Set in 1932, this is a story of Violet Speedwell, like many women of her generation, she is considered surplus to requirements due to the shortage of young single men (her fiance Laurence waskilled in the Great War. She is trapped at home living with her peevish and demanding mother. The story unfolds as she escapes from her mother and is drawn to the craft of embroidery and learns how to make the kneelers and cushions for the cathedrel in a nearby town. The book explores many themes, including, lesbianiism. A wonderful gentle book about the plight of women and the lack of opportunities they face. Tracy Chevalier is a wonderful writer and I really enjoy reading all her novels

I found myself recommending this book to a friend and found myself prattling on about the Broderers, bell-ringing and historical romance. She wasn’t that impressed by my recommendation, it didn’t sound to be her sort of thing. And it wasn’t mine on paper either. However, what I failed to capture in my brief description was the depth of the characters, the inspiration of the female characters working against adversity and the touching relationships nurtured through the novel. There’s tension and mystery, and the love story is less bodice-ripper and more real and touching.

If you’re thinking about giving it a go, I recommend it even if it’s not strictly ‘your thing’.

This is a really good book to get your teeth into, especially when you are in lock-down, and are an amateur embroiderer to boot! Violet has made a sudden move to Winchester after her father's death. She had limped along for one and a half years living with her demanding and crochety mother. This was expected of women like her - unwed, and unlikely to be - to look after one or both parents.
Her eldest brother George was lost in the first World War and her mother, Mrs Speedwell, was overbearing and vociferous about the duties of a single daughter. This was the era when daughters were dutiful, and deferential to their mothers, at least until they were married , and then deferred to their husbands - not that Mrs Speedwell had ever deferred much to hers.
When Violet arrives in Winchester, she goes first to the cathedral, where she encounters the broiderers, who are making kneelers and cushions to fill the cathedral. She wants to join them, but the snooty woman in charge will at first only allow her to sort the colours of thread.. However, she is finally helped by Louisa Pesel.
This is historical fiction at its finest. Well researched, and including lots of "taboo" subjects such as lesbianism, illegitimate children, surplus women, and a fine evocation of 1930's society.
I found this novel to be gentle, slow moving, absorbing, and frankly brilliant.

I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did - I haven't enjoyed Chevalier's former works, but this one really gripped me. I bought copies for both my fellow reading-enthusiast colleague and my mum, who similarly enjoyed it. A great read.

This book was a strange one for me, I can’t fault the style of the writing but the the plot was severely lacking. The story never gained any momentum and I couldn’t warm to the main character Violet. I have enjoyed other books by Chevalier in the past but this isn’t one of her best in my opinion.

A Single Thread is a difficult book for me to review. I normally enjoy books by Tracy Chevalier, but I struggled with this one. The writing style was beautiful as usual, but the subject matter failed to entice me, and I disliked the protagonist.

I was sent a copy for review prior to publication but the sheer number of books I received around that time and since have meant that I have struggled to find time to read it. However, I can remember that it was the author rather than the blurb that made me decide to request it.

It is 1932 and Violet Speedwell is still recovering from the loss of both her brother and her fiancé during the war. She has recently moved to Winchester to escape from her overbearing mother and to attempt to gain some independence.

One day Violet enters Winchester cathedral and stumbles upon a presentation for a group of embroiderers tasked with making kneelers for the cathedral. Violet joins the group and begins to make friends with some of its members.

During the friendships she learns some scandalous secrets and has to decide whether to divulge some of her own.

One of the things that initially appealed to me about A Single Thread is that it is set in and around a cathedral and I hadn’t read a book in that setting previously.

One thing I particularly enjoyed about the book was the mention of Lincoln cathedral. Having grown up in Lincoln I always feel an affinity to any book that mentions it.

“On holiday she had admired the handsome square towers of Canterbury Cathedral, and of Lincoln, which dominated the city as a Cathedral should.”

A Single Thread was clearly well-researched, and I enjoyed reading about a ‘surplus’ woman, a term I hadn’t heard before. This was used to describe unmarried women after the first world war, women who were regarded as a threat by those who were already married. The protagonist Violet is considered to be one of these women.

“She hated the judgement that the usher was forming from her not wearing a wedding ring.”

One of the things I disliked intensely was the attitude of the men in Violet’s life towards her. I know that this is a product of the time the book was set but it meant that the central romance in the book was not one I was routing for.

A lot of the social expectations placed upon Violet, and women in general, struck me as outdated and those elements were the areas of the book, I found the most interesting. For example, women not really being seen on their own, pubs being a mainly male domain and attitudes towards same sex relationships.

