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The Gown: A Novel of the Royal Wedding Paperback – December 31, 2018

by Jennifer Robson (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 8,698 ratings
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USA Today Bestseller!

A Real Simple Best Historical Fiction novels of the year!

“The Gown is marvelous and moving, a vivid portrait of female self-reliance in a world racked by the cost of war.”--Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network

From the internationally bestselling author of Somewhere in France comes an enthralling historical novel about one of the most famous wedding dresses of the twentieth century—Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gown—and the fascinating women who made it.

“Millions will welcome this joyous event as a flash of color on the long road we have to travel.”

—Sir Winston Churchill on the news of Princess Elizabeth’s forthcoming wedding

London, 1947: Besieged by the harshest winter in living memory, burdened by onerous shortages and rationing, the people of postwar Britain are enduring lives of quiet desperation despite their nation’s recent victory. Among them are Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, embroiderers at the famed Mayfair fashion house of Norman Hartnell. Together they forge an unlikely friendship, but their nascent hopes for a brighter future are tested when they are chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime honor: taking part in the creation of Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown.

Toronto, 2016: More than half a century later, Heather Mackenzie seeks to unravel the mystery of a set of embroidered flowers, a legacy from her late grandmother. How did her beloved Nan, a woman who never spoke of her old life in Britain, come to possess the priceless embroideries that so closely resemble the motifs on the stunning gown worn by Queen Elizabeth II at her wedding almost seventy years before? And what was her Nan’s connection to the celebrated textile artist and holocaust survivor Miriam Dassin?  

With The Gown, Jennifer Robson takes us inside the workrooms where one of the most famous wedding gowns in history was created. Balancing behind-the-scenes details with a sweeping portrait of a society left reeling by the calamitous costs of victory, she introduces readers to three unforgettable heroines, their points of view alternating and intersecting throughout its pages, whose lives are woven together by the pain of survival, the bonds of friendship, and the redemptive power of love.

 "For fans of “The Crown,” looking for history served up as intimate drama, and those seeking another angle on royal lives, “The Gown” seems likely to dazzle and delight." – The Washington Post

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    400 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    William Morrow Paperbacks
  4. Publication date
    December 31, 2018
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0062674951
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0062674951
  8. See all details
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  1. Worrying about what would become of her work once it was finished was a waste of time, she told herself. The act of creation was what mattered.
    Highlighted by 535 Kindle readers
  2. Someone, once, had thought her lovely. Not pretty, but lovely, which had seemed somehow better. Deeper and truer, a compliment born of honesty rather than obligation.
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  3. Things were done a certain way at Hartnell, which is to say they were done to the highest conceivable standard, and anything less than perfection was unacceptable.
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From the Publisher

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Coronation Year The Gown Goodnight from London Our Darkest Night Somewhere in France
Coronation Year The Gown Goodnight from London Our Darkest Night Somewhere in France
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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4.5 out of 5 stars
8,698
4.5 out of 5 stars
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A treat.” — People

“For fans of “The Crown,” looking for history served up as intimate drama, and those seeking another angle on royal lives, “The Gown” seems likely to dazzle and delight. — Washington Post

“Jennifer Robson embroiders life, friendship, and hope into the somber gray world of post-war London... The Gown is marvelous and moving, a vivid portrait of female self-reliance in a world racked by the cost of war.” — Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network

“...one of the most fun books you’ll read this year.” — Women’s Day

“In The Gown, Jennifer Robson illuminates with her signature meticulous historical detail and sure voice the story behind Queen Elizabeth’s wedding dress... an unforgettable story of friendship, hardship and hope.  Robson has managed to craft a story that is personal and universal, timely and timeless. The Gown soars!” — Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Orphan’s Tale

“A moving story about the power of female friendship and renewal in the face of adversity.  Like the good luck sprig of heather hidden amid the embroidery on Princess Elizabeth’s wedding dress, this story promises secrets and lives that bloom in unlikely ways.  Perfect for fans of The Crown!” — Lauren Willig, author of The English Wife

