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Dropped Threads #1
Dropped Threads: What We Aren't Told
The idea came up over lunch between two old friends. There was a need for a book that, eschewing sensationalism and simplistic answers, would examine the holes in the fabric of women’s talk of the last thirty or forty years. The contributors, a cross-section of women, would be asked to explore defining moments in their lives rarely aired in common discourse: truths they had never shared, subjects they hadn’t written about before or otherwise found a place for. What Carol Shields and Marjorie Anderson wanted to hear about were the experiences that had brought unexpected pleasure or disappointment, that somehow had caught each woman unawares. The pieces, woven together, would be a tapestry of stories about what women experience but don’t talk about. The resulting book became an instant #1 bestseller.
“Our feeling was that women are so busy protecting themselves and other people that they still feel they have to keep quiet about some subjects,” Carol Shields explained in an interview. Dropped Threads takes as its model the kind of informal discussions women have every day – over coffee, over lunch, over work, over the Internet – and pushes them further, sometimes even into painful territory. Subjects include work, menopause, childbirth, a husband’s terminal illness, the loss of a child, getting old, the substance of women’s friendships, the power of sexual feelings, the power of power, and that nagging question, “How do I look?” Some of the experiences are instantly recognizable; others are bound to provoke debate or inspire readers to examine their own lives more closely.
The book is a collection of short, engaging pieces by more than thirty women, from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island. Many are mothers, some are grandmothers, and many are professionals, including journalists, professors, lawyers, musicians, a corporate events planner and a senator. Readers will find the personal revelations of some of their favourite authors here, such as Margaret Atwood, Bonnie Burnard, Sharon Butala, Joan Barfoot, Joan Clark and Katherine Govier. Other contributors include:
• Eleanor Wachtel, CBC radio host, talks about her early fears of speaking in public.
• June Callwood, journalist, social activist and a Companion of the Order of Canada, at the age of seventy-six is surprised at her failure to find answers to the imponderable dilemmas surrounding human life, and of her lack of connection to the “apparition” in the mirror.
• Isabel Huggan, short story writer, muses on what she considers the impossibility of mothers passing on knowledge to their daughters, and on her own feeling that “we are girls dressed up in ladies’ clothing, pretending.”
With writing that is reflective, often amusing, poignant, emotional and profound, Dropped Threads is the first book to tackle the lesser-discussed issues of middle age and is the first anthology the editors have compiled together.
“Our feeling was that women are so busy protecting themselves and other people that they still feel they have to keep quiet about some subjects,” Carol Shields explained in an interview. Dropped Threads takes as its model the kind of informal discussions women have every day – over coffee, over lunch, over work, over the Internet – and pushes them further, sometimes even into painful territory. Subjects include work, menopause, childbirth, a husband’s terminal illness, the loss of a child, getting old, the substance of women’s friendships, the power of sexual feelings, the power of power, and that nagging question, “How do I look?” Some of the experiences are instantly recognizable; others are bound to provoke debate or inspire readers to examine their own lives more closely.
The book is a collection of short, engaging pieces by more than thirty women, from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island. Many are mothers, some are grandmothers, and many are professionals, including journalists, professors, lawyers, musicians, a corporate events planner and a senator. Readers will find the personal revelations of some of their favourite authors here, such as Margaret Atwood, Bonnie Burnard, Sharon Butala, Joan Barfoot, Joan Clark and Katherine Govier. Other contributors include:
• Eleanor Wachtel, CBC radio host, talks about her early fears of speaking in public.
• June Callwood, journalist, social activist and a Companion of the Order of Canada, at the age of seventy-six is surprised at her failure to find answers to the imponderable dilemmas surrounding human life, and of her lack of connection to the “apparition” in the mirror.
• Isabel Huggan, short story writer, muses on what she considers the impossibility of mothers passing on knowledge to their daughters, and on her own feeling that “we are girls dressed up in ladies’ clothing, pretending.”
With writing that is reflective, often amusing, poignant, emotional and profound, Dropped Threads is the first book to tackle the lesser-discussed issues of middle age and is the first anthology the editors have compiled together.
