By William Norwich

A lovely story about an older, widowed woman of very modest means who encounters the most exquisite dress she has ever seen, a simple, black Oscar de la Renta from the collection of the town’s now deceased, society lady (I imagined Jackie Kennedy’s fabulous black suit at JFK’s funeral). Mrs. Brown realizes that even though it makes no sense whatsoever, she must have this dress, and the book follows her journey to acquire it. A couture Oscar de la Renta will run you about $8,000, and needless to say, she does not have anywhere near this sort of money. It is a sweet story and you will just love her and her reason for wanting this dress so badly.