Emma's Tapestry by Isobel Blackthorn

 

Intricate, complex, breath-taking and enriching.

Each weave of a tapestry in many ways is akin to life itself.

Layer upon woven layer that often teaches, heals and shapes us into the person we are.

Emma's Tapestry by Isobel Blackthorn is a narrative gem that weaves through time effortlessly retelling the life of Emma Harms, the author’s great-grandmother.

Emma, a German immigrant settled in Philadelphia is a trained nurse. Married to Ernest Taylor, a British import-export manager at Guthrie & Co. Ernest's work saw them travel the world from Singapore to Japan. She is left to raising two little children while navigating different cultures and people mostly on her own as Ernest is always busy at work. It is here that she discovers friendship in both people and in the art of tapestry weaving. An art that holds her at good stead across continents and times of joy and upheaval.

Set against the backdrop of both the World Wars, the book while following Emma's life shows us very different perspectives of the war. Perspectives, that inter-connect with Emma’s life. From remaining untouched by the ordeals of war during her time in Singapore to suddenly facing a mutiny there to witnessing the riots in Japan due to the economic recession caused by the war and then to suddenly feel like an outsider in America due to anti-German sentiments. These acts shape who Emma becomes and how she raises her family.

The 1940's see Emma settled in Britain, nursing a Jewish heiress Adela Schuster. It is this part of the story that is sure to pique the interest of classic literature aficionados as it deals with the life of Oscar Wilde, a good friend of Ms Schuster. From his work to his internment and subsequent death, it gives a very interesting peek at his life. It is here at this point that we keep pondering on the name of 'Ernest' as Emma's husband. Sheer coincidence or a play at Wilde's famous play 'The Importance of Being Earnest'.

The book really had me craving cucumber sandwiches. (A throwback to simpler days studying the play 'The Importance of Being Earnest' in our English Literature classes in the attic)

Emma's Tapestry weaves in many different emotions especially towards its end. To reveal more would unfortunately give away the entire story. It is this part however that touched me the most with its eerily striking similarity to my own life.

Isobel's writing style grabs you and transports you directly into Emma's life, a silent spectator to the life of a woman filled with gumption.

It is never easy to write about our own lives and those of our family's.

This book is a must read for fans of Oscar Wilde and biography's.

 

 

So glad I got this RC, it was a journey into the past uncovering many pleasant memories of the brilliant Oscar Wilde and his work. Hope you liked my fair and honest review.

Happy ReadingJ