The Tapestry of Love by Rosy Thornton - Divorced, middle-aged and ready for a change, Catherine moves to a house in France, sets up a tapestry business, makes new friends and finds herself drawn to one of her neighbors, Patrick Castagnol. But, when her sister Bryony arrives for an extended visit and prances off with Patrick, the French government makes becoming an official business owner difficult, and death marches into her life, Catherine wonders if going home to England might be her best option.
A slow, quiet, beautifully-written book with a touch of romance, some very poignant moments (I cried when she went to talk to her bees, if that means anything to others who've read The Tapestry of Love), plenty of humorous and touchingly realistic moments with Catherine's extended family and a perfectly wrapped-up, satisfying ending.
I stalled at page 200 because I tend to like a more plot-heavy book, but after setting The Tapestry of Love aside for a week, I returned to it and loved the second half.
Recommended for those in a mood to savor carefully-crafted writing, heavy on the senses and slow-paced.
My copy of The Tapestry of Love was a win from Maria at Fly High. My thanks to Maria and the author, Rosy Thornton, who sent me two of her books instead of only my prize win. I'm looking forward to the other title, More Than Love Letters.
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I loved this book as well, though I did have a problem with some of Patrick's romantic choices, if you know what I mean! I am glad that you liked this one too. It was a very diverting read.
ReplyDeleteZibilee,
ReplyDeleteYes, I felt the same. And, I think in the end there was a bit of "justification" by Patrick, explained away by his Frenchness. I nearly abandoned the book when I came to a halt around page 200. But, when I picked it up for the second time, I fell right back into Catherine's world and I did love the ending. "Diverting" is a good descriptor! :)
I liked this book, too. I was annoyed at Patrick there for quite some time!
ReplyDeleteJeane,
ReplyDeleteYep. There was good reason to be annoyed at Patrick. You're in good company on that feeling.
I really, really loved this one, though my favorite by Thornton is Crossed Wires. I've been thinking about revisiting Tapestry right now, though. I like long, slow books at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteAmanda,
ReplyDeleteThe Tapestry of Love is my first book by Rosy Thornton; I'll have to look for Crossed Wires. Thanks for mentioning that it's your favorite! I'm not much of a slow book reader, but now and then a quiet book with rocking fine writing is really refreshing.
I have a copy of this and hope to read it sometime this winter. I've heard very good things about it and have recommended it to customers--without having ever read it myself! ;)
ReplyDeleteLes,
ReplyDeleteI think it's a good book to read in the winter on a week when you're totally stuck indoors. It's that kind of book. I did get tired of it in the middle, but it's not the kind that you set down and immediately forget. So, no biggie. Loved the ending, in particular. :)