Preview
  • The Gown

  • A Novel of the Royal Wedding
  • By: Jennifer Robson
  • Narrated by: Marisa Calin
  • Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,889 ratings)

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The Gown

By: Jennifer Robson
Narrated by: Marisa Calin
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Publisher's summary

From the internationally best-selling author of Somewhere in France comes an enthralling historical novel about one of the most famous wedding dresses of the 20th 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 70 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 listeners to three unforgettable heroines, their points of view alternating and intersecting throughout, whose lives are woven together by the pain of survival, the bonds of friendship, and the redemptive power of love.

©2018 Jennifer Robson (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers
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What listeners say about The Gown

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Stitches from the Heart

This book was chosen by my book club to read. If you have ever sewn, quilted or embroidered you will love this history and story this books tells.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Beautifully written tale of friendship

It’s not just another WWII book. It really is about an unexpected friendship in post war London. The wedding gown is secondary. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Couldn’t stop listening!

I rarely listen to fiction but had heard so much about this book I decided to give it a try, it took a few chapters to hook me but I’m so glad I continued listening as I was totally captivated after awhile and was sad when it ended

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Thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thoroughly enjoyed it! Well worth the listen. I recommend it. Loved the story and the characters.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great story

I loved this book from beginning to end! I strongly recommend. This is one of my favorite reads in the last year.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Perfect!

Amazing book. Heart warming story. I find myself emotional and crying a few times a long the story. Totally recommend.

Patricia Berrier

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Good read

I enjoyed the historical pieces and the relationships. The narrator was very good as well.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A great story

I hesitated about selecting this book. However, this is not a story about a gown. Rather it’s a story about friends. I truly enjoyed it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Lovely story.

I am a sucker for any story set in WWII Britain, and this story didn’t disappoint. Marisa does a great job on all the accents (English, French & Canadian). My only complaint is that women narrators don’t usually do men’s voices very well, and I wish the publishers would pay for male voices. But overall an excellent story and production!

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Exceptional

a lovely story. throughly enjoyed and would recommend to anyone interested in the royal family, endearing friendships and love

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