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Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads
The eleven long short stories in "Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads combine history, mystery, action and/or romance, and range from drug trafficking using Guatemalan hand-woven wallets, to an Antebellum U. S. slave using codes in her quilts as a message system to freedom; from an ex-journalist and her Hopi Indian maid solving a cold case together involving Katchina spirits, to a couple hiding Christian passports in a comforter in Nazi Germany; from a wedding quilt curse dating back to the Salem Witchcraft trials, to a mystery involving a young seamstress in the infamous Triangle Shirt Factory fire; from a 1980's Romeo and Juliet romance between a rising Wall Street financial 'star' and an eclectic fiber artist, to a Haight-Asbury love affair between a professor and a beautiful macrame artist gone horribly askew, just to name a few.
276 pages, Paperback
First published December 16, 2013
175 people are currently reading
895 people want to read
About the author
S.R. Mallery
23 books339 followersS. R. Mallery has worn many hats in her life. Starting out as a classical/pop singer/composer, she moved onto the professional world of production art and calligraphy, followed by a long career as an award winning quilt artist/teacher and an ESL/Reading instructor. Her short stories have been published in descent 2008, Snowy Egret, Transcendent Visions, The Storyteller and Down In the Dirt. Unexpected Gifts is her debut novel. Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads, a collection, is due out late 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
March 11, 2014
Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads by SR Mallery is beyond all doubt a masterpiece of short story writing. Wrap yourself up in this quilt rich with history, adventure, love and terror but most of all hope and a yearning for justice.
The author has excelled with each eleven stories to the point that this reader would give each one a five star rating for never failing to dip below the highest standard of excellence.
If you love historical mysteries, romance, adventure, pain and suffering that stretch across continents with such poignant endings then this superb novel will have you glued to every page filled with such rich and diverse descriptions.
If I could give this beautiful novel 55 stars I would, but in keeping with the rating system this FIVE STAR masterpiece will be a FIVE STAR masterpiece. I cannot recommend this book enough for readers of all ages.
So what are you waiting for go read it and start sewing that thread of history into your heart where this book will stay forever.
The author has excelled with each eleven stories to the point that this reader would give each one a five star rating for never failing to dip below the highest standard of excellence.
If you love historical mysteries, romance, adventure, pain and suffering that stretch across continents with such poignant endings then this superb novel will have you glued to every page filled with such rich and diverse descriptions.
If I could give this beautiful novel 55 stars I would, but in keeping with the rating system this FIVE STAR masterpiece will be a FIVE STAR masterpiece. I cannot recommend this book enough for readers of all ages.
So what are you waiting for go read it and start sewing that thread of history into your heart where this book will stay forever.
April 20, 2019
S. R. Mallery's Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads, is a magnificent duvet of short stories held together thematically by the archetypical image of women's role as a sustainer of life through her sewing ability. The characters all come from different cultural and social backgrounds, but all share a common goal:to uphold justice in a cruel, uncaring world. In order to save her marriage, a newly wed woman must unstitch a quilt harbouring a curse that dates to the Salem Witch Trials. Lettie, a deaf American slave, gains her freedom from her sadistic white owner because of her talents as a seamstress. A woman during the Nazi reign bravely sews forged passports into a quilt to help Jews escape the death camps. A young mother's quilting talents saves her community from an imminent Indian attack.
The author spins her stories with great expertise and keeps the reader captivated to the end. Each story becomes in itself a real comforter that we can wrap around ourselves knowing justice has at last been done. This is without a doubt, a memorable read.
The author spins her stories with great expertise and keeps the reader captivated to the end. Each story becomes in itself a real comforter that we can wrap around ourselves knowing justice has at last been done. This is without a doubt, a memorable read.
July 16, 2015
http://www.njkinnysblog.com/2015/07/b...
Sewing Can be Dangerous and Other Small Threads by SR Mallery is the first book by the author that I read and instantly felt happy that I had picked it up to read!
The cover at first looks a bit like a puzzle but when you look closely, you understand that it is a quilt! So intricate with so many its and bits of pictures showcased on it, my interest was peaked at once. Then when I read the blurb, I just knew I had to pick this book up to read. Add the unique title to this mix and yeah, it was a winning combination!
