The Paris Dressmaker by Kristy Cambron - A Review

 

        This is my first dip into Kristy Cambron's catalogue. After perusing World War II historical fiction books, I came across Kristy's The Paris Dressmaker and decided to give it a read. The book is based on true accounts of Parisiennes resisting Nazi occupation in World War II and revolves around two incredibly brave women who risk their lives and everything they hold dear to fight the evil of the Nazi regime. The timeline jumps around, back and forth, throughout the Nazi occupation, from 1939 through 1944, as it follows two story-lines which eventually converge. Lila de Laurent is a haute couture dressmaker using her skills to infiltrate the Nazi elite. While she takes their measurements and designs beautiful masterpieces, she also collects secrets in the heart of the Nazi Parisian headquarters, the Hotel Ritz. When the mysterious Rene Touliard suddenly reenters her life, Lila is torn between her determination to help save his Jewish family and bolstering the fight for liberation. Sandrine Paquet's job is the catalog the priceless works of art bound for Berlin, masterpieces stolen from prominent Jewish families. She secretly forages for information from the underground resistance. Beneath her compliant façade is a woman bent on uncovering the fate of her missing husband. As the Nazi regime crumbles, Sandrine is drawn in deeper when she uncrates an exquisite blush Chanel gown concealing a cryptic message that may reveal the fate of a dressmaker who vanished from the fashion elite...

        I have to admit, when I first started reading this book, I was concerned about the timeline jumping around, not only between two story-lines, but also around to different years. back and forth. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to keep everything straight and remember it all. My worries were quickly relieved. Once I got into it, I couldn't put this book down, and had absolutely no trouble keeping track of everything. I also ended up finding the whole concept interesting and fresh. The writing was superb, the pacing was perfect, and the characters were well developed, relatable, and likable (at least the good guys were likable!). The reader can't help but be drawn into the story alongside these courageous women and their friends, you live their experiences with them and feel what they feel. I have a deep interest in World War II, particularly the Nazi Occupation of France, and World War II era Historical Fiction is one of my two main wheelhouses, and The Paris Dressmaker did not disappoint. The book is officially on my "keep" shelf! 

        I'd highly recommend The Paris Dressmaker. It's a book that will hold you captive until the very end, and leave you inspired by its brave, self-sacrificing characters.