Book cover of The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights

Book description

“A haunting meditation on the bonds between mothers and daughters. Zeldis offers a fascinating look into historic New York City and New Orleans, and her skill as a storyteller is matched by her compassion for her characters. What a beautiful read.”—Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Set in Brooklyn in 1924 with backstories from New Orleans and Russia, Zeldis masterfully intertwines the stories of three women through dressmaking, friendship, and secrets.

While Bea recreates herself in a new city with her teenage ward, Alice, she befriends a customer, Catherine, a socialite newlywed who yearns for a child. As Bea and Catherine’s friendship grows, Alice feels estranged and runs away. What happens next is a gritty account of how each has to confront their past secrets, bond together to forgive, and become their own chosen family.

The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights taught me about antisemitism, reinvention, tragedy,…

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December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

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