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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
All stars
Most relevant
Enjoyed every second
It is a great story with wonderful narration and characters. I hope it becomes an Australian classic

Fabulous

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Far better than the film the original novel combines humour with bitter insights on this Small town thinking. Excellent narration by actor Rachael Griffiths. And intelligent and skilful writing by Rosalie Ham is a sheer joy to listen to.

Bitter sweet drama

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This is a beautifully written novel. It is an excellent example of descriptive writing that places you right in amongst the characters and the surroundings of rural Australia. It is a slow crescendo type of novel with horrible characters receiving a fulfilling come uppence at the end.

Dunked right into rural Australiana

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I love the story and Rachel Griffiths' telling of it. Her rendition of the characters is wondrous! She brought the story to life! Enjoy.

A great yarn...

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Like watching a movie. Engaging. Clever. Brilliant. Moving. Loved it. Not to miss. Can't wait to see who plays who in the film.

Modern Australian Masterpiece

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