The title looks confusing in the beginning but wait till you read the 11 stories. I felt impressed by the author who has given sewing a different meaning than just putting threads to a cloth. Sewing here symbolizes so much from caring to curses to giving new life to even finding that must sought after freedom. It is a symbol of strength, determination, peace and finding our identity!
I am an avid history buff and felt that this book gives the readers an insight into the lives of people all coming from different backgrounds with different religions and beliefs but still connected by their emotions and their craving for justice. This book took me to different patches in history where each time a different character was fighting for justice in some or the other form against the cruelty of the world.
From a young seamstress struggling to make her father happy despite all her efforts to a newly wed woman who tries to rid her marriage of a witch curse right from the times of the witches in Salem etc. There are so many contrasting stories and all equally or even better than the previous one in terms of entertainment and story.
I loved SR Mallery's deep insight into history. She creates a vivid picture of the cruel times of the Second World War, the difficult times of the Witch trials in Salem, the heart wrenching time when slaves were common and mistreatment to them a regular occurrence, the saddening and horrifying era when Jews became the hunted and hundreds and thousands of innocent people lost their lives and so on. She writes fluidly and each of her story is a different experience. Short but still managing to leave a deep impression, I can still feel the remnants of the intense emotions I felt while reading this book.
Everything is so admirably executed that I felt like I was transported to these different times and connected to each story easily, feeling all their pain, happiness and determination as if it was my own.
This book had me researching the scenarios and I am so glad to say, in turn, increasing my historical knowledge. As I have always said, a good book is one that not only entertains but also increases our knowledge and Sewing Can be Dangerous and Other Small Threads definitely falls in this category.
I smiled, felt angry on behalf of a character that had become a favourite with me, cried my eyes out at the injustice in the world and then was impressed and bowled over by the strength of these same characters as they went along fighting to live their lives on their own terms. The mystery and suspense in the stories also threw me a couple of times and I could not help but applaud the author for introducing such surprising mystery twists in a seemingly simple short story.
All in all, Sewing Can be Dangerous and Other Small Threads was a very different and very entertaining book that I am so happy to have picked up to read. A complete package with dynamic stories, strong characters and set against memorable historical scenarios with ample of emotional play, mystery and suspense, I give it 5 super shiny stars and strongly recommend it to everyone. Go grab this book, currently on sale at just 99c or Rs. 63 and discover a very talented author. I will be checking out her other books in the future.
I received the book from the author and I am very thankful to her. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.
Sewing Can be Dangerous and Other Small Threads by SR Mallery is the first book by the author that I read and instantly felt happy that I had picked it up to read!
The cover at first looks a bit like a puzzle but when you look closely, you understand that it is a quilt! So intricate with so many its and bits of pictures showcased on it, my interest was peaked at once. Then when I read the blurb, I just knew I had to pick this book up to read. Add the unique title to this mix and yeah, it was a winning combination!
The title looks confusing in the beginning but wait till you read the 11 stories. I felt impressed by the author who has given sewing a different meaning than just putting threads to a cloth. Sewing here symbolizes so much from caring to curses to giving new life to even finding that must sought after freedom. It is a symbol of strength, determination, peace and finding our identity!
I am an avid history buff and felt that this book gives the readers an insight into the lives of people all coming from different backgrounds with different religions and beliefs but still connected by their emotions and their craving for justice. This book took me to different patches in history where each time a different character was fighting for justice in some or the other form against the cruelty of the world.
From a young seamstress struggling to make her father happy despite all her efforts to a newly wed woman who tries to rid her marriage of a witch curse right from the times of the witches in Salem etc. There are so many contrasting stories and all equally or even better than the previous one in terms of entertainment and story.
I loved SR Mallery's deep insight into history. She creates a vivid picture of the cruel times of the Second World War, the difficult times of the Witch trials in Salem, the heart wrenching time when slaves were common and mistreatment to them a regular occurrence, the saddening and horrifying era when Jews became the hunted and hundreds and thousands of innocent people lost their lives and so on. She writes fluidly and each of her story is a different experience. Short but still managing to leave a deep impression, I can still feel the remnants of the intense emotions I felt while reading this book.
Everything is so admirably executed that I felt like I was transported to these different times and connected to each story easily, feeling all their pain, happiness and determination as if it was my own.
This book had me researching the scenarios and I am so glad to say, in turn, increasing my historical knowledge. As I have always said, a good book is one that not only entertains but also increases our knowledge and Sewing Can be Dangerous and Other Small Threads definitely falls in this category.
