A Dangerous Dress
by Julia Holden
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Book Reviews of A Dangerous Dress
Book Review: complex tale with a relatively simple story line
Summary: 5 Stars
Jane Stuart always dreamed of making it in the big city where she feels fame awaits her. However, for now she remains a small town girl with only dreams of leaving Kirland, Indiana for the bright lights of the big time fashion world in New York or Paris.
Jane's grandma dies. Amongst the inheritance is a beautiful in excellent condition 1920s Persian dress that totally fascinates her. She decides to investigate the origin of the dress and her grandmother's life for a school paper. To her surprise the paper is published and comes to the attention of French movie director Gerard Duclos. He invites Jane to come to Paris, which she accepts as the first step on her journey to fame; not yet understanding that fame is not everything, love and to live is.
A DANGEROUS DRESS is a complex tale with a relatively simple story line; that is the beauty of the novel and the amazing talent of author Julia Holden. Whereas the theme is a coming of age plot, Jane learns several lessons about fame, love, and responsibility. Fans who appreciate a deep but straightforward well written character study, must read the intelligent A DANGEROUS DRESS.
Harriet Klausner
Book Review: Wonderful!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am so happy to have come upon this jewel of a book. Jane is an art/college student who writes a paper about a dress that has some rather 'dangerous' properties. The dress, which once belonged to her grandmother is the catalyst for the rest of the book - Jane is spirited off to Paris and NYC as a result of the dress, and her life takes some interesting turns as well. Because of the dress? Maybe so. The entire concept of the dangerous dress is quite unique, and the story was very entertaining, funny, and involving. The narration is first-person, and Jane is the commentator throughout; in fact, she speaks directly to the reader at times, and her commentary is fun. The book is witty and entertaining and is better than your average 'chick-lit' offering. In fact, I wouldn't even call this chick-lit, just an entertaining story. One of the best parts of the book are the settings too; Holden definitely captures the essence of Paris and does a great job of making you feel like you are right there with the characters. Holden's next book is a definite must for me, and this should be a definite must for you!
Book Review: A Dangerous -- One Dance In Paris -- Dress
Summary: 1 Stars
Déjà vu...
This story is disenchanting from beginning to end. Upon reading the other reviews I thought the basic premise sounded decent enough, but two books need more than just one premise. I found few redeeming qualities in them. They are complex stories-within-stories with way too many plot twists and turns. I was very disappointed in all aspects.
In 'A Dangerous Dress' as in 'One Dance In Paris', both of the female characters find out about themselves and their past through the search/discovery of a dress -- the latter with an ugly duckling twist. The concept of a dress from your past having answers is okay, but this is the second such book now, come on.
In short -- if you really still care -- I did not enjoy this book.
Book Review: Innocent Abroad
Summary: 4 Stars
The fun of this book lies in the wide-eyed naiveté of the main character, and the story-within-a-story as she experiences the glamor capitols of the world and we are always a little bit ahead of her in her epiphanies. The book is written cleverly, and brilliantly satiric when dealing with the film and television industry. There are a few too many plot turns where all would have been cleared up with two honest words between the main characters, which does lead you to wonder how their happily ever after will actually turn out. I'd love to see a slightly more dangerous book from this author that deals entirely with the entertainment world; I think she could skewer the industry and make them laugh as she was pulling out the barb. But great fun, and a really quick read.Book Review: A Gem!
Summary: 5 Stars
Julia Holden has struck diamonds with her first novel. This sparkling story of a young women from middle America who unexpectedly has an adventure in Paris and New York, was a joy to read, hard to put down, and I was sorry it had to end.
Jane Stuart has inherited a dress from her grandmother. Not just any dress, but a fabulous, spectaular, dangerous dress. As Jane attempts to discover the history of the dress she is swept into one mis-adeventure after another.
Funny, engaging, and thoroughly entertaining, this fast moving and well written book will leave you wanting more of Jane, and more from Julia Holden.