Paperback
First published January 23, 2001
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About the author
Carol Shields
71 books662 followersCarol Ann Shields was an American-born Canadian author. She is best known for her successful 1993 novel The Stone Diaries, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction as well as the Governor General's Award. Her novel Swann won the Best Novel Arthur Ellis Award in 1988.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
January 9, 2023
4/100 for the 2023 Goodreads Reading Challenge.
For Popsugar's 2023 Reading Challenge, this is my entry for A book you bought secondhand.
I have been trying to finish this book since 2020 when I bought it and I am for sure happy to have found the time! This was delightfully introspective, raw, and full of heart. I loved reading about how all of these women experienced their "womanhood" and the challenges and triumphs that accompany their experiences. I related to much of what was written in these pages.
4 stars. Beautifully Canadian.
For Popsugar's 2023 Reading Challenge, this is my entry for A book you bought secondhand.
I have been trying to finish this book since 2020 when I bought it and I am for sure happy to have found the time! This was delightfully introspective, raw, and full of heart. I loved reading about how all of these women experienced their "womanhood" and the challenges and triumphs that accompany their experiences. I related to much of what was written in these pages.
4 stars. Beautifully Canadian.
July 20, 2015
The holes we leave for our daughters are for them to darn with the yarn of their own lives. Just as we did. Just as we are doing.
Apparently, Carol Shields and Marjorie Anderson were having lunch one day, and although as good friends they talked about everything, they realised that there were some topics that never came up and, as writers, that intrigued them: are there still taboo topics, even among women? What are the things our mothers never told us? They put out a call for contributions and compiled the results in Dropped Threads: a collection of essays and short fiction, written by known Canadian authors, academics, professional women, and housewives. The variety of voices makes for an interesting – if uneven – reading experience, and for the most part, I'm uncertain if these pieces universally fit the brief: these are the taboo topics?
Some authors told me what I already know, but in an interesting way:
I thought that when I was old I would be confident, that somehow there would be within me an accumulation of experience, an accretion of knowledge that would form such a solid, dense core that my being an adult woman would flow from that source in some, I don't know, molecular or electromagnetic way. Instead, it feels much more as if I have made a grown-up-looking shell around a space in which the same me as I've ever been dwells, hidden from view. (Isabel Huggan, who also wrote the opening quote)
And:
What continues to perplex me is that all these years of existence have taught me so little. I had hoped for wisdom, but I don't even know what wisdom is. (June Callwood)
And some authors, by treating topics like infidelity or the death of a child in fictional form, failed to connect with me: had those topics been treated in a more confessional tone, I might have felt that a taboo had been confronted instead of danced around. Also, there's a piece on inequality in the workforce that's written as an email exchange between a woman and her adult children that falls absolutely flat. On the other hand, Margaret Shaw-MacKinnon wrote a piece on the spiritual dimension of giving birth that completely resonated with me – and this is the only essay that feels like something I should pass on to my own daughters, because, as Shaw-MacKinnon writes: I could not surrender to, or engage in, the spiritual intimations I so clearly felt, precisely because there was no cultural preparation for this. Yes!
I am also, by nature, interested in the metaphysical, so was open to Martha Brooks' experience of the numinous (her connection to the divine through nature) and Sharon Butala's experience of “making contact with some power, or with the 'collective unconsciousness', or, as I like to think of it, a manifestation of spirit that flows through the universe behind daily life and is available to all of us”. Butala in particular was writing about the apparently widely known yet little discussed fact that women become more psychic as they approach menopause, and is that even true? I was really interested in the historical connection between ageing women and accusations of witchcraft (and men's fears of these ageing women), but can recognise that these bits might not be of wide interest. I'm also likely in the minority of readers who was told the titular joke from Anne Hart's “Lettuce Turnip and Pea” by my own mother (who got it from her father) – and I was charmed right from the title.