I smiled, felt angry on behalf of a character that had become a favourite with me, cried my eyes out at the injustice in the world and then was impressed and bowled over by the strength of these same characters as they went along fighting to live their lives on their own terms. The mystery and suspense in the stories also threw me a couple of times and I could not help but applaud the author for introducing such surprising mystery twists in a seemingly simple short story.
All in all, Sewing Can be Dangerous and Other Small Threads was a very different and very entertaining book that I am so happy to have picked up to read. A complete package with dynamic stories, strong characters and set against memorable historical scenarios with ample of emotional play, mystery and suspense, I give it 5 super shiny stars and strongly recommend it to everyone. Go grab this book, currently on sale at just 99c or Rs. 63 and discover a very talented author. I will be checking out her other books in the future.
I received the book from the author and I am very thankful to her. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.
April 18, 2014
S. R. Mallery's “Sewing Can Be Dangerous” is a collection of stories that all have a common thread (sorry): sewing, especially quilt making. Ms. Mallery ingeniously weaves this theme through a wide variety of settings and time periods, from a plantation in the old South to Medieval England, from early 20th century New York City to San Francisco's Summer of Love.
The element of danger is ever present, but has nothing to do with something as simple as pricking fingers on needles. Most of the stories are about individual women who are persecuted for a variety of reasons, whether from social mores of the times or just blatant intolerance, brutality, and hatred, yet each finds their own unique path to victory.
Among my favorites is the story of a farm wife who purchases an early Singer sewing machine and sets it up in the middle of a vast cornfield, complete with foul-weather shelter, allowing her to work with some degree of privacy. To say that she becomes a bit obsessive would be an understatement. To complicate matters, there is an Indian uprising that puts the lives of her family and neighbors in jeopardy. The manner in which she uses her sewing skills and her big heart to save the day makes for delightful reading.
Another story takes place on a modern day cruise ship on which our stalwart protagonist conducts quilt making classes. She shares a cabin with a hard-nosed NYC cop on R&R leave after a particularly bad experience working a case. The two women are polar opposites, but when a murder takes place on the open seas, the two are inexplicably thrown together to solve the crime and find the killer. It's a skillful blend of dark humor and hair-raising narrow escapes.
Each of the stories can easily be read in a single sitting, making the book a friendly, reliable companion to keep handy either at home or away. One can imagine Ms. Mallery stirring a big pot of savory stew as she spins her tales to a group of captivated listeners gathered round the hearth. Highly recommended.
The element of danger is ever present, but has nothing to do with something as simple as pricking fingers on needles. Most of the stories are about individual women who are persecuted for a variety of reasons, whether from social mores of the times or just blatant intolerance, brutality, and hatred, yet each finds their own unique path to victory.
Among my favorites is the story of a farm wife who purchases an early Singer sewing machine and sets it up in the middle of a vast cornfield, complete with foul-weather shelter, allowing her to work with some degree of privacy. To say that she becomes a bit obsessive would be an understatement. To complicate matters, there is an Indian uprising that puts the lives of her family and neighbors in jeopardy. The manner in which she uses her sewing skills and her big heart to save the day makes for delightful reading.
Another story takes place on a modern day cruise ship on which our stalwart protagonist conducts quilt making classes. She shares a cabin with a hard-nosed NYC cop on R&R leave after a particularly bad experience working a case. The two women are polar opposites, but when a murder takes place on the open seas, the two are inexplicably thrown together to solve the crime and find the killer. It's a skillful blend of dark humor and hair-raising narrow escapes.
Each of the stories can easily be read in a single sitting, making the book a friendly, reliable companion to keep handy either at home or away. One can imagine Ms. Mallery stirring a big pot of savory stew as she spins her tales to a group of captivated listeners gathered round the hearth. Highly recommended.
April 13, 2014
Did you ever imagine that sewing could be life changing or life saving? Yes it can as S.R. Mallery shows us in an engaging collection of short stories spanning events from the 1400s to modern day. "Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads" indulges those who enjoy history and those who enjoy sewing and related arts.
Mallery bit off a lot when she chose to delve into eleven vastly different historical eras, but she succeeds admirably in creating each of these times. I found it easy to see the locations, hear the voices, and relate to the characters in each story, whether the story is set in Medieval England, the New York garment district in 1911, Germany during World War II or Haight-Ashbury during the Summer of Love.
