Friday, July 20, 2007

The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood


My Rating:8/10
It is one of the most beautiful novels I have read. In this powerful uplifting novel, a mother turns to knitting to help deal with the loss of her child and discovers, beyond simple recovery, a whole new realm of friendship and understanding.

Since the sudden loss of only child, Mary Baxter has been unable to read or write. unable to pursue the activities that used to be the primary source of comfort. At her mother’s suggestion, she takes up knitting in a way to fill the empty hours and lonely days. And she reluctantly joins a knitting circle- not knowing that this will change her life.

Alice, Scarlet, Lulu, Beth, Harriet and Ellen welcome Mary into their circle despite her hesitance to open her heart to them. Each woman teaches Mary a new knitting technique, and as they do, they reveal to her their own secret of loss, love and hope. Eventually, Mary is able to tell her own story of grief and in doing so, finds the spark of life again.

What I liked the most about the novel is that each chapter starts with a line on knitting and its progression as you learn. For example:

“Really, all you need to become a good knitter are wool, needles, hands and slightly below-average intelligence, such as yours and mine, is an advantage”

- Elizabeth Zimmerman, Knitter’s Almanac

The author Ann Hood has tried to explain an underlying connection between one’s progressions in knitting with grief-coping. As you become an expert in knitting, you also reduce your pain from grief. Another thing I liked is the author’s interesting style of writing: she starts each chapter with the name of the woman whose secret story would be revealed in that chapter. So, in a way, she arouses interest subtly to move ahead with the book…And when I read so much about knitting, the various techniques of knitting scarves, sweaters, colors of wool, the quality… I could picture my mom and her love of knitting…So next time when I go to India, I would surely ask her to teach me some! I am sure she is gonna faint with shock!! :-)

So, all in all, a very touching and beautiful novel!
You can buy the book here. Click here to know more about the author.

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