“Embroidering a magical moment in royal history, Robson tells a heartrending story of friendship, loss, love, and redemption.” — Leslie Carroll, author of American Princess: The Love Story of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

“A story of friendship, family bonds, and courage, The Gown is the ideal read for fans of historical fiction and royal watchers alike!”
— Brenda Janowitz, author of The Dinner Party

“Told through the eyes of three compelling women, The Gown is a heartwarming story of friendship, resilience, and the power of heirlooms to connect people through generations, sometimes in the most unexpected ways.”
— Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of The Edge of Lost and Sold on a Monday

Jennifer Robson delivers a satisfying multigenerational epic linked by the intricate embroidery used on Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown. Robson’s meticulous attention to historical details—notably the intricacies of the embroidery work—is a wonderful complement to the memorable stories of Ann and Milly, making for a winning, heartwarming tale.   — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Robson deftly weaves issues of class, trauma, romance, and female friendship with satisfying details of Ann and Miriam’s craft. This unique take on the royal wedding will be an easy sell to fans of Netflix’s The Crown and a sure bet for readers of women-centered historical fiction.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Robson vividly brings to life these three women’s struggles. Historical details about fabric, embroidery, and the royal family are well incorporated into their stories, with light romance rounding out this charming work of historical fiction.”   — Library Journal

“Robson’s novel shifts deftly between... Toronto to London in 2016... giving meticulous attention to the historical detail of post–World War II London. A fascinating glimpse into the world of design, the healing power of art, and the importance of women’s friendships.”
— Kirkus Reviews

“A celebration of strength, resilience, and friendship, The Gown transports readers as Robson offers a richly detailed and meticulously researched glimpse of daily life in post-war Britain. An enchanting must-read for historical fiction fans!” — Chanel Cleeton, author of Next Year in Havana

“Jennifer Robson’s novel is a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Elizabeth’s gorgeous wedding gown and its talented embroiderers. It tells of three generations of women overcoming adversity, and honors the strengthening power of friendship and art. It’s a charming and romantic novel with style and substance.” — Christian Science Monitor

From the Back Cover

London, 1947

Though the war ended two years ago, England’s recovery has been difficult. But the nation’s spirits are lifted when Princess Elizabeth’s engagement is announced. For Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, the upcoming wedding is more than a celebration. The talented embroiderers have been chosen to create the intricate stitching that will adorn the bride’s gown. It’s an extraordinary opportunity for a working-class English girl and a French émigrée who survived the Nazis.

Toronto, 2016

Intrigued by the exquisite set of embroidered flowers she inherited from her late grandmother, Heather Mackenzie discovers they match Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gown. She also finds an old photo of Nan with Miriam Dassin, a celebrated artist. How did her beloved Nan come to possess these treasures and what was her connection to Miriam Dassin? Yearning to know more about her grandmother’s past, Heather travels to London for a journey that will unlock the secrets of Nan’s life and, perhaps, lead her to her own destiny.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow Paperbacks (December 31, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062674951
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062674951
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 8,698 ratings

About the author

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Jennifer Robson

Jennifer Robson

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An academic by background, a former editor by profession, and a lifelong history nerd, I’m the author of seven novels set during and after the two world wars: Somewhere in France, After the War is Over, Moonlight Over Paris, Goodnight from London, The Gown, Our Darkest Night, and Coronation Year. I was also a contributor to the acclaimed anthology Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War.

I live in Toronto, Canada, with my husband and children, and share my home office with Bonnie the sheepdog and her feline companions Mika, Rachel and Obi.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
8,698 global ratings
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5 Stars
Fabulous!
You had me at the premise of this book. A wedding gown, post-WE2, and royals ... what’s not to love? The story of the making of Princess (now Queen) Elizabeth’s and the women involved in its creation just grabbed me. And I was not disappointed at all. Ann, Miriam, and Heather’s intricate stories were as finely wrought as the embroidery on QE’s wedding gown. Rich, well developed characters, interesting story line, and fantastic, detailed writing sucked me right in from start to finish. This book had it all!
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Top reviews from the United States

