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The New York Times bestselling journalist and author of The Girls from Ames, Jeffrey Zaslow, takes us to a multi- generational family owned small-town bridal shop to explore the emotional lives of women in the 21st century.
You may not have heard of Fowler, Michigan, much less Becker's Bridal. But for the thousands of women who have stepped inside, Becker's is the site of some of the most important moments of their lives-moments that speak to us all. Housed in a former bank, the boutique owners transformed the vault into a "magic room," with soft church lighting, a circular pedestal, and mirrors that make lifelong dreams come true.
Illuminating the poignant aspects of a woman's journey to the altar, The Magic Room tells the stories of memorable women on the brink of commitment. Run by the same family for years, Becker's has witnessed transformations in how America views the institution of marriage; some of the shop's clientele are becoming stepmothers, or starting married life for a second time. In The Girls from Ames, beloved author Jeffrey Zaslow used friendships to explore the emotional lives of women. In The Magic Room, he turns his perceptive eye to weddings and weaves together secrets, memories and family tales to explore the hopes and dreams we have for our daughters.
Zaslow has returned to writing for Wall Street Journal, but his features, unlike those of his colleagues, are not centered on the world of finance. In an award-winning column called "Moving On," he chronicles the often emotionally charged human interest stories behind various life transitions -- from marriage to divorce and from career change to retirement. It was in pursuit of just such a story that he found his greatest fame.
In 2007, Zaslow learned about an unusual event to be held at his alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University. A computer science professor named Randy Pausch was scheduled to take part in a popular series of campus talks that invites teachers to present hypothetical "last lectures" to their students. But, what made this talk different was the total absence of hypothesis: Recently diagnosed with end-stage pancreatic cancer. Pausch was, indeed, addressing the student body for the last time. Zaslow attended the jam-packed lecture and wrote about it in his column, helping to fuel worldwide interest and an Internet phenomenon. Pausch and Zaslow collaborated on The Last Lecture, a book-length narrative that served not just as a compendium of life lessons, but as a moving testimony to Pausch's optimism and courage. The book was published in April of 2008 and became an international bestseller. Pausch died three months later.
After Pausch's death, Zaslow returned to a project he had spent many months pursuing: the biography of an extraordinary, enduring friendship among 11 women who had grown up together in the American Midwest. Revelatory, inspiring, and shot through with the optimism and emotional resonance that distinguishes all of Zaslow's writing, The Girls from Ames was published in April of 2009.
"When I was an advice columnist in Chicago, I hosted a singles party for charity every fall. We'd have 7,000 attendees a year, and 78 marriages resulted."
"I had never been to Ames, Iowa, before I began reporting The Girls From Ames."
As a journalist, and as the father of three girls, I often find myself drawn by an urge to explore the bonds between parents and daughters. In all the books I've written, this has been a powerful theme.
When I coauthored The Last Lecture with Randy Pausch, his youngest child, Chloe, was not yet two years old. I saw how desperately Randy wanted to leave her whatever wisdom he could. He wished he had 20 years to offer her advice, but he had just a few months, because he was dying of pancreatic cancer. His legacy would be the words in the book.
I later coauthored Highest Duty, the memoir of pilot "Sully" Sullenberger, who famously landed a crippled jet in New York's Hudson River. He and I spent a lot of time talking about his love for his two teen-aged daughters, and his regrets about missing so much of their lives while he was away from home, flying passengers to their destinations.
Most recently, I collaborated with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, on their memoir, Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. The congresswoman had been shot in the head in an assassination attempt, and I saw the great power in parental love. Gabby spent several weeks in a medically induced coma, and her mom kept a vigil at her bedside. "I feel like my breathing is helping Gabby breathe," her mother told me. "I just want to share the air in the room, like maybe my breath will sustain her."
I've seen equally poignant parent-daughter bonds in the relationships of the less-well-known people I've written about.
For The Girls from Ames, I profiled ten women, now in their mid-forties, who grew up together in Ames, Iowa. The book was focused on their forty-year friendship, but I was also moved by the women's relationships with their parents as they were growing up. In an early scene in the book, one of the Ames girls was about to go out of town to college, and she was crying because she feared she'd miss her parents.
"Here's what we'll do," her father told her. "We're going to keep you at the end of our fishing line. And if you ever need anything, you just give a little tug and we'll reel you back in."
Working on all of those books - observing again and again the power of parental affection - led me to my latest project. I wanted to write a nonfiction narrative reflecting on the love we all wish for our daughters. My girls are now ages 22, 20 and 16, and I know they will continue to need love in their lives - from me, my wife, each other, and someday I hope, from their husbands and children. How could I address all of the feelings that parents like me have?
