Review: A Thread So Fine by Susan Welch

Title: A Thread So Fine
Author: Susan Welch
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Faodail Publishing
Publish Date: March 15, 2019
Source: PR

What's the Story?: 

From Goodreads.com: "Can love for a secret child heal old wounds?
Introspective and artistic Shannon Malone and her more popular sister Eliza are Irish twins and best friends. In the summer of 1946 as womanhood approaches, both look forward to promising--but different-futures. When tragedy strikes and rocks the Malone family to the core, one sister leaves, possibly forever. The other, physically and emotionally scarred, vows to hold the invisible thread that runs between them. In the course of her journey, she discovers a secret child and the true meaning of family, but is it enough to bring her sister home?"

My Two Cents:

In "A Thread So Fine," Eliza and Shannon are two sisters living in the 1940s in the Midwest. They have always been close but two tragedies pull them apart. There is a tuberculosis diagnosis for Shannon and an unwanted pregnancy for Eliza. These two events will turn their family upside down. In the 1940s, a tuberculosis diagnosis means you get sent away in order to (hopefully) recover. An unwanted pregnancy out of wedlock in the 1940s means stigma and trying to hide secrets for Eliza. Both of these women will deal with their issues in very different ways, ever tied with the invisible thread that binds them as family.

You all know that I have a soft spot for stories about sisters. I have sisters and I am always drawn to stories about that very special bond. I really liked how the author created very unique personalities for the sisters. It was so interesting to see how they dealt with things so very differently. Eliza seems to want to push her family away, while Shannon tries to do everything in her power to keep that bond in mind. Without giving anything away, the ways that Shannon tries to keep her sister close to her heart throughout much of the book was particularly touching. A ton of the narrative is dedicated to Shannon trying to pull together her family through these acts and I really enjoyed reading about her commitment. 

The writing of the book was great! This is a very heart-wrenching story. I thought the pacing worked well and the author kept the story flowing. I also have to mention the historical detail in the book. It added a great sense of place. To some degree, both sisters are beholden to their time as far as how they are able to handle what life is throwing at them. Also, I really liked the cameo of Frances Perkins (another fascinating woman in her own right) in the book. Overall, this was a great debut and I am excited to see what else the author comes up with in the future!