15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A cinematic novel of soundless connection, January 11, 2007
It's one of those common "thinking" questions to be asked if you would rather be blind or deaf. Most people answer Deaf, because seeing is so vital to our independence, our safety, our education, careers and social lives. But there is also an amazing loss if you lose your hearing. "The Tailor's Daughter" is the story of Veda, an extraordinarily talented seamstress who is far too liberated for the tastes of her Victorian parents, who after a terrible illness looses all of her hearing. Yet as the novel shows, being deaf does not mean you loose in fashion the means to connect with those around you. This is a novel about Veda's silent connection.
Its amazing how this affects Veda's place in society. Even though her family, as the owners of a prosperous tailoring shop, are somewhat wealthy and often work with the extremely wealthy, Veda is likely to remain for the rest of her life an unmarried seamstress working for her father, since any husband would have to be far too understanding and accommodating. At the same time Veda's talents can't be put to use in her father's shop actually fitting clients because that would be improper. But as I said, Veda is no ordinary girl, and though her deafness is an obstacle, she learns to lip read, carries a slate and chalk, tailors and captures the romantic attentions of three men, Mr. Nicholls, her brother's old tutor, Mr. Balducci, the head cutter in her father's shop and Lord Harry Ormelie, a viscount who is so far above her in class that the hopes of them ever being together are only a dream. Of course-that's the major drama of the book-until Harry's father, about whom evil whispers abound, becomes involved.
This is a lovely book. I was doubtful at first, because it is written in rather a Victorian style and is in first person, which I tend not to like, but there is something about this book that is just wonderful. Veda is an amazing woman who preservers through everything, never backs down, never gives up, and most of all, knows that she is worth something and deserves a good life, husband, ect. She's no sniveling little girl who goes and hides when someone is mean to her. She know she deserves a good husband, not some scumbag who will marry her just because she's deaf, she knows when she is terribly betrayed that she doesn't just have to mindlessly forgive the person who hurt her beyond anything else. She is a character to be inspired by. The only thing I disliked about Veda is that her husband, in the end, is not really worthy of her immense character and quality. But perhaps she can change him into someone who is.
My description of the book above doesn't really do it justice. There is action, adventure, travel, romance, tragedy, suspense, and a good deal of happiness. Also there's a lot about Victorian clothing, which just sounds amazing and so detailed! And the writing! There are some scenes in this book that are just cinematic-especially that of Harry and Veda's dance at the ball. I never say this, and this is an odd thing to say about a novel set in 1860 about a deaf tailor's daughter who falls in love with a viscount, but I could easily see this novel made into a movie, especially if the movie had no soundtrack and minimal background noise to really show Veda's soundless world.
Five stars. I loved this book; it was truly an unexpected delight. And the last sentence will make you smile.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Top-notch, September 25, 2007
This review is from: The Tailor's Daughter: A Novel (Reading Group Gold) (Paperback)
The author has created a stunning picture of an usual women, with a difficult and little-understood affliction to suffer from in the middle 19th century, and a window into the life of a Victorian tradesman's famly. All this is most unusual fare, and the author does it in beautifully written first person, which I normally do not like in the least. Veda's story is enthralling. I could not put the book down. Have you ever wondered about the lives of the tailors who dressed those exquisite dandies who lived their lives of leisure, playing cards, riding horses, gambling and wenching? Most stories deal with those talented tailors as shadowy figures who were treated unfairly, often pleading to be paid, and as figures of disdain to the upper classes. The author has painted an entirely different type of life for these talented men, who ran their showrooms as businesses and took great pride in dressing their clients well. Veda had to learn how to live a worthwhile life during a time when communication for the deaf through sign language was not widely practiced. Many people she met equated deafness with stupitity and ignorance. Veda manages to carve out a daring life path and the author takes you right along with her. You will always remember the journey and find it very enlightening. This is a really good book.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
As Good as Pride and Prejudice, October 31, 2006
Janice Graham has accomplished a remarkable thing in The Tailor's Daughter. We never forget that Veda, the narrator and title character, cannot hear but we learn all we need to know about those around her in this fine story. The details describing England during the mid-19th century create vibrant pictures of the era. I can see the studio where the artist paints her portrait; her father's dressing quarters were memorably described when he opened his closet doors as if they were the `gates of heaven.' The streets of London and the rural homes in northern England seem real in these pages.
The artistry of tailoring was documented with such fine detail around fabric, accessories, stitching and style. Nothing about the trade went un-noticed, even the accounting and collection of the bills. What a fine delight to learn the passion the tailor has for his work and the confidence bestowed upon him by his more class worthy clients. As Americans we don't think of class in the same way as 19th century England. Ms. Graham captured this theme consistently throughout the story but without prejudice toward the aristocracy.
Veda faces daunting challenges and disadvantages because of her deafness but she's anything but a pathetic character. She enjoys rich relationships with friends, albeit, friends who are paid to attend to her education or serve as her assistants. She suffers many losses, including her hearing, during her teen years. Because her chances for a successful marriage diminish with her hearing, she becomes the heir to her father's tailor business. She finds inventive ways to handle her unusual duties which would serve many a young woman today.
Love finds its way into Veda's life with complicating factors of class differences creating conflict, heartbreak, and redemption. The story compels one to learn the outcome. At the end, I only wished that the husband/lover had been more deserving of Veda's love. She was actually better than him.
The Tailor's Daughter was beautifully written and a delight to read.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
