A Single Thread

A Novel

By: Tracy Chevalier

Narrated by: Fenella Woolgar

"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.

A Wonderful Story

I enjoyed every minute of this book, it's a wonderful story. The characters were very well developed and it was read beautifully. I will definitely listen to this book again.

Brilliant Novel, Beautifully Read

Fenella Woolgar Woolgar delivers an amazingly delicate an nuanced reading of this beautifully written and thoughtful novel.

Excellent!!

Have always loved historical fiction and Tracy Chevalier is the best. I enjoyed this book immensely.

An Historical Romance

I am used to books that have a mystery or a murder or both, so it was hard for me to adjust to this story about 1930s England. One big theme is the role of women at that time, and another is the story of the women who embroider the church kneelers and cushions. It is a tight-knit guild (no pun intended) and offers something positive in the life of a self-professed spinster.

A good story, but not great.

Rather bland story

While I thought the reader’s performance of this book was very good, the story was not. It kept me interested in parts, but bored in others. Overall it was pleasant enough, but I cannot recommend it to others.