Suknelių vagilė

by Natalie Meg Evans, Vilma Rinkevičiūtė (Translator)

Aliksė Gover svajoja tapti dizainere Paryžiaus haute couture pasaulyje kaip Koko Šanel. Bet mergina kai ką slepia: ji pragyvena vogdama modelius nelegaliai užsienio rinkai. Paslėptas bloknotas ir dvi minutės Hermès parduotuvėje – štai ir viskas, ko reikia tiksliai kopijai, kuri paskui slapta bus išsiųsta į Niujorką. Aliksei pasitaiko galimybė įgyvendinti seną svajonę – įsidarbinti vienuose žymiausių Paryžiaus mados namų, bet už tai ji turės įvykdyti neeilinį nusikaltimą. Ši beprotiška užmačia – vienintelė Aliksės galimybė. Tik ar meilės klystkeliai ir į viešumą kylančios paslaptys nepakiš jai kojos? Vos vienas klaidingas žingsnis sužlugdytų jos gyvenimą... Aliksė rizikuoja prarasti viską, kas jai brangu.

Nuostabus pasakojimas, turtingas ketvirtojo dešimtmečio Paryžiaus detalių, įstabiai atkurta didžiųjų mados namų atmosfera. Čia netrūksta intriguojančių vagysčių, meilės, išdavystės, kovos ir begalinio užsispyrimo siekiant užsibrėžto tikslo. Žavinga ir kerinti pagrindinė istorijos veikėja Aliksė ryžtingai kovoja už vietą viliojančiame, bet pavojingame pasaulyje.

Romanas „Suknelių vagilė“ – daugiabriaunis pasakojimas, kurio veiksmas vyksta ketvirtojo dešimtmečio Paryžiuje. Paslapčių ir nuodėmių kupiname žėrinčiame mados pasaulyje nestinga brangių šilkinių suknelių, akinančių pasirodymų, svajonių, meilės, pavydo ir pavojingų žaidimų. Pagrindinė knygos herojė Aliksė ryžtingai siekia įsitvirtinti mados pasaulyje, bet kad tai įgyvendintų, jai tenka priimti rizikingus, kartais net beprotiškus sprendimus. Puikiai parašyta knyga, kviečianti pasinerti į spalvingą Paryžiaus gyvenimą ir permainingą istoriją. Negalėsite atsiplėšti nuo šios knygos.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Romance, Fashion, Chick Lit, France

456 pages, Hardcover

First published May 29, 2014

About the author

Being a published writer has been Natalie Meg Evans’ goal from an early age. Having achieved her dream, she extracts maximum fun from it by writing the kind of books she has always loved reading. Mother to one son and currently guardian to a rescued Labrador and a Malinois (Belgian Shepherd), Natalie lives in rural Suffolk, England’s easternmost county.

In 2012, Natalie won the prestigious Harry Bowling Prize and was a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist. She was longlisted in the Mslexia new women novelists
competition, and shortlisted for a Daphne du Maurier award for romantic suspense. The Dress Thief won the readers award for the best historical novel at the Festival of Romance and was nominated for a Romance Writers of America RITA.

Her latest novels are The Locket and The Paris Inheritance, both split timeline novels with a wartime theme.

She has achieved another life-goal, as a published author of country house crime. As Kay Blythe, her first novel in this genre comes out in February 2025. Look out for Murder at Merry Beggars Hall.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

In theory, this book should be everything I love about historical fiction but sadly the author author failed to capture my attention for the duration of this read. Although it begins rather promisingly, the book is much too long at six hundred plus pages (it could have been chopped by at least a hundred and fifty if the author hadn't included so much irrelevant detail) and as such, I found myself skim reading the last few chapters.

Although I loved the setting of the story, none of the characters particularly aroused my interest in the plot and many felt, at best, cliched or at worst, the authors afterthought. Possibly I misinterpreted the storyline, but I felt so much of the story just wasn't necessary and the stronger parts should have been lengthened.

A missed opportunity for a potentially enjoyable novel. Parisian fashion in the 1930's was utterly divine, if a cut throat world, unfortunately the author failed to transcribe this through her work.