I recognized that I needed a place to set this new book, a place with great emotion. I considered many possibilities. Maybe I'd visit maternity wards, dance studios, daddy-daughter date nights, or spas where mothers and daughters go to bond. But then my wife suggested I find a bridal shop. Maybe that would be a place to set my story.
"There's something about a wedding dress..." she said.
She was definitely on to something.
I was willing to go anywhere in the country to find the right store and the right stories. My search ended in the tiny, one-stoplight town of Fowler, Mich., a place with just 1,100 residents — and 2,500 wedding dresses. It has more bridal gowns per capita than anywhere in the United States.
Fowler is home to Becker's Bridal, a 77-year-old institution on Main Street. It's been run for all those years by the same family - a great-grandmother, grandmother, mother and daughter.
The store is housed in a stone structure that was once a bank, and since 1934, more than 100,000 brides have made a pilgrimage here. After they select the dress they think might be "the one," they're invited to step inside what used to be the old bank vault. A ten-foot-by-eight-foot space with mirrors designed to carry a bride's image into infinity, it's called "The Magic Room," and with good reason. Brides and their parents routinely melt into tears there, as they reflect on all the moments that led them to that dress, that room, that moment.
And so I set out to write a book about the brides and their parents who've stepped into that special space. The book is titled The Magic Room: A Story About the Love We Wish for Our Daughters.(www.magicroombook.com)
I focused the book on six brides and their families whose paths to Becker's Bridal were not necessarily easy, but who have given great thought to the love that guides and connects them. I felt privileged standing in the Magic Room with these families whose stories touched me the most, and while there, contemplating my feelings for my own daughters.
People often ask me what my books have in common. I've come to realize that they are all about the same thing — love. For every book I've written, I've brought a reporter's instincts, but also a father's heart. In many respects, The Magic Room is a culmination of a great many feelings swirling inside of me.
KrittersRamblings
Posted February 4, 2012
A book full of stories that made me laugh, cry and hope for the future. Taking place in a coveted room inside a family owned bridal boutique that has been open for many decades and many generations have found their all important wedding dress. Grandmothers are now accompanying their grand daughters on this special shopping trip. Author of The Girls From Ames, Jeffrey Zaslow gets to the heart of how the relationships between women, whether it be mother/daughter, grandmother/granddaughter, or bride/friend; the art of shopping for the wedding dress has changed over the year and the quest for the dress is as important as many of the other wedding decisions that are made.
This act is something that I have dreamed about for years with my mom, sister and those I hold close to me. I can't wait to try on a few dresses and get some honest opinions from, the big butt to utter perfection - these are what dreams are made of! Zaslow highlights different brides that have entered through their doors and what brought them to this special decision. Not only does he chronicle the history of the store, but the family behind this landmark in Fowler, Michigan.
Such a great book for women of all ages - young and old and in between will enjoy this book as they remember their own shopping adventures or have had a few dreams about their upcoming shopping adventures.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I often read non-fiction but mostly current affairs or history, so I’m not sure what possessed me to request to take part in Crazy Book Tour’s virtual book tour for The Magic Room. I suppose all I can say is that every now and again a book ‘speaks’ to you and cries out to be read (much like the cookies that – ahem – cry out to be eaten).
The Magic Room was one such book. I was intrigued by the description and the idea of a book that examined such a wide range of relationships: the relationship between marriage and the modern world. The relationship between mothers or fathers and daughters. The relationship between the bridal dream and the fiscal reality.
Jeffrey Zaslow chose to set his book about “the Love We Wish for Our Daughters” in a bridal shop and I think doing so was a masterstroke. In that one decision he opened up boundless possibilities and the book embraces many of them fully. The Magic Room is a wonderful mix of anecdotes, family history, economic history and statistics. The book is related with warmth and humour, with touching stories interspersed with tongue-in-cheek media story mentions or interesting cultural references. It is neither preachy nor too touchy-feely but instead is a wonderful balance of all the things a marriage is: some ups, downs, worries, good times, cross words, touching speeches, advice, memories and, perhaps most importantly, hope.
It’s now coming up to two years since I got married. I ordered my gown via the internet and decided to forego the full bridal experience of bridal shop, dress fittings etc. Despite not having had the experience, I can see the magic behind The Magic Room (in terms of both the book itself and the ‘magic’ room within the bridal store Beckers) and understand why it is so important to the people that frequent the store, the owners, the community. Don’t be lured into thinking this is ‘just’ a tale of a bridal store, though. The history of Beckers is, indeed, fascinating but even beyond that, this is a work that offers so very much more.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review. I did not receive any additional compensation. All views are my own.**
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.SincerelyStacie
Posted January 6, 2012
I was extremely excited when I found out I had the opportunity to review this book. I loved both of Zaslow's previous books THE LAST LECTURE and THE GIRLS FROM AMES. I had a feeling I would love this one too, and I did. Zaslow wrote this in much the same style as THE GIRLS FROM AMES, giving each bride their own chapter and then coming back to them at the end with their follow-up story. Even though this is non-fiction, it reads smoothly and the emotion of each woman's story is the focus over the research studies that filter thoughout.
