The Viennese Dressmaker
“Brilliant and moving, The Viennese Dressmaker is a compelling and vivid portrait of wartime Vienna; a story of human relationships, and the will to survive under the shadow of the most evil power the world has ever known.” – JJ Toner, author of The Black Orchestra
“Filled with suspense from the first chapter to last, The Viennese Dressmaker is a nail-biting story masterfully crafted to show the oppressive reality of life in Vienna during the dark days of WWII. I feared for Christina at every turn as she confronted threats and dangers lurking in every corner to help the victims and those she loved. For WWII resistance fiction fans, Gauci never disappoints.” — Alexa Kang, USA Today bestselling author of the Rose of Anzio series.
“Triumphs, defeats, and loss. Kathryn Gauci’s characters bleed from the pages in this perfectly paced novel set in Vienna. This great historical novel transported me to Austria and allowed me to see, smell and feel the streets beneath my feet as I walked alongside the characters.” – Jana Petken, the #I bestselling author of “The German Half-Bloods Trilogy.”
“With The Viennese Dressmaker, Kathryn has once again created a page-turning story based on well-researched historical detail. Searing and heart-breaking, Christina’s story will stay with you long after you finish the final page. I loved it.” – Eoin Dempsey, bestselling author of White Rose, Black Forest and The Longest Echo.
Feb 28, 2022 Diane rated it it was amazing
Once more, an incredible story from Kathryn Gauci. Beginning in Vienna in 1938, with Kristallnacht ‘the night of broken glass’. Of the number of horrors of war we have read, this one takes us into that time when innocence was lost, dreams were shattered and the life of the Viennese people would never be the same.
Christina, a renowned couturier in Vienna and Max, a successful artist are but two of the fascinating characters in this story. Following through from 1938 and into the height of the Nazi domination of this beautiful city, and the terrible events that took place there, I have learned once again things that I have heard about but didn’t really know.
Evil…there are so many instances within this story where we can see and experience it. Perhaps one passage, spoken by Christina when she was asked how her evening at a ball hosted by the Nazis went, will stay in my mind…her words: An exquisite hall decked out to perfection, enchanting music, fine wine – and the most despicable men you could wish to meet all together under one roof.
This is a stunning and emotional story by this Author, something I have come to know by reading her work.
Thank you Kathryn, this is another story of courage that I have loved.
I highly recommend this story to other readers who love the genre as I do. This story is based on true events. (less)
The Viennese Dressmaker
WWII – Sept 1 1939 – Sept 2 1945
Another superb book by Kathryn Gauci that will haunt you even after you have finished it.
Based on actual events it will shudder your mind as to what mankind is capable of when no holds are barred. The people living under the oppression of the Nazi’s showed strength and resilience in everything they had to live with and do. So much was lost, so much pain in their daily lives, and learning never to trust anyone at all. Starvation, death, brutal beatings, severe cruelty, in the midst of deep love.
Kathryn is truly a seasoned writer, which enables her to paint a thorough picture of what was going on in the lives of Christina and Max. Kathryn’s describes the homes, streets, buildings with such accuracy that you feel like you are there, visiting. The turmoil gives the reader pain as you can feel the depth of destruction that took place during Kristallnacht. It is a love story only impeded by the brutality of war. This book is an education in human deficiencies and self preservation. Her writing can make you cry, worry, and feel pain. This book takes you on an adventure and you don’t want to let go, you cheer and cry for her characters, but don’t want to finish the book because the characters feel so real. Kathryn has a marvellous way of writing with understanding and compassion. Definitely a haunting story I didn’t want to finish. Another triumph for Kathryn Gauci.
Excellent novel. I learned so much about that period. Love and loss.
I was reading this novel as Ukraine was invaded by Russia so at times it became a bit of a harrowing read. I learned so much about Austria during WW2. As always Kathryn captures your heart and imagination so much so that you feel you are there. The descriptions of a country I have never visited were so vivid I felt I had once been there. The life of the main character reminded me of the saying never judge until you have walked in that persons shoes. What we would do for love and family we hope we never need to find out.
Mar 13, 2022 Katinka rated it it was amazing
Christina Lehmann was the head of a couture house in Vienna in 1939. For quite some time, she has been in love with a man whose mother was Jewish though his father was not, and was raised catholic in a time and place where those of any Jewish ancestry at all are becoming increasingly oppressed. Because of this, Max does not feel it is currently safe for them to marry, and he is unfortunately correct. Under Nazi rule, the country has been becoming an increasingly dangerous place as the war continues to make life worse for those living there who are not part of the Nazi regime.
This book was a very good read, especially considering events taking place in the world today. The author does not shy away from well known events that took place in WWII. Brutality towards those with Jewish ancestry, property seizure, medical experimentation, the killing of those considered weak or imperfect, parents sending their children away to Great Britain via the Kindertransport in an attempt to keep them safe, and many other things. While this book is a work of fiction, historical events and people were necessarily included in the story.
I greatly enjoyed reading this book. It was very well written and the story had me wanting to keep reading to see what would happen next. While the experiences of those sent to concentration camps was not explicitly shown in this book, we are shown gestapo interrogations as well as a good deal of violence (nothing too explicit, but given the period in which this book was written, such things could not be avoided.)
But I think the best of this book was the postscript written by Ms. Gauci. Be sure not to skip that section. It gives a lot of information on the people who inspired many of the characters as well as the places and events. I would highly recommend this book.
