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The Dress Shop of Dreams
For fans of Alice Hoffman, Sarah Addison Allen, and Adriana Trigiani, The Dress Shop of Dreams is a captivating novel of enduring hopes, second chances, and the life-changing magic of true love.
Since her parents’ mysterious deaths many years ago, scientist Cora Sparks has spent her days in the safety of her university lab or at her grandmother Etta’s dress shop. Tucked away on a winding Cambridge street, Etta’s charming tiny store appears quite ordinary to passersby, but the colorfully vibrant racks of beaded silks, delicate laces, and jewel-toned velvets hold bewitching secrets: With just a few stitches from Etta’s needle, these gorgeous gowns have the power to free a woman’s deepest desires.
Etta’s dearest wish is to work her magic on her granddaughter. Cora’s studious, unromantic eye has overlooked Walt, the shy bookseller who has been in love with her forever. Determined not to allow Cora to miss her chance at happiness, Etta sews a tiny stitch into Walt’s collar, hoping to give him the courage to confess his feelings to Cora. But magic spells—like true love—can go awry. After Walt is spurred into action, Etta realizes she’s set in motion a series of astonishing events that will transform Cora’s life in extraordinary and unexpected ways.
Advance praise for The Dress Shop of Dreams
“Bighearted, beautiful, and brushed with magic, this novel celebrates life’s moments of joy, possibility, and transformation. Menna van Praag’s writing is bright with sparkles and lovely grace notes.”—Susan Wiggs, bestselling author of The Beekeeper’s Ball
Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader’s Circle for author chats and more.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
Since her parents’ mysterious deaths many years ago, scientist Cora Sparks has spent her days in the safety of her university lab or at her grandmother Etta’s dress shop. Tucked away on a winding Cambridge street, Etta’s charming tiny store appears quite ordinary to passersby, but the colorfully vibrant racks of beaded silks, delicate laces, and jewel-toned velvets hold bewitching secrets: With just a few stitches from Etta’s needle, these gorgeous gowns have the power to free a woman’s deepest desires.
Etta’s dearest wish is to work her magic on her granddaughter. Cora’s studious, unromantic eye has overlooked Walt, the shy bookseller who has been in love with her forever. Determined not to allow Cora to miss her chance at happiness, Etta sews a tiny stitch into Walt’s collar, hoping to give him the courage to confess his feelings to Cora. But magic spells—like true love—can go awry. After Walt is spurred into action, Etta realizes she’s set in motion a series of astonishing events that will transform Cora’s life in extraordinary and unexpected ways.
Advance praise for The Dress Shop of Dreams
“Bighearted, beautiful, and brushed with magic, this novel celebrates life’s moments of joy, possibility, and transformation. Menna van Praag’s writing is bright with sparkles and lovely grace notes.”—Susan Wiggs, bestselling author of The Beekeeper’s Ball
Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader’s Circle for author chats and more.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
326 pages, Paperback
First published December 30, 2014
274 people are currently reading
7046 people want to read
About the author
Menna Van Praag
19 books875 followersMenna van Praag was born in Cambridge, England and studied Modern History at Oxford University. Her first novella - an autobiographical tale about a waitress who aspires to be a writer - Men, Money & Chocolate has been translated into 26 languages. Her magical realism novels are all set among the colleges, cafes and bookshops of Cambridge. The House at the End of Hope Street (2014), The Dress Shop of Dreams (2015), The Witches of Cambridge (2016), The Lost Art of Letter Writing (2017) & The Patron Saint of Lost Souls (2018). Her fantasy trilogy, The Sisters Grimm, was published (2020-24) by Transworld (UK) HarperVoyager (US). She's just published her first series of cozy crime novels: The Biscuit Tin Murders. The final book in the series is out January 31st...
Men, Money & Chocolate: 2009 (Hay House UK & US)
Happier Than She's Ever Been: 2011 (Hay House UK)
The House at the End of Hope Street: 2013 (Penguin US)
The Dress Shop of Dreams: 2014 (Random House US)
The Witches of Cambridge: 2015 (Random House US)
The Lost Art of Letter Writing: 2017 (Allison & Busby UK)
The Patron Saint of Lost Souls: 2018 (Allison & Busby UK)
The Sisters Grimm: 2020 (Transworld, UK & HarperVoyager US)
Night of Demons & Saints: 2022 (Transworld, UK & HarperVoyager US)
Child of Earth & Sky: 2023 (Transworld, UK)
The Biscuit Tin Murders: 2024-25 (Amazon).
Men, Money & Chocolate: 2009 (Hay House UK & US)
Happier Than She's Ever Been: 2011 (Hay House UK)
The House at the End of Hope Street: 2013 (Penguin US)
The Dress Shop of Dreams: 2014 (Random House US)
The Witches of Cambridge: 2015 (Random House US)
The Lost Art of Letter Writing: 2017 (Allison & Busby UK)
The Patron Saint of Lost Souls: 2018 (Allison & Busby UK)
The Sisters Grimm: 2020 (Transworld, UK & HarperVoyager US)
Night of Demons & Saints: 2022 (Transworld, UK & HarperVoyager US)
Child of Earth & Sky: 2023 (Transworld, UK)
The Biscuit Tin Murders: 2024-25 (Amazon).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,039 reviews
September 19, 2024
I originally read this back in 2017, but I am now bringing my review to Goodreads.
This story takes place in Cambridge and Oxford.
It is the story of Cora, a scientist who wants to make a difference in the world.
She is the granddaughter of Etta, a dressmaker.
Cora is fairly locked in to her scientific world, while Etta stiches magical dresses and gowns in her shop, A Stich in Time.
On the same block is a bookshop owned and operated by a humble character named Walt. His timid and unrequited love for Cora becomes the core of the story.
Each character has their own dilemmas, all surrounding their feelings about love. Cora shuns ideas of it. Etta holds close memories of the one man who captured her heart and got away. And of course, Walt needs the bravery to share his feelings.
At the same time, Etta’s gowns have a magical way of bringing wisdom and powerful intuition to whomever wears them.
The confidence that is inspired in the women who wear these dresses – will it be enough?
It is wonderful to see how the author allows the characters to evolve as the story progresses.
For those readers who are inspired by the genre of magical realism, this is it at its best. It is a compelling tale that deciphers magical fate and the complexities of love.
Will Walt finally share his feelings and get the love he wants?
Will Cora allow herself to love?
What will Etta find for herself in the present?
And all those women who buy Etta’s dresses… 4.5 stars.
This story takes place in Cambridge and Oxford.
It is the story of Cora, a scientist who wants to make a difference in the world.
She is the granddaughter of Etta, a dressmaker.
Cora is fairly locked in to her scientific world, while Etta stiches magical dresses and gowns in her shop, A Stich in Time.
On the same block is a bookshop owned and operated by a humble character named Walt. His timid and unrequited love for Cora becomes the core of the story.
Each character has their own dilemmas, all surrounding their feelings about love. Cora shuns ideas of it. Etta holds close memories of the one man who captured her heart and got away. And of course, Walt needs the bravery to share his feelings.
At the same time, Etta’s gowns have a magical way of bringing wisdom and powerful intuition to whomever wears them.
The confidence that is inspired in the women who wear these dresses – will it be enough?
It is wonderful to see how the author allows the characters to evolve as the story progresses.
For those readers who are inspired by the genre of magical realism, this is it at its best. It is a compelling tale that deciphers magical fate and the complexities of love.
