The Dressmaker

FrominternationalbestsellingauthorPosieGraeme-Evanscomesthepassionatetaleofawomanaheadofhertime.EllenGowanistheonlysurvivingchildofascholarlyvillageministerandacharminggirldisownedbyherfamilywhenshemarriedforlove.GrowingupinruralNorfolk,Ellen’schildhoodwaspoorbutblessedwithaffection.Resilience,spirit,andonegreattalentwillcarryherfarfromsuchhumblebeginnings.Intime,shewillbecomethewitty,celebrated,andverybeautifulMadameEllen,dressmakertothenobilityofEngland,theGreatSixHundred.YetEllenhassecrets.AtfifteenshefallsforRaouldeValentin,thedangerousdescendantofFrencharistocrats.RaoulmarriesEllenforherbrillianceasadesignerbutabandonshiswifewhenshebecomespregnant.Determinedthatsheandherdaughterwillsurvive,Ellenbeginsherlongclimbtosuccess.Toilingfirstinaclothingsweatshop,shelateropensherownsaloninfashionableBerkeleySquarethoughshetellstheworld–andherdaughter-she’sawidow.Onesingledress,aballgowncreatedfortheenigmaticCountessofHawksmoor,theleaderofLondonsociety,transformsEllen’sfortunes,andastheyearspass,businessthrives.ButthenRaouldeValentinreturnsandthreatenstodestroyallthatEllenhasachieved.InTheDressmaker,theromanceofJaneAusten,thesocialcommentaryofCharlesDickensandtheverycontemporaryvoiceofPosieGraeme-Evanscombinetoplungethereaderdeepintotheopulent,sinisterworldofteemingVictorianEngland.AndifthebeautifulMadameEllenisnotquitewhatsheseems,thestrengthofherwillseesherthroughtothetruth,andlove,atlast.