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The Dressmaker

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The Dressmaker

By: Rosalie Ham
Narrated by: Rachel Griffiths
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About this listen

After 20 years spent mastering the art of dressmaking at couture houses in Paris, Tilly Dunnage returns to the small Australian town she was banished from as a child. She plans only to check on her ailing mother and leave.

But Tilly decides to stay, and though she is still an outcast, her lush, exquisite dresses prove irresistible to the prim women of Dungatar.

Through her fashion business, her friendship with Sergeant Farrat - the town’s only policeman, who harbours an unusual passion for fabrics - and a budding romance with Teddy, the local football star whose family is almost as reviled as hers, she finds a measure of grudging acceptance.

But as her dresses begin to arouse competition and envy in town, causing old resentments to surface, it becomes clear that Tilly’s mind is set on a darker design: exacting revenge on those who wronged her, in the most spectacular fashion.

©2000 Rosalie Ham (P)2015 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Historical Fiction Fiction
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Twists and turns, truths and deception, tragedy, shock and living with a lie. The secrets within the small county town of our past. This story has it all. It was interesting to see the character of the likeable local Police Sergeant woven across the storyline over time and the influence he has on justice. This is the story of how one child copes, returning as an adult to her hometown. She has moved on, having travelled the world and the locals remain the same stalwart whisperers of old.

This was the perfect selection for our Bookclub - it very well written and as I selected an audio version I enjoyed the reading by Rachel Griffiths, who plays well to the character and the cheeky push back of ‘Tilly to the games of the town residents. Unexpected ending - worth the wait.

Unexpectedly drawn to see what Tilly has done

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At first I wasn't sure if I liked Rachel Griffiths sometimes monotonous reading but once I got into it I really immersed myself in her interpretation of dry humour and Aussie frankness, she really suited the script.
The story was both complicated and simplistic in that so much of the book was about ordinary people in a remote place, yet the entwining of past deeds, lies and presumptions created a wonderful tapestry. Never boring and a ending that was a fist class crescendo.

Yes

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Light entertainment, easy to follow and the pictures are painted beautiful so. However the story itself was only do deep and rather predictable. Good for a light Sunday afternoon, not for those after more depth.

light entertainment

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If you could sum up The Dressmaker in three words, what would they be?

Brilliant. Gripping. Graphic.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Dressmaker?

The romance between Tilly and Teddy and how he allowed her to come undone.

Have you listened to any of Rachel Griffiths’s other performances? How does this one compare?

This is my first one. Loved it. The voices painted a perfect picture of rural Australia.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but had to break it up between dropping my son off to daycare and walks.

Brilliant!

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I liked the basic story line in this book and the dark Aussie humour. I was, however, disappointed with the narration and found it hard to follow the array of characters. I was hoping for a really clever ending but no such luck.

Good plot

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What a surprise this book was. So beautifully written. It also captured small town life in rural Australia exceptionally well.
Can't wait for the next book.

Fantastic, not your usual story!

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the setting the characters and the magic and splendor of luxurious dresses brings this little aussie town alive. Tilly weaves her magic and faces her ghosts of the past. she falls in love by accident with a handsome young man who removed all doubts that she was jinxed. a good laugh a good cry revenge and resolve of dark secrets that clouds the characters in this book. the movie captures all of the glamour the emotions described in this book. a must see. absolutely brilliant.

llbook comes alive in the movie with passion

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Would you consider the audio edition of The Dressmaker to be better than the print version?

Never read it

What other book might you compare The Dressmaker to, and why?

None, its my first Rosalie Ham book

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The descriptions were all good i could picture her situation perfectly.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The death of her lover

Any additional comments?

Sad, cruel ending.

Interesting

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I have listened to The Dress Maker three times now and still struggle to put it down. so much better than the movie

one of my favourites

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Even better than the magnificently satisfying feast of the film that it is based on. Delicious.

Superb.

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