Will Walt finally share his feelings and get the love he wants?
Will Cora allow herself to love?
What will Etta find for herself in the present?
And all those women who buy Etta’s dresses… 4.5 stars.
July 11, 2018
What a sweet and enchanting love story! Etta runs a very special shop where she sells dresses stitched with a wee bit of magic to help her customers' wishes come true.
One person Etta longs to help is her granddaughter, Cora. Cora's parents died when she was young, and for most of her life, she's hidden herself away doing research as a scientist. She's oblivious to the fact that her lifelong friend, Walt, is madly in love with her.
Worried that Cora will lose Walt, Etta does a little magical meddling with the best intentions. But, of course, things don't always go as planned...
This book is a lovely blend of mystery, romance, and magical realism. Many characters are introduced, each with a compelling backstory to share. There are four separate romances happening in this book, and some overlap, but each one remains unique.
I would like to have learned more about Etta's magical gift and where it originated, but I guess that will remain a mystery.
If you're in need of a whimsical and uplifting novel, I'd definitely recommend THE DRESS SHOP OF DREAMS.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
One person Etta longs to help is her granddaughter, Cora. Cora's parents died when she was young, and for most of her life, she's hidden herself away doing research as a scientist. She's oblivious to the fact that her lifelong friend, Walt, is madly in love with her.
Worried that Cora will lose Walt, Etta does a little magical meddling with the best intentions. But, of course, things don't always go as planned...
This book is a lovely blend of mystery, romance, and magical realism. Many characters are introduced, each with a compelling backstory to share. There are four separate romances happening in this book, and some overlap, but each one remains unique.
I would like to have learned more about Etta's magical gift and where it originated, but I guess that will remain a mystery.
If you're in need of a whimsical and uplifting novel, I'd definitely recommend THE DRESS SHOP OF DREAMS.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 27, 2014
4 Meant To Be Stars * * * *
Take one part beautiful crafting; mix with a dash of magical play and add just the right amount of intricate weaving of characters. The events all happen on crossing train tracks ... always just missing their connections.
But no worries, because in the end... everyone gets where they should be going, including the readers.
A very smart read.
A gifted copy was provided by Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
Take one part beautiful crafting; mix with a dash of magical play and add just the right amount of intricate weaving of characters. The events all happen on crossing train tracks ... always just missing their connections.
But no worries, because in the end... everyone gets where they should be going, including the readers.
A very smart read.
A gifted copy was provided by Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
February 21, 2019
In Cambridge is a dress shop run by Etta. But this is no ordinary dress shop. These special dresses are able with a few stitches making red stars from Etta, to reveal a woman’s deepest desires. Etta has not to date been able to work the same magic on her granddaughter Cora. Cora, who has been raised by her grandmother since her parents were killed when she was five, loves Etta but has little interest in the dress shop. Cora’s focus is science and she devotes so much time to her work that she is impervious to Walt, the man who has loved her since they were children. Walt, runs a bookshop and also moonlights as a night reader of books on the radio which attracts a lot of fans, usually female. As well as these characters there are others who are affected by the dress shop or Walt’s book readings. Plus there is a mystery about the death of Cora’s parents. Will Cora find out the truth about their death? Will the dress shop work its magic on her? And what about the book Walt’s mother left him that contains a coded message?
I picked this up because I was in the mood for something light and whimsical. This is that. However as you can see there is a lot going on in the novel. And for me that was part of the problem. Instead of focusing on the dress shop, it felt like the author lost her way a bit by introducing too many characters, some of which seemed unnecessary. Plus the search for what really happened to Cora’s parents took over and the magical shop tended to pale into insignificance. So, while it was an entertaining read, it was not really what I was expecting. It just felt overcrowded. Having said that, I am sure there will be plenty of people who will love it. Though I liked it, I never felt it fulfilled the potential set up initially.
I picked this up because I was in the mood for something light and whimsical. This is that. However as you can see there is a lot going on in the novel. And for me that was part of the problem. Instead of focusing on the dress shop, it felt like the author lost her way a bit by introducing too many characters, some of which seemed unnecessary. Plus the search for what really happened to Cora’s parents took over and the magical shop tended to pale into insignificance. So, while it was an entertaining read, it was not really what I was expecting. It just felt overcrowded. Having said that, I am sure there will be plenty of people who will love it. Though I liked it, I never felt it fulfilled the potential set up initially.
May 7, 2021
Van Praag’s latest is filled with magic, love and the bonds of family. The writing is thoroughly engaging and will whisk readers away to a place where anything is possible. Detailed, likable characters and a swift-moving plot combine for a wonderful reading experience.
Cora Sparks’ parents died under mysterious circumstances when she was a child. As an adult, she has little memory of her childhood. Cora immerses herself in scientific research, carrying on her parents’ work. Walt, the owner of the bookstore down the street from Cora’s grandmother, Etta, has loved Cora since childhood — although she is seemingly oblivious. It takes Etta’s magic with dresses to help Cora face the past in order to move toward the future.
Cora Sparks’ parents died under mysterious circumstances when she was a child. As an adult, she has little memory of her childhood. Cora immerses herself in scientific research, carrying on her parents’ work. Walt, the owner of the bookstore down the street from Cora’s grandmother, Etta, has loved Cora since childhood — although she is seemingly oblivious. It takes Etta’s magic with dresses to help Cora face the past in order to move toward the future.
June 23, 2021
Menna van Praag, I doubt that you will ever get anything less that 5 stitched ⭐s from me! This is the right dose of magic realism, done marvellously right. For one who as a slow reader has never fathomed how anyone could possibly read a book in a couple of sittings, it is flabbergasting to say the least to have discovered an author whose novels are engrossing to this extent.
After having been mesmerised by The House at the End of Hope Street and The Lost Art of Letter Writing, I knew that I would have to read more and more from van Praag. I have now come to identify her narrative style by that sense of seemingly effortless, free-flowing words - poetic and delicate in those moments of emotional significance; the power of simplicity in injecting the mundane with the extraordinary; the intricate interweaving of characters and stories. Van Praag skillfully infuses depth and meaningfulness into her characters within the first sentence of their introduction - you care about their stories because they will either unveil something buried within you or shed luminosity on a whole new world of perceiving.
We must remember Walt, the Night Reader, whose voice acquires the significance of an independent force within the narrative; as does Etta's stitching of stars. In a sense, though in different measures, all of the characters have some kind of distinctive intuitive trait that goes beyond the commonplace, and exercise it in a way that determines their specific personality and impacts their fellow companions. It is the very trait that to some extent, and very realistically, constitutes their Achilles' heel - for the power they unleash is either beyond their full understanding or not automatically conducive to their deepest desires: think of Walt's enchanting reading voice as opposed to his inadequacy in striking up conversation with his one true love, Cora; or Etta's inability to work her stitching magic on herself. You see, there is a peculiar undecipherable limit to the workings of our own specific magic, that is determined by that which is unfathomable within the labyrinths of the human heart - and no intuitive power can resolve this completely.
After having been mesmerised by The House at the End of Hope Street and The Lost Art of Letter Writing, I knew that I would have to read more and more from van Praag. I have now come to identify her narrative style by that sense of seemingly effortless, free-flowing words - poetic and delicate in those moments of emotional significance; the power of simplicity in injecting the mundane with the extraordinary; the intricate interweaving of characters and stories. Van Praag skillfully infuses depth and meaningfulness into her characters within the first sentence of their introduction - you care about their stories because they will either unveil something buried within you or shed luminosity on a whole new world of perceiving.