[Anastasia Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Concept was good.
Elegant haute coutures' salons in Paris from one side and Facism's ferocity in Spain from the other side.. A groomed talented in fashion young lady and a handsome but wounded -in many ways-war reporter....
BUT... something was always missing to me as chapters were getting along.
Dialogues were fading and seemed weak where they should be tense and passionate...Alix and Verrian didn't convince me about their feelings nor their choices...
Whole story, layed down, looked predictable and rather naive.
In the contrary I consider more interesting writer's notes about history of fashion at the end of book than the book itself....
In total it takes more than a valuable vocabulary to show off a good writer....Meg Evans didn't catch it up for me...

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute treat of a book. A multi-layered, carefully constructed, beautifully written book, each layer peeled delicately and evocatively to reveal the treasure within. The sense of time and place is spot on. I did not want it to end even as I kept turning the pages, enjoying every stunning word. A masterpiece. Loved it.

[Trish at Between My Lines · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on [Between My Lines]Twitteresque reviews are for books where I don’t feel like writing a full review but I want to give you a flavour of how I felt during the book.  All in 140 characters or less!

 



 ***************************************************************************************


 

The Dress Thief by Natalie Meg Evans



 

Refreshingly different, full of Parisienne haute couture, fashion spies and a heroine that is perfectly imperfect.

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Carry the One by Carol Anshaw



 

DNF – I tried but it’s not for me.  Painfully slow, very lyrical writing and I didn’t connect with any of the characters.  It was carrying me to a book slump so I cut it off.

**************************************************************************************************************

The Lost and the Found by Cat Clarke



 

Great read!  I loved how real and complex the characters and family relationships were.  Add in a story straight from the newpaper headlines and I was hooked.

***************************************************************************************************************

Talk to Trish : Have you read any of these and what did you think of them? Are there any that you are interested in reading? 

[Jennifer Moville · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as part of Good Reads First Reads

This story is set in Paris ion the 1930s - a decade of fancy couture

The author sets the scene of exquisite dresses and dangerous secrets - all in the life of Alix

She dreams of becoming a designer in the fashion house of Coco Chanel - but the cost is high. She has to provide for her family by stealing designs - will she get caught - or won't she ?

A novel to get to embraced in the Parisian life and drown yourself in the ambiance of the settings for the story. A book that kept me engrossed and intrigued as I turned each page

A very well written book

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seems I'm going to have to be in the minority here, but this book seemed like a missed chance. The set up was interesting, as was the story background, again I gave the stars for excellent research, but the characters fell flat. I wanted to relate to them but I could not.

I don't know what it was, maybe it was a bad translation of the book, maybe there was too much detail to clutter the plot or a rambling on about backstory when it was unnecessary, but it just all got in the way.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the story and the characters. I just wish we heard more about the future before the story ended. Glad to know it is a series and I can move on to book 2. Only issue I have is some of the language but can't help that if you are reading a foreign novel. The reader must learn the language! So not the authors problem. Loved this and can't wait to read " The Milliner's Secret".

[Mary Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not great literature, but if you are interested in fashion and couture, Paris, the 1930s with its rumblings of politics and war, it's vastly entertaining. It's well-written, and the author's afterwords on women and fashion are thought-provoking.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE DRESS THIEF BY NATALIE MEG EVANS

WHY HAD I HAD THIS BOOK ON MY TBR PILE SINCE IT CAME OUT I SPOT IT NETGALLEY  I ASKED TO READ AND GOT A COPY WOW  A BRILLIANT READ

