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CIRCLE OF QUILTERS is the story of a job hunt. An exclusive rural Pennsylvania quilt camp advertises for applicants well-versed in quilting art. They must submit sample lesson plans, be able to teach, and have a sense of humor. Maggie Flynn, Karen Wise, Anna Del Maso, Russell McIntyre and Gretchen Hartley are the jobseekers. Each brings a unique history of quilting experience, and Jennifer Chiaverini writes each quilter's backstory in a separate chapter. At the end of the interview process at Elm Creek Quilt Camp, the reader will have definite favorites for the instructor's job.
Expecting a novel in the vein of Chiaverini's THE SUGAR CAMP QUILT, I was unprepared for the mundane slices of daily life covered in CIRCLE OF QUILTERS. True to her intent of instructor selection, the author does present each case with its unique merit. In particular, Karen Wise brings an abundance of motherhood baggage that might have been condensed into a shorter chapter. Sticky fingers, Cheerios in the hair and complications faced by a nursing mother in the interview, while realistic, are in excess. Needless to say, Karen does not get my vote.
Sylvia Compson is the grand dame of the quilting circle who conducts the questioning. She's gracious but has the horrific job of keeping the inner group in line, especially Dianne. Dianne is a renegade who vilifies and embarrasses the jobseekers with sneers and demanding tones. Russell does not succumb to her snobbery and exits the process in a huff. His success as a world-famous lecturer on quilting leaves his door open. The seasonal work offers Anna yet another opportunity, with talent as a chef, quilting as a second option. Gretchen, in her fifties, has extensive experience as a quilting instructor, being the former co-owner of a quilt shop and possessing an intense desire to joint the Elm Creek Quilt group.
Chiaverini might well be a pseudo-psychiatrist when she explores the motivations for these diverse personalities to succeed. A "woman's novel," CIRCLE OF QUILTERS lacks the spark to divine intense interest to the end. However, a glimpse into the popular activity of quilting offers an education to the art.
--- Reviewed by Judy Gigstad
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