Aunt of Eight
5.0 out of 5 stars A famous event from a different perspective
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2024
Verified Purchase
I loved this book! Very well constructed story, about the making of QE2’s wedding gown from the perspective of those workers who made it. Very engaging characters. I will look for more books by this author.
2 people found this helpful
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Friend of History
4.0 out of 5 stars Window into an Unknown World
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2022
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A fabulous plot and memorable characters. Robson immerses the reader in post-World War II England -- a period of rationing and dire shortages, a time when those who had lost family and innocence struggled to find new meaning. The main characters are young women in their 20s, Anne Hughes (English) and Miriam Dassin (French), top embroiderers for the Queen's favorite clothier, Norman Hartnell. Anne has lost both parents and her brother in the war. Miriam is Jewish, lost her family, and has survived Ravensbruck. Their friendship is cemented through their work on "the gown." When the Royal Wedding is announced, Hughes and Dassin have their work cut out for them. I learned more than I ever thought I'd want to know about embroidery, custom work, and the royals, but all is very well done, and the gown is more of an excuse to explore the recovery of human bonds, the dignity of work, and the resilience of the human spirit. The book also involves a third woman in her twenties: Anne's granddaughter, Heather, who goes to England in 2016 to find out what she can about her grandmother, who emigrated to Canada in 1948 and revealed nothing about her British past. This is perhaps the least plausible part of the book (and the reason for four stars instead of five). Heather's family's cluelessness is very puzzling. Her mother never seems to have asked her own mother (Anne) what her maiden name was, or anything at all about her pre-Canada life. Heather manages to uncover it all by fortuitously tracking down Miriam Dassin. But don't let this quibble dissuade you. A wonderful novel. I'd give it 4.5 if I could.
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John
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2024
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Great story. Easy read and informative.
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5.0 out of 5 stars LOVED The Gown
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2023
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Although I read the synopsis, I thought the story would include more about the royal wedding. There wasn't a lot of that, which was fine with me because I did so enjoy that the majority of the story focused on the lives of the women involved in creating the Princess's gown. I'm just a little confused why the cover of the book says it's a story of the royal wedding - a tad misleading. If you are hoping the book spends a lot of time covering the royal wedding itself, you may be disappointed.
I found all the main characters delightful - Miriam, Ann, Heather, Walter, Miss Duley, and so many of the minor characters as well. They were people I would like to know personally. The story flowed smoothly throughout. I was hooked from page 1 and that lasted right through the last page, when I was sorry to bid them all adieu (for Miriam).
What started out a book I thought I would like - turned into a book I loved. I'm sorry we never got to learn what happened to Milly - not sure why that information was omitted. If you blinked, you'd almost have missed that she was there at all.
Thank you, Miss Robson, for such a spectacular story. To say the story was satisfying is a complete understatement. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was sorry to see it end. It was the kind of book I especially love - where, when I close the book on the last page, I just hold it in my hands and sigh.
4 people found this helpful
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Marion Marchetto, author
5.0 out of 5 stars A Star in the Sea of Austerity
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2019
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In The Gown we are treated to a unique perspective of post-World War II (1947) England through the eyes of two young women. Ann Hughes is the chief embroiderer in the fashion house of Hartnell, a designer most often called upon to furnish gowns and dresses for Britain’s Royal Family. When news reaches the workroom of Princess Elizabeth’s engagement, everyone on staff is in a state of high anticipation as they wait to see if Mr. Hartnell’s design will be the one chosen for the royal wedding gown. In fact, it was Ann who was called upon to create samples for the Queen Mum and the young princess.

Working alongside Ann is Miriam Dassin, a refugee from France. Miriam has experienced first hand the atrocities of war: losing her family, working in the Resistance, and ultimately being confined to a death camp before Liberation. She has gathered her meager belongings and set her sights on London as the place to make a fresh start. Miriam has experience as an embroiderer in the Maison Bebe and a handful of important references. Norman Hartnell hires her on the spot.