And that's really the key point: there is such a variety of experience and opinion in Dropped Threads that, while there might be something for everyone, not everything will be for everyone. And that's its great strength as well – I can recognise that Marni Jackson's piece about mothers and sons is clever and insightful even if it means little to me personally; can see that Margaret Atwood brought her great gifts to bear on her piece about not experiencing sexism within the Canadian publishing industry, even if it seemed to miss the mark for me within this collection – and there should be something for every reader here; every woman at least. This is the first of three such collections, and I'd be interested to read them all.
December 20, 2014
This is some of the most intriguing and informative collection of stories I've ever read. I hadn't even considered many of the topics covered and I've received an enlightenment on some wayward assumptions I've thought correct.
Wildly interesting, sometimes harsh, but most of the way round worthwhile, especially by those not just moonlighting with their pens.
There were so many answers to questions that I hadn't asked, I'm now full of curiosity.
It's hard to imagine the lifestyle changes witnessed over the decades by these authors, the ground broken and barriers overcome, so very interesting a read. There were a few in particular that I found wildly interesting or moving or just wonderfully well written... in no particular order, If You Can't Say Something Nice, Don't Say Anything at All, A Father's Faith, Mrs. Jones and especially Edited Version.
It's hard to consider the world from another view, especially ones from harder times and experiences, but it's a worthwhile glimpse.
Wildly interesting, sometimes harsh, but most of the way round worthwhile, especially by those not just moonlighting with their pens.
There were so many answers to questions that I hadn't asked, I'm now full of curiosity.
It's hard to imagine the lifestyle changes witnessed over the decades by these authors, the ground broken and barriers overcome, so very interesting a read. There were a few in particular that I found wildly interesting or moving or just wonderfully well written... in no particular order, If You Can't Say Something Nice, Don't Say Anything at All, A Father's Faith, Mrs. Jones and especially Edited Version.
It's hard to consider the world from another view, especially ones from harder times and experiences, but it's a worthwhile glimpse.
January 31, 2017
I think this review is the most difficult I have tackled. It wasn't because I didn't like the book, although I would say I appreciated it, rather than liked it. This is because it is a collaboration of essays and memoirs with each author's interpretation of the theme of things which took them by surprise as adults which hadn't been told to them as they were passing from childhood to womanhood -things which may never have been discussed within their family or social group, or which caused them to wonder as a child when an adult suddenly went silent or even as adults when their friends might change the subject abruptly in the middle of a conversation.
I will say that many of these pieces were quite poignant and I found myself aching with sadness as I recognized the feelings which were written about and others made me laugh out loud in enjoyment of the amusing sections. At times I thought, 'Well, our group talks about all manner of subjects – sensitive, intimate, private and revealing anecdotes from our lives, past and current and if not at the group level, then in two's or three's”. But after honest reflection I realized that not all of us were contributing all the time and so there could have been some of us who found the topics too sensitive or intimate to discuss and the rest of us may have missed that in our absorption with the 'theme-de-jour'. And can we honestly say that there are not subjects that we may still be too shy to discuss with our daughters, hoping that they will just automatically glean the knowledge from books, school or friends?
Surprisingly, even after having finished the book with all it's emotional high and low points, the section which stuck with me and troubles me is called, The Imaginary Woman by Betty Jane Wylie. I am sure this is my failing rather than the author's. She refers to herself and women in general as 'Pataphysicians'. I couldn't tell if she intended this seriously or with tongue-in-cheek, but I just couldn't wrap my head around the concept of pataphysics. As Wylie explains it, “Pataphysics is the science of the particular; relating each event to the singularity that makes it an exception. The hard part is that everything, every single day, is an exception.” Perhaps it is too obvious and I am trying to make it too complicated. I looked it up at Wikipedia and read that entry through completely, and became more completely befuddled.
That selection was the midway through the book and although I know that I truly enjoyed reading many before and after The Imaginary Woman, the very provoking pataphysics conundrum leaves me unable to comment on the particulars of other pieces. Call it brain fog if you must. Suffice to say that I think there is something for every woman to appreciate by reading the book, either one section after the other or one at a time, leaving time to ruminate on each contributor's story before taking the next one up. As a whole they reinforce what I gained from the 'women's movement' and that is, whatever our differences, there are more similarities that make us a sisterhood. I don't mean at all that men are the enemy, but that, by supporting and encouraging each other we are all the better for it.