WOW WHY DID I NOT READ IT BRILLIANT I SO GLAD I READ NOW ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BOOKS OF YEAR
ANY ONE WHO LOVES FASHION AND HISTORY WILL LOVE THIS WONDERFUL BOOK
IT so packed with twists and turns the characters seem so real I loved them all
Alik the main character I loved her I could see all the dresses that were being described I loved all the fashion house I could see it all in my head
I got to say the Author notes at the back were such a clever idea I enjoyed reading them I could get right inside the fashion house I could picture all the fabrics cuts the style being put together I could see and feel the fabric being used I find it so interesting to read
It has been very well researched you could tell I was transported back to Paris in the 1930 's in to the fashion word
What Alike was doing was so wrong but what a fabulous designer she was she was a brilliant  dress thief I love her style I not  going to tell you what happens I want you to read for yourself 
Alex life was not easy she seem to mix with the wrong men I enjoyed all the hidden secrets  why did they need to be kept hidden ?
She was so talented but very naive at times I was so gripped by the story I enjoyed all the subplots they worked so well together
they all add to  this wonderful tale I liked the way the story unfolds it got lots of suspension I'm like all the glamour setting all the characters have their own tales to tell
The setting are so lovely it a very compelling read a very entertaining read I can not praise enough so well written a very interesting read
5 dolls thank netgalley  for letting me read and review 

[Mariann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ükski jõulupüha ei möödu ilma uute raamatuteta ning minu kingikotti sattus Natalie Meg Evansi debüütromaan "Kleidivaras". Rõõmustasin, sest teadsin, mis raamatuga täita väljakutse punkti 27. Raamat kirjastuse Varrak sarjast „Varraku ajaviiteromaan“. Rääkides sarjast, siis sellega ma eriti tuttav pole. Ainuke loetud raamat on Daphne du Maurier "Rebecca".

1937, Pariis. Telefonijaamas töötav noor neiu Alix Gower saab võimaluse hakata tööle mainekas Javieri moemajas, kuid sellega kaasneb väike "aga" - temast saab moevaras. Esmalt tegeleb ta õmblemisega, siis saab mannekeeniks. Igal võimalusel visandab tüdruk üles kollektsioonid, mille kavandid saadetakse üle mere Ameerikasse, et ka sealsed daamid Pariisi moodi saaksid kanda. Alix hakkab moodi armastama ning tahab räpase kõrvalameti jätta, kuid olukord väljub kiiresti naise kontrolli alt. Minevikusaladused saadavad ta vanema haiglasse ning neiul on hädasti raha vaja.

Raamatu parim külg oli ajastuvalik. Nimelt oli huvitav lugeda 30-te moemaailmast, eriti selle varjupoolest. Kahjuks oli peategelane ebasümpaatne, sest ta ei kasutanud oma olukorda paremini ära. Alix oleks võinud saavutada moemajas palju, kuid ei suutnud jätta varastamist. Olen nõus, et tal oli raha vaja, kuid ta oleks saanud seda raha mujalt ning seaduslikumaid teid pidi, kui ei oleks nii uhke ja isepäine olnud. Naistekast ootasin veidi paremat meeestevalikut ka, kuid peategelase maitse oli halb ning enesehävituslik.

Natalie Meg Evans on avaldanud kolm romaani ning varsti on tulemas ka neljas. Kõik keskenduvad tugevatele naiskarakteritele, kes üritavad oma eluga hakkama saada ning taustaks on II maailmasõda. Kirjanik ise on sündinud Zimbabwes ning üles kasvanud Ühendkuningriigis, kus ta ka praegu elab. Prantsusmaa-armastus on pärit emalt, kes oli muide õmblejanna.

Mulle meeldis raamatu juures ajastuvalik ning moeteema, kuid oleksin tahtnud neist rohkemgi lugeda. Vastusteta küsimused perekonnaajaloost ja varastamine jäid mannetuks ning lisaks ei sallinud ma ka peategelast, mistõttu jäi lõppmulje raamatust pigem negatiivne. Ajaviiteks sobib, aga midagi erilist sellest ei leia.

Aitäh, Roosi!

[Jurgita · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5🌟

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I actually learned a lot about the fashion industry as well. However, this book was not only about the fashion industry. There were so many other things going on. Hitler was up and coming, war was being raged in Spain and most of Europe was on the brink of turmoil. There was also mystery, blackmail, secrets, lies, counterfeiting, love, vulnerability, friendship, backstabbing, poverty and all along the greedy get greedier.

This was an absolute lovely story which I thoroughly enjoyed. My emotions went from yay to no, to NO, not again and then back to yay and then the emotions started all over again. It was a journey that I will remember for a long time. I recommend you take the journey for yourself and read this book.

