THE GOWN by Jennifer Robson
BOOK CLUB CHOICE, March 2021
Reviewed by: Darlene Leaver
Jennifer Robson, Toronto author has written six historical, fiction novels set during and after the two world wars. The Gown has been set in 1947 London, England and 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This captivating story revolves around two women who worked as embroiderers for Norman Hartnell, famous designer of clothing for the Royal family and other wealthy patrons of the day. You can guess by the title this novel is about the making of Princess Elizabeth’s wedding dress for her marriage to Lieutenant Phillip Mountbatten.
The members of the book club were honored to have Jennifer Robson join the March meeting where she shared through a media presentation her journey in searching for information about the women who worked at Hartnell’s and in particular who did embroider the motifs on the gown and how decisions were made about fabrics purchased for the dress and train. Jennifer went to London and even after visits to the old Hartnell building as well as to current exhibits to view gowns worn by the Royal family she discovered there was scant mention or photos of the women who made the gown. Jennifer finally scored when she got to meet one of the seamstresses who worked on the gown. The interview with Betty Foster provided a great deal of missing information about the women and their work with Mr. Hartnell and with members of the Royal family. As well Jennifer Robson spent a long day learning to embroider. In order to write her novel she wanted to understand the stamina needed for concentration and for the precision required to make each individual motif that adorned the gown.
Betty Foster, one of the four seamstresses who worked on the gown. Photo supplied by Jennifer Robson.
Why embroidery? Two of the characters in the novel, Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, friends and trusted embroiderers were the senior workers devoted to the making of the gown. They were charged with making the samples that went to the Queen and Princess Elizabeth for approval. A third main character Heather Mackenzie lives in Toronto 2016 and is the granddaughter of Ann Hughes. Heather inherited upon her grandmother’s death a box containing beautiful, hand stitched flowers and a photograph of Ann and her friend Miriam. Heather is determined to find out why her grandmother never told anyone in the family about her life in England. How best to seek out these answers? Heather goes to London.
Jennifer Robson writes fiction drama which is historically informative and entertaining. As a reader you will have no problem keeping track of who is who. This novel is cleverly structured so that each full chapter is focused on one of the main characters which describes their job, their challenges, their friends and associates. Ann, a working class English girl and Miriam, a Holocaust survivor from Paris become trusted friends. Heather connects the three main characters in her search for information and successfully manages to meet Miriam Dassin and her family. The pieces of the puzzle are coming together. A good story holds secrets and Heather manages to tie up loose ends. You the reader can decide if Ann, Miriam and Heather find happiness.
The Gown and Train on display at Buckingham Palace in October, 2016. Photo supplied by Jennifer Robson.
Very few photos exist of the actual gown. That is why as you read this novel you can return often to the book cover which shows a view of Princess Elizabeth wearing the gown. Look carefully and you can see the beautiful, intricate motifs on the dress and train. Members of the Probus Book Club certainly recommend The Gown and any other of the novels written by Jennifer Robson would be worth a read.
Probus Club of Kingsway-Islington 