
The Funeral Dress
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Tavia Gilbert
About this listen
A deeply touching Southern story filled with struggle and hope. Emmalee Bullard and her new baby are on their own. Or so she thinks, until Leona Lane, the older seamstress who sat by her side at the local shirt factory where both women worked as collar makers, insists Emmalee come and live with her. Just as Emmalee prepares to escape her hardscrabble life in Red Chert holler, Leona dies tragically. Grief-stricken, Emmalee decides she'll make Leona's burying dress, but there are plenty of people who don't think the unmarried Emmalee should design a dress for a Christian woman - or care for a child on her own. But with every stitch, Emmalee struggles to do what is right for her daughter and to honor Leona the best way she can, finding unlikely support among an indomitable group of seamstresses and the town's funeral director.
In a moving tale exploring Southern spirit and camaraderie among working women, a young mother will compel a town to become a community.
©2013 Susan Gregg Gilmore (P)2014 Audible Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
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What listeners say about The Funeral Dress
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- Kateli
- 08-07-18
Touches the Heart
Although the circumstances in this novel are grim at times, there are characters to cheer for. Hope drives this novel — as does quality character development.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Dana Darby
- 08-04-20
Loved it!
Loved it! I can't get the characters out of my head I need more 🤗🤗
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1 person found this helpful
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- Lisa
- 01-29-17
finally
a coming of age girl story where am oppressed girl of even current times can hold her own. Bravo!
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3 people found this helpful
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- cWallin
- 04-17-25
Authentic
This story rings true in depicting the lifestyles, troubles and traditions of small mountain communities where the factory, the church and the funeral director hold sway. The performance is excellent. The characters are well developed.
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- Joyous
- 06-11-23
Excellent Narrator
Simple heart story. Stand up and do honorable work despite thought stuff in your up bringing .
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- Lydia Murray
- 06-21-24
Emma Lee’s tenacity
Loved this story mostly because it attests to the belief that no matter what your upbringing you have choices to better your life and the future. I especially liked the show of support for the main character by unsuspecting others. The darling baby was the icing on the cake!
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- Susan Powell
- 11-14-23
Sweet, touching, and satisfying
Great performance by the reader. A poignant southern story with a look inside the lives and motivations of the women in a small town.
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- Brenda Nakdimen
- 07-24-24
A Tale of Community Hope
What a delightful story! This story takes beautiful twists and turns as it weaves a tale of healing and compassion as a community opens its arms to heal the past hurts of one of its newest young mothers. Lovely to listen to.
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- Lori J. Kirby
- 09-17-22
wonderful story
The characters were wonderful and relatable. I hated when the book ended. I have listened to other books from those narrator - she does a great job!
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- Ava
- 01-22-23
must read
I loved every word. It was so well written. I had read the book and it was good, but I enjoyed the audible version even more.
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