As they work together Ann and Miriam become friends and when Ann’s sister-in-law moves to Canada, Ann invites Miriam to move into her house and share expenses. Over the course of a year, their friendship grows. Fast forward to 2016 and Heather McKenzie is in Toronto mourning the death of her grandmother, Ann Hughes, and is delighted to receive a box marked For Heather that was left to her. Inside she finds samples of intricate embroidery that lead her on a journey of discovery – back to London.

Seems that Heather’s grandmother never spoke a word of her past before moving to Toronto. What she uncovers both amazes and thrills her even as it opens up a new path for her life.

Post war Britain suffered greatly; food and petrol shortages being among the worst as Britain went about the task of rebuilding not only her physical structures but the structures of people’s lives. With the entire country under an austerity program, the nuptials of Princess Elizabeth became a beacon of hope for the war-weary Brits. But with an austerity program in place, how could the cost of a royal wedding gown be condoned? Resourceful Brits didn’t mind in the least.

But this story is about so much more than the Royal Wedding. It is a story of grit and determination of the young women who were left without family or spouses after the war. It is the story of hard work and self-reliant women who found a way to move forward. It’s also the story of unscrupulous people who would do anything to earn a few extra dollars.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Gown for several reasons, not the least being my fondness for anything that centers around the British Royal Family. We are accustomed to seeing what the media shows us and it is normally from only one point of view. But getting a glimpse of the Royals from the vantage point of an embroiderer is totally unique. The setting of post-war Britain is one of my favorite time periods and it shows the resilience of her people. The characters of Ann and Miriam are strong women who have their moments of self-doubt and that makes them wonderfully human. The granddaughter too is quite likable and it’s easy to see that she has inherited some of her grandmother’s traits.

Fans of the Royal Family and of historical fiction/romance are sure to enjoy this one as will those who enjoy family sagas.
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beatriz garcia damasceno
5.0 out of 5 stars Legal!
Reviewed in Brazil on April 18, 2024
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 Parece bom o livro, ainda não li
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beatriz garcia damasceno
5.0 out of 5 stars Legal!
Reviewed in Brazil on April 18, 2024
Parece bom o livro, ainda não li
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Kelly spencer
5.0 out of 5 stars Book Review
Reviewed in Canada on October 16, 2023
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This was a very well written book. The characters were well-developed and the story was excellent. I couldn’t put it down!
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Lucy-Bookworm
5.0 out of 5 stars Very well researched fiction-based-on-fact
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2020
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The story is a dual-timeline format, set in 1947 and present day.
In 1947 London we meet Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, embroiderers working for the famous fashion designer/couturier Norman Hartnell. Their expertise leads to them working on the wedding dress for Princess Elizabeth.
In the present day Canada, we meet Heather Mackenzie who has been left some exquisite embroidered flowers by her grandmother who recently died. There is nothing to indicate what the embroidery is, but the fact that her beloved Nan left them to her in a box marked “for Heather” leads journalist Heather to try to find out more about her Nan’s childhood/youth in London. When Heather reaches London, she begins to unravel the story of Ann and Miriam and discovers that the embroidered flowers match the designs on Princess Elizabeth wedding dress.
This book is ultimately about friendship, loyalty and the hope that the war-torn country was feeling at the forthcoming marriage of their future queen. There are brief mentions of the Holocaust & rape but these are part of the storyline & appropriately done.
There is strong evidence of detailed historical research which always gives a fiction-based-on-fact book more credibility. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it for any lovers of historical fiction, royal stories or stories about ordinary women and their daily life.
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Debbie
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read
Reviewed in Australia on August 20, 2019
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This is a wonderful read, you feel as though you are right there with them. You will feel their emotions, their heartache in past memories. You will feel their apprehension in awaiting to meet the queen.

I found it difficult in the beginning jumping from era to era but I soon got used to it.

This book once started it’s hard to put down, even when I had to do other things I found myself thinking about the book.

It made me look up the QEII wedding dress so I could imagine it being made.

I shall definitely be reading other books by this author.
Thank you for a wonderful read.
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Michael Ernest Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars A comfortable read well researched
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2023
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