True to Sawyer’s writing style, you will be immediately swept in visual description and a real-to-life plot with characters of deep motivation. Centered around the Atlanta Exposition of 1895 (yes, a real event in history!), Sawyer carries us through the very relevant theme of race and identity. Promising a story that will change the way you view a fellow human being, Sawyer doesn’t disappoint!
A bit about the book:
A Silken Thread is a Christian Historical Romance, which takes place in Georgia in 1895 and is a stand-alone novel.
Historical. This is where Sawyer shines. She pours all her research into a novel in such a beautiful, careful way that visually grips the reader, drawing the reader into the room, appreciating the furniture, the clothing without telling. Sawyer describes in such a beautiful way as to tantalize the senses and yet give a complete picture. Although there are tons of description, the chapters move fast. Well-placed description is mixed with action.
Another word regarding the novel being historical: the setting is the Atlanta Exposition of 1895—a real place in history! And an important one! The reader will get a nice chunk of a history lesson, including Booker T. Washington’s speech and the Liberty Bell. This novel would be an awesome precursor to a history lesson of this time period after Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. How many novels do you read that give you some actual factual information during it…and in a way that you’re so drawn to it, it reads like fiction? That you don’t even know you’re learning something actually true?! Sawyer is a genius here. (True story: I’m a homeschooling Mom and was looking through some American documents while clearing out a bunch of shelves and happened upon Washington’s speech given at the Exposition. Wow!!! That rocked my world. Two thumbs up to Sawyer!!!)
Christian. There is a beautiful gospel presentation between mother and son in the middle of the novel. It’s small, slight, but it’s there. A golden nugget. Jesus died for a sins. Amen.
A bit about style:
A title proceeds each scene to tell the reader the point-of-view. Therefore, there is no confusion three paragraphs in whose eyes the scene is in. The titles are typical to Sawyer’s books. Although Sawyer begins each scene with the point-of-view character, the titles don’t hurt. Moreover…
Sawyer does a top-notch job giving each character his and her own voice. Another reason the titles aren’t fully necessary, but again, an additional word doesn’t distract from the wonderful plot.
A bit about theme:
The main theme is racism. Tied into this theme is prejudice, the segregation of blacks in a white society, the harm of racism and ideas to break out of the mindset. Sawyer writes this theme from varying view viewpoints and gets deep into the mind of a young black man, of a white man who is skin-color-blind, and into a white man who owns black servants. A huge pat on the back to Sawyer for her bravery and her careful appreciation and care to drawing out this very relevant (at least for me, in Chicago, IL) and necessary theme. The plot closely ties to the theme.
Other themes include loyalty to family members, identity in society, and integrity.
A bit about story:
There are four point-of views. We follow three men and one woman. Since this is a romance, this heightens the romance! Who will she end up with? It very well could be one of two. Which leads me to another of strengths in A Silken Thread…
Character’s motivations. Oh, my. Each character has real and deep motivations. As a reader, I could sympathize with each character and hope that each succeeds. And, happily, the novel doesn’t slow, but trouble adds to trouble, and exactly contrasts with each character’s goal. Wonderfully done, Sawyer!
Two disappointments pertaining to plot:
First, the “big fight” scene—the climax to every nail-biting plot turn and adversity in the second to last chapter—wasn’t a fight at all. It didn’t even pertain to the main character.
Second, there are some mysteries that remain mysteries by the end of the novel.
I can understand Sawyer’s reasoning. The “big fight” scene is beautiful and redemptive. It also carries the theme. I was more expecting the climax to center around the main character. I just wasn’t expecting the twist… and honestly, I hadn’t been hopefully for it either. Still, Sawyer is amazing because she goes the extra mile to tie up this “thread” to the story (pun intended!).
Conclusion:
- A Silken Thread is a great read because of excellent Sawyer’s descriptions and character’s motivations in this historical novel centered around the Atlanta Exposition of 1895. I highly recommend you get wrapped-up in the romance of A Silken Thread ASAP. Your outlook on life will be changed. I promise! Sawyer doesn’t disappoint!
- Sawyer is one of my favorite novelists. Unfortunately, since the climax didn’t center around the main character (and, hence, some of the most exciting plot turns weren’t resolved), as a reader I felt disappointed and the resounding element wasn’t there for me. I believe I’m writing for other Sawyer fans, so I need to be honest and gave A Silken Thread three out of five stars.
- That said, Sawyer is still one of my favorite novelists because she adds the gospel to her story (which I highly appreciate!) and her characters are so real-to-life and her writing grips at the heart.
Like what you've read? I'm also on Facebook and Twitter!Have you read A Silken Thread? How did you grow as a person through the throes of Laurel, Langdon, Willie and Quincy?
