THE CHRISTMAS QUILT

An Elm Creek Quilts Novel

Jennifer Chiaverini

Simon & Schuster

ISBN: 0-7432-8657-X

December 2005

Inspirational

While searching out holiday decorations in Elm Creek Manor's attic, Sarah McClure finds the pieces of an unfinished Christmas quilt. Curious and excited, she shows her discovery to her friend, Sylvia Bergstrom Compson, owner of the manor. Sylvia tells her young friend that the quilt was made by four of the Bergstrom women, who each abandoned it for reasons of her own. When Sarah proposes finishing the quilt, Sylvia tells her it won't work because the squares are too different and the quality of some of the work is inferior. Sarah assures her elderly friend that she has an idea, and begins planning her project.

The Christmas quilt has stirred up old memories, and Sylvia finds her thoughts being drawn to the past, particularly to her childhood rivalry with her older sister, Claudia. Even Sylvia's happy memories are tarnished by the recollection of the constant competition with Claudia and the residual resentment that Claudia would never concede that Sylvia was better at anything. When a treasured family heirloom goes missing, the bitterness between the sisters reaches new levels, ultimately leading to Sylvia's lengthy absence from Elm Creek.

In THE CHRISTMAS QUILT, Jennifer Chiaverini mines the rich history of the Bergstrom family and Elm Creek Manor for new treasure in the form of Sylvia's memories of her long-deceased relatives. By going back to the past, Chiaverini fleshes out her modern-day characters, filling gaps in previous stories and adding depth and detail to the Elm Creek mystique. Apple strudel becomes a symbol of hope and generosity. The Bergstrom tradition of sending the most newly-wedded couple out to find the family Christmas tree is a lovely lesson in marital dynamics. Readers will see the seeds of Sylvia's relationship with Sarah and Matt in the impetuous generosity that characterized her youth. Like the best quilt patterns, light and dark memories complement each other and result in a beautiful, heart-warming design. THE CHRISTMAS QUILT illustrates that joy can be all the sweeter after the pain that precedes it. Despite the sadness and losses of her youth, Sylvia retains the greatest gift of Christmas: hope.

 

Reviewed by Mellanie Crowther

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