Towner Whitner is the narrator of The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry and she starts off recommending that we as a reader not believe her as she is not honest. Hmm..that is a big clue and gives you pause to start this story as it is a mystery to the end. The Towner women are from Salem, Massachusetts and are able to read the future in patterns of lace. Towner left home at a young age but comes back to Salem after the disappearance of her aunt. Towner is forced to confront the secrets of the past, the truth about the death of her twin sister, her parents and her family. As a reader we are taken on a bit of a roller coaster ride trying to separate the truth from the lies and unravel the secrets. At times I was confused reading through the events that got a bit bogged down with past details that were unclear. There is a major twist at the end that I didn't see coming which changes the story and makes for a satisfying ending. There are so many rich layers to The Lace Reader that I can't share anything more as I don't want to spoil the reading experience for those who have yet to read this book.
The Lace Reader definitely fits my description of Book Club Worthy. There is so much to discuss about this book and especially the ending! Add it to your list of books to choose from for your next book club discussion. There is a Reading Group Guide at the back of the book and you can also find it online here .
There is a wonderful discussion with the author Brunonia Barry with Book Club Girl on Blog Talk Radio. You can listen to the discussion here .
*Thanks to Harper Collins and Book Club Girl for providing me with a copy of the book to review. I am an Amazon Associate.
What an interesting way to open a story! It certainly intrigues me. It sounds like a thrilling ride despite the confusion - and maybe because of it. I like the idea that it's difficult to decipher the truth from the lies and the secrets. I wonder if the author very deliberately made it confusing and heavy at times?! This sounds like a good book to read with others so you can discuss it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your great review!
I've had this book for a while and really look forward to reading it. I'm so glad to see you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see another positive review on this book! I'm looking forward to getting around to it someday :)
ReplyDeleteThis is on my wish list. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI really felt like Barry got bogged down in the middle of this book. Part of it was that, I think, she added just too much. Then it seemed difficult to wrap it up; some scenes just seemed to drag on as though she didn't know where she was going. But I did not see the ending coming!
ReplyDeleteThis is one that I'd really like to read Bonnie. I really appreciate your review! I kind of want to get it and read it NOW!!
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