When the first thing a narrator tells you is that she lies you know you're in for some odd twists and turns and THE LACE READER by Brunonia Barry doesn't disappoint.
It's hard to talk about this book without giving too much away, but I'm going to give it my best. The story is about Towner Whitney, a self described liar and crazy woman who returns home to Salem, Massachusetts when the aunt who helped raised her disappears.
When I said "Salem" did you automatically think witches? Well you should have. They're in the book, though not in a goofy Bewitched kind of way. There is a strong element of religion vs. spirituality theme running through the book along with some psychic stuff (i.e. the lace reading) and host of characters who either embrace or deny these philosophies for various reasons.
Perception vs. reality also plays a huge part in the book. The very act of reading lace, has everything to do with how you look at it and who is on the other side. Each character in the book is written with purpose and with quirks and I think could easily be discussed for quite some time. Take the missing Aunt Eva for example, she is a strong defiant woman who embraces her gift of lace reading, holds the family and the town together in many ways and speaks in cliches. Then there's Rafferty, the possible love interest for Towner, who is the local police officer a former alcoholic and a single dad. And May, Towner's mother, a gun-toting recluse who has revived the art of lace making while rescuing battered women.
The book is complex, and though you may realize a plot twist is coming, you're not really sure what it's going to be, which to me is masterful. I mean, don't you hate when you're reading (or sitting in a movie) and you're like "Oh - okay, I know what's happening here... that guy is so not her Dad" (or whatever).
I think the beauty of a book like THE LACE READER is that you could read it on the beach for the story alone, OR you could really dive in and discuss and debate the characters and themes. And for me, the beauty is also that I've found an author that I'd be happy to read again. And the good news is her next book THE MAP OF TRUE PLACES just came out!
-- Dana Barrett, Contributing Editor
