In Review

21 November 2008 22:05 BST

The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood

Published by Avon, out now, paperback, 426pp, £6.99.

In a nutshell…

Absorbing, depressing, intriguing, emotional, simple

What's it all about?

The Knitting Circle tells the story of Mary, a woman who attempts to find solace after the death of her young daughter by becoming part of a knitting group. As the novel progresses she gets to know each of the other members – such as city escapee Lulu and Beth, a model housewife who brings Desperate Housewives' Bree to mind - and discovers that she is not the only one with a tragic past.

Who's it by?

Ann Hood is an American writer who has been writing published novels, essays and short stories since the 1980s, winning prizes for her work along the way. The Knitting Circle is based on a true life event – Hood lost her own five-year-old daughter in 2002 and subsequently learned to knit, inspiring her to write the novel.

As an example...

"Mary smiled politely. Other people's stories held little interest for her. She used to like to listen to tales of broken hearts and triumphs and the odd twists of life. But her own story had taken over the part of her that was once open to such things."

Likelihood of becoming a Hollywood blockbuster

The Knitting Circle could well be the ideal starting point for a weepy drama filled with big names such as Julia Roberts and Jane Fonda. However, it's unlikely that such a film would make it to the glittering Academy awards.

What the others say

"A wonderfully simple book about something complicated: the nearly unendurable process of enduring after a great loss." - The Washington Post

"Were it not for Mary's compelling voice, it would be easy to write off this book as formulaic in structure and almost banal in execution." - The Boston Globe

So is it any good?

Hood's style is simple; she refrains from using overly dramatic metaphors and scenes of anguish, instead concentrating on getting across Mary's grief and confusion in a clear, concise manner.

Plot-wise, the novel follows a set structure, where Mary's narrative is occasionally gently interrupted by another member of the knitting circle telling her own sad tale. These stories provide some relief for reader – for while Mary's story is certainly poignant and stirring, the character's self-centredness and refusal to move on can be irritating.

However, Hood does well in examining Mary's emotional state and showing how friendship can play a vital part in the grieving process. There are some excellently described characters – such as Harriet, the doting aunt of perfect housewife Beth, and Alice, the mother figure who keeps the circle together. While The Knitting Circle is not exactly a literary masterpiece, it certainly makes a lasting impression by conveying the true sadness of a mother who outlives her child.

7/10

Dipika Patel