- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: 5 Spot; Original edition (February 10, 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 044655572X
- ISBN-13: 978-0446555722
Summary:
Dora has always taken the path of least resistance. She went to the college that offered her a scholarship, is majoring in "vagueness studies," and wears whatever shows the least dirt. She falls into a job at the college coffee shop, and a crush on her flirty boss, Gary.
Dora has always taken the path of least resistance. She went to the college that offered her a scholarship, is majoring in "vagueness studies," and wears whatever shows the least dirt. She falls into a job at the college coffee shop, and a crush on her flirty boss, Gary. Dora has always taken the path of least resistance. She went to the college that offered her a scholarship, is majoring in "vagueness studies," and wears whatever shows the least dirt. She falls into a job at the college coffee shop, and a crush on her flirty boss, Gary.
Just when she's about to test Gary's feelings, Mimi, the grandmother who raised her, suffers a stroke. Dora rushes back home to Forsyth, NC, and finds herself running her grandmother's vintage clothing store. The store has always been a fixture in Dora's life; though she grew up more of a jeans-and-sweatshirt kind of girl, before she even knew how to write, Mimi taught her that a vintage 1920s dress could lift a woman's spirit.
While working there, Dora befriends Mimi's adorable contractor, Conrad. Is he after Dora, or is working from a different blueprint? And why did Mimi start writing down--and giving away--stories of the dresses in her shop?
When Mimi dies, Dora can't get out of town fast enough and cedes control of the store to her money-hungry aunt who wants to turn it into a t-shirt shop for tourists. But ultimately, she returns to Forsyth, willing to battle whatever may stand in the way of her staying there. Dora can trade her boring clothes for vintage glamour, but can she trade her boring life for one she actually wants?
While working there, Dora befriends Mimi's adorable contractor, Conrad. Is he after Dora, or is working from a different blueprint? And why did Mimi start writing down--and giving away--stories of the dresses in her shop?
When Mimi dies, Dora can't get out of town fast enough and cedes control of the store to her money-hungry aunt who wants to turn it into a t-shirt shop for tourists. But ultimately, she returns to Forsyth, willing to battle whatever may stand in the way of her staying there. Dora can trade her boring clothes for vintage glamour, but can she trade her boring life for one she actually wants?
My Review:
4.5 stars out of 5
I like the concept of this book. What are the stories behind clothes you find in a vintage dress shop? Who wore them before you, and what was that person's story? Well, this book gives you a glimpse of just this -- through the use of tales written by Dora's grandmother Mimi. This novel follows Dora on her discovery of herself.
This was an easy and quick read, and flowed beautifully. I loved the characters McKean included in this book, and they helped add a sense of quirkiness and fun to the story, even during times of sadness. McKean did a wonderful job in sharing the history of dresses through the use of Mimi's tales. I just wished there were more of them, as this was my favorite part of the book. I have always wondered who owned items I have seen and purchased in consignment and vintage shops -- and, now I know.
If you are looking for a good book to read, I highly suggest The Secret Lives of Dresses by Erin McKean. Who doesn't like a book that follows a character on their journey of self-discovery?
This was an easy and quick read, and flowed beautifully. I loved the characters McKean included in this book, and they helped add a sense of quirkiness and fun to the story, even during times of sadness. McKean did a wonderful job in sharing the history of dresses through the use of Mimi's tales. I just wished there were more of them, as this was my favorite part of the book. I have always wondered who owned items I have seen and purchased in consignment and vintage shops -- and, now I know.
If you are looking for a good book to read, I highly suggest The Secret Lives of Dresses by Erin McKean. Who doesn't like a book that follows a character on their journey of self-discovery?
About the Author:
Erin McKean is the founder and CEO of Wordnik.com. Previously, she was the editor in chief for American Dictionaries at Oxford University Press, and the editor of the New Oxford American Dictionary, 2E.
Her books include Weird and Wonderful Words, More Weird and Wonderful Words, Totally Weird and Wonderful Words, and That's Amore (which is also a collection of words). The Secret Lives of Dresses is her first novel, and really, her first book where the words are arranged in something other than alphabetical order.
Erin lives in California south of San Francisco and spends her free time reading, sewing, blogging, roller-skating, and arguing about whether robots or zombies would win in a fight (lasers optional). She loves loud prints, quiet people, long books with happy endings, and McVitie's Milk Chocolate Hobnobs.
Disclosure: I was given a review copy of this book by the Hachette Book group, in order to write an honest review. The views stated above are mine and mine alone.
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