Almost 25 years since her bestselling novel, The Dressmaker, Rosalie Ham has at last now given readers the origin story of ‘Mad Molly’ Dunnage of Dungatar. While Molly’s story serves to complete ‘The Dressmaker’ trilogy, this prequel stands confidently on its own.
It is set in Melbourne’s inner suburbs in 1914, where Molly Dunnage lives. She’s a spirited woman in her mid-20s who longs for change. Living with her eccentric father, August, and spinster aunt, April, she finds herself caught between the commitments of her fledgling corsetry business and the suffragist movement that she passionately supports. Her best friend and next-door neighbour, Gladys, is by her side in their fight for equal rights.
Ham brings Molly’s world to life with vivid descriptions of life in pre-war Melbourne with a healthy dose of her trademark dark humour. It’s a time of social unrest and looming war, where Molly’s ambitions and relationships are tested by betrayal, gossip and first love. Key characters from The Dressmaker appear, including Horatio Farrat (later the famous cross-dressing police sergeant) and the terrible Evan Pettyman, whose legacy looms across Molly’s future.
Themes of love, loss, and the absurdities of human nature resonate throughout. The author’s sharp wit and eye for both the comical and poignant shine through. Molly’s story is brimming with raw emotion, innate hopefulness of youth as we explore how personal and societal challenges intertwine. Fans of The Dressmaker will find plenty to love, while new readers are in for a treat.
Reviewed by Maryanne Vagg
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rosalie Ham was born and raised in Jerilderie, New South Wales population 800. Returning to Australia after seeing the world, Rosalie ‘rushed to university because Gough Whitlam made it possible’, enrolling in Drama and Literature.
But it was the story that ignited her flame and, having moved on to creative writing, Rosalie ‘skewed a few accumulated secrets’ and wrote her first novel, The Dressmaker (published in 2000). Further novels are Summer at Mount Hope (2005), There Should be More Dancing (2011) and The Year of the Farmer (2018).
The Dressmaker’s Secret, a sequel to The Dressmaker, followed (November 2020).
Described as a ‘gifted storyteller’ with ideas that are ‘fresh, unusual and entertaining,’ Rosalie’s stories are new, but recognisable beyond Australia. Using the stereotype to subvert the cliché, and always seeking to surprise the reader, she sheds new light on universal verities.
The Dressmaker was brought to life on screen in 2015. The film, produced by Rosalie’s Jerilderie friend, Sue Maslin, won five AACTA awards including:
It was adapted for the screen and directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse and also stars Liam Hemsworth and Hugo Weaving along with a many other fine Australian performers including Sarah Snook, Sacha Horler and Rebecca Gibney. It was also voted People’s Choice Award for Favourite Australian Film.
The Dressmaker is a long-standing popular presence on the VCE Literature List and the English Studies reading list, but when asked, Rosalie cites her third novel, There Should be More Dancing, as her favourite.
Rosalie lives in Melbourne and, when she is not writing, addresses students and study groups on her books and writing in general. She holds a BA in Education and a Master of Arts in Creative Writing.
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