Thousands of women have stepped inside Becker's Bridal in Fowler,
Michigan, to try on their dream dresses in the Magic Room, a special
space with soft lighting, a circular pedestal, and mirrors that carry a
bride's reflections into infinity. The women bring with them their most
precious expectations about romance, love, fidelity, permanence, and
tradition. Each bride who passes through has a story to tell -- one that
carried her there, to that dress, that room, that moment.
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 four generations, Becker's has
witnessed transformations in how America views the institution of
marriage: some of the shop's clientele are becoming step-mothers, some
are older brides, some are pregnant. Shop owner Shelley has a special
affection for all the brides, hoping their journeys will be easier than
hers. Wall Street Journal columnist Jeffrey Zaslow tells their true
stories using a reporter's research and a father's heart.
The stories Zaslow shares from within the Magic Room are at times
joyful, at times heart- breaking, and offers with insights on marriage,
family, and the lessons that parents -- especially mothers -- pass on to
their daughters about love. Weaving together secrets, memories, and
family tales, The Magic Room explores the emotional lives of women in
the twenty-first century.