These stories are stitched together by the sewing theme and by delving into an event or time in history. Either or both are interesting enough to keep one reading. Admittedly, I define sewing broadly to include surgical suturing and crafts like macramé. Only one story breaks from the pattern, as I’ve defined it. Focused on a relatively recent murder and the Hopi craft of Kachina dolls, the story “Nightmare at Four Corners” makes an unexpected addition to the collection.
The nature of short stories dictates that some aspects be truncated, but I would have liked some characters and scenes to be developed more fully. Some of the stories felt thin in places, light on details that would have fleshed out the plots while including other details that felt less relevant. Having gotten into the stories, I wanted even more.
Sewing Can Be Dangerous will appeal to readers who sew and sewers who read, as well as to fans of historical fiction and short stories. I recommend it.
Mallery bit off a lot when she chose to delve into eleven vastly different historical eras, but she succeeds admirably in creating each of these times. I found it easy to see the locations, hear the voices, and relate to the characters in each story, whether the story is set in Medieval England, the New York garment district in 1911, Germany during World War II or Haight-Ashbury during the Summer of Love.
These stories are stitched together by the sewing theme and by delving into an event or time in history. Either or both are interesting enough to keep one reading. Admittedly, I define sewing broadly to include surgical suturing and crafts like macramé. Only one story breaks from the pattern, as I’ve defined it. Focused on a relatively recent murder and the Hopi craft of Kachina dolls, the story “Nightmare at Four Corners” makes an unexpected addition to the collection.
The nature of short stories dictates that some aspects be truncated, but I would have liked some characters and scenes to be developed more fully. Some of the stories felt thin in places, light on details that would have fleshed out the plots while including other details that felt less relevant. Having gotten into the stories, I wanted even more.
Sewing Can Be Dangerous will appeal to readers who sew and sewers who read, as well as to fans of historical fiction and short stories. I recommend it.
January 1, 2014
“Sewing can be Dangerous and other Small Threads” by S.R. Mallery is a patchwork of well-crafted short stories, all of which have great stories and characters at their centre: We meet a Jewish girl who is less respected by her father than she was by the Russians she fled from at the turn of the 20th century and we read about a century long curse that needs to be broken, about Jews hoping to escape Nazi Germany, hopeful surgeons, ex-slaves and history professors to name half of them.
Mallery takes us through the centuries and continents with ease and confidence, giving those mostly historical pieces with a sewing connection as thread each a very authentic feel. In my view every one of those stories could stand alone, there are no fillers, and they also have each enough substance for an entire novel if the author chose to write them.
Moving, engaging and powerful - the core of this collection is superb and so is its prose. These stories are sure to stay with you long after you finished them. This is great historical story telling.
Mallery takes us through the centuries and continents with ease and confidence, giving those mostly historical pieces with a sewing connection as thread each a very authentic feel. In my view every one of those stories could stand alone, there are no fillers, and they also have each enough substance for an entire novel if the author chose to write them.
Moving, engaging and powerful - the core of this collection is superb and so is its prose. These stories are sure to stay with you long after you finished them. This is great historical story telling.
February 11, 2016
Sewing Can Be Dangerous by S.R. Mallery is a 2015 publication.
This may be the most unique collection of short stories I have ever read.
For the sake of time and space, I will only detail a few of the stories, but each tale has a connection through weaving or sewing, which is a subject I would never would have expected a group of stories be centered around, but after reading this anthology , I feel this was a clever way to connect all the individual tales, places, and events, with just a hint of allegory from time to time.
Short stories are often a hit or miss thing for me. I think it may be harder to write novellas or short stories because a lot of information gets stuffed into a small space. Details, dialogue, and characterizations can suffer as a result. But, this was not a problem here. Most stories are fleshed out quite nicely, and are rich in details. As with most anthologies, one or two stories were not as strong as the others, but all were solid, well written, and entertaining.
The title story sets the stage with the tale of a young Jewish girl forced to work in terrible conditions to help support her family, but is treated just as poorly by her father. Although, her story ends quite tragically, she is never forgotten. This story, like several others in this anthology, ends with a surprising twist of irony.
