The Dressmaker's War by
Mary Chamberlain narrated by, Susan Duerden
Available on Library2Go in Ebook and Audiobook
Soon to be available in house.
Synopsis from
Goodreads:
Spanning the intense
years of war, The Dressmaker's War is a dramatic tale of love, conflict,
betrayal and survival. It is the compelling story of one young woman’s resolve
to endure and of the choices she must make at every turn – choices which will
contain truths she must confront.
London, spring 1939.
Eighteen-year-old Ada Vaughan, a beautiful and ambitious seamstress, has just
started work for a modiste in Dover Street. A career in couture is hers for the
taking – she has the skill and the drive – if only she can break free from the
dreariness of family life in Lambeth.
A chance meeting with
the enigmatic Stanislaus von Lieben catapults Ada into a world of glamour and
romance. When he suggests a trip to Paris, Ada is blind to all the warnings of
war on the continent: this is her chance for a new start.
Anticipation turns to
despair when war is declared and the two are trapped in France. After the Nazis
invade, Stanislaus abandons her. Ada is taken prisoner and forced to survive
the only way she knows how: by being a dressmaker. It is a decision which will
haunt her during the war and its devastating aftermath.
My Review of the
audiobook:
This book hooked me right away and I had a very hard time
putting it down. This was a different war story as the majority of the book is
set after the war is over and it is an English woman who was a prisoner in
Dachau, she was not in the camp she was in the commandant’s house but she was a
prisoner none the less.
Yes, there were times when Ada’s choices made you want to
grab her and shake her but then you think of how young she was when Stanislaus
took her to Paris and then what she went through in Dachau, I’m sure stunted
her growth. Even after all she went through she was still so naïve. But I truly
think she still only wanted someone to love her and that is why she fell for
these men that were definitely not good for her. And you have to remember this
was a different time for women even though this isn’t that long ago women were
still the weaker sex and could still be lied about and to easily by men. And
when you are a young girl just out of captivity with nowhere to go and no one
to turn to you are an easy mark for these slime balls.
Susan Duerden’s narration was as always wonderful and added
to my enjoyment of this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the ending gutted me, I
would definitely read more from this author.
4 ½ Stars
