The Winding Ways Quilt [Kindle Edition]

Jennifer Chiaverini (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Pieced together more like a quilt than a driving narrative, Chiaverini's 13th novel centered around the quilting circle of Elm Creek, Pa., finds change afoot. Chapters center on the circle's various members, with a focus on backstory. First-time readers are thus not left out in the cold as Judy and her husband, Steve, prepare to leave for new jobs and lives in Philadelphia; Summer begins grad school in Chicago while boyfriend Jeremy's graduate work keeps him near Elm Creek Manor; Sarah discovers she's expecting twins; Bonnie isn't sure she wants to reinvent the quilt shop destroyed by vandals; and newcomers Gretchen Hartley and Anna Del Maso join the staff of the quilting camp. The section dealing with Gwen's detective work aimed at discovering the creator of a quilt rescued from a church basement lost and found is the most powerful and poignant in Chiaverini's latest patchwork confection. (Apr.)
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Product Description

Jennifer Chiaverini's bestselling Elm Creek Quilts series continues with The Winding Ways Quilt, in which the arrival of newcomers into the circle of quilters heralds unexpected journeys down pathways near and far.

Quilters have flocked to Elm Creek Manor to learn from Master Quilter Sylvia Compson and her expert colleagues. There's Sarah, Sylvia's onetime apprentice who's paired her quilting accomplishments with a mind for running the business of Elm Creek Quilts; Agnes, who has a gift for appliqué; Gwen, who stitches innovative art quilts; Diane, a whiz at the technicalities of quick-piecing; and Bonnie, with her encyclopedic knowledge of folk art patterns. But with Judy and Summer, two other founding members of the Elm Creek Quilters, departing to pursue other opportunities, will the new teachers be able to fill in the gaps created by the loss of their expertise -- and more important, their friendship?

"When I think of all the different paths I could have followed in my life, all the twists and turns that could have led me anywhere," muses incoming teacher Gretchen, "it's something of a miracle that I ended up here, surrounded by loving friends."

But what of friends departed? As Sylvia contemplates a tribute to the partnership of the Elm Creek Quilters, she is reminded of a traditional quilt pattern whose curved pieces symbolize a journey. Winding Ways, a mosaic of overlapping circles and intertwining curves, would capture the spirit of their friendship at the moment of its transformation.

Will Sylvia's choice inspire the founding members to remember that each is a unique part of a magnificent whole? Will the newcomers find ways to contribute, and to earn their place? The Winding Ways Quilt considers the complicated, often hidden meanings of presence and absence, and what change can mean for those who have come to rely upon one another.

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 445 KB
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1 edition (April 1, 2008)
• Sold by: Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000VMFDOA
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,811 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

More About the Author

Jennifer Chiaverini lives with her husband and two sons in Madison, Wisconsin. In addition to the sixteen volumes in the Elm Creek Quilts series and four books of quilt patterns inspired by the novels, she designs the Elm Creek Quilts fabric line from Red Rooster Fabrics. For more information about Jennifer, please visit her website at www.elmcreek.net .

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for fans, April 2, 2008

By 

Avid Reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Winding Ways Quilt (Elm Creek Quilts Series #12) (Hardcover)

Another great Elm Creek Quilts book about transitions in women's lives. I'm a long term fan, and I think this book would probably be best enjoyed by other followers of the series, despite the repetition from other books. It might be difficult as a stand-alone novel. There's probably no ideal way to cover so much back story of the familiar characters, but Jennifer Chiaverini does as good a job as any. Not a whole lot of progress is made on the overall plot of the series' main characters- Sarah becomes pregnant, Summer's just about to move for grad school, Bonnie is pondering career options, Gwen's writing her paper, Diane is just about to send her youngest off to college- and then the book leaves them hanging there just as they face their transitions. It leaves a lot of potential for future books, but there's not a lot of resolution.

Still, I really enjoyed the book and it was great to "check in" with the series' original characters. Jennifer Chiaverini's writing style is warm, cozy and comfortable, and she creates some really beautiful images using the symbolism of quilting.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Catching up with the Elm Street Quilters, April 9, 2008

By 

Karen Potts (Lake Jackson, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Winding Ways Quilt (Elm Creek Quilts Series #12) (Hardcover)

In this book, Jennifer Chiaverini devotes a chapter to each of the original Elm Street Quilters, delving into their past and catching up with the present and possible future of the women. In each case, a quilt played a part in each woman's past, sometimes in a positive way and sometimes a negative one. This is a book of transition as Judy and Summer prepare to move off and Gretchen, Anna, and Maggie come in to fill different positions at Elm Street Manor. There are some reconciliations between women and also uncertainty as to what the future will bring. There is a pregnancy and a shaky romantic relationship. Each chapter blends together with the others to create a story that is much like a quilt, with each section contributing to a pleasing whole. Series fans both new and old should be pleased with this book.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable next installment, May 3, 2008

By 

Holly Kincaid "Book addict" (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Winding Ways Quilt (Elm Creek Quilts Series #12) (Hardcover)

I continue to be amazed that Jennifer Chiaverini can sustain the high quality of her books over such a long series. Every time a book comes out, I pick it up with mixed feelings of anticipation and anxiety. Anticipation of what wonderful stories will be included and anxiety that this book can't be as good as the previous ones. I need to learn to let go of the anxiety since Ms. Chiaverini continues to deliver each and every time.

The main strength of these books is the many multifacited characters. Many writers of this type of literature tend to make the characters good or bad; black or white. These books are the exception to that trend. Each character is well drawn with both positive and negative traits (just like real life) and I end up caring about each and every one. A perfect example of this is the character of Diane. She often comes across very harsh (opinionated and stubborn), but the book also shows her deep compassion and love. It explores how someone, who on the surface at least is unlovable, can have so many facets of her character and be loved by so many people.

In addition, the books continue evolve by introducing new characters to inject new stories and interpersonal interactions. It isn't getting stale and that's quite a compliment for a series twelve books strong.

If you enjoy a good read; if you enjoy quilting; if you enjoy stories about strong, healthy women's relationships, this is the perfect series for you.

Enjoy!!!