I will say that many of these pieces were quite poignant and I found myself aching with sadness as I recognized the feelings which were written about and others made me laugh out loud in enjoyment of the amusing sections. At times I thought, 'Well, our group talks about all manner of subjects – sensitive, intimate, private and revealing anecdotes from our lives, past and current and if not at the group level, then in two's or three's”. But after honest reflection I realized that not all of us were contributing all the time and so there could have been some of us who found the topics too sensitive or intimate to discuss and the rest of us may have missed that in our absorption with the 'theme-de-jour'. And can we honestly say that there are not subjects that we may still be too shy to discuss with our daughters, hoping that they will just automatically glean the knowledge from books, school or friends?
Surprisingly, even after having finished the book with all it's emotional high and low points, the section which stuck with me and troubles me is called, The Imaginary Woman by Betty Jane Wylie. I am sure this is my failing rather than the author's. She refers to herself and women in general as 'Pataphysicians'. I couldn't tell if she intended this seriously or with tongue-in-cheek, but I just couldn't wrap my head around the concept of pataphysics. As Wylie explains it, “Pataphysics is the science of the particular; relating each event to the singularity that makes it an exception. The hard part is that everything, every single day, is an exception.” Perhaps it is too obvious and I am trying to make it too complicated. I looked it up at Wikipedia and read that entry through completely, and became more completely befuddled.
That selection was the midway through the book and although I know that I truly enjoyed reading many before and after The Imaginary Woman, the very provoking pataphysics conundrum leaves me unable to comment on the particulars of other pieces. Call it brain fog if you must. Suffice to say that I think there is something for every woman to appreciate by reading the book, either one section after the other or one at a time, leaving time to ruminate on each contributor's story before taking the next one up. As a whole they reinforce what I gained from the 'women's movement' and that is, whatever our differences, there are more similarities that make us a sisterhood. I don't mean at all that men are the enemy, but that, by supporting and encouraging each other we are all the better for it.
November 12, 2012
I first read this book within the first year it was published, sometime in late 2000 or early 2001.
Reading it now, almost twelve years later, it is interesting for me to see which of these essays still resonates. I didn't relate to all of them. There were some where I didn't agree with the essayist. But I did enjoy the collection a great deal. Lots of food for thought here.
My favourites are:
Joan Barfoot's "Starch, Salt, Chocolate, Wine".
Margaret Atwood's "If You Can't Say Something Nice..."
Katherine Govier's "Wild Roses"
Lily Redmond's "Mrs. Jones" and
and June Callwood's "Old Age".
Reading it now, almost twelve years later, it is interesting for me to see which of these essays still resonates. I didn't relate to all of them. There were some where I didn't agree with the essayist. But I did enjoy the collection a great deal. Lots of food for thought here.
My favourites are:
Joan Barfoot's "Starch, Salt, Chocolate, Wine".
Margaret Atwood's "If You Can't Say Something Nice..."
Katherine Govier's "Wild Roses"
Lily Redmond's "Mrs. Jones" and
and June Callwood's "Old Age".
October 15, 2019
What I enjoyed:
---Some of the stories were moving for sure. Particularly the stories form Margaret Atwood (obviously), Isabel Huggan, Marni Jackson, and Joan Clark.
---I did feel some of the stories were written to allow the reader to apply the general message parts of their own lives. This made these stories more powerful than the others for me.
---At 22, I realize this may not all apply to me. However, with the better stories, I did find nuggets of valuable lessons to learn from those who have forged the path ahead of me.
---The book definitely fulfilled its purpose of: women sharing with women what they were never taught.
The Drawbacks:
---There was seemingly no organization to the order of stories presented. I felt the book would have benefited from having sectioned off parts.
---The stories that were most impactfull to me were far and few between. Maybe it is due to my age, but I felt some authors received greater pages for seemingly pointless stories
---This book draggggggeeeed, As you can see from the length of time I spent in this book. I had the intent of reading a story before bed every night and lost interest before the halfway point.
