Page Turners – June 2024 review

The Page Turners book for June was ‘A Single Thread‘ by Tracy Chevalier. This book is set in 1932 and tells the story of Violet Speedwell, who is one of the ‘surplus women’ of the time – those who lost their husband or fiance in the First World War. We learn about how women are still coping with the after effects of that war, even as the world is moving inexorably towards the next. Violet is determined to break free from the expectation that she will care for her widowed mother and moves to Winchester, with a job as a typist. Here she becomes a member of the Guild of Broderers who are embroidering beautiful cushions and kneelers for the cathedral. She also meets the local bellringers and enters their world. Through the friendships she makes she becomes part of a community who support each other to find their place in the world.

All of us enjoyed the book. We liked the beautiful descriptive writing, ranging from the soaring glories of the cathedral to the privations of a dismal boarding house. The book was also very well researched so we learnt much about the real-life embroiderers whose work is still on view at Winchester and about the intricacies of the art of bellringing.

As usual the book gave us much to discuss, particularly in terms of the role of women in society. We also looked up the journey to Winchester as we felt inspired to visit there!

As usual some of us have copies of the book that we can share so do get in touch if you would like to swap our page turner for one of your own.

Deborah Wallis, convenor