"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers." ~ Charles W. Eliot
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"This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook - try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!" ~ Julia Child
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"She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain." ~ Louisa May Alcott

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Nell's Quilt

Nell's Quilt

I just closed the cover on Nell's Quilt by Susan Terris. I am feeling very disturbed and not sure how to even start writing a review for this book. I bought this book thinking it would be about a young girl making a wedding quilt in 1899. I did not count on the dark and depressing story that would unfold in its pages. I know that eating disorders exist and it cannot be easy for the person experiencing them or their families but it was very unexpected that this is what the story is about.

I had no idea when I bought it as the book description is misleading once again. This happened to me once already this year in another book called The Fisherman's Quilt. What is sad to me is that the descriptions of Nell making her crazy quilt down to the stitches used were very good. The writing of things going on in the daily life of Amherst, Massachusetts in 1899 were also intriguing. But the dark nature of this book just left me asking what the author was thinking and why would she write it intended for the young girls she had as her target market?

As a quilter, I find it is leaving me with a dark cloud around me and I just want to put on an audio book to entertain me and quilt away these feelings of distaste from this book. Needless to say, I would not recommend it to anyone and would not want my child to read it.

Happy reading!
Heidi

5 comments:

Nancy said...

Why didn't you just say enough, and stop reading. I have to like a book on the first page. Since I have my Nook, I find many books I start and stop reading. Most are free and I am not wasting my time with them.
The quilt on the cover is nice. lol
Love you, Mom
I just finished a very light read by Debbie Macomber a friend gave me called Matchmakers and now on a second one by her, two book in one.
The Man You'll Marry

Anonymous said...

I would have never guessed the book would be about eating disorders (I am assuming anorexia nervosa and/or bulimia). I wonder if someone may have been targeting the quilting community to sell books sort of like misleading advertising. I enjoy a bit of heavier reading to stimulate the mind but I like the fluffy books as I call them--light and fun that give you that warm fuzzy feeling at the end. Life is filled with a bit too much reality right now for me personally and internationally. Take care and thanks for the review. - Amy :D

Babs in Alabama said...

Hi Heidi! thanks for this review. I am always drawn to the quilt books but would have been disappointed to find I'd bought something so misleading. I will know to look closer :)

Elizabethd said...

It sounds horrible. I'm glad you mentioned it, as from the title it is not what you would expect.

Julie said...

What a strange subject.