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August 2016:

 A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler

A Spool of Blue Thread
by Anne Tyler.

First Published: 2015

Wikipedia entries:


Book Club Review:
Friday 9th September



A Spool of Blue Thread
by Anne Tyler.

A lovely evening at the Churches, again, thank you.

There isn’t a plot as such. We merely visit the family at various stages in their lives. The lack of plot was an issue for some people. Some people wondered who or what the book was about. Abby was one character who was a lynch pin and then unfortunately she died. Denny, the black sheep of the family aroused strong feelings in a lot of people. Some people found him to be irresponsible and selfish. We do not find out about Denny from his own point of view until the end of the book. The hurried gathering together of the threads was considered to be abrupt at the end. For some, Stem was considered to be another focus of the book. It was pointed out that Red and Abby treated Stem shamefully, being perfectly prepared to pass him back to his mother if required.

The house is also a focus in the book, but as events follow after Abby’s death, the house is put up for sale. Many people considered that it was strange that Red wished to sell the house.

The book is very American. The dramatic changes in life in 1920s America to life in 1950’s America was commented on by many. Some likened the book to an American soap.

# Most, although not all, found the book to be an easy read. In one case, a too easy a read. There were good details of family life, putting up the storm hatches; the food they ate- predominantly casseroles it seemed. Some liked the dialogue, feeling that it could easily be a stage play.

Some, although not all people related to the family. Some characters, the daughters, the two Hughes were felt to be rather one dimensional. Abby, Red, LInnie-Mae, Stem, Denny and Nora were felt to have more depth of character and relationships between some characters were felt to be interesting. Most were shocked at the sudden introduction of the story of Junior and Linnie-Mae. Some concluded that they probably never did marry.

We do not find out about the significance of the title until almost the end of the book. The spool of blue thread weaves its way through the generations.

A book that gathered luke-warm praise, but also luke-warm condemnation. In general, it was considered to be a good example of its genre and designated as a suitable beach read. Many, however, considered the book to be rather insubstantial and a surprising choice for a Man Booker short list.

3 Stars. JC

More information at:
Goodreads.com

Awards:

AA Book Club
Three stars