---On a final note, there were far too many stories in this one collection. I'd feel like I had read a decent portion of the book and look to see that I had dozens left to muscle through.
---Some of the stories were moving for sure. Particularly the stories form Margaret Atwood (obviously), Isabel Huggan, Marni Jackson, and Joan Clark.
---I did feel some of the stories were written to allow the reader to apply the general message parts of their own lives. This made these stories more powerful than the others for me.
---At 22, I realize this may not all apply to me. However, with the better stories, I did find nuggets of valuable lessons to learn from those who have forged the path ahead of me.
---The book definitely fulfilled its purpose of: women sharing with women what they were never taught.
The Drawbacks:
---There was seemingly no organization to the order of stories presented. I felt the book would have benefited from having sectioned off parts.
---The stories that were most impactfull to me were far and few between. Maybe it is due to my age, but I felt some authors received greater pages for seemingly pointless stories
---This book draggggggeeeed, As you can see from the length of time I spent in this book. I had the intent of reading a story before bed every night and lost interest before the halfway point.
---On a final note, there were far too many stories in this one collection. I'd feel like I had read a decent portion of the book and look to see that I had dozens left to muscle through.
August 3, 2017
3 1/2 stars. A collection of personal essays by Canadian women, covering a wide range of topics, all centering around the female experience. Quite a number were not of particular interest to me, a few were excellent, the overall effect was something of a grab-bag. Nonetheless, I'm glad I read it, if only to be reminded how differently people think and feel and react from me (it's hard not to take yourself as some kind of norm, even if you know very well it's not true.)
December 5, 2013
A lot of beautiful stories in this book, but I think the commentary missed out that these stories are not really "female" but universal. Some essays will affect me for ever. The story about the vegetarian son for example helped me to understand my mother better. The email article did not work though, just not realistic. You would expect more random detail.
January 22, 2016
A Canadian friend recommended this collection of essays written by female Canadian authors. The question they all address is, What was it that caught you unprepared, what weren't we told or warned about while growing up? The themes explored are varied and interesting, and also present great opportunities for personal growth. This book is to be slowly savored.
April 14, 2019
Dropped Threads reads like a textbook for a womens studies or Canadian literature class. It is a collection of essays and short stories by Canadian women (not all professional authors), on the subject of "what we aren't told". Each story has a different theme , as each author had something different to write about that wasn't discussed in their lives. Some stories worked better than others. Overall I enjoyed the more "realistic" sounding stories (sometimes it was difficult to know whether they were fact or fiction), more that some of the more abstruse fiction which felt unfinished. Stories that stood out included Mrs. Jones, by an author using a pseudynom, that deals with her having had two abortions, Edited Version, by another author with a pseudynom, that deals with the death of a child, and The Worth of Women's Work, by Nina Lee Colwill, which talks about how women and men will be equal when both of their "work" is valued equally.
Some of the authors shone through as people, and I felt that I would like the chance to talk to and get to know them. Reading each of their back stories added to my enjoyment of the book, and I would look for other works by them. Some, like Miriam Toews, were at the beginning of their careers when this was published, and have since gone on to great acclaim. Unfortunately, some of the most vibrant characters, like June Callwood, have already passed on.
Overall, Dropped Threads is a mixed bag, but a good introduction to the breadth and depth of Canadian writing.
Some of the authors shone through as people, and I felt that I would like the chance to talk to and get to know them. Reading each of their back stories added to my enjoyment of the book, and I would look for other works by them. Some, like Miriam Toews, were at the beginning of their careers when this was published, and have since gone on to great acclaim. Unfortunately, some of the most vibrant characters, like June Callwood, have already passed on.
Overall, Dropped Threads is a mixed bag, but a good introduction to the breadth and depth of Canadian writing.
