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A Single Thread - Chevalier
Audio performance by Fenella Woolgar
4.5 stars

I was surprised that I was pulled into this book so quickly. The basic premise was so bleak. Violet Speedwell is one of England’s ‘surplus� women following the losses of WW1. She is grieving the loss of her fiance and one of her brothers in the war. The death of her father left her with the care of her very unpleasant mother. When this book begins, in 1932, she is attempting to live independently in Winchester. She has a room in a boarding house while working as an underpaid typist. She is depressed and malnourished. Not a cheerful beginning.

The fictional Violet Speedwell begins her recovery when she becomes attached to the historical Louisa Pesel and her group of volunteer ‘broderers�. At the time Pesel was designing needlepoint cushions and kneelers for Winchester Cathedral. A small army of volunteers worked to complete the designs. Chevalier puts Violet into this group of women. She learns to stitch, acquires new friends, and finds a way to improve the quality of her own life. Within the cathedral the women’s stitchery group is juxtaposed with the group of male bell ringers. Violet becomes equally interested in the bells and one of the bell ringers.

The book is very focused on the changing roles of women and the challenges faced by women who cannot or will not conform to traditional expectations. Chevalier is good at this. This book is set more than 100 years later than Remarkable Creatures, but many of the feminist concerns are the same. Violet has an uphill climb to take control of her own life within her current circumstances. It’s often a painful battle. In the end, there’s a sense of victory. It’s encouraging, but it feels like a fragile victory. It’s 1932, and the potential of a second war overshadows Violet’s small rebellions.

I enjoyed the historical context of this book. I googled the details of the embroideries of Winchester Cathedral and listened to traditional bell changes. Fenella Woolgar’s audio performance was perfect for the contemplative atmosphere of this book.

Ann� wrote: "Nice review. :-) I tried to read this when it was first released but ended up setting it aside. Maybe I'll retry with the audio version."

I understand that you would set it aside. That's why I said that I was surprised that I got pulled into it. It began as a depressing book of the depression. Maybe it was the audio. I did end up with an e-copy of the text so I used both.