'A Single Thread' tells the story of Violet Speedwell, a 38-year-old surplus woman navigating life after the devastation of WWI. With both her fiancé and brother lost to the war, Violet seeks independence from her controlling mother by moving to Winchester. There, she becomes involved with the Broderer's Guild, a group of women who create intricate embroidery for the cathedral. Through her newfound friendships and involvement in the community, Violet begins to forge a new identity and purpose for herself amid the societal challenges faced by women in the interwar period.
The writing style of Tracy Chevalier is noted for its engaging and informative nature, providing a rich historical backdrop that immerses readers in the world of embroidery and bell ringing. The narrative is described as quiet and slow-paced, allowing for deep character development and exploration of themes such as independence, community, and the struggles of surplus women. While some readers found the plot's pacing lacking, others appreciated the detailed depiction of the characters' lives and the historical context, making it a thoughtful reflection on women's experiences during a transformative time in England.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers/content warnings include themes of grief, loss of family members due to war, emotional abuse, and societal pressures on women.
Has Romance?
There is a medium level of romance in the book, primarily reflected in Violet's interactions and her emotional experiences related to unrequited love.
From The Publisher:
"A buoyant tale about the path to acceptance and joy-beginning, like all journeys, with one brave step."-People
"The best-selling novelist has done a masterful job of depicting the circumstances of a generation of women we seldom think about: the mothers, sisters, wives and fiances of men lost in World War I, whose job it was to remember those lost but not forgotten."-Associated Press
A BEST BOOK OF 2019 with The New York Public Library | USA TODAY | Real Simple | Good Housekeeping | Chicago Sun Time | TIME | PopSugar | The New York Post | Parade
1932. After the Great War took both her beloved brother and her fiancé, Violet Speedwell has become a "surplus woman," one of a generation doomed to a life of spinsterhood after the war killed so many young men. Yet Violet cannot reconcile herself to a life spent caring for her grieving, embittered mother. After countless meals of boiled eggs and dry toast, she saves enough to move out of her mother's place and into the town of Winchester, home to one of England's grandest cathedrals. There, Violet is drawn into a society of broderers-women who embroider kneelers for the Cathedral, carrying on a centuries-long tradition of bringing comfort to worshippers.
Violet finds support and community in the group, fulfillment in the work they create, and even a growing friendship with the vivacious Gilda. But when forces threaten her new independence and another war appears on the horizon, Violet must fight to put down roots in a place where women aren't expected to grow. Told in Chevalier's glorious prose, A Single Thread is a timeless story of friendship, love, and a woman crafting her own life.
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A Single Thread?
About the Author:
Tracy Chevalier is the New York Times bestselling author of nine previous novels, including Girl with a Pearl Earring, which has been translated into thirty-nine languages and made into an Oscar-nominated film. Born and raised in Washington, DC, she lives in…
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