Thanks Bookouture and Net Galley for providing me with this free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. I had a very enjoyable time reading this one!

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this as a giveaway from Goodreads First Reads.

This book is a real gem! The story is set in 1930s Paris and centres around the character of Alix Gower and her attempts to make her way in the world of haute couture. From the first few pages, I was gripped. The plot is never predictable, there are mysteries to be unravelled and the descriptions of fabrics, styles and colours are breathtaking. The historical setting really comes alive, with the feel of excitement and hedonism among the rich as the imminent war approaches providing an enthralling backdrop to the lives of the characters. Alix is a flawed but likeable heroine, and the other characters in the novel are well-drawn and interesting.

This is much more than a straightforward historical romance - it has depth and quality and is a thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Roxy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because I like historical fiction, and sewing, and the fashion industry of the 1920's and 1930's, I very much enjoyed this book. Evans obviously did her research, so it was educational as well as entertaining.

[Shahd Thani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly beautiful!!!

[Ele Pärtel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mida rohkem olen lugenud, seda enam häirib mind praak ja sellele kaotatud aeg. Siin on hea näide, mis vahe on tõeliselt heal kirjanikul ja wannabe ajaviitekirjanikul. Romaani idee on huvitav, intrigeeriv ja selle põhjal annaks kirjutada väga head ajaviitekirjandust, autor on ilmselt uurinud ka moeloomise telgitaguseid. Aga teostus jääb nigelaks. Tegelased on nõrgad, enamasti mustvalged ning sündmuste käik on tihti jabur ja ebaloogiline. Mitmed väga lapsikud vead on teinud nii autor, tõlkija, toimetaja kui kujundaja. Nt on "musta lipsu" tähendust korduvalt väärkoheldud, seksistseenis mõtleb peategelane "mehe torsole" (on veel ebaseksikamat sõnastust??), kõrgmoest rääkivas raamatus on kaanel suvaline halvasti istuv kleit. Andestage mu küünilisus, aga juuditeema ja happy endile suunatud ajaviitekirjanduse pealiskaudne ühendamine sundis mind mitu korda mõtlema "Aga kas see vapper tegelane gaasikambrist ka pääseb?" (tegevus toimus 1930ndate lõpus).

Kui tahate lugeda sarnasel teemal romaani noore disaini- ja õmblushuvilise naise kujunemisest ammusel ajal huvitavas suurlinnas, siis võtke parem Gilberti "Tüdrukute linn" - see on perfektne, läbimõeldud detailide ja looga ning puhas nauding.

[smells_like_book · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prisipažinsiu tokio stiliaus knygos nėra mano “arkliukas”,bet kartais daug skaitant norisi pagriebti kà nors lengvo ir “atostogiško”. Tai ši tokia ir yra. Lengva, greit susiskaitanti ir neįpareigojanti. Tiesa, mane erzino šiek tiek, kad istorija gan nuspėjama, nors ir daugiasluoksnė, kupina veiksmo ir gan daug veikėjú,bet vis tik. Tiems, kas žavisi mada, Paryžiumi tiks netgi labai..viso romano metu jautėsi ta aura ypatingai :)) Knyga - 2014 metú romantinės literatūros festivalyje apdovanota už geriausiá istorinį romanà.

[Keelie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt it dragged on far too long. I liked the idea of it overall. I just think it could have been extremely trimmed down.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!!!!

[Reda Klim. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Puikus istorinis romanas. Labai patiko, įtraukė ir sužavėjo.

[Kobby Gyampoh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Also on http://chicklitpad.blogspot.com

