Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

By Her Own Design by Piper Huguley

6 reviews

browngirlty's review

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emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

This was a different book for me. I normally enjoy thrillers and mysteries. I enjoyed everything about this book the author was great writer I felt like I could visualize everything written. This book was an emotional read for me. 
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desilu94's review

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emotional hopeful informative sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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sashahc's review

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emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I just read “By Her Own Design: A Novel of Ann Lowe, Fashion Designer to the Social Register” by Piper Huguley.  It’s a fictionalized memoir of a real person.  Ann Lowe was a Black woman and granddaughter of enslaved peoples who designed bespoke clothing for the New York elite, including the wedding dress of Jackie Kennedy.  It’s a fascinating story and character.  After I read it, I looked up an interview with Ann Lowe in Ebony and whether it was true in the details, the book definitely seemed to capture her spirit.
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maritay918's review

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challenging emotional informative inspiring sad
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Trying to keep the historical setting in mind, I did love Ann’s passion and marveled at her talent. However, I could not shake this niggling feeling that she was a bit too self-focused. It was a complicated relationship between Ann and I as I read. LOL  Overall I liked the book. Never knew about Ann, so I was happy to learn about how she impacted “high society” fashion in the South and eventually in other places in the US, like New York. 

Not to be missed was the societal context in which Ann lived. I think it was handled well in both areas of class and race. 
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hannah_lou's review

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emotional inspiring relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I loved reading this book! It felt like I was reading Ann’s autobiography, rather than a novel, because it was so well-researched. The dialect was great but always comprehensible. I enjoyed the easy pace and short chapters. 
Ann took a remarkable place in history and was connected to many notable people; she also bridged the gap between very different eras of civil rights. I would call this story a coming-of-age story for Ann, our country, Jackie Kennedy, the civil rights movement, and fashion all in one. 

Marvelous read. 

A word about the first third of the book and a certain child marriage:
It’s hard to read about the grooming and eventual marriage of twelve-year-old Ann. Sexual acts are described, not in graphic detail, but enough detail to be uncomfortable. While it’s hard to read, I encourage you to keep reading because the marriage does end and I believe Ann finds healing and independence.
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sarahsthoughtsonbooks's review against another edition

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challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

5.0

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