I found all the history of brides, bridal dress shopping and familial relationships extremely interesting and made me think of my own dress shopping days. I myself had two bridal dress shopping days, one when I was 20 and one when I was 25. I never got to wear the first dress as I ended up breaking off the engagement, but the two shopping experiences were vastly different and reflected much of the research and experiences in the book. I am sure you will also reflect on both your dress shopping day and your wedding day as you read the stories in this book. I remember the dress I ended up with was one I never would have picked out, but once I put it on, the tears and the emotions were immediately there. It was THE ONE.
What I also appreciated about this book was that even though it focuses on the bride, the dress and the big day, through the stories, it reminds you “It’s not just about the dress, the flowers, the reception. It’s about the man and the marriage and the life that will follow” (p. 256).
Keep the tissue box close by as you travel through the stories in this book. Zaslow knew just whose stories to tell and you will want to know how each bride is doing after finishing the book. By going to the book website, you may be able to see updates and find other information about the book and the author. Even though I have finished the book, I know the marriages and lives featured in this story go on. I am praying all of them are blessed by the telling of their stories and their marriages are long, loving and strong.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 8, 2013
I enjoy all of Jeffrey Zaslow's books, and The Magic Room did not disappoint. I love the way he mixed facts of weddings in general with the stories of the brides. Also rounding out all the bride's stories really made you feel a part of their weddings.
I'm very sad that he will not get to walk his love3ly daughters down the isle, but I know they realize how special that time of life is through this book.
He was a thoughtful author, gone too soon. He will be missed.
Anonymous
Posted March 9, 2013
For some reason I thought this was going to be a story, not a weird documentary about a wedding shop.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.OliveBB
Posted January 25, 2013
It had a story to tell but honestly I kept waiting for the book to get going into some depth. I would not recommend it for the money I paid. too bad you cannot lend it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Michele1610
Posted June 11, 2012
This is a great group of individual stories, that flow along the common thread of the family that owns the shop.
If you enjoy hearing interesting human interest type stories about regular (vs celebrities) people, you will probably like this book.
Michele
PeggyPV
Posted May 16, 2012
This book is well written and centers around a Bridal Shop and the women that sell and purchase bridal gowns. Their stories are as varied as their gowns. Very enjoyable for all women as this book deals with the varied ages and stories that about women about to start their marriages and all that entails.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 25, 2012
Really liked this book. Tragic that it was one of his last, I am now on a mission to read all his books. The best part is the telling about the four generations of family women who run the business. Love the way he ties the stories about each of the brides together, although each one very different. He shares insights about the brides, their personal stories and their weeding days, makes you feel like you knew them personally.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Melanie96
Posted March 7, 2012
Loved this book. A good read for men too with daughters. While reading this book I was saddened to hear that Mr.Zaslow passed away in an accident..and would never see his daughters get married.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 11, 2012
A wonderful book written for all those brides who will be brides or have been brides in the past.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.BC13
Posted January 12, 2012
Story telling as only Jeffery Zaslow can deliver.
The book contains a historical account of the bridal shop, Becker’s; legacy of how this shop started, and keeps going and will be remembered in the future.
Tucked between the pages are the lives of brides who come to Becker’s Bridal Shop to purchase their gowns; it is so much more than just the dress. The brides life, their story is told ~ it brings you to that moment when “The” dress is tried-on in the magical room of mirrors and lights to “just knowing” not only that this is the gown, but that life has woven together up-to this moment.
Be part of the treasure that this story contains; read it with a box of tissues close by and know at the end of the book, you will want to know what happens next to the brides, who stories have been tenderly revealed in ‘The Magic Room’.
Anonymous
Posted January 4, 2012
A refreashing story you cry and laugh while reading this
I recommend it to every mother and father who have a daughter
Anonymous
Posted February 26, 2012
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Posted April 5, 2012
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Posted January 1, 2012
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Posted January 21, 2012
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Posted February 17, 2012
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Posted February 27, 2012
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Posted April 9, 2013
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Overview
The New York Times bestselling journalist and author of The Girls from Ames, Jeffrey Zaslow, takes us to a multi- generational family owned small-town bridal shop to explore the emotional lives of women in the 21st century.
You may not have heard of Fowler, Michigan, much less Becker's Bridal. But for the thousands of women who have stepped inside, Becker's is the site of some of the most important moments of their lives-moments that speak to us all. Housed in a former bank, the...