The Dress Thief review
Imagine This: It’s 1930s, Germany is waging war over Spain and Paris is still the heart of haute couture on the globe. Think Chanel, Think Hermes. And think you, with dreams of establishing your own successful fashion brand.
You might not have the income, or a lover as in Coco Chanel’s case, but you sure do have talent. And you are looking for that one little break to shoot through the ranks of fashion’s elite. But dreams and talents do not put breakfast on the table of you and your fragile grandma, shitty jobs do.
Then suddenly, a task falls in your lap. Your boyfriend has managed to pull a gig that would grant you the opportunity to be all that you want. The task? Copy the whole spring-summer collection of a renowned fashion house. Every detail. Down to every thread. The result? So thousands of fakes could swamp the New York ready market for cheap counterfeit couture. The prize? A lot of money.
It’s all a very easy-task when you are plunged in the fashion house to act as mole.
But things wouldn’t be as easy as you assumed. Because you might find it difficult to gain the trust of this theatrical designer, you might be fighting off the advances of one model’s dangerous boyfriend, you might be having your thoughts constantly wrapped around an English Adonis reporter who promises a second date but disappears, you might face the threat of being arrested by the fashion police. And as though all the above isn’t scary enough, there’s a killer on your tail, threatening to make you disappear if his demands are not reached.
In a world of lies, deceit, hatred, love and haute couture Alix Gower must keep her head in the game or lose it––literally.

MY REVIEW
I loved, loved this book. So you know in my review I’d be yelling at you to go get it.
Girl wants to succeed in fashion, Girl is giving the most treacherous task, Girl needs to keep her mind focused on her family, a possible love life and her life if she wants to live long enough to be a name on every fashion enthusiast’s list. Amazing strory-line! Who really doesn’t want to read about 1930s popular culture teamed with some good, old vintage love story? A star to the story-line. ── ★
An enchanting heroine! Alix Gower might not be today’s it-girl, but she sure is a force for the Kardashian sisters to reckon with (except when you consider the bootay). You’d love her passion to survive in the cutthroat world of fashion, you’d love her sense to pick the style of clothes down to every detail metres away, you’d love her artistic talent to design something fresh, and her ability to predict future trends. Not to portray her as a die-hard, fashion girl––which she is, you’d be enthralled by her curiosity to tie-up the bits and pieces of her shattered past, and her intelligence. A star to the lead. ── ★★
A terrifyingly addictive plot! You wouldn’t want to put this book down. All through it, you’d be swishing from foot to foot to let go of this book so you could go spend the rest of the holiday festivities with your family. High levels of suspense and intrigue to get you flipping for more even though you’ve completed your reading limit for the day. ── ★★★
Marvellous supporting cast! There’s Verrian, the hot English reporter who would never call in time for a second date. There’s Monsieur Javier, the theatrical talented fashion designer. There’s Mémé, the secretive grandmother who worries Alix is quitting a shitty job for a shittier one with long hours and peanuts as salary just to chase her dream. There’s Bonnet, the artist friend who’s bad enough to keep a secret after a little pint. There’s Madame Rey, the nosy concierge who probes too much into Alix’ love life. There’s Serge Mantel, the persistent model’s boyfriend who has very strange tastes in bed. Madame Kiplin, who reminds you of a pretentious socialite known to wear only counterfeits. Rosa, the landlady with witty sayings and quotes who deserves a twitter account. Loads of other characters that are amazingly developed. ── ★★★★
Humour ── ★★★★★

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about the hip, vintage world of the 1930s, anyone who wants a title laden with suspense and intrigue and anyone who wants a story with an engaging lead enough to keep you awake through 500 pages.

[Brianne Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. It seemed so in my wheelhouse: I love the era, and fashion, and the premise was intriguing. Unfortunately, that interesting premise was buried underneath a lot of nonsense: the main character's tiresome and fanciful love life, a cliched blackmail plot, and a 30-year-old murder mystery so uninteresting even she didn't really care about it. The characters are nothing new--the rebellious aristocrat, the kindly mentor, the high-society bitch, the jealous prima-donna model, the thuggish nightclub owner--and they tend to disappear for long periods of time. One character (one who's presented as important but could have been cut from the story alltogether) was gone for so long I actually kind of forgot about him. And it's not because I'm incapable of keeping track of large casts of characters.

This needed a much stronger editorial hand. It's far too long: lots of things could have and should have been cut. There are also pacing issues: parts of the book drag while other bits feel oddly rushed. And important questions needed to be put to the author, because there are times when the characters behave so ridiculously you can't possibly believe what they're doing. For instance: If you were secretly behind the theft of a collection of clothes that had not been shown, would you then wear one of the outfits to a meeting with the designer they'd been taken from? If you knew your ex-boyfriend had actually disfigured his previous girlfriend, would you get back together with the guy expressly for the purpose of pressuring him to confess to that assault (just to you, mind, not the authorities or anything!)? If you have any sense whatsoever, the answer to both of those questions would be, 'no'. And yet, they happen. Along with several other ridiculous things that no reasonable person would ever do.

