Dressed By Iris

Reviewed By  Grasshopper2       March 5, 2022

 

Author  Mary-Anne O'Connor

Distributor:      HarperCollins Publishers Australia
ISBN:                 9781867225447
Publisher:         Harper Collins Publishers Australia/HQ Fiction AU
Release Date:   February 2022  

FaceBook:    

YouTube:   

Instagram:   

X Formally Twitter:    

Mary–Anne O’Connor confirms that Dressed By Iris is an Historical-almost Fiction tale. The setting is Sydney and surrounds, beginning in the 1930’s. It is an accurate reflection of the times and a well-researched account of social attitudes. It is still quite shocking to read about the racial and religious animosity that existed then. The story of this Irish, Catholic family whose lives we follow, is loosely based on the lives of her grandparents and aunt.  

The story of the Mitchell family begins in a very poor shanty town. The tiny house they inhabit has a dirt and straw floor, and hessian sacks as dividing walls. This is the time of the Great Depression and Bob Mitchell has lost his job. His wife Agnes is a tower of strength and positivity. Their five children have all been raised in a loving and happy environment despite their hardships. All are content to help each other and contribute to the family in any way they can.

Iris, the daughter, is smitten by a handsome young man who happens to be a Protestant. This is a huge issue. The young couple will have to work out a way to appease their families. When John gives Iris a ribbon, she cleverly forms it into tiny roses with which she decorates her hat. Many people are impressed by her skills and ask for shawls and hats to be similarly treated. This begins a wonderful and creative future for Iris.

As Bob begins to work on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, his income allows the family to move to Sydney. With the older children working, the family finances begin to improve. In following the lives of all the children in this vastly different era, we see their tenacity against hardships and poverty.

Dressed by Iris is an excellent reflection of the times and politics that governed Australia then.