A Single Thread was readable but I can’t say it will be particularly memorable.

It’s 193/ and Violet is 38 and not married. Her fiancé died in the First World War. She also lost her brother in the war. She moves away from her mother and joins the local embroidery group or Broaderers’ group at the church in the hope of making a kneeler that will last long after she has gone.

She makes a friend at the group called Gilda who introduces her to Arthur one of the bell men. He’s 20 years her senior and married.

Her friend has a secret but violet rallies round to make sure she is looked after. Her friends do the same for her when life takes a different path.

“A single thread can make quite the difference.”

Leaving her domineering mother and moving to Winchester is a huge step for Violet Speedwell, and even as she takes up employment as a typist in an insurance company, Violet realises that she has to do more to maintain her independence. Joining a group of ladies who embroider the intricate kneelers for Winchester Cathedral gives Violet the opportunity to make new friends and learn a new skill, and this enlightened companionship, amongst the embroiderers, allows Violet a certain amount of freedom and the independence she craves. I particularly enjoyed getting to know the lady 'broderers' of Winchester Cathedral and learned much about the different embroidery stitches and had to smile when Violet is advised, by her instructor, the indomitable Louisa Pesel, that the back of her work should be as neat as the front which is exactly what my needlework teacher once advised me!

The eponymous single thread which runs throughout the story reiterates Violet's single status, as in the aftermath of the First World War, when there was such a devastating loss of young men, finding a husband for all the surplus women, like Violet, who had lost a fiancé in the war, was never going to be easy. Gradually over the space of this beautifully written story, Violet's life is shared amongst us. We learn of her hopes and fears, we witness her gradual growth in confidence, and we become part of her journey to fulfillment

And just as Violet's tentative embroidery threads come together to form something truly beautiful, and unique, so the threads of the story stitch together a wonderful account of all the special relationships which weave, in intricate detail, the delicate pattern of Violet's life.

The first thoughts I had on reading A Single Thread, was that it felt comforting, it's well written, flows beautiful and deals with important themes gently but still with power. It is a book that feels like I'm cosying up with a cup of tea, a blanket and fluffy socks.

As the main protagonist, Violet embraces a new life in Winchester in 1932, she finds camaraderie in the Broderers, her humour and independence flourish, making for a character arc that I was very much invested in. But there are so many female characters in this book that are wonderful, diverse and real - Miss Louisa Pesel (a real person), Gilda, Dorothy, even her mother who is insufferable at times.

Tracy Chevalier's talent lies in weaving themes throughout, no scene is too long, no dialogue wasted. She tells a fascinating story that explores themes that are still important today - sexuality, rape, the effects of War, Nazism, roles and expectations of women in society, patriarchy, all through the lens of someone who knows no different but knows that it shouldn't be that way.

There are no forced opinions here, instead they are presented plainly which makes them all the more poignant. I found myself indignant and angry. But in the end it was the love, acceptance and friendship that made this book memorable for me.

A must read.

I have read and enjoyed Tracy Chevaliers other books so auto clicked to request this one , then saw it was about embroidery in a cathedral, so it went on my eventually list. What a mistake, this book is fantastic and I enjoyed every moment, there is a lot of sewing and bell ringing , as well as life, love and friendship in 1930s England. A real treat to read. Even more was reading the authors notes at the end to discover that one character is a/was a real life person, it was so interesting.
Many thanks for the opportunity to read this book and so sorry for the delayed review.

Starting in 1932, this novel follows Violet Speedwell, a bereaved spinster as she decides she can no longer live with her mother as a carer and strikes out on her own. Moving to Winchester she gets drawn to the Society of Broderers and meets a cast of women who change her life. With hints of the World War on the horizon, we consider the position of women in society, the importance of friendship and motherhood. A slow yet absorbing book.

This is typical Chevalier - thoroughly researched, detailed and insightful historical fiction that contains themes that apply to modern life.

Violet age 38 is a 'surplus woman', one of many British women forced in to the single life due to the incredible losses of men during WWI. It's now 1932 and Europe is unknowingly heading towards another war.
Violet has moved away to start a new life in another town and escape her Mother and she falls in with a group of women embroidering items for the cathedral but with them she learns a lot more than just that!.
This is a lovely compelling tale, richly detailed and very well researched. It is a moving story of strength in the face of adversity and the efforts to carve out a life after suffering loss.
A book I would recommend fans of this genre.
My thanks go to the author, publisher and Netgalley in providing this arc in return for a honest
review.

