The Dressmaker: A Novel by Kate Alcott

The Dressmaker: A Novel by Kate Alcott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It's now almost 100 years since the Unsinkable Titanic sunk. This book is based on some true rather sad facts of what happened on this doomed cruise.

The story opens with Tess Collins escaping her job, supposed to be a seamstress, but is a more of a general maid. She knows a ship is sailing and hopes to secure any kind of a position to get on and get away from England. There her fateful adventure is about to begin. It's an eye opening world for her as she goes about in First Class on the ship, she meets Jack Bremerton, and he captivates her.

We go through the hitting of the iceberg, and then the realization that the ship is going to sink, and the lacking of life boats. We meet some real people like Molly Brown. I'm sure some of what happens and is reported in the book really did happen.

On the Carpanthia, the Rescue Ship, Tess meets Jim Bonney, a Sailor. They strike up a friendship, that later causes Tess to question her friendships.

We also meet Pinky Wade, a Reporter for the Times, and a strong female character. There are also Tess's employer's, who indeed are real people, Lord and Lady Duff Gordon. There is an investigation into the sinking, lack of binoculars, life boats, why only one of the lifeboats made any attempt to save those dying in the water. Also why one life boat built to hold 60 to 70 people held only 12?

This book is a real page turner, and a look at what happened on the Cruise of the Titanic!



I received this book from the Publisher Knopf Doubleday, and was not required to give a positive review.