It is 1760. Anna Butterfield, a vicar's daughter, is living
with her father and
physically handicapped sister, in a rural English seaside
town. When her mother dies, her father sends her to live in
London with his sister, Sarah. He is hopeful his sister
will introduce Anna to society and find a suitable match for
her. One who could take care of her and her family when
the vicar retires. Sarah Sadlers is married to Joseph, a
successful merchant to the gentry, and has a son, William,
and a
daughter, Lizzie. The journey for Anna was long. Arriving
at Spital Square, no one is there to welcome her. Overtired,
anxious, and overheated, Anna faints. She is revived by a
handsome Frenchman, named Henri Vendome. Their meeting
produces an instant spark between them. Henri, is an
immigrant, working as an apprentice in silk craft and dreams
of becoming a master weaver and having his own business.
When her cousin William arrives, he calls Henri "a cabbage
head" and hits him, warning Anna never to speak to him
again. Not in the same social class, there is no hope for
any continued relationship. Will love find a way?
Settling in with her relatives, Anna soon discovers the
rules she must live by as a single lady in London. She is
not permitted to leave the house without a companion and
Aunt Sarah is very watchful of her. Anna misses the
country where she would enjoy sketching and painting the
local countryside flowers and trees. There were none where
she lived now except at the local market. Totally bored,
one day, she slips away to the market. She finds a corner
with a lovely floral arrangement and begins to sketch it.
Time flies and she has to leave quickly and leaves a scrap of
paper with her sketch behind. Unknown to her, Henri has
been watching her and he takes the paper with her sketch.
He is amazed by the sheer beauty of her creation. He uses
it to make his sample to present to become a master. It is
very well received.
Liz Trenow tells a breathtaking story of a forbidden love in
THE HIDDEN THREAD. She shares so many interesting facts
about the intricate
craft of silk. How clearly she depicts how it was to live
in London in the 18th Century including the social classes
and their
rules, family, dreams, secrets, and the silk trade. It's a time
of labor conflicts dealing with silk production, conflicts,
arrests, smuggling and even hangings are common. Fashion is
blended in her descriptions of creations by
Miss Charlotte, a single woman working in her own fashion
business. She is a charming character that added to this
tale that is weaved beautifully to a sweet finale. I adored
the story of Henri and Anna and in the end they have their
forever after. 5 Stars. Merci, Ms. Trenow.
The Hidden Thread is a breathtaking novel
about the intricate craft of silk and the heartbreak of
forbidden love.
When Anna Butterfield's mother dies, she's sent to live with
her uncle, a silk merchant in London, to make a good match
and provide for her father and sister. There, she meets
Henri, a French immigrant and apprentice hoping to become a
master weaver. But Henri, born into a lower class, becomes
embroiled in the silk riots that break out as weavers
protest for a fair wage.
New York Times bestselling author Liz Trenow weaves
a luminous tale of class struggle and star-crossed love.
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