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A review by moononherwings
The Dressmaker's Secret by Lorna Cook
5.0
***ARC provided by Netgalley.com***
My goodness, where do I start? I suppose with a 'thank you'! I feel so privileged to have been allowed the opportunity to read this novel before it is published. Aside from expected copyediting issues, this book was an absolute pleasure to read. I finished it today at work in between phone calls and miscellaneous tasks, and I nearly cried.
About halfway through my read, I wrote this note in my notebook:
"Historical fiction seems to provide a perfect opportunity for character-driven introspection. As the depth and emotion of humanity's historical events play out in a fictional/dramatised narrative, the main character is given both the allowance and encouragement to explore their own humanity. Therefore, within the pages of a historically based novel, the complexity of personality, character, and development is thoroughly explored and thoughtfully expressed - just as the facts within a historical fiction piece require genuine care and eager research, so does the introspection within a character's thoughts and emotions."
Now that I have finished the book in its entirety, I am even more convinced that the theme and purpose of this story was meant to highlight introspection. Within the confines of terror and uncertainty that war and occupation present, within the thrill and warmth of a romantic relationship, and within the pain and insecurity that trauma keeps lingering in one's mind, introspection thrives. This novel, Lorna Cook, did an excellent job of addressing introspection, tying it in with a heavy period in this world's timeline that will resonate with every reader.
This is my first five-star rated book of 2022, and it is well deserved. I will be recommending this book to everyone I can and encouraging them to purchase it when it is released.
My goodness, where do I start? I suppose with a 'thank you'! I feel so privileged to have been allowed the opportunity to read this novel before it is published. Aside from expected copyediting issues, this book was an absolute pleasure to read. I finished it today at work in between phone calls and miscellaneous tasks, and I nearly cried.
About halfway through my read, I wrote this note in my notebook:
"Historical fiction seems to provide a perfect opportunity for character-driven introspection. As the depth and emotion of humanity's historical events play out in a fictional/dramatised narrative, the main character is given both the allowance and encouragement to explore their own humanity. Therefore, within the pages of a historically based novel, the complexity of personality, character, and development is thoroughly explored and thoughtfully expressed - just as the facts within a historical fiction piece require genuine care and eager research, so does the introspection within a character's thoughts and emotions."
Now that I have finished the book in its entirety, I am even more convinced that the theme and purpose of this story was meant to highlight introspection. Within the confines of terror and uncertainty that war and occupation present, within the thrill and warmth of a romantic relationship, and within the pain and insecurity that trauma keeps lingering in one's mind, introspection thrives. This novel, Lorna Cook, did an excellent job of addressing introspection, tying it in with a heavy period in this world's timeline that will resonate with every reader.
This is my first five-star rated book of 2022, and it is well deserved. I will be recommending this book to everyone I can and encouraging them to purchase it when it is released.