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)

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.

©2019 Tracy Chevalier (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

A Best Book of 2019 with The New York Public Library | USA Today | Real Simple | Good Housekeeping | Chicago Sun Times | Time | PopSugar | The New York Post | Parade

"Set in the 1930s, Chevalier's new novel follows a woman whose fiance died in Wold War I and who finds a sense of community among the guild of needlewomen embroidering kneelers for the pews at one of Britain's great cathedrals." (New York Times Book Review)

"In times of grave discomfort, Tracy Chevalier offers a welcome respite...with manners and chortle-inducing humor that would make Jane Austen proud." (USA Today)

"The plot, and Chevalier's delicate handling of Violet's love interest, is seamless.... A Single Thread is a fascinating story about building something long-lasting by beginning with one small stich." (NPR)

Disappointing read.

I have read other books by this author that I thoroughly enjoyed and have found to be well written and researched. I kept waiting for this story line to become interesting but it seemed to only go downhill. The presenter was better than this story deserved. Very disappointed.

Quiet and Increasingly Engrossing

A lovely story of growth and building independence. The story starts out a bit slow and then builds heft just like the character who at first seems rather bland and uninteresting. I rather think the amazing Tracy Chevalier paced it that way to mirror the evolution of the main character's life. As I listened to the first two chapters I was a little worried the book would be a slog but by a third in I was fully engaged and loved the book. And of course there is Ms. Chevalier's beautiful prose - an absolute pleasure to listen to in Fenella Woolgar's lovely voice.

Just OK

The story was a bit boring to me. I really just wanted to finish it. I think the narrator did a good job.

Not her usual story line but ...

....an interesting story by an author usually associated with inconceivably amazing story lines, rich characters and unforeseen plot twists. This is a whole different story line, slightly sad but sweet all the same, of a more modern time from Chevalier.

Soul soothing

There's enough drama online these days that I needed something that would be calming, but interesting.

The unhurried pace lended itself to an easygoing and pleasant absorption in my housework. I was surprised to find my kitchen clean in what seemed like no time at all. Great for those chores that don't require any thought, which is most of them

Although church activity is involved, it's not preachy. Love and inner strength, rather than dogma is woven throughout.

This is my 1st from this author, and I plan on buying another from her.

Aweome

A must read for all those Chevalier fans!!
Wrapped up so neatly, brought a tear to my eye.

Emerging Women’s Independence

I loved how the main character, Violet grows in confidence and independence as she learns to rely on herself!

Slow-going at first but TOTALLY WORTHWHILE!

I really enjoyed the narrator's voice so I was happy to listen even though the beginning felt a bit slow and the "action" did not pick up for some time.
The main character, Violet, seems like an unremarkable woman for the first part of the story. But as she continues to forge ahead with her own life (contrary to all of society's expectations), you sense how remarkable her choices become and how she affects the people around her. STICK WITH IT! It's as if Violet is quietly but nevertheless fiercely staking her claim to her own individual life.
I loved this story and the characters in it.

Quiet, lyrical, powerful

Exceptional research informs this quietly stunning book depicting a spinster's journey from passivity to courageous independence. A book to be savored.

Stay with it

Slow initially but then captivates once characters begin to be developed
Wonderful narration! Tracy Chevalier is becoming - not a book so far I haven’t loved