This 389 page novel by Kate Jacobs truly resembles the wonderful stories of Ice Castles or Steel Magnolias with some Prince of Tides tossed in for seasoning. First published in 2007, I picked it up at a sale for 50 cents paperback and it sat on my to be read shelf, proving once again that a book does not have to be a new best seller to be an outstanding read. The main character is Georgia, a single mom who established and owns the Walker and Daughter Knit Shop and is raising her daughter Dakota in their safe haven amidst the bustle of being in New York City. Ably assisted by Anita, the older widow of many talents, Anita and her customers start a Friday Night Club where each life story of each woman makes me so wish there were a similar group around this town, but this is a work of fiction and perhaps there are such communities of women elsewhere, but certainly not where I live. Dakota has a talent for baking and delights the women with a new treat each week. As much as Georgia tries to remain internally focused her life turns to where she needs the companionship of her friends. Each compelling story reflects the abundance of tragedies and triumphs in life amongst women of all ages. The knitting projects continue and the chapters are introduced now and then by some knitting instruction or philosophy. Their collegiality makes me want to dust off my needles and revive my knitting skills. Georgia has a distant mother in miles and attitude so as happens, the friends become her family. Enter Dakota's father from his life abroad and wanting to become part of his daughter's life. It is a great story abounding with philosophical moments including the reunion between Georgia and a once high school friend who betrayed her. I rate this a great chick read with some serious writing here and there, 5 *****.
Following is one of many passages I marked; this is an example of the depth in this story:
Pg 137.....Anita and Georgia are discussing friendships.....Anita says ".. when you're young you always think you"ll meet all sorts of wonderful people, that drifting apart and losing friends is natural. You don't worry, at first, about the friends you leave behind. But as you get older, it gets harder to build friendships. Too many defenses, too little opportunity. You get busy. And by the time you realize that you've lost the dearest best friend you've ever had, years have gone by and you're mature enough to be embarrassed by your attitude and frankly, by your arrogance. "
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