The Dressmakers of Yarrandarrah Prison cover art

The Dressmakers of Yarrandarrah Prison

Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Dressmakers of Yarrandarrah Prison

By: Meredith Jaffe
Narrated by: Simone Gescheit
Try Premium Plus free

Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

About this listen

Can a wedding dress save a bunch of hardened crims? The Full Monty meets Orange Is the New Black in a poignantly comic story about a men's prison sewing circle.

"This is a deft and unlikely story in an uncommon setting about an estranged daughter, her jailed father and a very bad idea about a dress. It all makes for a warm, funny union of foes and a lovely encounter with what matters." (Rosalie Ham)

Derek's daughter, Debbie, is getting married. He's desperate to be there, but he's banged up in Yarrandarrah Correctional Centre for embezzling funds from the golf club, and, thanks to his ex-wife, Lorraine, he hasn't spoken to Debbie in years. He wants to make a grand gesture - to show her how much he loves her. But what?

Inspiration strikes while he's embroidering a cushion at his weekly prison sewing circle - he'll make her a wedding dress. His fellow stitchers rally around and soon this motley gang of crims is immersed in a joyous whirl of silks, satins and covered buttons.

But as time runs out and tensions rise both inside and outside the prison, the wedding dress project takes on greater significance. With lives at stake, Derek feels his chance to reconcile with Debbie is slipping through his fingers....

A funny, dark, and moving novel about finding humanity, friendship, and redemption in unexpected places.

"Overflowing with humour and heart. If you like a story about misfits making good, but with the added lustre of silk and satin, then this book is for you." (Natasha Lester)

"This deliciously original, immersive and darkly funny novel is full of hope and heart. A refreshing take on the theme of redemption and second chances from an assured writer." (Joanna Nell)

"Funny and moving." (Sun-Herald)

©2021 Meredith Jaffe (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers
Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Small Town & Rural Heartfelt Funny Inspiring Thought-Provoking
All stars
Most relevant  
I loved this story of friendship, education and empathy. Helped me to understand with curiosity instead of judgment of these prisoners. Highly recommended

Empathy for others

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Lovely listen - overall great characters around a steady storyline with a few twists. Good narrator also 😃 be sure to listen to the authors note at the end

Lovely story with great characters

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Brilliant story, well read, thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book. 5 stars in every category

Loved, Loved, Loved everything about this book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Loved this beautiful character-led story. I was relieved this story wasn’t the usual gritty prison story filled with violence. Instead it’s a story of the power of hope and owning your own behavior, even where addiction had kept Derek in denial of the pain he caused.

So many of the prisoners can’t face the damage they’ve caused but friendship and shared goals help them find the courage to face and move past them.

The power of a good book is to challenge your opinions, especially in areas where you didn’t even know you are carrying prejudices. This book reminded me that all us deserve an opportunity to grow, be loved and to love in return.

Well written, thoughtful story.

I want to know what happens to these characters from here... fingers crossed for a book 2.



Beautiful story of redemption

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

loved every second the characters were well thought out the storyline was fantastic and the performance was perfect well worth the listen

piece of art

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Really enjoyed this book. The narrator made it enjoyable to listen to with the character voices, she made them real. Story line was good too, wanted to keep listening. great thankyou

Great Narrator

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I love the discovery of the characters, their secrets, pasts and desires. This book delivers on this while also providing a refreshing insight to the impact of imprisonment, and of the shared activity and development of bonds on the inmates. A really lovely read!

Refreshing perspective and Captivating

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

From start to finish, Meredith's novel hooked me and the easy narrative kept me wanting more. Descriptions of needlecraft were detailed accurately and of prison life, informative. Congratulations Meredith, can't wait for your next one.

What a thoroughly enjoyable read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I listened to it in three days. Everywhere I went, walking, with the dog at the beach, in bed, cooking dinner. Now can someone make a movie so I can see the dress!

The best book ever!!

The best book ever. Totally addicted

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Great story and wonderfully presented by Simone Gescheit. It had me from the start! The different levels (life inprison and what it means, what it does to the inmates and their families), relationships, addiction, actions and their long lasting consequences...all were covered in this well written and well researched story.
The performance by Simone Gescheit made the different characters come alive. At the end I felt I knew them all! If it were a movie or on tv I would hope for a second season!
I hope to read more by this author and listen to other books performed by Simone Gescheit.

Great insight into prison life and possibilities presenting even there

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.