The Black Dress

“A darkly funny novel about betrayal, loneliness and the surprising pleasure of being single again” from the author of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (Good Housekeeping). At sixty-nine years old, Pru has found herself alone for the first time in her life. Her grown children are out of the house, and her husband, Greg, has filed for divorce. She attributes Greg’s betrayal to a cancer scare and a more-than-midlife crisis, but that doesn’t make her feel any better—or less lonely. It seems that nothing—not even her eccentric, free-spirited best friend, Azra—can pull her out of her depression. Until Pru sees a black dress in a thrift store window . . . Its sleek silhouette calls to mind long-gone days of cocktail parties and sophisticated conversation. And it gives Pru a brilliant idea: where better to wear a black dress—and find age-appropriate single men—than at a funeral? As Pru combs through the obituaries and attends masses and wakes, she finds comfort among the bereaved. After all, they’re all grieving someone they have lost. But Pru’s about to discover that though her new dating plan may get her out of the house and back on the market, the life she’s so desperately trying to leave behind isn’t done with her yet . . . “With dry wit and observation, Moggach tackles the perils of ageing with brutal honesty.” —Daily Express “This page-turner is like the best wakes, it will make you feel hungry and alive.” —The Times (London) “As ever with Moggach, the joy is in her witty observations of middle-class life and bracingly tart portrayal of family relationships.” —Daily Mail

“[A] stylishly presented collection of sewing patterns for 10 LBDs; O’Shea also shows how each pattern can be adapted to another look.” —Publishers Weekly Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly . . . Each of these women had an influential take on the most classic wardrobe staple of all: the Little Black Dress. In this chic sewing book, patternmaker Dolin Bliss O’Shea pulls inspiration from famous LBDs throughout history—including Mary Quant’s mod mini, a classic wrap dress worn by Liza Minnelli, Princess Diana’s smart A-line, and more—and offers patterns for reinterpreted versions that are perfectly stylish. Including ten full dress patterns with sewing variations to make twenty garments in all, a primer on sewing techniques, vintage photographs of style icons, and full-color shots of the finished pieces, this book has everything fashionistas need to bring timeless style right into their closets. “Features famous little black dresses over the decades. Learn how to sew up Audrey Hepburn’s Sabrina Dress or Kate Moss’ sexy lace dress of the millennium . . . The patterns in this book can take you through the work week to weekend cocktail parties!” —Coquette

Shortlisted for the Thurber Prize for American Humor 22 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list 'Wonderfully intelligent and frank... I loved this book, and Rhoda Janzen. She is a terrific, pithy, beautiful writer, a reliable, sympathetic narrator and a fantastically good sport.' New York Times Rhoda Janzen had reached a crossroads: she had just hit forty when her brilliant husband of fifteen years left her for a guy he met on Gay.com. In the same calamitous week she was hospitalized in a horrible car accident. With no alternatives, Rhoda decided to pack her bags and head home. into the heart of the Christian sect she had spent years longing to escape. Rhoda Janzen might be a bad Mennonite, but nonetheless, her parents and their community welcome her back with open arms, strange food and offbeat advice. ('Why not date your first cousin? He has his own tractor!') It was in this safe place that Rhoda came to terms with her failed marriage; the desire, as a young woman, to leave her sheltered world behind; and the choices that had both freed and entrapped her. 'This book is not just beautiful and intelligent, but also painfully - even wincingly - funny. It is rare that I literally laugh out loud while I'm reading, but Rhoda Janzen's voice - singular, deadpan, sharp-witted and honest - slayed me, with audible results. I have a list already of about fourteen friends who need to read this book. I will insist that they read it. Because simply put, this is the most delightful memoir I've read in ages.' Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love

If you could have only one dress, wouldn't you make it a black one? Glamorous or modest, seductive or practical, chic and versatile, elegant, powerful, modern, and never out of style, the black dress has been the foundation of a woman's wardrobe for centuries. The allure of the black dress has captured the imagination of generations of couturiers and artists and served as the signature of society's most enviably dressed women. The Black Dress is a lush visual celebration of this fashion classic. With an essay and images selected by Dr. Valerie Steele, Director and Chief Curator of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, this volume features page after uniquely designed page of some of the most compelling dresses in the history of fashion. The diverse imagery includes fine art, runway shots and design sketches, stills from classic films and vintage fashion plates, and, above all, gorgeous evocations of the black dress from the world's greatest designers, illustrators, and photographers. These include paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edouard Manet, and John Signer Sargent; illustrations by Georges Barbier and Ruben Toledo; and iconic images of movie goddesses such as Audrey Hepburn and Rita Hayworth. The world's foremost fashion designers, from Coco Chanel to Christian Dior, Yohji Yamamoto to Boudicca, are featured in full color throughout, their designs accompanied by quotes on black from writers, artists and fashion personalities. Extended captions at the back of the book provide details one ach dress and its place in fashion history.

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Can you love someone when you can’t forgive them? Do you keep fighting for something you believe in when everyone is telling you you’re wrong? The Black Dress is the incredible story of Mary MacKillop – an unconventional young woman born into a time and a religion bound by convention. What Mary did with her life would change the course of Australia’s history The Black Dress, by award-winning Australian author Pamela Freeman, brings to life the extraordinary childhood of Mary MacKillop – the only Australian to be sainted. This historical novel for young adult readers is about love, suffering, faith and kindness. It won the 2006 NSW Premier’s History Prize for Young People. To find out more about Pamela, visit her website: http://www.pamelafreemanbooks.com/ “A book about suffering and strength, religion and rebellion, love and anger.” – Herald Sun “… credible and compelling.” – The Age “This is a book seeped in Australian and family history, filled with poetic descriptions and emotive language in a tender and moving narrative.” – Good Reading magazine “A window into the heart and mind of a young woman ahead of her time … An inspirational story, no matter what your beliefs.” – Magpies magazine

A young girl is lost in a mystic world. She tries to search for her close ones and led into a journey of secrets and discoveries...