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In Search of the Perfect Fit http://dreamdresses-stories.com
"Dream Dresses" is a short story collection about women's dreams and the dresses they choose to express them.
These are stories of the dresses women choose to wear…dresses they were forced to wear…dresses they treasured and dresses they wished they could forget.
Covering the life span of women from childhood to old age, these stories explore how the fabric of women's dreams and aspirations become so entangled with attire that the dress and the dream become one and the same.
"Dream Dresses" is a short story collection about women's dreams and the dresses they choose to express them.
These are stories of the dresses women choose to wear…dresses they were forced to wear…dresses they treasured and dresses they wished they could forget.
Covering the life span of women from childhood to old age, these stories explore how the fabric of women's dreams and aspirations become so entangled with attire that the dress and the dream become one and the same.
ebook
First published November 21, 2015
245 people want to read
About the author
Hilary Scharper
4 books97 followersHilary Scharper is a Canadian novelist who writes historical fiction...always with a gothic-nature twist. Her "ecogothic" writing is rooted in a deep love for the natural world. She is particularly drawn to wild spaces and places.
Hilary was born in Toronto, Canada, where she also attended university, studying cultural anthropology and eventually completing her doctorate at Yale. For over two decades she taught courses on animals, culture, and nature at the University of Toronto. In 2023 she retired from teaching to become a full-time writer.
She currently lives with her husband and son in Guelph, Ontario.
(Hilary does not use generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the writing of her work.)
Hilary was born in Toronto, Canada, where she also attended university, studying cultural anthropology and eventually completing her doctorate at Yale. For over two decades she taught courses on animals, culture, and nature at the University of Toronto. In 2023 she retired from teaching to become a full-time writer.
She currently lives with her husband and son in Guelph, Ontario.
(Hilary does not use generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the writing of her work.)
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 9, 2012
When a friend tells you she's writing a book of short stories, you're never quite sure what to say. You want to be supportive and so on because the two of you have talked about it, the process of writing, the trials and tribulations of getting published as a first time author of fiction, the anticipation of seeing the book finally in print And then there's the question of having being thanked in the dedication. Surely that would skew your opinion of it, don't you think? Well, all that happened to me and I have admit I was somewhat nervous when I sat down to read it. What if I didn't like it!
Here's the thing: When I started reading Dream Dresses, I could not stop. Each story stopped me in my tracks one way or the other. I wanted to get on to the next one. The writing was brilliant, funny, wry, terrifyingly exacting in unconscious ways, beautifully crafted. The stories are memorable; the characters unforgettable, believable. Some made you laugh, others left you utterly heart-broken. All of them made you stop, put the book down, and think and take a breath before you started the next one. They are wholly-formed stories that want to be short films. They are almost sly moral tales told without hectoring or preaching. At the end, you, the reader must decide what they mean.
When I finished the last story, I could actually be completely honest and tell her how much I loved the whole book with no reservations. I was stunned.
Hilary Scharper is a master story-teller. This first book of her deserves a much wider audience than her original publisher was able to provide. You'll want to read it now because this is a writer you will be hearing from again. Her new novel "Perdita" - described as "eco-gothic" is being published by Simon & Schuster, coming out in April, 2013. Something tells me she's only going to get better.
Here's the thing: When I started reading Dream Dresses, I could not stop. Each story stopped me in my tracks one way or the other. I wanted to get on to the next one. The writing was brilliant, funny, wry, terrifyingly exacting in unconscious ways, beautifully crafted. The stories are memorable; the characters unforgettable, believable. Some made you laugh, others left you utterly heart-broken. All of them made you stop, put the book down, and think and take a breath before you started the next one. They are wholly-formed stories that want to be short films. They are almost sly moral tales told without hectoring or preaching. At the end, you, the reader must decide what they mean.
When I finished the last story, I could actually be completely honest and tell her how much I loved the whole book with no reservations. I was stunned.
Hilary Scharper is a master story-teller. This first book of her deserves a much wider audience than her original publisher was able to provide. You'll want to read it now because this is a writer you will be hearing from again. Her new novel "Perdita" - described as "eco-gothic" is being published by Simon & Schuster, coming out in April, 2013. Something tells me she's only going to get better.
January 10, 2016
Hilary Scharper's, "Dream Dresses" is a moving, & insightful collection of short stories about body image, trying to fit in to societal norms at different stages of our lives, SURVIVAL for some & so much more....She's a superb storyteller that allows us a glimpse of how women struggle & hope to find that perfect fit in life & costumes that can make us a better version of ourselves.
I was particularly touched by "Birds of a Feather" as it demonstrates that we never tire of dress up & good healthy competition exists at every age of our lives. Utterly inspiring tale.
These Dream Dresses deserve 4.5 stars!
I want to thank Good Reads & the publisher, Seraphim Editions for providing me with a copy of "Dream Dresses' in exchange for an honest review.
I was particularly touched by "Birds of a Feather" as it demonstrates that we never tire of dress up & good healthy competition exists at every age of our lives. Utterly inspiring tale.
These Dream Dresses deserve 4.5 stars!
I want to thank Good Reads & the publisher, Seraphim Editions for providing me with a copy of "Dream Dresses' in exchange for an honest review.
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January 28, 2016I thought this would be a simple book of fashion but how wrong I was! This was a collection of short stories that told the tales of how women used their clothing,bodies etc. to define their lives. Some stories were sad, some bittersweet but after finishing the book I felt I had somehow intruded in these womens lives, but I still am glad I was able to read this book. I reccomend this book to women everywhere. I received this book from Goodreads for free.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews