A Thread So Fine

By Susan Welch

Faodall     2019

370 pages     Historical Fiction

“St. Paul, MN, 1946: As little girls, the Malone sisters relied on each other for companionship and affection as their mother remained distant, beating back the demons of her own mysterious childhood. Now, as young women ready to embrace promising futures, their lives are instead changed by two tragedies. Their powerful bonds of love and loyalty threaten to break under the weight of trauma and loss, secrets and misunderstandings. One sister leaves, possibly forever. Heart-broken and scarred, the other vows to never let go of the invisible thread that runs between them--and in the course of her journey, discovers the true meaning of family.”

Susan Welch based some of this family drama on her own birth, childhood, and upbringing. There is a lot at play—men returning from WWII, distant parents, sibling love and sibling rivalry, illness, unwed mothers, religion, and on and on. Frankly, at times, I found all of this to be a bit too much. When the author added another element to the plot line, I probably rolled my eyes.

On the other hand, to a large extent, this is the childhood that I experienced, growing up in the forties and early 50s in Minnesota. I noticed that most of the reviewers were older women, which is probably why the publicist sent the book to me in the first place. Oh—and one of the characters is named Miriam, always an eye catcher to me, who seldom sees her name in print. I remember the tuberculosis sanitarium at the edge of our community, the whispered stories of young women going away “to visit relatives” only to return with no explanation. I remember my mother in her house dress feeling trapped and like she was wasting her life. All of these elements are at play in A Thread So Fine.

Welch is a very good writer. The novel is rich in details, and the characters are finely drawn. Those who enjoy problem fiction or historical fiction—or like me, lived through those times—will enjoy A Thread  So Fine. I can see that this book would be a good book club choice, and I noticed that Welch will have a book group guide which will add to its appeal.

Here is the Kirkus review of the book, which recommends it as “an engaging and poignant historical novel.” The book was released this week. Here is Susan Welch’s website.

As for me, what I think I need, right now, is a good murder mystery. This is two “relational” books in a row, probably a new record for me.