We must remember Walt, the Night Reader, whose voice acquires the significance of an independent force within the narrative; as does Etta's stitching of stars. In a sense, though in different measures, all of the characters have some kind of distinctive intuitive trait that goes beyond the commonplace, and exercise it in a way that determines their specific personality and impacts their fellow companions. It is the very trait that to some extent, and very realistically, constitutes their Achilles' heel - for the power they unleash is either beyond their full understanding or not automatically conducive to their deepest desires: think of Walt's enchanting reading voice as opposed to his inadequacy in striking up conversation with his one true love, Cora; or Etta's inability to work her stitching magic on herself. You see, there is a peculiar undecipherable limit to the workings of our own specific magic, that is determined by that which is unfathomable within the labyrinths of the human heart - and no intuitive power can resolve this completely.
December 27, 2014
Last year I fell in love with Meena Van Praag's House At the End of Hope Street, so I was very excited to read her latest book, The Dress Shop of Dreams. There's something about her books that suck you into the pages and you find yourself reading way past bedtime. It makes you wish that the characters were real and that you could actually visit Etta's dress shop.
Trying to explain this story in a nutshell is a hard job. First you have Etta. She's kind of a magician, but not in the pull-a-rabbit-out-of-your hat sense. She owns a dress shop and has the mystical ability to help women's dreams come true by helping them pick the perfect dress and giving a bit of courage through her needle and thread.
Etta is grandmother to Cora. Cora's parents died when she was a girl. To protect her from pain, Etta did a little something to help repress the sadness and memories. Unfortunately the result isn't quite what she hoped for. Cora is a scientist who can't see past the end of her nose. She can't even see that her best friend is in love with her. Etta does the only thing she knows how to do, she undoes the magic. Leaving a bit of chaos in her wake.
This book is full of magic, romance, mystery, and more. I love how all the characters interact with one another. There are stories that coincide with Cora and Etta's. I love the twists and turns of the plot. Basically this is a must read. I highly recommend it. And I also recommend House At the End of Hope Street too.
Read more at http://www.toreadornottoread.net/2014...
Trying to explain this story in a nutshell is a hard job. First you have Etta. She's kind of a magician, but not in the pull-a-rabbit-out-of-your hat sense. She owns a dress shop and has the mystical ability to help women's dreams come true by helping them pick the perfect dress and giving a bit of courage through her needle and thread.
Etta is grandmother to Cora. Cora's parents died when she was a girl. To protect her from pain, Etta did a little something to help repress the sadness and memories. Unfortunately the result isn't quite what she hoped for. Cora is a scientist who can't see past the end of her nose. She can't even see that her best friend is in love with her. Etta does the only thing she knows how to do, she undoes the magic. Leaving a bit of chaos in her wake.
This book is full of magic, romance, mystery, and more. I love how all the characters interact with one another. There are stories that coincide with Cora and Etta's. I love the twists and turns of the plot. Basically this is a must read. I highly recommend it. And I also recommend House At the End of Hope Street too.
Read more at http://www.toreadornottoread.net/2014...
December 18, 2016
1.5 Stars
Lately I can't seem to find the patience, or the will, to write reviews. Especially for books that I don't like ( which unfortunately seems to be the rule lately).
I feel emotionally drained at all levels, so my patience for half-assed stories is even more reduced.
This was my first story by the author, and most likely will be my last...
Some writing styles and stories work out for me, others don't: what is supposed to feel magical realism feels lame to me, and sometimes I just feel like dnf a book after a first paragraph.
But then bad things happen, and I feel so lousy, that this is just the kind of story that I should be reading: a story in which I don't care about anything. Or anyone! ;)
I thought this was going to be about a character, Cora. Instead there was a myriad of characters _ most of which I couldn't care about _ with their vastly pov's, who would change briskly at the will of the wind?
Every single time I would start feeling some connection to a character, boom, there would be a pov's change.
For me the characters felt cardboard, the romances weak as hell ( with the exception of the police officer and his wife... that one I would have liked to have had more), and one of the characters _Milly_ almost made me throw the Kobo against a wall. -_-
Not for me I'm afraid.
Lately I can't seem to find the patience, or the will, to write reviews. Especially for books that I don't like ( which unfortunately seems to be the rule lately).
I feel emotionally drained at all levels, so my patience for half-assed stories is even more reduced.
This was my first story by the author, and most likely will be my last...
Some writing styles and stories work out for me, others don't: what is supposed to feel magical realism feels lame to me, and sometimes I just feel like dnf a book after a first paragraph.
But then bad things happen, and I feel so lousy, that this is just the kind of story that I should be reading: a story in which I don't care about anything. Or anyone! ;)
I thought this was going to be about a character, Cora. Instead there was a myriad of characters _ most of which I couldn't care about _ with their vastly pov's, who would change briskly at the will of the wind?
Every single time I would start feeling some connection to a character, boom, there would be a pov's change.
For me the characters felt cardboard, the romances weak as hell ( with the exception of the police officer and his wife... that one I would have liked to have had more), and one of the characters _Milly_ almost made me throw the Kobo against a wall. -_-
Not for me I'm afraid.
November 27, 2014
Review Posted on Reading Lark 11/27/14: http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2014/...
I was attracted to this novel after seeing that it was recommended for fans of Sarah Addison Allen, one of my favorite authors. I love how Allen tackles magical realism and I was excited to see how Menna van Praag would tackle the genre. Writing a strong magical realism novel takes skill and finesse. The magic element can't drive every aspect of the novel; it needs to linger like the smell of a perfume once someone has left the room. The Dress Shop of Dreams is a beautiful story full of compelling characters, romance, and just the right bit of magic.
Etta and Cora start the novel off and quickly became the protagonists in my mind. Etta is an elderly woman who is still full of spunk, beauty, and style. She spends her days creating gorgeous dresses that line the racks of her intriguing little shop hidden away on a small street in Cambridge. Etta's dresses are not only works of art, but they also have a little magic sewn into the seams. The dresses choose their owners and help the women who wear them find their greatest hope. Etta is a dreamer and a believer in magic, but her granddaughter, Cora, has lost the ability to believe in such things. Cora's parents were killed in a tragic fire on her fifth birthday and since that tragic date she has locked away her heart. Cora functions purely on logic and reason. She has no time for emotions or love. Her grandmother and her scientific research are the only things that keep Cora plodding forward through life.
Cora is not open to possibility which keeps her from noticing the handsome, timid bookseller, Walt. He has always been a fixture in Cora's life, but she takes his presence for granted. Cora doesn't realize that Walt isn't her steadfast friend and purveyor of cherry pie. He is something more for he has loved Cora since the moment he first saw her. He fears that Cora could never return his affections so he keeps them hidden. Like Cora, he is afraid to embrace what could be and continues to flow with the status quo. Both characters will learn a great deal about themselves and love throughout the course of this novel. In addition, I felt a deep connection to Walt. How could I not love a character who cared so deeply for books? He is a kindred spirit.
This is one of those novels that has a rotating cast of characters. I was slightly intimidated by this when I first began reading, but I soon settled into the style and became smitten with almost all of the characters. The chapters feel almost like vignettes, but like the dresses in Etta's store, the threads of each character's story ties together to form a dazzling creation. Some of the connections between characters are obvious while others are more subtle.
