Tess Collins, a determined aspiring seamstress, escapes a stagnant life in England by securing a position as a personal maid to Lady Duff Gordon, a famed fashion designer. They board the Titanic for its maiden voyage, where Tess begins to learn the intricacies of high-end dressmaking. When the ship strikes an iceberg and sinks, Tess and her employer survive in a half-empty lifeboat. In the aftermath in New York City, public inquiry focuses on the actions of the wealthy survivors, forcing Tess to choose between her professional ambitions and a stinging moral conscience.
This book serves readers interested in the intersection of real historical tragedies and the evolution of the early twentieth-century fashion industry. It appeals to those who study the rigid social hierarchies of the Edwardian era and the legal drama following maritime disasters. Readers walk away with a specific understanding of how the Titanic inquiry impacted individual reputations and how the pressure for survival can conflict with personal integrity and career advancement in a changing society.
Practical, clear-cut and escapist; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Curious Generalist. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2012
- Language
- EN
