A Spool of Blue Thread - Families!

I am new to Anne Tyler, and wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book, but it was recommended to me by my Mum and I'm very happy that she did. A Spool of Blue Thread is the tale of the Whitshank family and the house that they have lived in over several generations. We start with Red and Abby who are starting to struggle a little, and whose children - now with children of their own - rally round to give them support. Inevitably, and despite their best intentions, the old irritations and arguments that the children have been harbouring all their lives resurface. One son, Denny, is a particular source of tension - he never tells anyone what is going on in his life, and comes and goes at a moments leave. When tragedy hits the family, they make the tough decision to leave the house that was built by Red's father. We then go back in time to see how Abby and Red fell in love, which is quite a sweet tale. But then we go back a further generation to Red's parents and see how their story began. Pretty much all the action is centred around the family home which is definitely a character in its own right. This is a book full of emotion - with so many kinds of relationships on show that it is hard to imagine anyone not being able to relate to some of the characters. We witness the effect of things being left unsaid within a family and how hard it can be to realise that you've left it too late. There are heartbreaking moments, but there is humour too, and above all, there is an overwhelming feeling of people trying their best to do the right thing, and, especially with the older generation, to stick it out even when you feel like turning tail and heading for the hills. On the face of it, there may not seem to be much going on, but this is a story about how humans live and love in the world, and the bravery shown by those who, when faced with adversity, just get on with it. I will definitely be seeking more works by this author.

My STAR rating: FOUR.

Length: 465 print pages.
Price I paid: free, borrowed from my Mum.
Formats available: print, unabridged audio download, unabridged audio CD, ebook.