I enjoyed the emphasis on relationships that flows throughout this one. The bond between Etta and Cora was one of the elements that first grabbed my attention, but I quickly grew transfixed by the romantic relationships and the plutonic relationships as well. I loved the intricate details that painted the overall picture of how each of the characters impacted others. I was briefly reminded of Maeve Binchey's writing as she also tended to have multiple characters who interacted with one another through the course of the story. The notion of a main character begins to fade as the reader realizes that all of these people are important.
In addition to the characters and relationships, I was pleasantly surprised that a mystery also runs through this one. Etta is not convinced that Cora's parents died accidentally. Both women decide that it is time to put the past to rest by finding a definitive answer about what happened the night of the fire. This added a new layer to the story that brought a little reality to the magical elements.
Finally, I loved the English setting. I have long craved a trip to England, but sadly have not managed to make that a reality yet. I loved walking the streets of Cambridge with Etta, Cora, and Walt as my guide. I even got a brief visit to Oxford. Menna van Praag might just be the European version of Sarah Addison Allen. While both of these women have beautiful writing styles and stories that dance through the heart and mind, they do share a common thread of bringing a little magic to the mundane.
One Last Gripe: There was a component towards that end that irked me. I didn't agree with Cora and Henry's decision. That's all I can say without spoiling anything.
My Favorite Thing About This Book: I loved the writing in this one. It was gorgeous and magical.
First Sentence: When ordinary shoppers stumble into the little dress shop, they usually leave without buying anything.
Favorite Character: I loved so many, but if I can only choose one, it has to be Etta.
Least Favorite Character: Milly - I was supposed to feel sorry for her, but I thought she was manipulative and whiney. My opinion of her improves in the end, but it took a long time to get there.
I was attracted to this novel after seeing that it was recommended for fans of Sarah Addison Allen, one of my favorite authors. I love how Allen tackles magical realism and I was excited to see how Menna van Praag would tackle the genre. Writing a strong magical realism novel takes skill and finesse. The magic element can't drive every aspect of the novel; it needs to linger like the smell of a perfume once someone has left the room. The Dress Shop of Dreams is a beautiful story full of compelling characters, romance, and just the right bit of magic.
Etta and Cora start the novel off and quickly became the protagonists in my mind. Etta is an elderly woman who is still full of spunk, beauty, and style. She spends her days creating gorgeous dresses that line the racks of her intriguing little shop hidden away on a small street in Cambridge. Etta's dresses are not only works of art, but they also have a little magic sewn into the seams. The dresses choose their owners and help the women who wear them find their greatest hope. Etta is a dreamer and a believer in magic, but her granddaughter, Cora, has lost the ability to believe in such things. Cora's parents were killed in a tragic fire on her fifth birthday and since that tragic date she has locked away her heart. Cora functions purely on logic and reason. She has no time for emotions or love. Her grandmother and her scientific research are the only things that keep Cora plodding forward through life.
Cora is not open to possibility which keeps her from noticing the handsome, timid bookseller, Walt. He has always been a fixture in Cora's life, but she takes his presence for granted. Cora doesn't realize that Walt isn't her steadfast friend and purveyor of cherry pie. He is something more for he has loved Cora since the moment he first saw her. He fears that Cora could never return his affections so he keeps them hidden. Like Cora, he is afraid to embrace what could be and continues to flow with the status quo. Both characters will learn a great deal about themselves and love throughout the course of this novel. In addition, I felt a deep connection to Walt. How could I not love a character who cared so deeply for books? He is a kindred spirit.
This is one of those novels that has a rotating cast of characters. I was slightly intimidated by this when I first began reading, but I soon settled into the style and became smitten with almost all of the characters. The chapters feel almost like vignettes, but like the dresses in Etta's store, the threads of each character's story ties together to form a dazzling creation. Some of the connections between characters are obvious while others are more subtle.
I enjoyed the emphasis on relationships that flows throughout this one. The bond between Etta and Cora was one of the elements that first grabbed my attention, but I quickly grew transfixed by the romantic relationships and the plutonic relationships as well. I loved the intricate details that painted the overall picture of how each of the characters impacted others. I was briefly reminded of Maeve Binchey's writing as she also tended to have multiple characters who interacted with one another through the course of the story. The notion of a main character begins to fade as the reader realizes that all of these people are important.
In addition to the characters and relationships, I was pleasantly surprised that a mystery also runs through this one. Etta is not convinced that Cora's parents died accidentally. Both women decide that it is time to put the past to rest by finding a definitive answer about what happened the night of the fire. This added a new layer to the story that brought a little reality to the magical elements.
Finally, I loved the English setting. I have long craved a trip to England, but sadly have not managed to make that a reality yet. I loved walking the streets of Cambridge with Etta, Cora, and Walt as my guide. I even got a brief visit to Oxford. Menna van Praag might just be the European version of Sarah Addison Allen. While both of these women have beautiful writing styles and stories that dance through the heart and mind, they do share a common thread of bringing a little magic to the mundane.
One Last Gripe: There was a component towards that end that irked me. I didn't agree with Cora and Henry's decision. That's all I can say without spoiling anything.
My Favorite Thing About This Book: I loved the writing in this one. It was gorgeous and magical.
First Sentence: When ordinary shoppers stumble into the little dress shop, they usually leave without buying anything.
Favorite Character: I loved so many, but if I can only choose one, it has to be Etta.
Least Favorite Character: Milly - I was supposed to feel sorry for her, but I thought she was manipulative and whiney. My opinion of her improves in the end, but it took a long time to get there.
September 9, 2016
**1.5**
To give this a single one-star seems a bit harsh because I didn't hate it. But I certainly didn't like it.
First the format. I am not a fan of present tense, but the real failure was in the SEVEN POVs. None of which lasted for more than a few pages at a time. This constant shift was exhausting. As soon as you start getting involved in one story, it would switch again. I knew all the individual storylines would eventually come together in the end, but that did not help me enjoy the journey anymore.
My other major problem was the relationships and characters in this and how they developed.
People fell in and out of love too quickly. Walt loves Cora one day and the next he's in a happy relationship with Milly. Milly proposes after a few weeks after falling in love with Dylan's letters.
Some characters didn't make sense to me. Milly is described as this kind, reserved woman and then she starts considering tricking Walt into getting her pregnant.
Some relationships didn't make sense to me. Walt and Cora grew up together and were friends as kids, but as adults they acted like acquaintances who occasionally interacted.
And then there was just the generally overly cheesy and sentimental nature of things in general. Too much even for me.
To give this a single one-star seems a bit harsh because I didn't hate it. But I certainly didn't like it.
First the format. I am not a fan of present tense, but the real failure was in the SEVEN POVs. None of which lasted for more than a few pages at a time. This constant shift was exhausting. As soon as you start getting involved in one story, it would switch again. I knew all the individual storylines would eventually come together in the end, but that did not help me enjoy the journey anymore.
My other major problem was the relationships and characters in this and how they developed.
People fell in and out of love too quickly. Walt loves Cora one day and the next he's in a happy relationship with Milly. Milly proposes after a few weeks after falling in love with Dylan's letters.
Some characters didn't make sense to me. Milly is described as this kind, reserved woman and then she starts considering tricking Walt into getting her pregnant.
Some relationships didn't make sense to me. Walt and Cora grew up together and were friends as kids, but as adults they acted like acquaintances who occasionally interacted.