“The Viennese Dressmaker is a WWII novel in all the best traditions of the genre. Deeply touching and captivating, this is a power tale of courage and self-sacrifice under the pressure of unrelenting terror. The brilliantly portrayed characters, breathtaking twists of fate, and a surprise ending will take you on a journey you won’t soon forget. It is meticulously researched. The wealth of authentic details makes it feel like a true story. With its great writing style and accurate picture of that dramatic period in history, it’s a must read. I have no hesitation in recommending this insightful book as I do all other books by this highly gifted author.
The level of detail and research really makes this novel stand out. You can picture the outfits, feel the emotions of the characters, and imagine yourself in the midst of war-torn Vienna, trying to survive the onslaught of the war. And then you remember the story is based on real life and the book takes on an even greater significance.
A thrilling masterpiece. Beautifully written and highly recommended.
https://discoveringdiamonds.blogspot.com/2022/05/a-discovering-diamonds-review-of_019836127.html
The Viennese Dressmaker: A Haunting Story of Wartime Vienna
Bev Walkling‘s review
This is the first book that I have read by Kathryn Gauci but I sincerely hope that it will not be the last one! The story begins with the horror of Kristallnacht, in particular how it affected one small family. As I read, I felt as if I was experiencing the fear that Mirka Rosen and her daughter Hannah experienced as they heard terrible sounds coming from outside often interspersed with screams and then the sheer terror when they heard steps coming up the stairs. Hannah was told to take her sleeping sister up to the attic. Their brother was somewhere out in the night. Hannah hid under their dining table and was terrified to watch as an argument broke out between the men and her mother that led to her seeing the murder of her mother! At this point I was so drawn into the story that I don’t think anything could have stopped me from reading further.
Gauci includes many painful details of things that happened under Nazi command. In the days before the war actually started, Christina and her family became involved in arranging for the exodus of Jewish children to England via the newly developing Kindertransport. Later Christina’s sister had a child with health issues. He was taken to the hospital where Dieter’s brother worked and suspicions began to arise as to whether the child was euthanized. Many local people did what they could to help with all of Christina’s efforts but over time life become tougher and ultimately Christine was forced into a relationship with Dieter Klein that was tantamount to blackmail. As a reader I could only imagine how awful it must have been. As things became worse, Christina had to lead a double life, pandering to Dieter’s wants all the while actively being involved in the Resistance. Her fame as a dressmaker opened doors to her that would have been closed to others and she used that to save lives in whatever ways she could.
Within the novel we follow Christina’s story until after the war is ended. The author’s own experiences in the area and personal knowledge of fabrics comes through in the details she shares about the fashion industry. She paints a picture of what life was like in Vienna throughout the war and how careful everyone had to be not to arouse the suspicions of the Nazi’s who were ever present. Choosing who to trust could have devastating consequences if you were wrong and very few could stand up to the torture that Nazi interrogators inflicted. There are parts of this book that can be quite difficult to read knowing that so many such horrible things happened in life to real human beings.
Does Dieter get his just rewards? Did Max survive? What happened to Mirka’s children? What happens to Christina? One can’t fit it all into a review but I think readers will find the story very compelling. I know that I read it within the space of 24 hours and found it stirred up so many emotions for me – fear, respect for those who put their lives on the line, sorrow.
Christina is a fictional character, but the events described in the book were based on real individuals and real events that occurred between 1938-1945. We see how the laws of the Nazi’s affected everyday life for those who lived there and how slave labour was a very big part of their war machine. Gauci includes a most informative postscript that fills in many of the details she discovered through her excellent research. The Viennese Dressmaker is a story that will stick with me for a very long time.
I received an e-copy of this novel from the author but all opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.
The Viennese Dressmaker
WWII – Sept 1 1939 – Sept 2 1945
Another superb book by Kathryn Gauci that will haunt you even after you have finished it.
Based on actual events it will shudder your mind as to what mankind is capable of when no holds are barred. The people living under the oppression of the Nazi’s showed strength and resilience in everything they had to live with and do. So much was lost, so much pain in their daily lives, and learning never to trust anyone at all. Starvation, death, brutal beatings, severe cruelty, in the midst of deep love.
Kathryn is truly a seasoned writer, which enables her to paint a thorough picture of what was going on in the lives of Christina and Max. Kathryn’s describes the homes, streets, buildings with such accuracy that you feel like you are there, visiting. The turmoil gives the reader pain as you can feel the depth of destruction that took place during Kristallnacht. It is a love story only impeded by the brutality of war. This book is an education in human deficiencies and self preservation. Her writing can make you cry, worry, and feel pain. This book takes you on an adventure and you don’t want to let go, you cheer and cry for her characters, but don’t want to finish the book because the characters feel so real. Kathryn has a marvellous way of writing with understanding and compassion. Definitely a haunting story I didn’t want to finish. Another triumph for Kathryn Gauci
Rachel Wesson‘s review
it was amazingbookshelves: 2022-reading
Although fiction, this book features many actual events which took place in Vienna and the surrounding areas during World War II, beginning with Kristallnacht.
Christina, a top couturier in Vienna, is faced with a dilemma regarding her lover Max, and does all she possibly can to save and protect him.
A suspenseful, heart-wrenching and haunting story of the atrocities of War, and above all, an enduring love.
Brilliantly written and thoroughly researched, this exceptional story was hard to put down, and I know it will stay with me for a long time.
Kathryn Gauci is an amazing storyteller, and in this book, she has exceeded all of my expectations. I only regret that I couldn’t award it with more than 5*.
Very highly recommended for lovers of this genre.
