After twenty years away, Myrtle "Tilly" Dunnage returns to Dungatar. Dungatar is a small country town, where the townspeople's eccentricities are many and varied – from Sergeant Farrat's predilection for cross-dressing, to pharmacist Almanac's retributive scheme of potion dispensing, not to forget the affairs and assorted dark secrets.

But none of these can compare to the sin of Tilly and her mother: to have come from somewhere else. At first ostracised, the townspeople gradually accept her in order to make use of her extraordinary dressmaking skills and at last, Tilly feels that she might have found home.

But small towns are strange places, where vanity rules and, once again reviled, she sets out to teach the town a lesson. In the process she faces the ghosts of her past, and wreaks a havoc that provides a most satisfying revenge.

Released as a movie of the same name 2015.

About the Author

Rosalie Ham was born, and raised in Jerilderie, NSW, Australia. She completed her secondary education at St Margaret's School, Berwick in 1972. After travelling and working at a variety of jobs (including aged care) for most of her twenties, Rosalie completed a Bachelor of Education majoring in Drama and Literature (Deakin University, 1989), and achieved a Master of Arts, Creative Writing (RMIT, Melbourne) in 2007. Her first novel, The Dressmaker was published in 2000. Her second novel, Summer at Mount Hope was published in 2005. Rosalie has also had stories published in Meanjin, The Age, The Bulletin and Invisible Ink. When she is not writing, Rosalie teaches literature.

i read this novel many many years ago and recently saw the movie - the dress designs in the movie are just amazing, even better perhaps than i could have imagined as i read the novel

i recall the novel showcasing the idiosyncrasies.or is it idiosyn-crazies, of a small country town - some of the people really are odd crazy odd

and i do like the way rosalie ham writes

sending as a wishlist rabck

happy reading

;)

happy reading

;)

Thank you very much for this wishlist book and thank you to skyring for bringing it to Mainz!

I'd love to see the movie, if only to properly see all the various dresses. My knowledge of dressmaking terms only stretches so far!
"Small towns are strange places..." Well ain't that the truth! What a collection of characters. This story will make you laugh and bring a tear to your eye - much enjoyed.

Taking it to the Northampton Uncon.

Picked up from the book table.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, although I had to keep looking up various dress-related terms - I’ve never made a dress in my life. I loved the idea of Sgt Farrat preening in his creations!
And what a collection of....erm.....interesting townspeople!

Posted to kingfan30 as part of the UK Wishlist Tag game.
Enjoy!

I saw the film some time ago and loved it which is why I put this on my wish list - thanks for sharing

20 April 20 - I watched this film on a flight some time ago and really enjoyed it so wanted to see what the book is like. And unusually I have to say I preferred the film. Some of the humour was in the book, but there are so many characters it was a job to keep track. Also at times I found the wording confusing so that it required reading a second time. But the dresses sound fabulous, and you can’t help but feel for Tilly as the story unravels as to the reason why she was sent away. I rembered the incident with Teddy from the film but I did t remember the play at all and this in particular was quite confusing, I struggled with who was playing which part. So all in all a bit of a mixed bag for me, but it has made me want to watch the film again.

Sending on as a RABCK

Thank you so much for this book. I loved the film. Looking forward to enjoying this.