And then there was just the generally overly cheesy and sentimental nature of things in general. Too much even for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2014
I received an Advanced Readers Copy from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via NetGalley for an honest review. Thank you very much
I LOVED this book and I adored the idea of sewing magic into dresses in fact I found it very very inspiring. This book has everything, magic, love stories (4 in total) and a crime to be solved which kept me guessing right to the very end. It had so many twists and turns along the way. This book is a definite page turner and will keep you up into the small hours of the morning because you just cannot put it down. Also Walt is very good Book boyfriend material :-) a guy who owns a book shop what more can you want :-)
So if you are a fan of Sarah Addison Allen I urge you to get this book and even if you are not a fan of magical realism stories you will not be disappointed as this book has everything.
Happy Reading
I LOVED this book and I adored the idea of sewing magic into dresses in fact I found it very very inspiring. This book has everything, magic, love stories (4 in total) and a crime to be solved which kept me guessing right to the very end. It had so many twists and turns along the way. This book is a definite page turner and will keep you up into the small hours of the morning because you just cannot put it down. Also Walt is very good Book boyfriend material :-) a guy who owns a book shop what more can you want :-)
So if you are a fan of Sarah Addison Allen I urge you to get this book and even if you are not a fan of magical realism stories you will not be disappointed as this book has everything.
Happy Reading
December 31, 2014
What an enchanting book! I couldn't put it down and read it within one day (mainly one evening) first, it's totally clean. Not even sure there was one curse word? Oh yes, one or two but not gratuitous. It fit. Trust me. It was so magical and enchanting how all the characters fit together and came together perfectly in the end. I can't really even describe it well without giving spoilers away. So just read this book. This one will stick with me for a long time!!
February 23, 2015
I would actually give this book 3.5 stars, it was a good story, nothing wrong with that but I was expecting more.
There was a magical feel to the dresses in the shop ,but I never felt a connection to the magic.
I liked the love of books & reading in the book & I liked the characters .
For some reason the story had an old feel to it,I know it was in current time but it could have been from 40 years ago.
I was given an advance copy of this book by net galley, in exchange for an honest review.
There was a magical feel to the dresses in the shop ,but I never felt a connection to the magic.
I liked the love of books & reading in the book & I liked the characters .
For some reason the story had an old feel to it,I know it was in current time but it could have been from 40 years ago.
I was given an advance copy of this book by net galley, in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2016
I love this book, and I absolutely adore Walt! He's my kind of hero: British, bookish and awkward.
January 27, 2015
I enjoyed this magically real tale of lonely British people whose dreams of love often go wrong: Cora, a OCD bachelorette scientist, her apparently psychic seamstress grandmother, Etta, who unerringly matches her customers with just-the-right romantic dresses, a lovelorn bookseller named Walt who moonlights as a Night Reader on a literary radio show, a priest who still dreams of the woman he lost fifty years ago. Walt's voice weaves such a spell on his female listeners that he is sent sacks of fan letters. When radio station manager Dylan manager starts answering them, a conundrum which will affect many of the characters is born.(He gets a real glimpse into the female psyche, and realizes how deeply women are "primed for love." Add in a mystery about the death of Cora's parents, an academic couple researching foods to be used in the battle against world hunger, and you've got a lovely mix of people and plot elements. A suspension of disbelief is necessary to go with the flow of magic, wonder and whimsy. Try it -- you might like it!
December 8, 2014
Four and a half stars: A delightful, magical, romantic read. A must read for fans of magical realism.
Cora awakens from the same recurring dream she has had over and over since her parents died on her fifth birthday. Cora shakes it off and proceeds about her day. As a scientist, Cora has little time for dreams, magic and love, unlike her grandmother, Etta. Etta runs a delightful, magical dress shop where she is able to help women find their heart's desire with the perfect gown and a few stitches for encouragement. Etta struggles though when it comes time to help her own granddaughter find her heart, and in the process, Etta might just recover her own. Can the dress shop of dreams deliver love?
What I Liked:
*What a relief to find such a charming, feel good book with pinches of magic thrown in to spark the imagination. I was in the middle of a major reading slump before picking this one up, and I was thrilled that his book delivered such a lovely story. I enjoyed every minute of it. If you adore magical realism books with romance, get this one. I highly recommend it,
*I loved the magical dress shop. It was a place I would love to visit with all of its colorful gowns, changing music and silk lined walls that transform with the season. It screamed cozy and wonderful. I also liked Walt's little bookstore and longed to go there and lose myself in the stacks of book while sampling cherry pie. Loved the settings!
*This book features not one, but four different romances. I was a bit surprised, but pleased to uncover the additional romances. The main romance is centered around Cora and her childhood friend Walt. Walt has loved Cora from the moment he met her as a child, but Cora's heart has been closed off and frozen due to her parent's death. It will take some magic to make Cora open her eyes, and when she does will it be too late? I think my favorite romance, though, was the long, unrequited romance between Etta and The Saint. A romance that spanned over fifty years of longing. Loved it. The second and third romances were interesting and wonderful as well. I loved exploring the different romances and their themes.
*Aside from the magic and romance there is a bit of a mystery in this one as Cora strives to uncover the truth about her parents death. I loved how the author connected all the characters and how everything fell into place. I was never bored for a moment with this one.
*The Dress Shop of Dreams was a delightful tale with magic, romance, and a bit of mystery. I adored the characters, the dress shop and I appreciated the tight plot. This was the perfect pick me up read, and it helped cure me of a major reading slump. This is an excellent book for winter reading.
*The writing was outstanding. I loved the way the author engaged all my senses. Her descriptions are detailed and rich. I was enchanted by the writing.
And The Not So Much:
*While I loved that there were several story lines going on, I was a bit frustrated with the way the book was laid out. It is a story with multiple view points, and though I didn't have issues with the character shifts, I didn't like that often the change occurred from one paragraph to the next. It bothers me when I am reading one character's view point and find it shifts to someone else in the next paragraph. The end portion of the book gets too chaotic with the quick transitions.
*I thought Etta's magical dress shop was delightful, but I was curious to know more about how Etta came by her gift and how she ended up opening the shop after her heartbreak. How did she know which stitches would work their magic? I thought this part of the story needed a touch more detail.
*I struggled with Milly's character. It wasn't that I didn't like her, because I found that as her story unwound, I felt compassion for her, I think my issue stemmed from the fact that she was introduced as a love interest for one of the men who I knew was destined to be with another, so I kept wanting her out of the picture. Luckily, Milly finds her own romance in an unexpected way, and I liked it. So I got over my issues with her.
*The book builds up these four different romances, and I grew more eager as the pages dwindled to see how each couple would get their ending. I was hoping for lots of feel good moments. While I did get some sweet, happy ever after scenes, I felt that all the romance endings were rushed. Just as each couple got to that one magical moment, the story shifted. I wanted more, more more.... I almost think there should be another book. Still all the loose ends are tied off and I wasn't left with lingering questions.
The Dress Shop of Dreams was a lovely book that was brimming with sweet romance, a pinch of magic, some mystery and an overall great story. I highly recommend this book for those of you who love magical realism and are looking for something light and feel good. This was just what I needed.
Favorite Quotations:
"I know that a heart can hold on for a lifetime, hoping for the impossible, loving, wanting what if will never have. "
"If two hearts truly love each other then they always will, even when they are apart. Unless they both let go. But if one holds on then it's because the other one hasn't yet let it go either."