If you're hoping, at least, for the story of a strong woman navigating tricky waters, you'll probably be disappointed there as well. Alix seems (mostly) well-meaning, but she's a tease and can't seem to get anything done without a man to either kick things off or assist her. Usually both. And while, yes, men were more highly rated in the 1930s and therefore wielded more power, let's not forget that there were loads of extremely influential female designers working in Paris at this time (Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli, Jeanne Lanvin, to reel just three off the top of my head), so obviously women could get things done and command attention and respect on their own. I'd like to point out that these women barely warrant a mention, though you'd think they should be all over a book about 1930s couture. Sigh. So many missed opportunities.

I will say, though, that the descriptions of Paris are quite lovely, and it's clear Evans adores the city. And the glimpses into the inner workings of a couture house were interesting. So, there's that. But story-wise? Just not my cup of tea, I'm afraid.

[Cleopatra Pullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who would have thought a book about couture would also inform me about the Spanish civil war that was raging before the start of World War II? Not this reader and so as much as I was looking forward to learning about the world of fashion I’m pleased to report there was far more on offer in The Dress Thief.

As the title suggests the book looks at the business of copying designer fashion and our heroine is caught up in this dubious business. Designers were alert to the problem and employed different methods to keep their finished articles under wraps to try and foil the counterfeiters but when people are desperate, they do desperate things.

The setting is Paris in the 1930s and Alix Gower is recruited by a friend who lives on a barge supporting his two younger sisters to draw designs of a scarf. He will then sell the design onto another woman who will have the designs made up and sold at a fraction of the cost with the profits being split between them. After all Alix needs the money too as she supplements her wages as a telephone operator to support herself and her Grandmother, Meme.

Alix’s background is full of tragedy, both her parents are dead and the family have moved from England to France because of anti-Semitism with the support of a wealthy Count who fought with her father in the war and an old artist friend of Meme but the underlying feeling is that the past is a shadowy country. But with a dream to pursue Alix concentrates on getting accepted as a seamstress at a high fashion house despite the drop in wages she wants the role to fulfil her ambitions to be designer but she needs to be accepted to earn a decent amount of money through stealing some designs to sell through the counterfeiter’s network.
There is no doubt that men are attracted to Alix and she has one admirer in the form of Verrian Haviland, a war reporter who has recently returned from Spain but a nightclub owner also has his eye on her and he sees his chance when Verrian returns to Spain.
Through the engaging story-telling we learn about all the different parts that go into making a high couture outfit, from the cutting room to the final showing on the mannequins, or as we know them nowadays models. The rush to get a collection finished, the choice of fabric, the ingenious ideas used to show the dresses off to their best advantage are all included. And of course Alix has got caught up in a plot to steal the designs despite her ambitions to be a designer so we have a moral dilemma too!

This is a story of all those things that make for an involved read; there are various mysteries including a death, family relationships, having a dream and a romance, all perfectly executed. And no story about couture in Paris would be complete without the big names; Channel, Hermès and Schiaparelli to underpin the glamorous angle of this delightful read but ultimately this is a story of contrasts, the wealth of the women who wear the designer outfits to the poverty which exists in the city where the clouds of war are gathering.

[Eva Hechenberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wir lesen hier die Geschichte von Alix, einem jungen Mädchen, die in Paris als Telefonistin arbeitet, aber nicht wirklich glücklich ist. Sie träumt nämlich von der schönen Welt der Haut Couture und allem was dazu gehört. Paul, ein Freund, verschafft ihr einen Job bei einem großen Designer, hat aber einen Hintergedanken und zwar soll sie die Frühjahrskollektion klauen und die Dinge nehmen ihren Lauf….

