The Dress in the Window

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

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Overall, I liked this novel. At times, the narrative did drag for me, and I really did not find any of the characters likable, but there is something about the tone of a novel that can really captivate me. This one was layered with so much grief and longing it kept me reading into the night. I‘d definitely read more by the author. #LiteraryCrew

intothehallofbooks I read this a few years ago and I remember feeling similarly to what you‘re describing. But you know what? This is one of those books I‘ve thought of nonstop since I read it. So I‘m sure I‘ll reread it one day. It wasn‘t a 5star read for me, but it has been on my mind for years. 1y

Librarybelle @intothehallofbooks Sign of a good bookā€¦if it stays with you long after reading it! 1y

BkClubCare And what a pretty purple dress š‘—š’ 1y

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kspenmoll Such a thoughtful review! Agree with you re characters although different personally wise, they each demonstrated grit in the way they handled their lives, they were bound by loyalty & shared suffering- a shocking twist(for me)near the book‘s end left me with confused emotionsā€¦ 1y

Librarybelle @BkClubCare Yes! 1y

Librarybelle @kspenmoll Thank you! There was a bit of a twist that seemed a shock to me as well! 1y

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Librarybelle

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

It is time for this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead discussion! I have questions posted under the spoiler and can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, and by searching the hashtag. Thanks for joining this month; comment below with anything else you wish to share!

mcctrish, Julsmarshall, melissajayne, Jerdencon, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, BethM, Sargar114, MoonWitch94, julieclair, AllDebooks

julieclair Great pick! I really enjoyed this book. 1y

Librarybelle @julieclair I‘m so glad you did! 1y

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Librarybelle

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

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7. There is so much grief in this book, not only for those who have passed away but for lost ambitions and dreams. How do the women cope in their own way with grief? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

julieclair I think they are all just slogging through their grief for those who have passed away. Putting one foot in front of the other and getting through each day, because there is nothing they can do about it. But as far as the lost hopes and dreams, it‘s interesting to see how they all try, in different ways and with varying success, to try to make those dreams - or new dreams - happen. 1y

Librarybelle @julieclair Agree! 1y

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Librarybelle

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

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6. As Fyfe's was described, I could not help but think of the department stores of old, way before Kohl's. Macy's has been around for some time, but there are countless department stores that have closed. Do you remember any department stores that are no longer open in your area? I'm including a link to one I barely remember from my childhood - Pomeroy's. This website also explores long lost department stores! #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Librarybelle Link to explore more: http://www.thedepartmentstoremuseum.org/2010/11/pomeroys-reading-pa.html 1y

julieclair Oh my goodnessā€¦. this website is a gem!!! Thanks so much for sharing. I have so many memories of stores that are now closed, in New York City and northern New Jersey. Bamberger‘s, Stern‘s, Meyer Brothers, Abraham & Straus, Alexander‘s, Lord & Taylor, B. Altman‘s, Bonwit Tellerā€¦ all goneā€¦ (edited) 1y

Librarybelle @julieclair I‘m glad I found it! 1y

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Librarybelle

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

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5. Obviously, the fashion world is a huge part of this novel as well. What did you think of each chapter's opening? Grant's inspiration for this story line, in part, was from the war efforts of women in WWII and this desire to continue independence after the war; fashion gave them a bit of license to do so. Think about fashion in this novel - how to Jeanne, Peggy, and Thelma use fashion to help their circumstances? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

julieclair I really enjoyed the introductions to each section, with the details about the various types of fabric. I will be sure to bring lots of tulle with me if I ever need to repel down a cliff! š‚ I also enjoyed the details about garment construction. My mother was an excellent seamstress, and I often heard her voice in my mind as these details were discussed. š§µšŖ�š“¨š’— 1y

julieclair I thought that Peggy‘s design talent, and Jeanne‘s sewing skills, enabled them to prove the old adage that ā€Clothes make the (wo)man.ā€¯ They were able to dress in a style that most women of their economic status could not afford, and as a result they were more readily accepted in more professional and social settings. 1y

Librarybelle @julieclair What a great personal connection to the story! I loved learning a bit about the world of fashion and dress making in this book. 1y

