Customer Reviews

Knitting: A Novel

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

To say Anne Bartlett is an excellent weaver of words is not only hyperbole, but totally pertinent to the subject of this story. This is a woman's book, particularly one for those who knit, and who love working with yarn. There are many references to the process of knitting and the historical importance of knitting in the life of mankind.

The character of Sandra Fildes is self-involved, seriously uptight, emotionally needy, and unable to relate well to people on a personal level. She is also a wordsmith, a writer, and a woman interested in the study of language and its nuances, along with that of textiles. When the story opens, Sandra's beloved husband, Jack, through whom she's lived vicariously for many years, has been dead of cancer for about nine months and she struggles each day to keep going. She visits an art gallery where she is struck by a glass dress. To demonstrate Bartlett's ability to meaningfully and effectively weave words together, following is the description (page 44) of the dress as seen through Sandra's eyes: "But this glass dress, this was a dress for a woman with a cutting voice and a snapping handbag, someone who ordered people around so they wouldn't see who she was. A dress for a woman who was always holding in a shriek but would let out only bits at a time, slivers of misery from behind those tight glass beads." Wow! I thought as I read the paragraph that the description could be of Sandra herself.

At any rate, Sandra and polar opposite Martha McKenzie, knitter extraordinaire, friendly and giving, but also dealing with her own deep-seated pain over losses in her life, meet under unusual circumstances. Over time, through a shared interest in things knitted, they develop an unlikely bond that in the end is healing to both. There are some very dramatic episodes through which these two women must travel, and while other characters come and go, it is the interplay between these two women that snags the heart strings and takes the reader along on a rocky journey to friendship. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. One question each reader will want to attempt to answer: Who is "the man?"

Carolyn Rowe Hill

I just finished reading Anne Bartlett's novel, Knitting, and I feel that I have been a witness to holy things. The book touched my heart. As a knitter, I enjoyed the description of the yarns and the delight that Martha took in her creations. As a spiritual person, I relished the depths of discovery that occurred in both Martha and Sandra. The characters and plot of this novel are quietly enchanting. The story grows on you as gently as a ball of yarn becomes a garment. I highly recommend this novel for women, especially knitters and meditators.

Anne Bartlett's Knitting is a superb novel for women who love to knit and enjoy a great story. The descriptions of the knitting process, its historical importance in the world and the sheer love of the craft makes it worth the read.

But it is also the beautiful, poignant story of love, healing and understanding that makes it complete.

Sandra Fildes is newly widowed and at loose ends. The loss of her beloved husband Jack to cancer has left a deep, dark hole in her life--and she seriously wonders how she can go on. She's self-centered, driven and uptight. She also loves words and textiles. She'd love to be able to knit, but doesn't believe she has the talent to be good at it.

Martha McKenzie has been widowed for many years and is a highly skilled knitter who struggles with her own demons, demons that she carries around in several suitcases wherever she goes.

Martha and her polar opposite, Sandra meet when they stop to help a man who has fallen ill. Sandra persuades Martha to help her with a retro and contemporary knitting exhibition, which is to be held in the local church hall. Each woman's personal needs collide with the others and threaten a growing friendship.

Armchair Interviews says: Bartlett weaves a story with rich characters and prose that is simply delicious. It is a marvelous first novel.

Sandra Fildes is a woman who knows what she wants. Brilliant, high-achieving, confident Sandra is an expert in her field, the historical study of textiles. When Sandra's husband Jack passes away after a long illness, though, Sandra finds herself at a loss about how to fill her days --- and her life --- on her own.

Martha McKenzie may be Sandra's polar opposite. About the only the thing the two women have in common is the loss of their husbands; Martha's husband passed away shortly after their marriage many years ago, when Martha was just a teenager. Now Martha leads a quiet, unassuming life, cleaning a local church, living in a small flat, and filling her hours by practicing her art. Martha is a knitter, but not just an ordinary "knit a baby blanket for a friend" knitter; Martha is a true artist, with an intuitive eye for color, a daring and inventive sense of design, and the skills of a master.

Through a chance meeting, the two women form an unexpected friendship. Sandra admires Martha's quirky ways and her obvious talents; Martha envies Sandra's wealthy lifestyle and enjoys cracking her tough veneer. The two women find common ground when it comes to knitting. Through shared conversations, the two form a plan to mount an exhibition of historically accurate knitted garments, accompanied by text discussing the importance of women's domestic work through the ages. "It's something to celebrate," says Sandra, "clothes made in love and service, something women have always done."

Sandra, a merely competent knitter at best, commissions Martha to do all the knitting for the exhibit. Martha, a perfectionist with a history of mental instability, finds the task almost impossible. When Sandra realizes that her incessant pressure brings Martha to the verge of a nervous breakdown, she must reevaluate her whole approach to relationships, including her idealized relationship with her late husband.

