A single thread, Tracy Chevalier

Tracy Chevalier wrote several historical novels. I liked some of them, others I did not like that much. So her books are a bit hit-and-miss with me.

A couple of weeks ago, I picked up A single thread, and I must say I was not disappointed. It turned out to be a well written, interesting and beautiful story and I really enjoyed it.

The main character is Violet Speedwell, a spinster who never married since her fiancé died during WWI. It is now 1932, but the wounds of the First World War are still visible.

Violet moves out of the house she shares with her mother and moves to Winchester. Her job pays very little, but it is a form of freedom, and that is what Violet wants.
She becomes involved with a group of women who embroider the cushions in the Catherdral of Winchester and slowly, Violet can create her own life.

The atmosphere of 1932 is well written, and I love how Violet fits into that. Yes, she is a woman who wants to find her own way, but it is done within the timeperiod.
Violet is a person you become to like very much, and I really wished her all the best. She does not always make the most convenient choices, and I admired her for that.

The group of women who embroidered the cushions really existed and I really liked how this historical information was woven into the story. That was well done.

A single thread is a well written historical novel with an interesting backstory and the story itself is beautiful.