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Monday, January 17, 2011

Review - Tapestry of Love by Rosy Thornton



The book was sent to me by the author herself and I am so happy that I got it so early. I would have got to it eventually so it was a bonus to get it so early.

Set in Cevennes in a part of France hitherto unknown to me I found Catherine's transfer from England to France absolutely enchanting. She left behind an ex husband, a sister and two grown up children and moved lock, stock and barrel at the age of 48 to a new home, a new country and a completely different way of life. She was also very eager to start up her upholstery/curtain business in rural France - a place where I thought this would have been a non starter from the beginning. It proves how wrong I was, and also showed how courageous Catherine was - willing and able to start anew.

We very often think this starting afresh is a prerogative of the young and that doing something like this at 48 is a bit risky. It is a risk of course but the benefits to Catherine were immense. I loved the story - with nuances of rural French life, with the trials and day to day happenings of a rural community where life revolves around the seasons, the sheep, the goats and things happening to a timetable and a pattern unchanged through centuries.

This was such a happy book to read - the spirit of quiet happiness, contentment and joy seeps through at every turn and one in turn is happy for everyone who appears in the book.

It is not a cheesy read at all, not overpoweringly frenchified as it were but an amazing unput downable book. A must read.

24 comments:

  1. I'm so glad that you enjoyed this one as well!

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  2. I am putting this one on my wish list because it's so happy and joyous. I need reads like that. Thank you for the review.

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  3. I loved that book too.. http://bedazzledeternally.blogspot.com/2010/12/french-connection.html

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  4. Wasn't it good! I really liked it too. I read Crossed Wires by Rosy Thornton but now want to track down her other books.

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  5. What a lovely cover! I'm going to remember this one for when I need a happy book!

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  6. It was sure such a delightful and charming book :) And I admired Catherine

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  7. here's mine http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2011/01/mailbox-monday-hunters-and-prey.html

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  8. Hi Mystica,

    This is another new author to me, but I love the sound of this book and the cover art is great.

    It's always nice to receive books direct from the author, isn't it?

    I recently won a competition and received a copy of a new author's first book and it's a great feeling.

    Yvonne

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  9. oh man. sounds fantastic! i wish i'd said yes when i was offered this book. glad you enjoyed it :)

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  10. Need to get this one slipped into my hands. I love the way you described it as not being cheesy but a MUST READ.

    Thanks for giving me the boost and adding this one down to reading list now.

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  11. Oh this book sounds delightful and one that must be added to my wish list!

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  12. This one is going on my inter-library search list. Thanks for the recommendation. By the way, I love your name!

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  13. This really sounds like the kind of book I'd like. I'd never heard of it until I read about it on your blog. Add another one to the TBR List! :) I love stories about people going off to France or Italy to live.

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  14. I keep meaning to read this! Thank you for a wonderful review.

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  15. Sounds perfect for a chilly rainy day with a roaring fire and comfy blanket.

    Chèli
    Cheli's Shelves

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  16. Once I got to my 40s, I started loving books about women my age living interesting lives.

    Thanks for participating in Mailbox Monday!

    Rose City Reader

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  17. This does sound very good, and what a pretty cover.
    Great review!

    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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  18. I liked your review of this one. Sounds like a great book!

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  19. this sounds really sweet~~ thanks for stopping by my blog today!

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  20. Glad you enjoyed this one. It sounds like a nice read.

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  21. So glad to hear it's not cheesy and that you enjoyed it.

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  22. Glad you enjoyed this one, as I have it to read and review as well.

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