Customer Reviews

The Winding Ways Quilt (Elm Creek Quilts)

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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!!!

I was so happy to find that Jennifer Chiaverini's newest book was available. I couldn't wait to read it, but I was sadly disappointed. So much of Bonnie, Sylvia, Agnes and Diane's stories had already been told. I felt like I was reading from a previous novel. (I felt the same way about The New Year's Quilt.) I loved the stories about Gwen, Judy and Summer. These were new and were wonderful to read. They were exactly what I was looking for in an Elm Creek novel. I hope that the next Elm Creek novel won't rehash the previous novels, but will be completely new stories.

The Winding Ways Quilt was aa tremendous disappointment. I have ready every Elm Creek novel, and this one was simply repetition after repetition of earlier works. I thought The New Years Quilt was Chiaverini's weakest work until I read Winding Ways. Perhaps it is time for the author to take a long break, and concentrate on quality content rather than quantity.

This was my very first Kindle book, and it did not disappoint.

What I love about the Elm Creek Quilts books - I know exactly what I'm going to get. The writing style is easy-going, descriptive but not too descriptive. I know the characters. They will have some turmoil, but there is usually a happy ending. They are indeed like a quilt, with each chapter told from a different character's point of view. They all care deeply about quilting and each other. And I usually cry a little bit toward the end. I love being immersed in this world for a day or two.

And reading it on a Kindle was way cool!

Every time I picked up this book, I felt like I was immersed in the warm, friendly world of quilters. I enjoyed finding out what was happening in the lives of characters I'd met before in previous books in the series. Plus, I was inspired to quilt. Keep them coming, Jennifer Chiaverini!

Well I couldnt put it down

borrowed from the library on a 10 day pass and I couldnt put it down when I got it !!

so I read the whole thing in a 18 hour period.

Loved it !!! she hooks ya and then keeps you till the last page

Love the whole series!!!!!!!!

The Winding Ways Quilt

Quilt camp is underway. At the beginning of camp each camper tells of how they came to camp or what they expect to learn from the others.

This year, it will be different, with Judy going to Philadelphia for a higher position at a college. Summer is also going off to pursue her dreams and continue her education.

There are two new staff members at Elm Creek Quilt Camp. The new cook is trying too hard to fit in. She comes up with absolutely perfect meals and beautiful table settings.

Each of the staff members lives are followed, as they chronicle their beginnings as quilters. Judy, as a young girl coming from Viet Nam, wanted to fit in with her new father's family. She found that learning to quilt was the way to prove herself. With all of her quilting lessons and hard work, she would never be accepted by her new grandmother.

Gwen's interest in quilts began when she cames into possession of an unfinished quilt from a church lost-and-found. Gwen set out to solve the mystery and find the quilter. Years later, she is still writing and studying the origins of quilts.

Hearts are broken and healed and new friendships formed as Sylvia begins the quilt that will bind them all together, the winding ways quilt.

After reading this book, I began my new quilting project. I am making a red and gold quilt for my soon-to-be remodeled bedroom. There is only one thing as satisfying as beginning a new quilt; that is finishing the quilt and enjoying it for generations.

Jill Ammon Vanderwood

author:Through the Rug

Through The Rug: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)

Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat

This book is basically good, but Chiaverini who is very talented at telling a good yarn is continuing to go into bad waters. What started out as quirky likeable characters are quickly developing into a pack of self-righteous, pompus old bitties.

Bonnie's story is rewritten in this book to the point where it's unrecognizable. In previous books it is Bonnie's lack of attention because she is too busy at her quilt shop that causes her husband to begin an online flirtation. It is a big box store (in the Wal-Mart mode) that sells quilting supplies which ruins Bonnie's business, but in this book Bonnie's husband Craig is made out as evil. Really Craig said since Bonnie's shop is losing money, she should close it. Bonnie refuses and suggest Craig help out. Well a business that loses money closes or it is really hobby. The shop was doomed anyway so the vandals didn't destroy it. But the story is completely rewritten here to make it sound like Craig and the kids who wrecked her shop destroyed a promising thriving business. This is a BAD error.

When Chiaverini writes about Sylvia, Sarah, Diane or other characters who are flawed, she shines, but most of these ladies are so pompus and full of themselves you ROOT for them to lose. I wish Chiaverini would write the next book where Andrew is discoverd a liar and Sylvia would have to cope with her loving a man that who's one lie destroyed everything.

But Chiaverini keeps writing things in a "Polyanna" mode which makes the books predictable. Chiaverini also is not realistic enough with her quilters. Gwen is written as a character that runs off in her late teens/early twenties with no thoughts to her parents. Yet when her father merely questions Gwen's arrival back Chiaverini starts in an anti-male tirade. Gwen insists women who make quilts have stories. Unfortunately like most things in life, most stories aren't worth being told, much less researched.

Chiaverini makes the mistake of insisting every story is important when we all know virtually no story earth shattering.

Again Chiaverini is so talented at telling stories she needs to tone down this crusade and self-righteousness of her character. When characters like Sarah who have good and bad, (She's good, but unreasonable with her husband and her mother) she is VERY interesting. Sylvia is interesting, especially in the first books when she's very opinionated.

All in all a good read due to Chiaverini good ability to tell stories.

Note: Jennifer Chiaverini make your next book a story about Mae the lady who was on the train in your last story "A Quilter's Homecoming." THAT was a very interesting character