we still have such a ways to go

I just finished listening to A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier, and found it a very satisfying read. It has also made me want to needlepoint a whole set of cushions for my dining room table chairs.

This is the story of Violet Speedwell, whose fiancee was killed in WWI. She has been living a most unsatisfactory existence with her mother who is grieving the death of her oldest son in the war as well as the loss of her husband.  Violet decides to strike out, and make a life for herself, on her own. Something not typically done in the 1930's in England. She falls into a group of women embroidering kneelers for the cathedral in Winchester (thus my desire to needlepoint cushions) and her life takes off from there. With twists and turns along the way of course. 

I have not previously read a book that focuses on the lives of women who lost someone in WWI and it was so interesting to think about how things were so different for women not so very long ago... and how we still have such a ways to go. I learned about this book on a Diving In podcast, which I am continuing to thoroughly enjoy listening to.  You may recognize Tracy Chevalier as the author of The Girl With a Pearl Earring which I also enjoyed. I look forward to exploring more of her books.  

Highly Recommended. 

Comments

[Sheryl Daetwiler Schaffer]

You might enjoy the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear (the first book being "Maisie Dobbs"). Maisie is a psychologist/private investigator in post war WWI.

[carol]

Thanks Sheryl! I will check those out.
Carol

[Chrissy]

My Mum was called Violet. She was born and grew up in London. She married in 1939 - what a year!
Thank you for recommending this. I would have missed it with all this Covid/Christmas busyness.