An interesting premise for a book. An historical fiction centred around embroidery? It really wasn't my cup of tea but I'm sure if you're a fan of this author, you'll love it.

There are some authors whose work I will grab/buy and run with/download so fast. I have even been known to sit down in the book store with my already-purchased book, and start imbibing while the rest of my family are still deciding.

Why not?

Why not indeed? I am the child who was given a whole packet of (as yet unpurchased) Marie biscuits to eat through a Pick n Pay shopping experience, so that I didn't worry my busy mother. I make no excuses. It's learnt behaviour and I can blame my dear Mom.

Tracy Chevalier (Girl with the Pearl Earring, At the Edge of the Orchard, and New Boy) is one of those authors, and A Single Thread one of those books.

It is 1932 and Violet Speedwell is not living her best life. The Great War has stolen her fiancé and a brother, leaving her to tea and toast with her bitter mother. Violet soldiers on, gathering her pennies so she can escape to Winchester, where there is a cathedral, and more importantly, a group of 'broderers' - the women who embroider the prayer cushions, and other paraphernalia that cathedrals require. She discovers her tribe there - including austere Dorothy, lovely Louisa and the ever glorious Gilda. In her happy place, she rediscovers herself and what she wants from her life.

This is a wonderful glimpse into a bygone era with new lenses. It's a celebration of womanhood, community, presence and purpose. The characters are diverse and real, intense and stoic. The setting is austere and dramatic, the perfect backdrop for their passions.

I loved every minute. Every stitch was a memory, a nostalgic moment, a wiped tear. Just my kind of book. Thank you Ms. Chevalier for writing such masterpieces, not rushing the process and giving your readers (especially me) such joyous experiences.

This book was a very slow and long drawn out read for me. Unfortunately wasn’t to my tastes at all! I didn’t like the main character and the descriptions of the sewing and bells and the tedious plot lines just didn’t work for me. Sorry!

A Single Thread is a very different story compared to what I usually read, but as the world is burning I really needed a relaxed, steady-paced story to comfort me. This is a story about hope, at least it was for me - it’s about finding life after you think yours is over, about finding joy in new things & about appreciating what you’ve been given in life. Violet’s life didn’t start until much later in life than it does for most, & yet this story follows her as she finds satisfaction & happiness in unconventional ways (at least for the 1930s). Some would label this story as “women’s fiction” & I’ll refer to that label as I don’t have a better one to use, but either way, this is not my normal pick up... nevertheless, I enjoyed following Violet’s journey to happiness & it reminded me that things do get better, even if one doesn’t think they ever will. Which I suppose is quite relevant to what the world is dealing with right now.

⚠️ Sexism, discussions of the consequences of World War One (including the deaths of family members), homophobia*, sexual assault & references to Hitler’s rise to power in Germany ⚠️

*To be clear, homophobia is definitely present in this story, if somewhat subtle, & despite the main character being wary of a F/F relationship initially, as gay relationships were not discussed openly during this time, Violet is accepting & loving toward her lesbian friends.

I was very excited to receive an advanced copy of ´A Single Thread´ by Tracy Chevalier. This was the first time I had read any of her novels and I am sure it will not be the last. It tells the story of Violet Speedwell, a young woman living in England after the Great War. After suffering the loss of her brother and fiancé, she spends her life looking after her difficult and pernicious mother. After seeing this dreary and depressing life stretch before her, she makes the escape to Winchester - a town with a very large cathedral. She is soon drawn into church life, becoming a member of the broderers, a group of women who embroider kneelers and cushions for the church.

´A Single Threat´presents a study in relationships, sexuality and female friendship. It was a gentle read and a wonderful snapshot into the 1930s. After picking up embroidery as a hobby this year, I wonder whether part of my interest in this new hobby is due to this wonderful book!

Oh my, so many women had to suffer this plight and is an area of war that is very rarely discussed. Brilliant research has gone into the book to recreate the surroundings and atmosphere of the time. Recommended for all lovers of quality historical fiction.

A quiet story of the lull between two wars, and the grace and strength people sometimes showed during that time, this is a hard novel to rate. The writing is strong and the period setting (between World Wars but closer to the second) was well crafted and interesting. The sense that the shadow of the first war loomed so large and that many hadn't managed to quite rebuild a future they'd dreamed of prior to the war is well captured. The approach of the Second World War is also delicately shown.

But, I think the novel has a bit of a baggy shape. It feels like we're pulled in different directions and unsure where things are going.

Still, I think the mindset of a lady at the time was well done and that she let her mind open when she could have just as easily closed it.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review, and apologies that it took so long to produce it!