Although the title of Anne Bartlett's debut novel is KNITTING, knitting is merely one theme in this small, quiet novel. The healing power of women's friendship, the sustaining quality of meaningful work, the gradual process of healing after grief --- all are explored against the backdrop of a simple story about two women forming an unlikely friendship. Bartlett, the wife of a Baptist pastor, also interweaves Christian symbolism throughout the book.

Although Sandra is a prickly character who may repel many readers, and although Martha is portrayed as a little too eccentric to be a realistic companion for Sandra, the novel's general premise rings true, and its lovely descriptions of Martha's knitted masterpieces will appeal to knitters and non-knitters alike.

--- Reviewed by Norah Piehl

Sandra Fildes is a woman who knows what she wants. Brilliant, high-achieving, confident Sandra is an expert in her field, the historical study of textiles. When Sandra's husband Jack passes away after a long illness, though, Sandra finds herself at a loss about how to fill her days --- and her life --- on her own.

Martha McKenzie may be Sandra's polar opposite. About the only the thing the two women have in common is the loss of their husbands; Martha's husband passed away shortly after their marriage many years ago, when Martha was just a teenager. Now Martha leads a quiet, unassuming life, cleaning a local church, living in a small flat, and filling her hours by practicing her art. Martha is a knitter, but not just an ordinary "knit a baby blanket for a friend" knitter; Martha is a true artist, with an intuitive eye for color, a daring and inventive sense of design, and the skills of a master.

Through a chance meeting, the two women form an unexpected friendship. Sandra admires Martha's quirky ways and her obvious talents; Martha envies Sandra's wealthy lifestyle and enjoys cracking her tough veneer. The two women find common ground when it comes to knitting. Through shared conversations, the two form a plan to mount an exhibition of historically accurate knitted garments, accompanied by text discussing the importance of women's domestic work through the ages. "It's something to celebrate," says Sandra, "clothes made in love and service, something women have always done."

Sandra, a merely competent knitter at best, commissions Martha to do all the knitting for the exhibit. Martha, a perfectionist with a history of mental instability, finds the task almost impossible. When Sandra realizes that her incessant pressure brings Martha to the verge of a nervous breakdown, she must reevaluate her whole approach to relationships, including her idealized relationship with her late husband.

Although the title of Anne Bartlett's debut novel is KNITTING, knitting is merely one theme in this small, quiet novel. The healing power of women's friendship, the sustaining quality of meaningful work, the gradual process of healing after grief --- all are explored against the backdrop of a simple story about two women forming an unlikely friendship. Although Sandra is a prickly character who may repel many readers, and although Martha is portrayed as a little too eccentric to be a realistic companion for Sandra, the novel's general premise rings true, and its lovely descriptions of Martha's knitted masterpieces will appeal to knitters and non-knitters alike.

--- Reviewed by Norah Piehl

Admittedly, Knitting is a novel and could be reviewed under our 'Fiction' section - but it's featured here for its specialized background and potential interest to knitting enthusiasts. Two talented knitters are polar opposites in other ways: widow and teacher Sandra is still adjusting to life without Jack when she meets a fellow knitter who appears to have adjusted well to her own grief. The two form an uncertain friendship when an exhibition of knitting involves them, with some unusual revelations evolving from a professional interest. Plenty of knitting insights and references throughout make Knitting an intriguing novel -- especially for needlecraft enthusiasts!

Anne Bartlett's first novel is not really about knitting; it's about coping with loss. But Bartlett is herself a knitter and knitting figures prominently in the plot and its resolution. Those who knit will appreciate the detail that accompanies descriptions of knitting projects and techniques. Those who do not knit can enjoy Bartlett's poignant story about two widows who have almost nothing in common facing their respective losses in a curiously similar way. The plot is a little odd at key moments, the characters are both a little quirky, but the book is well written and insightful.

This book was recommended to us by our assistant pastor who, by the by, is from England. I was hesitant to read it because I am not a knitter and am not in a grief mode. However, this author takes you up and carries you along. It is a quick read and one that touches your heart and mind. We will have much to discuss when our Christian Book Club meets in January. I recommend it highly.

This is a lovely first novel, definitely meant to appeal to women readers. Knitting has become increasingly popular in the 21st century, as has the topic and existence of strong women's friendships. This novel is about both: knitting as an artform and comforting pastime and the coming together of two quite different women because of love of this artform. Both Sandra and Martha live alone; both love women's work although Martha is the creator and Sandra, the academic who writes about knitting. The only thing that slightly bothered me was the obvious class difference in the women and a feeling that, at times, Sandra was exploting Martha for her talent. However, that feeling did not last long. These gentle, fragile and strong women form a close friendship based on very human and basic values. A delightful and unusual read.

I gulped this novel in one sitting. Anne Bartlett's first novel is a gem, glowing quietly. It's a little eccentric, rich with color and experience, gently moving. In spirit it owes much to the tradition of the British domestic novel, and those who enjoy Binchy, Trollope and Buchanan will enjoy KNITTING very much.