The Dressmaker by Elizabeth Birkelund Oberbeck

Wednesday, 1:00 pm, December 2nd, 2009

This week as I am beginning my Christmas shopping, I am much lamenting moving into London from Kent. This time of year and especially during these miserable wet weekends would have been the perfect time to head to Whitstable a quaint seaside town in Kent. Whitstable has an immense ability to cheer me up and is perfect to shop for stocking fillers. Thankfully I have great friends that live nearby which means I can head back.

One of the places that I always head to on my visits is Harbour Books, which is one of those book shops worth rummaging through. Bargains are plentiful and for a small shop it ranges a fantastic selection of books – for me at least. So in quiet celebration of ‘Knitstable’ here is a great book I plucked from between the shelves which you will all love.

The Dressmaker, is Claude Reynaud, who lives in a quiet French village hidden away within his cluttered tailor shop by the old apple tree. There, he creates couture gowns that have made him famous to the Parisian elite. However he likes his quiet, undisturbed life where he can keep his talents nurtured but without the scrutiny of the fast pace lifestyle that comes with being a Paris designer. In his shop he can still mend the local folks buttons like his father used to, and spend time with his nieces and nephews without the busy rush of city living that he shies away from.

This is all about to change on one Spring afternoon, with the arrival of Valentine de Verlay who visits his small shop to commission her wedding dress. Valentine stirs the tailors heart and he begins to create a masterpiece for the woman he loves. Of course, the only problem is that Valentines heart belongs to someone else, or does it?

Claude and Valentine are about to collide with each other spectacularly against a wonderful setting of haute couture and old world French style. Claude’s talent is suddenly his ticket to a world that he choose never to navigate until he met Valentine. The result is an irresistible read that takes you into the glittering world of Fashion. Can Claude capture the heart and keep it, of the enigma Valentine? All will be revealed.
This is Elizabeth Birkelund Oberbeck’s debut novel and it is an effortless read. The story slowly unravels until you are immersed into the characters lives and exploits. The descriptions and back drop of Paris and its suburbs are lovable. This is a charming read which is perfect for any fashionista’s stocking. – Lauren