Banners of Silk

Banners of Silk by Roslind Laker
Very long audio book but worth it. What attracted me to this book is the silk. Figured it would be design work and I was right.
During Paris civil war and after a woman is befriended and gets a job at a couture house helping with the sewing. She meets many people
that come in and out of her and her families life over the years. Love hearing of all the work and how it was accomplished being that I am a knit and crochet designer, loved the background story and learned so much.
Lots of travel and move in this book.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

A historical fiction novel worth your time. A beautifully written story about a strong-willed woman in a world controlled by men (what else is new?) A time of elegance and charm with the wealthy, and the difficult work of the impoverished in the world of haute couture. Just as fascinating is the story of Charles Frederick Worth, the premier of fashion, and his rise in adorning the rich and famous of Paris.

Set in elegant post-Napoleon Paris, Banners of Silk tells the story of young and impoverished dress designer Louise Vernet. The story opens as the newly orphaned Louise meets a grisette, Catherine Allard, who takes her in and fosters her. Louise works hard, learning every thing she can about the art of dress designing, eventually establishing herself at one of the premier maison de couture. The romance in this novel is raw and complex, and more real than most romance novels. Louise falls innocently in love with one man but soon out-grows her feelings for him. Next, Louise falls in love with a dashing military man whose inherent short-comings cause her anguish. Finally, Louise finds love with a friend. Although the ending was a bit of a show more disappointment for the romantic at heart, Laker's sharp characterizations and attention to historical details make Banners of Silk a thoroughly enjoyable read. Frankly, I did not see huge comparisions between To Dance With Kings and Banners of Silk (as the above review implies) but, as a writer, I understand that a good writer does have a unique and distinct style. Ms. Laker's is the finest I have ever read in the genre of historical romance. show less

1840. Paris est une ville hostile quand on est une orpheline de dix ans, comme Louise. Sa rencontre avec la couturière Catherine Allard la sort de l'enfer des bas-fonds. La prenant sous son aile, Catherine l'initie à son métier et, très vite, la fillette témoigne de talents exceptionnels. La création de mode devient sa passion.Quelque temps plus tard, un jeune drapier anglais croise sa route : il dessine des modèles originaux et cherche à se faire embaucher dans une maison de couture parisienne. Ce jeune homme talentueux n'est autre que le visionnaire Charles Worth, futur inventeur de la haute couture...Dans le monde tourbillonnant du Paris de la mode, la belle Louise devra conserver son sang-froid pour parvenir à se frayer un show more chemin, et prendre garde aux tours que l'amour peut lui jouer: Pierre de Gand, filleul de Napoléon III, n'est en effet pas insensible à son charme...Les débuts de la haute couture parisienne, à travers l'itinéraire d'une jeune femme passionnée : un roman d'un brio irrésistible. show less