Rating: 
Summary: This history hasn't been "prettied up"
Review: Very interesting historical fiction set in Sunderland, England at the time the first of the cholera outbreaks struck. The novel is graphic in its portrayal of poverty, prostitution and dissection of cadavers, so if you don't want the gory details, you probably should avoid this book. The author uses a unique narrative style with multiple mystery narrators and frequent questions of the reader. At first, it annoyed me, but it grew on me after awhile. If you like historical fiction and aren't put off by the subject matter, I think you'll enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Worth a Read
Review: A potter's assistant by day, a 'dress loger' by night, 'Gustine' becomes a very likeable character, in a very involving story, etched into the reader's mind. What slows down the pace is author Holman's lengthy writing style, which tends to drag the book in parts. A minor flaw that a sharp pair of (editor's) scissors couldn't take care of before publishing.
Rating:
Summary: not bad
Review: Actually, this book is rather good. I didn't particularly like author's writing style, but contents are definitely worth reading even though the writing style can be quite annoying sometimes.
Rating:
Summary: Not your typical historical fiction
Review: Beautifully written and constructed story that paints a vivid picture of life among the rich and poor in 1832 England during a cholera epidemic. Not for everyone, and definitely not prettied up, but well worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Struggled with it, but found it worthwhile
Review: Cholera, grave robbing, prostitution, and the plight of the working poor in early 19th century London form the backdrop for "The Dress Lodger." Shifting the narrator's voice from one character to another made this novel a little challenging to "get into," but its disturbing images and its shocking conclusion remain engraved in my mind. Ultimately, I found that I couldn't put it down. The heroine, Gustine, works as a "dress lodger"--a prostitute hired to wear an expensive dress that, theoretically, will attract a higher-paying clientele. Gustine is shadowed by the Eye, a disfigured old woman whose job is to ensure the return of the dress at the end of the night. One night, Gustine encounters Dr. Henry Chiver, a physician struggling to establish a medical school. In an age when donating one's body to science was not done, finding cadavers often turns students of anatomy into grave robbers. Gustine aids Henry in finding bodies, in hopes that he eventually will be able to help her with a need of her own. In the end, Gustine teaches Henry the value of reverencing all life.
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Summary: Glad I live in the 21st century
Review: Glad I live in the 21st century. Great quick read. Makes one appreciate all that we generally take for granted.
Rating:
Summary: Gloomy but clever--great ending!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a very dark tale centering around themes of class,gender medicine, and science during the cholera epidemic in England in the early 19th century. Gustine is a factory worker by day, prostitute by night, and mother of a child with a medical deformity. The nature of the deformity is a heart not protected by a ribcage, leaving the child fragile, vulnerable, and sickly. The story revolves around the local doctor's relationship with Gustine. The doctor is fascinated with the study of the human heart, and there is some scandal in his past...
This book has some great elements of foreshadowing and mystery. It is reminiscent in some ways of Thomas Hardy's writings. It is an easy book to read, but it is also extremely clever and will leave you thinking about it longer after you have finished. I loved it.
Rating:
Summary: Amazingly Insightful
Review: The Dress Lodger is a miraculous story of a young girl's persevering attitude to achieve what is most important to her despite all odds. Changes in the point of view throughout the book only adds to the creativity and intensity of the plot. Wonderful story!
Rating:
Summary: An interesting read
Review: I was first drawn to this book by its interesting cover...the stark gray of the town and the vivid blue dress worn by a young woman, standing out like a sore thumb. I read the inside jacket of the book and thought it sounded good so I bought the book. I wasn't disappointed. Though I do agree with some of the other reviewers that it could be a bit confusing at times with the change of narrators, I have to say that over all it was very good and very detailed. Sheri Holman must have studied a good deal about medicine and the poor of this time period because her account is thorough and realistic. The characters are a strange hodgepodge of people that may not be likeable but are most definitely intriguing. I enjoyed this book and hope others will take the time to read it. Ms. Holman is a talent author and I'm interested in reading her other book as well.
Rating: 
Summary: This book is a challenge
Review: As other reviewers have pointed out, the cover blurb to this book suggested an engrossing story. With eagerness I bought it! The author's narrative method, however, is unusual. It changes from third person to third person, plays around with chronology and, occasionally, speaks directly to the reader to form a view about a scene or a character. Frankly, I did not like this approach - I wanted to read a story and instead my mind was being challenged from all directions. This is not a criticism - as you can see from the customer reviews, many people love this book and Holman is a clever writer. But I did not enjoy the style of writing and could not finish the book.
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