The Knitting Circle

By: Ann Hood

Narrated by: Hillary Huber

Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

In the spirit of The Joy Luck Club comes this novel about friendship and redemption.

After the sudden loss of Stella, her only child, Mary Baxter joins a knitting circle in Providence, Rhode Island. Seeking a way to fill the empty hours and lonely days, she little realizes that the circle will change her life.

Alice, Scarlet, Lulu, Beth, Harriet, and Ellen welcome Mary into their circle, despite her reluctance to open her heart to them. Each woman teaches Mary a new knitting technique, and, as they do, they reveal to her their own personal stories of loss, love, and hope. Eventually, through the hours they spend knitting and talking together, Mary is able to tell her own story of grief. In doing so, she reclaims her love for her husband, faces the hard truths about her relationship with her mother, and finds the spark of life again.

©2007 Ann Hood (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"The strength of the writing is in the painfully realistic portrayal of the stages of mourning." (Publishers Weekly)

rated R

if this was a movie it would be rated R, i have no doubt. the F word is used often. as is the Lords name taken in vain at least 100x. several cases of adultry. several sex scenes. beyond these points this was a powerful story of pain loss and healing. a very realistic view of overwhelming loss, and a beautiful show that we are never as alone as we think we are.

Knitting is a source of comfort

As a long time knitter, I often look for stories about others who enjoy this craft. This book brings several people together who share the stories of their lives as they form a community to support each other through life challenges. The relationships are heart warming, although some sad events makes this a thought provoking book.

Really nice book

This is a nice, mellow book with interesting characters. I am a perennial beginner knitter and really enjoyed the knitting as vehicle for the story. The narration was lovely, as well. I have to note that the audio production engineering of the book is really poor, however. Listening along, one is abruptly slapped in the face with “Chapter 7” or “Part 4” as the ending of the sentence before... sometimes making a compound word with the last word of the previous chapter. No pause, no heartbeat, not even a brief close with the period of the last sentence. It was quite a grating shock every time. Certainly not the fault of the narrator author of this nice story, but didn’t anyone listen to the audio before it was published?

We all need a knitting club in life.

I found the beginning of this book’s first monologue of a woman’s whole life in France, but then listened to others in the knitting club’s joys and sadness of their lives. Excellent first all of us need to knit and pearl.

Fantastic Read/Listen!

First of all, the story is an excellent and accurate portrayal of a person mourning the death of a child and how they move through it. Best, most-true telling I have ever read.

Secondly, the narration was incredible! Each character had their own voice! Not just a change in pitch or accent, but full on different character voices that never slipped. I have listened to hundreds of audio books over the last two decades and this rates at the top. Highly recommended.

The knitting circle

Someone suggested I read this book. I knew it was about the grieving process, and wasn’t looking forward to it. Every book I have read about grief is more of a work book type of book sharing losses and a synopsis of where they are now! This book brings the full emotions and vulnerability anxiety and baby steps forward as well as the waves of grief that continue for the rest of your life. I related to these characters and the daily struggles of grief journeys.

Magnificent

A wonderful story of love, loss, friendships, support and healing. I so enjoyed this story

Touching and poignant

Very touching. Yes, it requires suspension of disbelief, but the emotions are ones that we all can relate to. Love the knitting themes! As an avid knitter, I can relate.

working through grief

loved it!!! everyone has a story. be kind to each other. I would love to have a shop like Big Alice's

Shared healing

This was kind of a sad story. I started knitting because of a family tragedy too.