alexrafinski 's review for:

A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier

4.5

informative reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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This was such a pleasure to read after some of the more complex books I've been reading recently - a straightforward story, set in Winchester between the wars.  If you like embroidery or bell-ringing, then you'll probably love this book.  I'm not interested in either of them, but I really enjoyed reading this - one of those books where what happens to the main characters becomes really important to you, which makes it hard to put down.   The story is basically about the difficulties faced by a young(ish) single woman who wants to do things that we now consider normal (get a job, go to pubs with other women, have a baby etc), during a time dominated by men.  The ending was particularly poignant, and like The Times reviewer, had me shedding a tear or two.  My only criticism is of the blurb on the back that says " .. when whispers of another world war surface, she must live with a secret that could change everything ..." - I assumed this "secret" would be war-related (not unreasonably, given that blurb?) but the "secret" actually being referred to is really not very shocking in today's society!