Book Reviews & Giveaways – The Lace Makers of Glenmara

Author: Heather Barbieri

This novel, set in Ireland, is like the Blarney Stone. Instead of myth, however, it carries the tempestuous and poignant lives of kate, Bernie, Aileen, Mira, Oona and Colleen. Kate, the American traveler, walks around Ireland until she can walk no more. She ends up in the isolated and stunningly beautiful coastal town of Glenmara. A struggling fashion designer, Kate leaves her broken heart in Seattle and carries her mother’s golden thimble around her neck. Her losses become her beginnings. Her pain and the wounds of the Irish lace makers who take her in become intricately weaved into their new lives. I loved the feel of Glenmara and the raucous, sometimes cruel sea surrounding Barbieri’s characters in mist and rain, and green hills, mauve and rose sunsets.

As Kate walks into Glenmara, Bernie and Aileen sit at the town craft fair selling their lace fringed tea towels and collars. Kate, wet and exhausted, trying to walk away the grief of her mother’s death and her boyfriend Ethan’s betrayal, is invited to stay the night with Bernie. The fierce beauty of the village and Bernie’s warmth and caring provide Kate a safe harbor. Kate finds herself entwined with the town, as Aileen, Colleen, Moira, Bernie and Oona invite her to learn how to make lace. The women make the lace as their grandmothers and mothers did, and to try to increase the income they have as the town has lost its fishing and thus the men have no way of earning money.

As the women meet, each opens up her own wounded heart. Aileen’s teenage daughter, Rosheen, is in full adolescence, and she and Aileen cannot find common ground. Moira’s husband, Cillian, has not worked for years and he drinks and beats her. Bernie misses her husband John, who died the year before. Oona has lost both breasts and is in remission from breast cancer. Colleen’s husband, Finn, who has not fished for many years, is out in rough seas on his boat, not a seaworthy one.

And there is Sullivan Deane, a man haunted by his past. This novel caresses and surprises and then exhilarates as Kate and the other women decide to turn lace trimmed towels into gorgeous, one of a kind lingerie. The village priest, Father Bryne, goes on a rampage at the lace makers and is ousted from his post.

I loved the courage of this novel and fell deeply in love with the characters as they each embraced their pain and came together. Lovely writing, a a setting that tears at the heart. Bravo, Ms. Barbieri, a truly touching and impressive novel.

Rating is based on a 5-star scale

Plot: 4.5

Presentation: 4.5

Characters: 4.5
Overall: 4.5

Review by Broad “A” – Ava

Thank you to Harper Collins for supplying our review copy of this book as well as the books to give away!

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