Round Robin

An Elm Creek Quilts Novel

By: Jennifer Chiaverini

Narrated by: Christina Moore

Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

Popular author Jennifer Chiaverini fashions a touching story from her beloved Elm Creek Quilts series. Deciding to surprise master quilter Sylvia Compson, the quilters pass a work-in-progress from one to another. As the ladies add their personal touches, the finished piece forms a mirror of their lives.

Sew much more: listen to all of our Elm Creek Quilts titles.

©2000 Jennifer Chiaverini (P)2008 Recorded Books

Critic Reviews

"Highly recommended." ( Liibrary Journal)

Climb Under The Quilt

I picked this title up because I'd read one of these "Quilting friends" books before and enjoyed it far more than I'd expected to given that I have no real interest in quilting and I'm not usually a big fan of this type of women's fiction. But after reading a few disturbing novels -- "A Thousand Splendid Suns" and a grisly mystery or too I wanted something warm and comforting that didn't depress me -- and as I suspected this book, as with the previous book I'd read in the series, fits the bill nicely. If you like Maeve Binchy, this author is of like mind and spirit. She writes well, many of her observations are trenchant rather than trite, and if the book pulls together in predictable fashion it's okay- this is the kind of book where the reader wants exactly that. I wanted it, and I got it and so was the perfect read at the time.

I give it three stars because yeah, at the end of the day it's predictable and formulaic, but if you want entertaining, well-wrought characters that you can relate to and like, and a break from more disturbing material...climb under the quilt!

Warm and Healing, Like Grandma's House

This is the second in the Elm Creek Quilts series, and I finished it in a day and a half. The women in the quilting circle with their real life problems, as well as the aging Sylvia, accept and love one another in spite of all their short comings, and sometimes, I think BECAUSE of them. The women and the quilt camp guests who come to Elm Creek aren't exempt from any of life's pain, and hearing their stories will bring you comfort. They will become your friends, too. You won't always understand why a person behaves the way she does . . . just like in real life . . . but you learn that you don't always have to know everything to accept . . . and eventually just love them.

I know these women in my own life

I live to sew and sew to live. I love being able to listen to these wonderful stories of women lives, friendships and challenges while I'm sewing. You really don't need to know how to sew or quilt to appreciate thesae stories. I have also listened while driving and not wanted to get out of the car after an entire day of driving.

Wonderful Story - Friends Helping Friends

What did you love best about Round Robin?

What I liked best about Round Robin was how Jennifer Chiaverini was able to create a sense of well being, where there had been an overload of discord.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was Sara because her difficulties in life continued to pile one on top of the other. She could not see any way that she could overcome the heavy load that her mind carried. Her depression was helped through the efforts of all those who worked for or lived with Sylvia. Friendship and love would bring her back if she would listen and rise to the challenge.

Which character – as performed by Christina Moore – was your favorite?

Sylvia was my favorite character as performed by Christina Moore. Sylvia had to express varied emotions throughout the book and the narration made for a good listen.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Circle of Friendship

Any additional comments?

The Round Robin was worth the listen. I enjoyed the story and how it flowed. The book didn't hit a snag where too much time was spent on any single aspect of the story. The story was also concerned with every day life as you and I know it. People worked together, would get upset and there was always the one who would never be able to keep a secret. Kindness was woven through the threads of this story and it was very well done. Quilting is the way of taking many different pieces of cloth and sewing them together to equal the whole. People are the same, we need all different kinds of people who are somewhat alike and also different. People can unite as a whole and find a semblance of order, that is challenged at times and issues worked through with the help of others, whereby peace can be restored. Like a quilt, sometimes threads have to be removed and put back together to make it right. The narrator was excellent. She made the listen a pleasant one. I like the character's in the series as they continue to develop into unique people, each with a different personality. The description of the small town and the manor is well done. I'll purchase the third book in the series. I've found it nice to sit back, put my feet up, and read a book that floats gently instead of roaring loudly. The next book I read will be filled with action and suspense. But at times I need to relax and this book made that possible.

Stress

I normally enjoy this series but this one is too full of character conflicts for me to consider the book entertaining. I'll keep reading the series just won't re-read this one in the future.

Mostly Predictable, but still enjoyable light read

Most of the plot lines are quite obvious, which makes the story a bit plodding, like the first book, but these are still nice for light reading.Characters are likable, except Sarah, who seems clueless and moody. the male voices are read in such a monotone, that's a little distracting. Accompany with pictures of these quilts, hard to get a visual from the descriptions, even though the descriptions are overly detailed.

Loved it, but . . .

I really enjoyed this book and this series, but one of the main characters - Sarah, is not very likable. She is a self-centered, unempathetic young woman. Love everything else about the books.

Excellent series

This is a wonderful series and very refreshing. Too often women have forgotten how relationships with other women are so important. Her series emphasizes how those relationships can be a blessing where women supporting one another can lead richer lives.

What quilting really represents.

Quilting is more that scraps of fabric sewn together to keep one warm. They represent perseverance, friendship and most of all love.

Loved it.

Although the series doesn't have to be read in order, I am on a mission to do so. This book fills in some of the history of the 21st century characters.