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Librarybelle

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

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4. Peggy's secret - the identity of Tommie's father - has a number of consequences once shared. How does Peggy's sharing her secret with Rose affect both characters? Peggy claims she did not want Rose to die, but do you think she thought of the consequences of asking a third party to ā€handle the situation?ā€ Think about Thelma's reaction to the news. How did the news affect Thelma? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

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Librarybelle

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

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3. Secrets play a huge role in this novel, some of which are rather devastating. We'll look at Peggy's secret in the next question, but think about the secrets Jeanne and Thelma have. Should they share their secrets, or have shared them earlier with the other women? What consequences do their secrets have on the family? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

julieclair I think that, in general, secret keeping is detrimental to family relationships. I think that if the women had all been more honest with each other, they would have been able to work together more effectively to improve their economic situation. And in the long run, they would have been able to support each other more, which would have led to happier family dynamics. 1y

Librarybelle @julieclair The environment was pretty toxic with the secret keeping! Totally agree! 1y

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Librarybelle

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

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2. Now, think about Tommie. How do the lives - fact and fiction - of each woman shape Tommie's life? Any other impressions about Tommie to share with the group? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

julieclair Poor Tommieā€¦ my heart went out to her. It seemed like she was constantly being bounced around like a ping pong ball between the three of them. 1y

Librarybelle @julieclair I kept thinking would things get better for her! 1y

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Librarybelle

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

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1. The novel centers on the story of three women - Thelma, Peggy, and Jeanne - tied to each other through loss and grief. Think about each of their stories, both the truth and the fiction they devise. How do the women face adversity? By the end of the novel, how do feel about each woman? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

julieclair There is no doubt they had to face a lot of adversity, and they dealt with in different ways. Thelma will do what she needs to survive, and not reluctant to call in favors. Jeanne is often reluctant to follow her passion, feeling that instead she should do the responsible thing. Peggy is all too willing to follow her passion, even if it means imposing on others and neglecting her responsibilities. 1y

julieclair I wish they had all been more consistently supportive of each other. I‘m not sure if I actually liked or admired any of them, but I think their personalities and relationships were realistically portrayed. 1y

Librarybelle @julieclair I did not really like any of the characters either, and I had hoped they would better support each other. 1y

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julieclair

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

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Wonderful storytelling! Several themes weave through the lives of three strong women living in Philadelphia in the years following World War II: grief and the loss of dreams, the relationships/bonds between sisters, the drive for success (and how that is defined), the many difficulties working women faced in the 1940‘s and 50‘s, and the lifelong repercussions of the secrets we keep (and those we choose to reveal). ā¬‡ļø¸

julieclair All three women are involved in the garment industry, and many interesting details are included about the fashion industry at that time, fabrics, and garment construction. Can‘t wait to discuss this one with the #LiteraryCrew Littens! Great choice, @Librarybelle ! š™‚ 1y

Librarybelle So glad you liked it!!! 1y

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mcctrish

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

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I read this for #literarycrew and I loved it! It‘s set after WW 2 and involves 2 sisters, their grief and their secrets and how they use their passions to find the lives they want and deserve. It‘s heartbreaking and lovely, often at the same time

Librarybelle So glad you liked it! 2y

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mcctrish

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

Back to august #literarycrew I‘m itching to sew something after starting this

Librarybelle š 2y

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LitsyEvents

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

Repost for @Librarybelle

I blinked, and itā€s the middle of August! Time for a check in with this monthā€s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead ! Any thoughts to share with the group?

Discussion on August 31st!

Original post - https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2622367

Librarybelle Thank you! 2y

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Librarybelle

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

I blinked, and it‘s the middle of August! Time for a check in with this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead ! Any thoughts to share with the group?

Discussion on August 31st!

mcctrish, Julsmarshall, melissajayne, Jerdencon, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, BethM, Sargar114, MoonWitch94, julieclair, AllDebooks

PurpleyPumpkin Honestly, I can‘t believe it‘s mid-August already! Starting this one shortly. š‰ 2y

julieclair Starting this one this week, and really looking forward to it! 2y

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kspenmoll

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

I finished the Dress in the Window which was much different than my preconceived notion of the book. I am looking forward to our #buddyread discussion. #literarycrew #rushathon #1 #august2023
Continuing with Broken Ground, but inly got a chapter in- vacation is demanding my time!

