Wednesday, 6 February 2013
The Midnight Dress by Karen Foxlee
Published January 27, 2013 by UPQ
Source: the publisher
Rating: 5 paws
From the blurb: When a teenage girl disappears, a small town is awash with rumours: everyone is talking about the dress she wore, a midnight-blue dress made from the remnants of other dresses, a dress of stories ...For her whole life, Rose Lovell has moved from town to town with her alcoholic father. When they wash up in a coastal sugar cane town, Rose wonders if this time it will be different. At the local high school, Rose meets Pearl Kelly, who is popular, pretty and intent on tracking down her Russian father. When she convinces Rose to be part of the annual Harvest Parade, Rose must find a special dress for the occasion. She seeks the help of the eccentric Edie Baker, who knows all the town’s secrets and whose own family is a rich tapestry of stories. When Rose agrees to let Edie teach her to sew, she doesn't realise that nothing will ever be the same again.
The Midnight Dress by Karen Foxlee is set in Cairns. Fifteen year old Rose Lovell and her father have moved to a small town, and Rose expects things to go as they usually do. Her father will stay sober for a couple of weeks, he'll get a part time job, but then he'll start drinking and soon, they will move on again. Normally Rose keeps to herself and doesn't bother to make friends, but local girl, Pearl Kelly, attaches herself to Rose and they become friends. Pearl convinces Rose to take part in the annual Harvest Festival Parade and to have her dress made by Edie Baker, a recluse.
The Midnight Dress is just beautiful. From the moment I saw the gorgeous, blue cover I knew it was a book I had to read and from the first page I was hooked. I adored Rose, who was such a lonely girl. Her mother died when she was five and since then it’s just been her and her alcoholic father. In the small town of Leonora, she finally finds a friend in Pearl. Rose is so guarded and is still hurting from her mother’s death. But, with the help of Pearl and Edie, she slowly begins to relax into life in Leonora.
I found Pearl perplexing, she was such a contradictory personality, and I still find myself wondering why she suggested Rose have her dress made by Edie. But, she was also really sweet, adorable, and naive. Edie was a wonderful character and while at first Rose didn't want to hear her family stories, I found myself eager to know more about her and her family’s past.
The setting of the town and the bush felt so real to me, and the writing was so captivating and evocative. I could feel the heat and humidity of the summer up North. I could smell the mildew and dust in Edie’s house. I could feel the different materials used to make Rose’s dress. This made for a story that I wanted to immerse myself into completely. Also, each chapter was named after a type of stitch - I loved this detail.
From the blurb I had assumed the story was about an unknown girl who goes missing but from the moment that Rose and Edie started sewing her midnight blue dress, I knew it was going to involve Rose, and possibly Pearl. The mystery was intriguing and compelling and I spent most of the book hoping the missing girl would be one and not the other. I felt awful, but I got mine, in the end I was really sad and completely surprised by how I felt.
The Midnight Dress is a beautiful tale of a girl in a small town, written in a lush and vivid way. It’s being billed as adult fiction but I would happily class it as Young Adult and I urge all YA fans to read it. And good news, it’s being published internationally so keep an eye out for it!
Thank you to the lovely people at UQP for my review copy.
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22 comments:
I added this as soon as I first stumbled across it on Goodreads. And now your review has me utterly convinced! I hope I get to meet Rose and Edie and everyone else very soon. Brilliant review!
I am so glad you enjoyed this one, Mandee! I love the US Cover as well as the Aussie one and the description of this sounds so unique and compelling. I cannot wait to read it now. Amazing review, dear! :)
That cover is pretty! It sounds like such an interesting book, and I think I'd definitely enjoy it :)
This looks amazing - fantastic review! I'd love to read another book set in Qld, there's something nice about being able to relate to the settings because you've been there.
This book sounds so different. I love reading reviews for books that may not be getting so much attention.
(btw - I am determined to make it through your entire Bookish Blogs We Love list. I'm finding a lot of great blogs that way!)
Oh I'm wondering which girl goes missing now. And I'm wondering if she's ever found. Alive or dead? This sounds like a wonderful read Mandee. Plus, I see your 5 stars and I know you don't give those out willy nilly. Lovely review. :)
First of all, I LOVE THE TITLE! This truly does sound like a beautiful story - I can't wait to read it :)
Oh, yeah - I just heard about this one last week and immediately added it to my wish list. Totally sounds like my kind of book. I need to pick up a copy pronto!
When an author can make a book really come alive in the way you described, then you know it's going to be good! I like the rich details and air of mystery behind the missing girl, so this sounds like something that would be right up my alley. Great review!
Yeah I am happy to hear this is going to published Internationally so I can get my hands on it! I am all about lush and vivid writing so sign me up for this one! Love to see that five paw rating. You are on a good streak lately!
Recently found your blog, and I love it! I'm a vegan, and I love to read, so I found the best of both worlds.
-Paul, Cop-A-Squat.com
This is being published in the US now! I featured it on the blog a few weeks ago for Waiting on Wednesday. And I DID that because I knew you had a copy and it sounded fabulous. I love your cover and the US cover is gorgeous as well. I cannot wait to read this book. I am glad you loved it and I am OH SO EXCITED to get this in my hands. GAH!!
Yay for Queensland authors being published internationally! This sounds gorgeous and I will certainly be keeping my eye out for it, thanks Mandee :)
Well you have certainly caught my attention and it's a good job you are promoting a book that's published internationally.
I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of this one with how you make it sound with the lush descriptions.
Great review! :)
Why must you tempt me with Aussie books?
It sound so good, and like a mystery even impatient me could like!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
This sounds familiar, so I think I heard of it before, but it wasn't REALLY on my radar. It sounds stunning though and I'm definitely curious about what all happens!
I love that each chapter is named after a stitch. It's like in Clara in Washington where each chapter started with a quote from a president or political figure. Is it a UQP thing? Either way, EXCITEMENT. I haven't read a good mystery is a long while. Can't wait. Great review, Mands. :)
This is such a such a beautiful review Mandee, so I can see why it left such a great impression with you. I love when an author goes that extra mile to make a book even more realistic, and I love the idea of how each chapter opens! <3!
A dress of stories huh?Sounds like an interesting read!
I love this cover as well as the cover for the hardcover edition-Both are equally pretty!
Thanks for sharing,Mandee! :)
This one sounds really cool to me!
Ooh I have this book for review. It will be out in the US in October I believe. Must move it up the TBR! Sounds just lovely.
You guys should really stop making me want to read ALL OF THE BOOKS.
Seriously, though, great review and I'm glad you put this book on my radar :]
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