Title: The Tapestry of Love
Author: Rosy Thornton
Genre: Fiction
About (From Rosy Thornton Website):
A rural idyll: that's what Catherine Parkstone is seeking when she sells her house in England and moves to a tiny hamlet in the Cévennes mountains. Divorced and with her children grown, she is free to make a new start, and set up in business as a seamstress. But this is a harsh and lonely place when you're no longer just on holiday, and Catherine finds herself with unexpected battles to fight. French bureaucracy, the mountain weather, the reserve of her neighbours - and most unsettling of all, her own fascination with the intriguing Patrick Castagnol.
The Tapestry of Love is the story of how a woman falls in love with a place and its people: a portrait of landscape, a community and a fragile way of life.
My Thoughts:
The Tapestry of Love is an eloquent, quietly paced novel about following your heart and your dreams and that taking the risk in making changes can lead to amazing experiences. This novel interlaces a charming picturesque life that Catherine develops as she uproots herself from England to an idyllic life of sorts in the Cévennes mountains of France. Catherine is fluent in French, although she has much to learn about small town rural life and traditions. She must challenge herself to learn about farm life, weather changes and family dynamics amongst the village she chooses to start a business and a new life. The characters were endearing and had a strong sense of authenticity as you learn about their lives and their friendships with Catherine. Catherine's family plays a part in the progression of this story as she is divorced with two grown children and you learn about their relationships and the challenge of living apart. Catherine's sister Bryony eventually steps on the toes of Catherine's developing friendship with Patrick when Bryony comes for a visit. Ms. Thornton describes the beauty of the French countryside in a quiet warm pace that is perfect for this novel. It encourages you as a reader to slow down, savor the developing story and you just may want to brew a cup of tea or pour a glass of French wine as you're reading. I appreciated the strength and elegance of Thorton's writing as she weaves a tapestry of words into a beautiful novel.
Source: Thanks to the author Rosy Thornton for graciously offering to send me a copy of this book for review.
Lovely review Bonnie...I'm hoping to get to my copy before the end of January!!
ReplyDeleteI loved this book. I guess I just identified with the main character and wished I was living in her part of France and doing the things she was doing.
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