Ich bin durch das Cover auf dieses Buch aufmerksam geworden, weil ich das einfach reizend finde mit diesen Nahtmaterialien, dem Eiffelturm. Natürlich fand ich auch den Klappentext sehr interessant.
Allerdings muss ich sagen, war die Geschichte für mich teilweise sehr anstrengend zu Lesen. Die Autorin hat, wie ich finde, zuviele Nebenhandlungen zu der Haupthandlung eingebaut und ich fand es teilweise nicht ganz gelungen.
Ansonsten fand ich mit am spannendsten die Beschreibung der Arbeitsweise des Designers, dass nur ganz wenige Menschen an der Gestaltung und Herstellung eines Kleides beteiligt sind und wie das alles funktioniert. Ich denke hierzu hat die Autorin recht ordentlich recherchiert.
Die Charaktere waren ganz nett, aber es war jetzt keiner dabei der besonders hervorgestochen ist. Die Beschreibung der Alix war sehr genau und ich habe mit ihre mitgefühlt, dass sie in einem Dilemma gesteckt hat, als Paul die Idee hatte, die Kollektion zu stehlen. Sie weiß es ist nicht richtig, aber sie braucht auch dringend Geld. Da konnte ich mit ihr mitfühlen. Auch verstehe ich wieso sie nachdem Verrian sich nicht mehr gemeldet hatte und das Unglück bei Javier war, einen Freund wollte und sich mit dem furchtbaren Typen Serge eingelassen hatte.
Teilweise waren auch die Nebencharaktere recht genau beschrieben, wie zB die Kinder des Comtes usw. .
Der Schreibstil der Autorin war, obwohl die Geschichte teilweise zäh war, angenehm zu Lesen und ich bin gut in den Lesefluss reingekommen. Ich habe mich auch sofort nach Paris reinversetzen können, weil die Beschreibungen sehr schön waren.
Die Erpressergeschichte hätte man etwas kürzen können.
Das Ende fand ich schön, auch das Alix ihr Glück findet

[Mirella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dress Thief sweeps readers into the heart of Paris during the rise of the fashion industry - from the fashion designers to the manufacturing to the runway. From the very beginning, one cannot feel anything but sympathy for the plight of Alix who lives in poverty with her ailing grandmother, Meme, but who possesses powerful dreams to one day become a fashion designer. She is befriended by a young man named Paul, also poor who cares for his younger sisters. It is Paul who entices her into becoming a thief - whose contacts get her a job at a leading fashion house where she is to copy the designs prior to their launch for reproduction in the United States.

Alix has a secret benefactor, a wealthy Count, who has taken care of her through the years and who has an unclear connection to her Meme and her dead mother. It is this connection which causes him to be the victim of a blackmail plot in which Alix finds herself involved. Lives are at risk until the blackmailer can be identified and stopped. With several antagonists and suspicious characters, there are plenty of surprises and twists throughout. I found myself becoming emotionally involved with strong impressions regarding each character.

Natalie Meg Evans has a strong understanding of the fashion industry of the era and this comes through in her sharp writing. This is a very long book at approximately 592 pages. Although the plot slows a little in the middle, there is plenty of story to keep the reader interested. It is not a story to be rushed - rather, it is one to be savoured for its wonderfully rich descriptions and details. It is no wonder this is an award winning book!

Thank you to the author and publisher. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Brandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decepcionante.
Mientras lo leía, no me convencía. Una vez terminado puedo decir que no merece la pena.
La autora de este libro fue incapaz de introducirme en el mundo de Alix. Lo intentaba con descripciones aquí y allá pero eran insuficientes. Aparte de eso las actitudes de los personajes son de pena, sobre todo la pareja protagonista.

[Renee Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Waiting

At the beginning I was waiting for the story to get going. Halfway through still nothing . At 80 percent through I just saw topped reading. Not much of a story .the character's were not interesting and lacking depth.

[Marc Mordey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable and entertaining novel and revealing - to me at least as someone who does not know the topic - about the world of the great fashion houses, albeit in a historical context.

[Denis · Rating 5 out of 5]

WE devoured the audio version in a trip down to Cornwall. Good yarn with interesting diversions to reflect the times - 1935-1938 ish. Looking forward to the next book

[Nikki · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great cover, great idea for a book.....but a really disappointing read.