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WOW! I am literally blown away after reading “The Thread Collectors” by Shaunna J. Edwards, and Alyson Richman, authors. This is one of the most memorable and thought-provoking novels that has evoked so many different emotions for me. The genres for this book are Historical Fiction, Fiction, Black and African American Historical Fiction and Jewish Literature and Fiction. The timeline for this story is set during the Civil War. The authors describe their colorful and dramatic characters as complex and complicated. During this horrific war, we see betrayals, discrimination, destruction, and inequality. During this time, many families were divided by the North and South, and the authors discuss the importance of family, neighbors, friendship, courage, freedom, peace and hope.
Both authors seamlessly weave this tale and masterpiece about the tragedies of the Civil War. Alyson Richman brings her love of art, music, and literature to this novel, where we can see the significance in emotional reactions and feelings, and as a means of communication.
In New Orleans, Stella, a young black woman embroiders different colors of thread that act as a map for the enslaved black men who want to head to the North to join the Union Army. We discover the limitations of her relatives and friends, as they relate to their masters.
In New York, Lily, a Jewish woman makes tapestries and quilts for her husband and other Northern men at war. Lily and her friends also tear material to make bandages for the wounded men. Lily’s husband, Jacob is very talented and is musically inclined. Jacob fights for the North and his successful brother sells cotton and fights for the South.
In “The Thread Collectors” the authors write about the devastation of the war on both the North and South. It is so heartbreaking to read how the Northern Army treated the black men that had joined, and are willing to fight for freedom.
When Lily hasn’t heard from Jacob for a while, she is determined to travel to the south to find out what has happened to him. The dangerous journey will have Lily and Stella cross paths. This is such a significant read, and I highly recommend this amazing, memorable and thought-provoking novel to other readers. I suggest having tissues on hand.
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