizabeth to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten. For Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, colleagues at the famed Mayfair fashion house of Norman Hartnell, the upcoming wedding is more than a celebration. The talented embroiderers have been chosen to create the beautiful, intricate stitching that will adorn the royal bride’s wedding gown. It is an extraordinary opportunity for an ordinary working-class English girl and a French émigrée who survived the Nazis.

Toronto, 2016

Intrigued by the exquisite set of hand-stitched flowers she has inherited from her late grandmother, Heather Mackenzie discovers the embroideries match the motifs decorating Queen Elizabeth II’s stunning gown from her wedding almost seventy years before. Among her grandmother’s possessions, she also finds an old photo of Nan with Miriam Dassin, a celebrated artist and Holocaust survivor. How did her beloved Nan, a woman who never spoke of her old life in Britain, come to possess these embroidered treasures? What was her connection to Miriam Dassin, and why did Nan never mention her? Yearning to know more about her grandmother’s past and the mystery of the embroideries, Heather travels to London. It is a journey that will unlock the secrets of Nan’s life, including her connection to Miriam, and may even lead Heather to her own destiny.

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip married 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey

Jennifer Robson has written a heartfelt story of two women who created the handstitched elaborate embroidery pieces which adorned Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown and veil. I loved that the author chose to tell the story from the embroiderer’s perspective. In my opinion, this decision made a great story an excellent read because I could relate to the characters and their journeys.

The Gown has a dual storyline. Miriam and Ann’s story begins during the bone chilling winter of 1947. Heather MacKenzie is Ann’s grand daughter and her piece is set in 2016, shortly after Ann’s death. Heather finds several pieces of embroidery work in her grandmother’s things. Heather’s journey shines new light on Ann’s life and her relationship with the now famous artist, Miriam.

Ann Hughes is lucky. She has a position as an embroiderer at Hartnells, the Queen’s favorite dress designer, and shares a house with her widowed sister-in-law Milly. Ann and Milly shared a special bond and they supported each other through the dark days of the war. Ration coupons for food and clothes were a way of life for these women. They couldn’t buy a new pair of winter boots-they had to wait for a swap meeting. Dinners were simple and tea bags were reused due to the food shortages.

Miriam Dassin is my favorite character in the story. A Holocaust survivor, she is determined to work in a fashion house in London. She lands a position at Hartnells where she meets Ann. Miriam and Ann are chosen to embroider the intricate bead work on Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown and veil. The reader learns of the hardships and constant fear Miriam endured during the war through her conversations with Ann and Walter Kaczmarek. Ann encourages Miriam to tell her story and provides her with material so Miriam can embroider her memories. This simple gesture of kindness enables Miriam to record her life.

Princess Elizabeth’s wedding was the first royal event after the war. The wedding gave the English people something positive to focus on after years of shortages, rations and a poor economy. The bridal gown and its detailed embroidery work were kept secret which added to the anticipation of the wedding. Loved that the author included details of the dress; the silk, the tulle, the pearls and the beading as it added to the feel of the story.

The Gown is a story of friendship, the importance of friendship. Ann’s friends share clothes, shoes, and stockings with her when she has a date. Walter offers Miriam friendship and love as he listens to her story. Woman supported each other during the difficult years before and after the war. Heather’s journey enables her to better understand her grandmother and provides her with love and hope for the future.

Jennifer Robson has provided the reader with a behind the scenes look at Princess Elizabeth’s wedding. This story of friendship, love and hope has all the feels; it is rich in detail, has endearing characters and has an amazing, emotional storyline. I can’t wait to read the author’s next book.

If you are a fan of The Crown or Downton Abbey—this is the book for you.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman
Book purchased through amazon
Photos by Getty images and Susan Gorman

An academic by background, a former editor by profession, and a lifelong history nerd, I am lucky enough to now call myself a full-time writer. I’m the author of five novels set during and after the two world wars: Somewhere in France, After the War is Over, Moonlight Over Paris, Goodnight from London, and most recently The Gown: A Novel of the Royal Wedding. I was also a contributor to the acclaimed anthology Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War.

I studied French literature and Modern History as an undergraduate at King’s University College at Western University, then attended Saint Antony’s College at the University of Oxford, where I obtained my doctorate in British economic and social history. While at Oxford I was a Commonwealth Scholar and SSHRC Doctoral Fellow.

For a number of years I worked as an editor but am now fortunate enough to consider myself a full-time writer. I live in Toronto, Canada, with my husband and children, and share my home office with Ellie the sheepdog and her feline companions Sam and Mika.