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| A Single Thread |
Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres to read and Tracy Chevalier is among my favorite authors. A Single Thread, did not disappoint. Chevalier draws you right into the story from the very beginning and you not only read a moving story but learn a bit of history along the way.
Book Review
I found this to be a fascinating story of how one woman created a good life for herself despite the constraints of her time. It takes place in England in the 1930's. The country is just getting past World War I and the beginning of the next war is on the horizon.
Violet Speedwell finds herself to be deemed a "surplus woman". She is a 38-year-old woman who has lost both her fiancé and her brother in World War I. In societies eye she is doomed to be a "spinster". That however is not what Violet wants for her life. She wants to be independent and to do so does the unheard of and leaves her small town and family home to seek employment in the larger town of Winchester.
She secures a job and makes friends. Through a friend she decides to join a group of women who embroider kneelers for the local Cathedral. Violet has never done this type of embroidery before, but she becomes quite dedicated to learning this skill and finds support and fellowship with the group.
When forces threaten to hurt her new independence, Violet must find a way to put down roots in a place and time where women are not expected to grow and thrive on their own.
Through this book, I learned a lot about the challenges woman faced in that era and admired the way the main character overcame the challenges of the age. I also learned a lot about the craft of the brodiers.
Book on Amazon
A Single Thread can be purchased on Amazon in hardback, paperback, audio and kindle versions. Here is a link to get you to the book A Single Thread
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A Single Thread definitely sounds like a historical fiction I would very much enjoy reading. Embroidery (sewing), history, and a strong woman who knows her own mind is a winning combination for me.
ReplyDeleteViolet sounds like a fascinating woman and one I would enjoy getting to know as a character. With a crafting theme woven into the story, and a setting in England, the novel really does sound interesting. Thanks for your recommendation.
ReplyDeletePS: My little great-granddaughter is named Violet. :)
I, too, think that Violet sounds like a strong woman with the courage of her convictions. My mom was a well known embroidery designer and teacher, so that aspect of the story adds to its appeal for me.
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