Emma’s Tapestry by Isobel Blackthorn
Book information
Purchase link: http://mybook.to/emmastapestry
Genre: Historical fiction
Print length: 311 pages
Age range: This is an adult book but suitable for mature teens
Trigger warnings: None.
Amazon Rating: 5
About Emma’s Tapestry
At the dawn of World War Two, German-born nurse Emma Taylor sits by the bedside of a Jewish heiress in London as she reminisces over her dear friend, Oscar Wilde.
As the story of Wilde unravels, so does Emma’s past. What really happened to her husband?
She’s taken back to her days in Singapore on the eve of World War One. To her disappointing marriage to a British export agent, her struggle to fit into colonial life and the need to hide her true identity.
Emma is caught up in history, the highs, the lows, the adventures. A deadly mutiny, terrifying rice riots and a confrontation with the Ku Klux Klan bring home, for all migrants, the fragility of belonging.
Emma’s Tapestry is an imaginative retelling of the remarkable life of the author’s great-grandmother.
Praise for Emma’s Tapestry
“The story is immersive and well-written; and Emma, when facing adversity, is a heroine to admire.” – Janice Ottersberg, Historical Novels Society
“The most exciting and compelling novel I’ve read in years. Truly exceptional.” – Moyra Irving, author of Amelie Trott and the Earth Watchers
“What a special memoir. Isobel Blackthorn has woven a fantastic story…set around true events. If you love books about a strong real existing personality read this one and you won’t regret it.” – Fany Goes English
“When a book has the power to take a reader across continents and time as easily as ‘Emma’s Tapestry’ did me, it proves that Isobel Blackthorn in this instance is a master at her craft….I found this book a compelling read, so compelling I wanted to learn all about Emma there and then.” – Sharon Beyond the Books
“Emma’s Tapestry is such an absolutely beautifully written, immersive story that I was able to lose myself completely into Emma’s world.” – Jera’s Jamboree
“The style of writing lends itself naturally to the historical theme and seamlessly integrates key events in a way that make them accessible and compelling….An inspiring and engrossing read!” – Pickled Thoughts and Pinot
“A brilliantly written book” – Snowphiethebookworm
My Review
I won't go into what the book is about, you can read the blurb for that. What I loved about the book is that it is based on the author's family. I did not know this until I read the epilogue. It made the story so much more believable. I can't imagine what it was like to be whisked along to Singapore and other places that Ernest had Emma going to. To be expected to live under the circumstances she did, because of her origin of birth, being a Mennonite Germans during WWI she was not accepted into the societies that she ended up in.
The hatred and bigotry that the German people endured, a people that abhorred war and were conscientious objectors to war but were shunned because of this. Plus living in Singapore, not knowing the language or customs plus having two children and a husband who only cared about his career. Emma spent years living like that, she did make some friends but she still felt adrift in her marriage. Then the ultimate betrayal by her husband, having her leave Singapore for the American West. Emma's journeys take her from Japan, China, England, the US, and Canada. She dearly missed her family in Canada, her parents had been unhappy with the fact she married outside the Mennonite faith.
She still has to endure the hatred of people who hated the Germans, even though Emma was not a practicing Mennonite she still felt bad when she would see the signs, 'Germans must speak English' in the shops in Colorado. An incident in the boarding house she has been living in has Emma and the girls reunited with Ernest. Life goes on for a while until Ernest just disappears. Never to be seen by Emma and her girls again. What happened to him? What I learned in the epilogue floored me.
The story goes back and forth to WWI and just prior to WWII, where Emma is a caregiver to an elderly lady, Adela, who was a good friend of Oscar Wilde. In the stories from Adela she reminiscences about her friendship and what happened to Oscar, he was a homosexual and was imprisoned for a time because of this.
I loved how the author wrote of Emma's life, and how she coped with insurmountable odds to be a very strong woman. Like I said, I liked the epilogue, it just tied everything together. The words just flowed across the pages. I am not really a fan of stories about WWI or WWII, there are just too many of them. That said, I really enjoyed this book, I almost didn't want it to end, but all good things must come to an end. I will definitely be reading more by Isobel Blackthorn. Gets 5 stars in my book!
I received a copy of the ebook for review purposes only.
About the Author
Isobel Blackthorn is a prolific novelist of unique and engaging fiction. She writes across a range of genres, including gripping mysteries and dark psychological thrillers.
The Unlikely Occultist: A biographical novel of Alice A. Bailey received an Honorable Mention in the 2021 Reader’s Favorite book awards. A Prison in the Sun was shortlisted in the LGBTQ category of the 2021 International Book Awards and the 2020 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards. Her short story ‘Nothing to Declare’ was shortlisted for the Ada Cambridge Prose Prize 2019. Her dark thriller A Legacy of Old Gran Parks won a Raven Award in 2019. The Cabin Sessions was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award 2018 and the Ditmar Awards 2018.
Isobel holds a PhD in Western Esotericism from the University of Western Sydney for her ground-breaking study of the texts of Theosophist Alice A. Bailey. Her engagement with Alice Bailey’s life and works has culminated in the biographical novel The Unlikely Occultist and the full biography Alice A. Bailey: Life and Legacy.
Isobel carries a lifelong passion for the Canary Islands, Spain, her former home. Five of her novels are set on the islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. These standalone mystery novels are setting rich and fall into the broad genre of travel fiction.
Isobel has led a rich and interesting life and her stories are as diverse as her experiences, the highs and lows, and the dramas. A life-long campaigner for social justice, Isobel has written, protested and leant her weight to a range of issues including asylum seekers and family violence. A Londoner originally, Isobel currently lives in rural Victoria, Australia.
http://www.isobelblackthorn.com
https://www.facebook.com/Lovesick.Isobel.Blackthorn/
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