Customer Reviews: Read 41 more reviews...
 The Knitting Circle July 13, 2008
Excellent! A sad, but beautifully written story. I loved the way Ann Hood involved all the different characters.
A fantastic book about mothers, daughters, loss, and life July 10, 2008
I finished this book in less than a day and didn't move from the couch. I love when a book has the power to transport me like that. The story centers around the loss of a child and how Mary (main character) comes to terms with her grief by joining a circle of knitters. As a knitter and a mother who lost a child, I found it to be an accurate portrayal of grief and loss and redemption. People's lives become fragile after a tragedy and Ann Hood handles this with grace and accuracy. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a great read.
 beautiful, flaws and all June 23, 2008
Let me start by saying I came upon this book more or less by accident, and I began reading with a fairly skeptical mindset. By the time I was done, I felt obligated to write this review and share my thoughts with everyone.
Despite its flaws, this is a beautiful book and I want to say this first. It was moving in that direct, honest way that only some books can be. I can say that its flaws are overshadowed by its depth and beauty. Ann Hood explores grief with a rare balance of sensitivity and candor. Her insight is incredible.
This book tells the story of a grieving mother's journey of healing through her relationship with a circle of knitters. Each member of the knitting circle has a story to tell. I think what bothered me most was the lack of reality in each of those characters. The protagonist, Mary, was well developed, but the others seemed two-dimensional, their stories melodramatic in a sense. They were not given the life that I craved and it was like there was a barrier blocking my connection to them. They all retold their stories in the same ways with unrealistic detail, using the same voices. It simply didn't feel convincing. Overall, I felt too-concious of the sense that I was reading. There are some masterful writers out there that make you truly unaware of the fact that you're NOT actually living the experiences of the characters. But Ann Hood wasn't able to do that. Some of her writing, especially in the beginning, feels unedited and formulaic.
That said, I want to reiterate that it was still a wonderful book. Towards the end, I cried almost every chapter. The flaws in writing are more negligible in the bigger scope, I think. Ultimately, it's an endearing work and one I hope that many, many women will read and share for decades to come.
Other recommendations: Kyra by Carol Gilligan (unique and sensitive), The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (gorgeous love story), Dreaming Water by Gail Tsukiyama (a dying girl's story & a gem of a book), Loving Frank by Nancy Horan (harrowing and compelling read)
 Knitting away from grief June 19, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is not my typical read, as I don't usually pick up books that deal with children and death. But I had to read it for my book club and I am glad I stayed with it, as the end is offered some unexpected answers. Hood writes about a mother battling depression after her five year old daughter dies unexpectedly. This situation is a parent's worst nightmare, and as a parent of a five year old girl, it hit very close to home. Yet, I think Hood does a good job of expressing the character's grief and working through all of her stages. Hood unfortunately has personal experience with this topic so some of the book seemed to be a chance for her to be cathartic (not that that is a bad thing!). I gave it three stars because the topic is difficult and not enjoyable, as well as the ending seems to wind up too quickly, in the final chapter or two.
 I wish books came with warning labels. June 6, 2008
3 out of 6 found this review helpful
Four letter words, affairs and abortions are not my idea of a good read. How disappointing.
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