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Saxton Reads! & Reviews

We invite the public to post reviews to our catalog by logging into our online catalog. Reviews will then be posted to this blog. Comments can be added to existing posts or may be added as separate reviews on our catalog
SEPTEMBER 28, 2008
The Lace Reader ~ Brunonia Barry

**** First Rate Storytelling

ckubala
This is the perfect book for the month of October as its witches, wiccans, Calvinists and the history of Salem are so much a part of the story. Salem, itself, is as much a character as any person, and the history of Ipswich lace making is woven throughout. Though some liberties are taken with both of the above, Brunonia Barry has researched well and is historically accurate. The story begins as Towner Whitney is called home to Salem from her new life in California to find her great aunt Eva who has disappeared. She tells you straight away that she is crazy and that you should never believe her, that she always lies. She is an unreliable voice in the story but it is hard for the reader to know to what degree her story is or is not true. You find out early on that Towner had a twin sister, Lyndley who committed suicide and that Towner is still working through the grieving process. Several other well drawn characters draw you into this tangled web. May, Towner's mother whom she despises, Aunt Emma Boynton, abused wife of Cal Boynton, adopted mother of Lyndley, and Great Aunt Eva, the main lace reader and mother figure to our heroine. Like the lace of the title, the story weaves one way and then another and different point of views are explored in alternating chapters. Each chapter begins with a quote about reading lace from The Lace Reader's Guide. Chapter One begins

The Lace Reader must stare at the piece of lace until the pattern blurs and the face of the Seeker disappears completely behind the veil. When the eyes begin to fill with tears and the patience is long exhausted, there will appear a glimpse of something not quite seen. In this moment an image will begin to form…in the space between what is real and what is only imagined.”

First published in 2006 and reissued in 2008, The Lace Reader has been thrown into the limelight once again through word of mouth promotion. Psychological suspense, spells, the lure of the sea, and the vicious dogs of fictional Yellow Dog Island will keep you on the edge of your seat.

A sequel is planned for 2009 which is disappointing to hear. I think it will take away from the strongly told original tale to continue the story. Sometimes it's better not to know all and in this case, allow me to come to my own conclusions.

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