March 21, 2025
At the age of 54 I reread during a 3 day power outage and it was the perfect time of life for me to read it. I had read it when I initially got it about 15? years ago and 'then' it was just a book. I think the term 'essay' put me off as I've always disliked that word. 'essay' (left over from what little schooling I suffered I suppose)
When I read it this time, having lost my mother (my truest friend in this huge likely soon to be barren world) a year previously and due to the lovely quiet as we were powered down so not even a fridge or any 'absence of aknowledgeable noise' for 3 whole days .. there were no interruptions except for grabbing my tea off the woodstove and letting cats in and out of the house...having no friends (except for my husband who is now quite happy ensconced with his primo spot..'my closest companion/friend/confident/life-sharer')
This book filled my living room with a whole tea table of close friends who chatted about their experiences with/in life...it was truly beautiful and I loved it so very much.
It gave me strength, support, and knowledge which was both needed and welcomed. Thank you to all that gave parts of themselves to this book. I am forever grateful.
I have now bought Dropped Threads 2 but have yet found the 'right time' to consume it.
When I read it this time, having lost my mother (my truest friend in this huge likely soon to be barren world) a year previously and due to the lovely quiet as we were powered down so not even a fridge or any 'absence of aknowledgeable noise' for 3 whole days .. there were no interruptions except for grabbing my tea off the woodstove and letting cats in and out of the house...having no friends (except for my husband who is now quite happy ensconced with his primo spot..'my closest companion/friend/confident/life-sharer')
This book filled my living room with a whole tea table of close friends who chatted about their experiences with/in life...it was truly beautiful and I loved it so very much.
It gave me strength, support, and knowledge which was both needed and welcomed. Thank you to all that gave parts of themselves to this book. I am forever grateful.
I have now bought Dropped Threads 2 but have yet found the 'right time' to consume it.
May 9, 2019
Wonderful collection of essays / stories, mostly from women of a similar generation in Manitoba / Ontario with the theme of "what women don't talk about". While this doesn't cover the full female experience, and not all of the essays / stories were impactful for me, there is a lot of wonderful writing here which did resonate. I find myself particularly thinking of the "Joys of Belly Dancing" article and "Lettuce Turnip and Pea", about a young girl who finds her voice challenging an authoritarian grandmother. Another strength of the collection is that many of the contributors are not professional writers. A follow up collection which actively sought out diverse contributors (in terms of race, class, sexual orientation, etc) and different experiences of womanhood would be a gem indeed.
October 2, 2021
After reading The Stone diaries by Carol Shields i came across this essay collection written by a selection of Canadian Female Authors edited by Shields. The brief given to authors was to write about events in their lives that took them by surprise, things that shaped them or things that culturally largely go unspoken. The book is already 20 years old but felt much older because some of the women are describing events that took place in the 1950’s.
A few of the essays were great, some were a tad boring.
I would be interested to read a more recent version of this book. I have purchased volume 2 and look forward to reading it. 3.8/5
A few of the essays were great, some were a tad boring.
I would be interested to read a more recent version of this book. I have purchased volume 2 and look forward to reading it. 3.8/5
February 16, 2022
Thirty-five contributors and 34 reflective pieces! What I love about reading anthologies: a variety of voices are introduced and they make for quick reads prior to bedtime. Some essays I enjoyed more than others.
My favourites in this collection were written by Lorna Crozier, Margaret Atwood, Sharon Butala, Deborah Schitzer, and Miriam Toews. I was not familiar with the work by Martha Brooks but her essay "one woman's experience with the ecstatic" nudges me to check out her books "Bone Dance" and "Being with Henry".
I look forward to reading the next volume in the Dropped Threads series which is also on my shelf of books to read.
My favourites in this collection were written by Lorna Crozier, Margaret Atwood, Sharon Butala, Deborah Schitzer, and Miriam Toews. I was not familiar with the work by Martha Brooks but her essay "one woman's experience with the ecstatic" nudges me to check out her books "Bone Dance" and "Being with Henry".
I look forward to reading the next volume in the Dropped Threads series which is also on my shelf of books to read.
November 6, 2017
I felt like the first several essays were great, then after that I feel like they changed focus and emphasis and tapered into the politics of traditional hetero gender roles, which, though very real imo, do not make for very interesting reading, at least not in this context. There seemed to be much more focus on the roles of woman as "mother/wife" than pretty much any other way to experience your womanly identity...just vaguely disappointed, by the end. I think the scope was both too narrow and too vague.
