The Funeral Dress: A Novel

ISBN: 0307886212

Author: Gregg Gilmore, Susan

Condition: New

A rare and wonderful glimpse into lives and friendships among blue-collar working women in America.-Fannie Flagg, New York Times bestselling author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop CafeFrom the author of The Improper Life of Bezellia Grove, a deeply touching Southern novel filled with struggle and hopeEmmalee Bullard is on her own with a new baby. She has no husband, no running water in her house, no know-how about caring for an infant, and no help from her cruel father, whos furious she got herself into this situation. Only Leona Lane, the older seamstress who sat beside her sewing collars on the neighboring machine at the local shirt factory, has befriended her. Much to Emmalees wonder, Leona even offers her a place to live. But before Emmalee can jump at the chance for a better life, Leona is in a terrible accident, and her life is lost, along with Emmalees chance for escape.Emmalee decides that since nothing in Leonas closet is nice enough to wear for eternity, shell make Leonas burying dress herself, though there are plenty of people who dont think someone who has so obviously sinned should design a dress for an upstanding woman-or care for a child on her own. While relatives scheme to get custody of her baby and the local church tries to keep her away from Leonas funeral, Emmalee struggles to do what is right for her daughter and to honor Leona the best way she can, finding unlikely support among an indomitable group of seamstresses and the towns funeral director. In this moving tale exploring Southern spirit, camaraderie among working women, and the power of compassion, a young mother compels a town to become a community with every stitch.