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A Single Thread

A Novel

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A Single Thread

Written by: Tracy Chevalier
Narrated by: Fenella Woolgar
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About this listen

"A buoyant tale about the path to acceptance and joy--beginning, like all journeys, with one brave step." (People)

"The best-selling novelist has done a masterful job of depicting the circumstances of a generation of women we seldom think about: the mothers, sisters, wives and fiances of men lost in World War I, whose job it was to remember those lost but not forgotten." (Associated Press)

1932. After the Great War took both her beloved brother and her fiancé, Violet Speedwell has become a "surplus woman," one of a generation doomed to a life of spinsterhood after the war killed so many young men. Yet Violet cannot reconcile herself to a life spent caring for her grieving, embittered mother. After countless meals of boiled eggs and dry toast, she saves enough to move out of her mother's place and into the town of Winchester, home to one of England's grandest cathedrals. There, Violet is drawn into a society of broderers - women who embroider kneelers for the Cathedral, carrying on a centuries-long tradition of bringing comfort to worshippers.

Violet finds support and community in the group, fulfillment in the work they create, and even a growing friendship with the vivacious Gilda. But when forces threaten her new independence and another war appears on the horizon, Violet must fight to put down roots in a place where women aren't expected to grow. Told in Chevalier's glorious prose, A Single Thread is a timeless story of friendship, love, and a woman crafting her own life.

©2019 Tracy Chevalier (P)2019 Penguin Audio
Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction War
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What the critics say

A Best Book of 2019 with The New York Public Library | USA Today | Real Simple | Good Housekeeping | Chicago Sun Times | Time | PopSugar | The New York Post | Parade

"Set in the 1930s, Chevalier's new novel follows a woman whose fiance died in Wold War I and who finds a sense of community among the guild of needlewomen embroidering kneelers for the pews at one of Britain's great cathedrals." (New York Times Book Review)

"In times of grave discomfort, Tracy Chevalier offers a welcome respite...with manners and chortle-inducing humor that would make Jane Austen proud." (USA Today)

"The plot, and Chevalier's delicate handling of Violet's love interest, is seamless.... A Single Thread is a fascinating story about building something long-lasting by beginning with one small stich." (NPR)

What listeners say about A Single Thread

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Wonderful!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story!! Peaceful, serene and stoic strength that inspires me! Well narrated!

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A great listen

Ms. Woolgar’s performance made the story come alive. We are brought back to a period of recent history feeling both the social and the political times. The slow paced reading made it better to appreciate.

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WONDERFUL Read !!!

I have listened to this book twice !!I love Tracy C writing … a terrific tale of the people of Winchester and Southampton after the first war and leading to the second and the coming together of woman who LOVE embroidery… the telling of their lives !!! And a nasty character thrown in …Great story ❤️

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Lovely story of becoming independent.

The narrator has a lovely voice, the main character’s family challenges and how she pursued her independence and found happiness. After reading this story I went out and bought English tea, lots of tea drinking in this book. There is a very good appreciation of needlework well done.

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