Cinfhen, DieAReader, Librarybelle, Andrew65, GHABI4ROSES

Andrew65 Excellent š‘¸š‘¸š‘¸ Hope you are enjoying your vacation. 2y

DieAReader š�³š�³š�³ 2y

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Librarybelle Hooray! 2y

CatLass007 @Librarybelle I understand that you are hosting the #LiteraryCrew buddy read. I don‘t think I can participate in the August discussion. Would you please add me to your notification list? I think I‘d like to jump on board.š“ 2y

Librarybelle @CatLass007 Of course! 2y

CatLass007 @Librarybelle Thank you! 2y

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LitsyEvents

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

repost for @Librarybelle:

The August #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead selection takes us to post WWII and fashion. Itā€s a story of sisters, lost dreams, and future hopes.

This is a low key #buddyread - read at your own pace throughout the month, with discussion questions posted on August 31st. I will also post periodic check ins throughout the month.

Comment on original post if you would like to be tagged as well. Everyone is welcome!

LitsyEvents original post:
https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2614092 2y

Librarybelle Thanks for reposting! 2y

BethM @Librarybelle I downloaded this one! I actually got the Paris bookseller but wasn‘t able to get into it. I may try again before my hold runs out. 2y

Librarybelle Hooray, @BethM !! 2y

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Librarybelle

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

The August #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead selection takes us to post WWII and fashion. It‘s a story of sisters, lost dreams, and future hopes.

This is a low key buddy read - read at your own pace throughout the month, with discussion questions posted on August 31st. I will also post periodic check ins throughout the month.

Tagging those who expressed prior interest. Comment below n if you would like to be tagged as well. Everyone is welcome!

mcctrish, Julsmarshall, melissajayne, Jerdencon, kspenmoll, Sargar114, MoonWitch94, julieclair, AllDebooks

Librarybelle Interested in this one? @BethM @Cinfhen @PurpleyPumpkin 2y

Librarybelle @LitsyEvents 2y

CatLass007 Please tag me. 2y

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Cinfhen I‘m taking a pass - thanks, Jess 2y

PurpleyPumpkin I‘m in!āŗļø¸ 2y

Librarybelle Hooray, @CatLass007 @PurpleyPumpkin ! 2y

Librarybelle Sounds good, @Cinfhen ! 2y

julieclair Looking forward to this one! 2y

Librarybelle Yay, @julieclair ! 2y

40 likes9 comments

ReadZenRites

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

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A scrumptious debut novel about three women adjusting to life, loss & hardship after WWII. Poverty is a stark new reality for sisters Jeanne & Peggy when the war derails marriage plans. Orphaned, and Peggy pregnant, they‘re reliant on Peggy ā€s Mother-in-Law Thelma for a home. Thelma can ill-afford more mouths to feed, but won‘t a baby fill the hole left by her dead son? Will they find a way to happiness & prosperity, or will secrets destroy them?

ReadZenRites āļø¸āļø¸āļø¸āļø¸ 7y

Richryan52 Thanks so much for the like. If you are a Holmes fan I think you‘ll enjoy it 7y

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MargaretPinardAuthor

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

Loving the beginning of this book--more depth than I expected. First time reading this author, and craving some women's perspectives...not disappointing so far! Like a mix of #adriannatrigiani and #kathleenrooney and dealing with hardship after #WW2 in #philly area...

The_Real_Nani If you loved this, you might like Our Duty by Gerri Hilger. You can get an ARC here: http://gerriwettahilger.com/ Thanks! 6y

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intothehallofbooks

The Dress in the Window: A Novel | Sofia Grant

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I love the focus on how these three women struggle to shift gears and find financial independence when their plans for the future are derailed by WWII. They've all lost men in the war and are grieving, with bills to pay.

I also SO love that each one defines family and success for her own self. These are flawed, imperfect feminists. I wondered how the ending could be satisfying with the secrets and betrayals, but I found it redemptive.

#LitsyAtoZ

BookishMarginalia

Reecaspieces I won this book somehow....I will move it up my list. Sounds great 8y

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