February 15, 2022
I recently turned 30 a few months ago, and this book was the perfect thing to read at this age!
I really enjoyed the stories in it and found some nugget of information to take away from most of them; though I think navigating life in this day of social media and technology is more difficult than the days when these were written, I still found them incredibly wise and helpful.
Some nights I'd read a paragraph or a whole story to my mom and we'd laugh our heads off at the wit of these women.
Highly recommend for anyone entering a new chapter in their lives!
I really enjoyed the stories in it and found some nugget of information to take away from most of them; though I think navigating life in this day of social media and technology is more difficult than the days when these were written, I still found them incredibly wise and helpful.
Some nights I'd read a paragraph or a whole story to my mom and we'd laugh our heads off at the wit of these women.
Highly recommend for anyone entering a new chapter in their lives!
May 13, 2021
It took me so long to get through because it was causing me to FEEL too much and I can't afford to give away too much emotional energy lately.
I'm more ... conscious (cautious?) of things that may or may not happen.
I'm more ... conscious (cautious?) of things that may or may not happen.
August 8, 2025
I read this in high school and I still think about it to this day. I had a paperback copy that was passed between a few of my girlfriends with notes written in the margins. I'd give my right big toe to still have it.
September 22, 2017
Essays by Lorna Crozier, Martha Brooks, Sharon Butala, and Miriam Toews stand out for me in this collection about the things we women avoid talking about and thus, "what we aren't told."
April 2, 2018
A book every woman should read!
April 17, 2018
Loved his book years ago, and just discovered there’s a sequel?! Excited to dig into volume 2.
February 26, 2019
A compilation of essays written by Canadian women - some writers, some not. Interesting.
November 21, 2019
Lots of lovely provocative thoughts on feminism and what it means to be woman in the late twentieth and early twenty-first century.
October 26, 2020
Loved these essays!
Would have given this compilation 5 stars if it offered some diversity beyond almost entirely white women.
Would have given this compilation 5 stars if it offered some diversity beyond almost entirely white women.
March 27, 2021
I enjoyed many of these short written pieces, although it took me a while to finish. I particularly enjoyed a few ones about intuition, and felt like I was reading them at the right time.
October 7, 2021
There are a few engaging reflections in the book however it is dated. I skimmed over the latter half of book.
Read
April 17, 2022shamed to admit didnt finish
June 9, 2025
just a part by deborah schnitzer single-handedly bumped my review from 3 to 4 stars
September 6, 2025
Simply illuminating!
December 28, 2012
My Amazon review: A series of just over thirty short essays by Canadian authors, Dropped Threads 2 is a continuation of the first Dropped Threads book which began the discussion of women's lives from childrearing (or choosing not to) to rape to love to death and beyond. Each essay is a snippet of these women's lives, of things they have witnessed and done and thought - a mini memoir, if you will.
While the topics and ideas in these essays no longer feel like items that cannot be and should not be discussed in the 21st century, they are certainly still often found to be taboo and stifling - stuff not to be discussed in "polite company". The overwhelming emotion in the essays is the relief on behalf of the authors to have an outlet for their insights - insights that are often born of tumultuous conditions. Every woman who reads these essays will find familiar ideas and actions and will be inspired to take note of her own experiences in life.
Given the various topics and writing styles there is something for everyone in this collection of brilliantly compiled essays. It is a thoughtful gift idea for any young woman making her way in the world.
While the topics and ideas in these essays no longer feel like items that cannot be and should not be discussed in the 21st century, they are certainly still often found to be taboo and stifling - stuff not to be discussed in "polite company". The overwhelming emotion in the essays is the relief on behalf of the authors to have an outlet for their insights - insights that are often born of tumultuous conditions. Every woman who reads these essays will find familiar ideas and actions and will be inspired to take note of her own experiences in life.
Given the various topics and writing styles there is something for everyone in this collection of brilliantly compiled essays. It is a thoughtful gift idea for any young woman making her way in the world.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews