11/16/10

An American Quilt

This morning I am participating in the Book Lovers' Blog Hop, a Tuesday book review for those who love reading.  If you like to write reviews, head on over and link up - plus collect a few book recommendations while you're at it.  Perfect for a rainy Tuesday like today (it's raining here, at any rate).

I thought I'd write my own book review on one of my favorite novels, a well-worn copy of How to Make an American Quilt, by Whitney Otto.  This book is meant to be read aloud - try it.  You can hear the words coming off the page.  Otto masterfully intertwines instructions on how to make a quilt with the stories of several women, revealing how lives may overlap despite differences in generation, race, and location. The American life must be community-oriented, rather like a patchwork quilt.

The protagonist is a young girl who cannot decide who she is or what exactly she wants in life - at least, not until she listens to the stories of several older women and discovers how their experiences may influence her own life choices. In the beginning, she refers to the quilt-making as a "random piecing together," but soon comes to realize that it is far from random.  The quilt is created from pieces of each woman's life - a child's dress, a husband's shirt, and a lover's gift.  She ceases to wonder at "the disparity of her life," and adds her own stories to the quilt itself.

Read it.  You'll find yourself somewhere in the story, I guarantee.

P.S. This book is also a movie.  Not as good as the novel (you know how that goes) but still worth watching!

Photobucket


Other Book-Review Blogs of Interest:


6 comments:

  1. Okay, so I'm going to confess that I have NEVER read this book! I've never even seen the movie :-). I know, I know, what is wrong with me? No idea. But your review makes it sound like the perfect read for an autumn afternoon. I may just have to visit the library later...

    Thank you for the link up to my site. Love yours!
    -m.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes do read it! It's such a great book.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm actually in the hunt for a new book, and this one sounds fantastic! I think I'll head to the library tonight and see if they have it!

    Thank you :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. This sounds just like the book for me!


    Thank you for participating in the Book Lover’s Blog Hop @ Story Time Under the Stars and Frugality Is Free. I hope you will link up a book review and participate in this week’s Book Lover’s Blog Hop as well.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've watched the movie and loved it..and have been planning to read the book!! Loved your review!! Just stopped by from Cym's Book review party!!

    ReplyDelete

( hippies always welcome )