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Cora awakens from the same recurring dream she has had over and over since her parents died on her fifth birthday. Cora shakes it off and proceeds about her day. As a scientist, Cora has little time for dreams, magic and love, unlike her grandmother, Etta. Etta runs a delightful, magical dress shop where she is able to help women find their heart's desire with the perfect gown and a few stitches for encouragement. Etta struggles though when it comes time to help her own granddaughter find her heart, and in the process, Etta might just recover her own. Can the dress shop of dreams deliver love?
What I Liked:
*What a relief to find such a charming, feel good book with pinches of magic thrown in to spark the imagination. I was in the middle of a major reading slump before picking this one up, and I was thrilled that his book delivered such a lovely story. I enjoyed every minute of it. If you adore magical realism books with romance, get this one. I highly recommend it,
*I loved the magical dress shop. It was a place I would love to visit with all of its colorful gowns, changing music and silk lined walls that transform with the season. It screamed cozy and wonderful. I also liked Walt's little bookstore and longed to go there and lose myself in the stacks of book while sampling cherry pie. Loved the settings!
*This book features not one, but four different romances. I was a bit surprised, but pleased to uncover the additional romances. The main romance is centered around Cora and her childhood friend Walt. Walt has loved Cora from the moment he met her as a child, but Cora's heart has been closed off and frozen due to her parent's death. It will take some magic to make Cora open her eyes, and when she does will it be too late? I think my favorite romance, though, was the long, unrequited romance between Etta and The Saint. A romance that spanned over fifty years of longing. Loved it. The second and third romances were interesting and wonderful as well. I loved exploring the different romances and their themes.
*Aside from the magic and romance there is a bit of a mystery in this one as Cora strives to uncover the truth about her parents death. I loved how the author connected all the characters and how everything fell into place. I was never bored for a moment with this one.
*The Dress Shop of Dreams was a delightful tale with magic, romance, and a bit of mystery. I adored the characters, the dress shop and I appreciated the tight plot. This was the perfect pick me up read, and it helped cure me of a major reading slump. This is an excellent book for winter reading.
*The writing was outstanding. I loved the way the author engaged all my senses. Her descriptions are detailed and rich. I was enchanted by the writing.
And The Not So Much:
*While I loved that there were several story lines going on, I was a bit frustrated with the way the book was laid out. It is a story with multiple view points, and though I didn't have issues with the character shifts, I didn't like that often the change occurred from one paragraph to the next. It bothers me when I am reading one character's view point and find it shifts to someone else in the next paragraph. The end portion of the book gets too chaotic with the quick transitions.
*I thought Etta's magical dress shop was delightful, but I was curious to know more about how Etta came by her gift and how she ended up opening the shop after her heartbreak. How did she know which stitches would work their magic? I thought this part of the story needed a touch more detail.
*I struggled with Milly's character. It wasn't that I didn't like her, because I found that as her story unwound, I felt compassion for her, I think my issue stemmed from the fact that she was introduced as a love interest for one of the men who I knew was destined to be with another, so I kept wanting her out of the picture. Luckily, Milly finds her own romance in an unexpected way, and I liked it. So I got over my issues with her.
*The book builds up these four different romances, and I grew more eager as the pages dwindled to see how each couple would get their ending. I was hoping for lots of feel good moments. While I did get some sweet, happy ever after scenes, I felt that all the romance endings were rushed. Just as each couple got to that one magical moment, the story shifted. I wanted more, more more.... I almost think there should be another book. Still all the loose ends are tied off and I wasn't left with lingering questions.
The Dress Shop of Dreams was a lovely book that was brimming with sweet romance, a pinch of magic, some mystery and an overall great story. I highly recommend this book for those of you who love magical realism and are looking for something light and feel good. This was just what I needed.
Favorite Quotations:
"I know that a heart can hold on for a lifetime, hoping for the impossible, loving, wanting what if will never have. "
"If two hearts truly love each other then they always will, even when they are apart. Unless they both let go. But if one holds on then it's because the other one hasn't yet let it go either."
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
February 9, 2016
I like the concept of magic. I really enjoy letting my imagination wander in a book whose author has found some way to incorporate their version into their story. It may have something to do with being enamoured of Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie, on TV, as a kid. After Snow White, Cinderella was only the second animated movie I had ever seen, and I've never lost my fascination with, "Bippety, boppety, boo!"
The Dress Shop of Dreams has ALL of the right elements. Magical dresses, a "genius-oblivious-in-need-of-a-fairytale” young woman, a geeky loser type guy in love with her, a mystery, a code book of spells, a policeman who always knows when someone lies. Go get the popcorn!
Unfortunately Menna van Praag just can't stop herself from adding too many extra characters and incidental plot lines to a story which could have been much fresher and magical without them. The lovely dress shop somehow got mostly lost in what became a mystery, albeit not a great one, and in the confusion while everyone sorted themselves out for happily ever after.
I really wanted to love this book. The cover is gorgeous. I am usually very kind when magic shows up in the fiction that I read, and might even boost my rating a bit magically because of it. But Dress Shop suffers from the same overload as Menna van Praag's book, The House at the End of Hope Street. Too muddled to really feel the magic. I'm so sorry. Three stars is being generous.
The Dress Shop of Dreams has ALL of the right elements. Magical dresses, a "genius-oblivious-in-need-of-a-fairytale” young woman, a geeky loser type guy in love with her, a mystery, a code book of spells, a policeman who always knows when someone lies. Go get the popcorn!
Unfortunately Menna van Praag just can't stop herself from adding too many extra characters and incidental plot lines to a story which could have been much fresher and magical without them. The lovely dress shop somehow got mostly lost in what became a mystery, albeit not a great one, and in the confusion while everyone sorted themselves out for happily ever after.
I really wanted to love this book. The cover is gorgeous. I am usually very kind when magic shows up in the fiction that I read, and might even boost my rating a bit magically because of it. But Dress Shop suffers from the same overload as Menna van Praag's book, The House at the End of Hope Street. Too muddled to really feel the magic. I'm so sorry. Three stars is being generous.
June 5, 2017
This was a lovely book! I could see it like a magic puzzle in my head with all the pieces moving around and then finally joining up together in the end in a perfectly perfect way. Such a wonderfully satisfying read! This book is beautifully written and the landscape and emotion was so lovingly described. The characters were all lovely and even though I felt like I should think that Milly was a home wrecker I still loved her and I was completely invested in her happiness ... that is a sign of good writing in my book!
February 6, 2015
3-3.5 stars...
Dress shop of Dreams is a good book, but not great. I think maybe my expectations got a little too high when I saw comparisons to one of my favorite authors, Sarah Addison Allen--Her books are an emotional journey. This fell a little short of this for me. It was a cute story with hints of magic, quirky characters, and a good ending. Etta, Cora, Walt, Milly, Sebastian...all have stories to tell that will intermingle. I just felt something was missing. I've heard good things about her book House at the end of Hope st, and I will try it.
Dress shop of Dreams is a good book, but not great. I think maybe my expectations got a little too high when I saw comparisons to one of my favorite authors, Sarah Addison Allen--Her books are an emotional journey. This fell a little short of this for me. It was a cute story with hints of magic, quirky characters, and a good ending. Etta, Cora, Walt, Milly, Sebastian...all have stories to tell that will intermingle. I just felt something was missing. I've heard good things about her book House at the end of Hope st, and I will try it.
February 1, 2015
I agree that this book is comparable to Sarah Addison Allen's books. It is an enchanted story with great characters and magical moments. I loved the ending. Absolutely charming!
March 6, 2015
4.5 stars. Very enjoyable, charming, read! A bit of magic, great characters, and a cute story. I recommend to my friends who like Sarah Addison Allen, The Glass Kitchen, or The Wedding Bees.
July 9, 2017
What a lovely book. At first I thought it was going to be just another love story but it was so much more than that. It was heartwarming with well developed characters and decent plot. It had lovely elements of magic which made this book stand out from the rest.
Love conquers all.
Love conquers all.
March 3, 2017
I enjoyed this a lot, though not quite as much as I had The House at the End of Hope Street. For some reason, this novel felt more 'conventional' than The House (even though both books are along 'magic realism' lines and as such not really conventional as such).
What I mean by that is that I feel that The Dress Shop of Dreams is more informed by the tropes/stereotypes about 'true love' and by what women supposedly need than The House, or perhaps it's just the The House handles them more adeptly. Even the concept of the dress shop seems to me to be based on conventional assumptions or stereotypes, which may or may not be true, but they're taken for granted in a way that I wasn't entirely comfortable with.
I do sometimes get annoyed by the idea in books that there is only one 'true love' (in the romantic/sexual sense of love) for someone. It's not that I don't think this is sometimes true for people, or that I'm not idealistic or romantic about relationships; it's more that in a novel, it needs to be grounded in the reality of the characters. In this case, I didn't feel completely convinced by some of the 'one true love' pairings.
However, I loved the magical feel of Etta's dress shop even if I didn't always agree with the underlying concepts behind it, and I loved the idea of Walt's mother's notebook and the way that issue was resolved. I agree with https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1116409465?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1 about the codes and about the last line of the novel - that it was absolutely perfect. (I tried to link to your review, Andree, but I don't think it worked!)
What I mean by that is that I feel that The Dress Shop of Dreams is more informed by the tropes/stereotypes about 'true love' and by what women supposedly need than The House, or perhaps it's just the The House handles them more adeptly. Even the concept of the dress shop seems to me to be based on conventional assumptions or stereotypes, which may or may not be true, but they're taken for granted in a way that I wasn't entirely comfortable with.
I do sometimes get annoyed by the idea in books that there is only one 'true love' (in the romantic/sexual sense of love) for someone. It's not that I don't think this is sometimes true for people, or that I'm not idealistic or romantic about relationships; it's more that in a novel, it needs to be grounded in the reality of the characters. In this case, I didn't feel completely convinced by some of the 'one true love' pairings.
However, I loved the magical feel of Etta's dress shop even if I didn't always agree with the underlying concepts behind it, and I loved the idea of Walt's mother's notebook and the way that issue was resolved. I agree with https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1116409465?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1 about the codes and about the last line of the novel - that it was absolutely perfect. (I tried to link to your review, Andree, but I don't think it worked!)
December 22, 2022
Got this as part of a care package of books from my sister - thanks sis! I read this in spring, everything outside my window melting and dripping and oozing, and inside, in the case of this book, it’s with sentimentality. It’s as sappy as our maple trees this time of year. The premise is lovely and had me an envisioning a dress shop equivalent of the sweet shop in Chocolat, by Joanne Harris. Only the writing in this one is far more pedestrian and overt. There’s nothing subtle and there’s no nuance. It’s also all tell and no show. It’s all author exposition and projection and very little actual character reveal or behaviors or traits.
Also every character has an unrequited love story! There are at least four potential couples in various stages of life and relationship status and everyone is pining for one another tragically but majestically and poetically. That’s at least three sappy love stories too many.
Beneath all that emotion and longing, there are two mysteries going on, each involves backstory on long deceased parents. Frankly the mysteries have lots of potential but the author doesn’t devote much time to them.
I do wish more time was spent in the dress shop. The back of the book blurb gives the distinct impression that the plot would focus on the customers and their trials and tribulations and how the owner subtly helps them. I also wanted more descriptions of the dresses and the setting and scenery and textures, etc. This could have been so much more sensual!
Maybe most importantly I wish there was more of a sense of humor or lightheartedness. It essentially begins with a fairy-tale like godmother dressmaker as the magic maker, but without much magic or frivolity. It could have also been redeemed slightly if there was one somewhat happy well adjusted person in the mix somewhere.
As to the pacing: the hundreds of pages of longing needed some serious shortening. The last thirty or so pages were a mad dash to wrap up all the loose ends of the plot and it just wound up a sloppy knot. Way too much time spent on the police detective and his relationship, Milly and her mystery writer, and way too little time spent on Cora and Walt, though to be honest, I was growing a bit weary of the whole cast of characters by then and just glad to reach the final page.
Also every character has an unrequited love story! There are at least four potential couples in various stages of life and relationship status and everyone is pining for one another tragically but majestically and poetically. That’s at least three sappy love stories too many.
Beneath all that emotion and longing, there are two mysteries going on, each involves backstory on long deceased parents. Frankly the mysteries have lots of potential but the author doesn’t devote much time to them.
I do wish more time was spent in the dress shop. The back of the book blurb gives the distinct impression that the plot would focus on the customers and their trials and tribulations and how the owner subtly helps them. I also wanted more descriptions of the dresses and the setting and scenery and textures, etc. This could have been so much more sensual!
Maybe most importantly I wish there was more of a sense of humor or lightheartedness. It essentially begins with a fairy-tale like godmother dressmaker as the magic maker, but without much magic or frivolity. It could have also been redeemed slightly if there was one somewhat happy well adjusted person in the mix somewhere.
As to the pacing: the hundreds of pages of longing needed some serious shortening. The last thirty or so pages were a mad dash to wrap up all the loose ends of the plot and it just wound up a sloppy knot. Way too much time spent on the police detective and his relationship, Milly and her mystery writer, and way too little time spent on Cora and Walt, though to be honest, I was growing a bit weary of the whole cast of characters by then and just glad to reach the final page.
November 6, 2017
I so wanted to enjoy this book - what sounded like a little bit of escapism was exactly what I needed, but it turns out this was a much more complicated and darker tale than I originally expected.
Cora, a young scientist, is determined to find out more about the death of her parents who were on the brink of a highly implausible but crucial breakthrough.
Etta, her grandmother, is secretly in love with someone she dated very briefly, about 50 years ago.
Walt, their neighbour, is in love with Cora, but dating someone else.
Oh and there's a policeman with a wife who is Italian and who dumped him suddenly, and a lonely radio station boss.
Sounds like a mess, right? That's because it is. Our characters are supposedly intertwined, except that they lack the depth of character to make this plausible, and those who are explored in sufficient depth end up making some really odd choices. Sure, you'd forgive your ex wife for breaking your heart if she announced she left you because she's an alcoholic. Sure, you'd gloss over all the times your young son was in danger and tell her it's fine and that you can be a happy family again. Sure you would.
The biggest problem though is with our main character, Cora. It's not clear what kind of scientist Cora is (because all science is science, right?). For someone who works on the development of crops, she seems to know a lot about numbers and equations - there's a particularly eyebrow raising scene when an equation apparently cures world hunger (I kid you not...), but the lazy stereotype is what's so frustrating. In order to demonstrate that she's a scientist, Cora must be devoid of any social life and spend all of her time counting things whenever she's stressed. Which is a lot of the time in this book.
I had hoped that this would be an easy and pleasant tale about a magical clothes shop but it turned into a poorly written tale about lies, manipulation and murder. Any hint of romance was wiped out by the vile antics of the female leads (manipulating the truth and hiding secrets from their boyfriends for their own personal gain). I carried on reading in the hope that the murder mystery wound in (seriously - there's a lot - too much - going on here) would have a satisfactory ending but alas not.
One to avoid.
Cora, a young scientist, is determined to find out more about the death of her parents who were on the brink of a highly implausible but crucial breakthrough.
Etta, her grandmother, is secretly in love with someone she dated very briefly, about 50 years ago.
Walt, their neighbour, is in love with Cora, but dating someone else.
Oh and there's a policeman with a wife who is Italian and who dumped him suddenly, and a lonely radio station boss.
Sounds like a mess, right? That's because it is. Our characters are supposedly intertwined, except that they lack the depth of character to make this plausible, and those who are explored in sufficient depth end up making some really odd choices. Sure, you'd forgive your ex wife for breaking your heart if she announced she left you because she's an alcoholic. Sure, you'd gloss over all the times your young son was in danger and tell her it's fine and that you can be a happy family again. Sure you would.
The biggest problem though is with our main character, Cora. It's not clear what kind of scientist Cora is (because all science is science, right?). For someone who works on the development of crops, she seems to know a lot about numbers and equations - there's a particularly eyebrow raising scene when an equation apparently cures world hunger (I kid you not...), but the lazy stereotype is what's so frustrating. In order to demonstrate that she's a scientist, Cora must be devoid of any social life and spend all of her time counting things whenever she's stressed. Which is a lot of the time in this book.
I had hoped that this would be an easy and pleasant tale about a magical clothes shop but it turned into a poorly written tale about lies, manipulation and murder. Any hint of romance was wiped out by the vile antics of the female leads (manipulating the truth and hiding secrets from their boyfriends for their own personal gain). I carried on reading in the hope that the murder mystery wound in (seriously - there's a lot - too much - going on here) would have a satisfactory ending but alas not.
One to avoid.
August 22, 2014
I haven’t enjoyed a book this much in a long time. The story has a smidge of magical realism that really worked for me. Menna Van Praag has the ability of finding something enchanting about the most normal and mundane tasks that bring magic to everyday life.
The Dress Shop of Dreams follows the lives of server characters that are connected through by different reasons, mainly love and fate. Though sometimes blinded by their own fears, Etta, a dress shop owner, gives them a little push by using a special sort of thread. Once they acquire what is needed from their garment the wheels can’t be stopped and stories begin to generate momentum.
I must say that I really loved the characters, every single one of them with their charms and their problems, and sometimes hidden talents. It was a thrill reading how their lives progressed, as some of them where fighting to force a situation that wasn’t meant to be, or how other began to let go. I know it all sound a little vague, but I don’t want to give anything away. All I can say is that I really enjoyed the book.
I got this book from NetGalley.
The Dress Shop of Dreams follows the lives of server characters that are connected through by different reasons, mainly love and fate. Though sometimes blinded by their own fears, Etta, a dress shop owner, gives them a little push by using a special sort of thread. Once they acquire what is needed from their garment the wheels can’t be stopped and stories begin to generate momentum.
I must say that I really loved the characters, every single one of them with their charms and their problems, and sometimes hidden talents. It was a thrill reading how their lives progressed, as some of them where fighting to force a situation that wasn’t meant to be, or how other began to let go. I know it all sound a little vague, but I don’t want to give anything away. All I can say is that I really enjoyed the book.
I got this book from NetGalley.
January 3, 2015
Many thanks to NetGalley for sending me this wonderful book to review.
What a great start to 2015! The Dress Shop of Dreams is just exquisite, full of magical realism along the lines of Alice Hoffman and Sarah Addison Allen. The writing is beautiful and the characters are so well developed. There were so many moments where I just stopped and read the words again for pure enjoyment. The story is full of love and hope and even a little mystery.
Etta, grandmother to Cora, sells dresses that can allow their owners to accomplish their hopes and dreams. Cora is a scientist who lost both parents in a tragic fire when she was 5 years old. Etta begins to make clothes for Cora that begin to unlock her heart to love and allow her to remember her parent's death. We see characters responding to Etta's magic and the not necessarily straight paths they take to finding what their heart desires most.
I'm so excited to have discovered this author and off to find her previous works.
What a great start to 2015! The Dress Shop of Dreams is just exquisite, full of magical realism along the lines of Alice Hoffman and Sarah Addison Allen. The writing is beautiful and the characters are so well developed. There were so many moments where I just stopped and read the words again for pure enjoyment. The story is full of love and hope and even a little mystery.
Etta, grandmother to Cora, sells dresses that can allow their owners to accomplish their hopes and dreams. Cora is a scientist who lost both parents in a tragic fire when she was 5 years old. Etta begins to make clothes for Cora that begin to unlock her heart to love and allow her to remember her parent's death. We see characters responding to Etta's magic and the not necessarily straight paths they take to finding what their heart desires most.
I'm so excited to have discovered this author and off to find her previous works.
June 19, 2020
What a captivating novel of everlasting love, eternal hope, and the beauty of second chances! Menna had me enthralled from the very first chapter (okay, the first page!).
Cora Sparks is intelligent, complicated, dynamic, and fascinating. Her grandmother and her shop full of secrets pulls you in, and she'll have you wishing you could pop into the store and twirl around in the perfect dress. The power of magic is all around, and Cora can't escape it, even if she wants to.
Walt, among the other characters, will capture your heart and hold it tight until the very end. And if you're like me, when you reach the end, you'll sigh, squeeze the book against your chest, and smile. I love how magic and love can both remedy and complicate life, and how we desperately need both in our lives. Cora's life is transformed by both, and yours will be too.
Cora Sparks is intelligent, complicated, dynamic, and fascinating. Her grandmother and her shop full of secrets pulls you in, and she'll have you wishing you could pop into the store and twirl around in the perfect dress. The power of magic is all around, and Cora can't escape it, even if she wants to.
Walt, among the other characters, will capture your heart and hold it tight until the very end. And if you're like me, when you reach the end, you'll sigh, squeeze the book against your chest, and smile. I love how magic and love can both remedy and complicate life, and how we desperately need both in our lives. Cora's life is transformed by both, and yours will be too.
December 21, 2014
What a wonderful book. 4 love stories wrapped in a murder mystery and a little magical fantasy. This is a book you'll read again and again. Etta runs a dress shop where the perfect dress picks you and helps you achieve your fondest wish and dreams. Her granddaughter Cora is an academia who has shut off all emotions since her parents died in a fire 20 years ago. Henry is the police office who wants to help Cora find the person who set the fire that changed her life so drastically and Dylan is Walt's boss. Walt has been in love with Cora for years but neither knows it but Dylan may have changed their lives. Well written and a page turner that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Can't wait to read more my Menna van Praag.
January 8, 2016
Today was a rainy day and the best sort of day to read this book. I surprised myself by tearing up a few times at the poignant, beautiful emotions of love that were threaded throughout this book. Definitely not something I anticipated. I was also intensely curious as to how van Praag was going to tie all the numerous threads of character interactions together. She did not disappoint and wove together a rich tapestry of a story. Though a simple and quite fanciful story, the deeper threads of love and what resonates with an individual stood out to me. Well done!
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