This lead story gives this collection of stories a strong foundation and sets the tone for the stories that followed it. Most of the stories have a historical and contemporary thread, with mystery and intrigue in the forefront, and ending a feeling of closure and satisfaction at the way things turned out.
Since these stories deal with history, and with several vastly different cultures, the author’s writing chops are showcased as she injects different dialects and scenery into the story, which must have required some research or familiarity with the subject.
The closing story, “Nightmare at Four Corners”, dealt with Native American beliefs and racism as well as redemption. This story is very rich in detail, giving the characters, as well as the reader, a feeling of relief and happiness over the outcome.
I was impressed with this interesting and diverse collection of short stories. I had intended to read one or two stories each evening until I completed the book, but ended up binge reading them all at once.
I can’t decide on how to categorize this anthology, so I will suggest this one to those who enjoy historical fiction, short stories, mysteries, or stories that showcase different cultures. This is my first book by S. R. Mallery, but, now that I have witnessed her talent as a writer, I am eager to explore more of her work.
4.5 stars
This may be the most unique collection of short stories I have ever read.
For the sake of time and space, I will only detail a few of the stories, but each tale has a connection through weaving or sewing, which is a subject I would never would have expected a group of stories be centered around, but after reading this anthology , I feel this was a clever way to connect all the individual tales, places, and events, with just a hint of allegory from time to time.
Short stories are often a hit or miss thing for me. I think it may be harder to write novellas or short stories because a lot of information gets stuffed into a small space. Details, dialogue, and characterizations can suffer as a result. But, this was not a problem here. Most stories are fleshed out quite nicely, and are rich in details. As with most anthologies, one or two stories were not as strong as the others, but all were solid, well written, and entertaining.
The title story sets the stage with the tale of a young Jewish girl forced to work in terrible conditions to help support her family, but is treated just as poorly by her father. Although, her story ends quite tragically, she is never forgotten. This story, like several others in this anthology, ends with a surprising twist of irony.
This lead story gives this collection of stories a strong foundation and sets the tone for the stories that followed it. Most of the stories have a historical and contemporary thread, with mystery and intrigue in the forefront, and ending a feeling of closure and satisfaction at the way things turned out.
Since these stories deal with history, and with several vastly different cultures, the author’s writing chops are showcased as she injects different dialects and scenery into the story, which must have required some research or familiarity with the subject.
The closing story, “Nightmare at Four Corners”, dealt with Native American beliefs and racism as well as redemption. This story is very rich in detail, giving the characters, as well as the reader, a feeling of relief and happiness over the outcome.
I was impressed with this interesting and diverse collection of short stories. I had intended to read one or two stories each evening until I completed the book, but ended up binge reading them all at once.
I can’t decide on how to categorize this anthology, so I will suggest this one to those who enjoy historical fiction, short stories, mysteries, or stories that showcase different cultures. This is my first book by S. R. Mallery, but, now that I have witnessed her talent as a writer, I am eager to explore more of her work.
4.5 stars
January 6, 2014
11 Great Short Stories...
I loved all of these short stories. When I began to read the book, I was amazed by the variety of stories that took place in various locations, and at different historical times. I’d half expected some repetition in story lines and this was simply not the case. It was also curious, as well as clever, to link them through the topic of sewing. Ms Mallery also gives detailed descriptions of situations which drew me into each story with ease. If you read suspense and/or mystery books, I found these are well written and definitely worth a read.
1. Sewing can be dangerous. Sasha is one brave girl. Her family travel across the sea to America where she is made to suffer at home and work. Eventually she despairs. Sewing really can be a dangerous thing.
2. A Drunkards Path. Can anything be done about Deborah’s curse? A curse that has successfully travelled down her family line.
3. Lettie’s Tale. Slave Beulah, much to her dismay, discovers her daughter Lettie is deaf. It brings her mother great sadness when Lettie is forced to leave the owner’s house to work in the fields, but that type of work wasn’t meant to be. Quilting was to be Lettie’s role, although her job was so much more than sewing.
4. The Comforter, Germany, World War II, Hans makes passports for the Jews and his wife helps to hide them, but can they really help those in danger?
5. A Plague on both your houses – Mark and Lizzie come from two different sides of the street. When their two worlds collide, love is in the air, but can their relationship survive in a dog eat dog world.
6. Border Windfalls – Jack is from a rich family and Peter comes from a hard working one. The two young men have a strained relationship at college, but some years later a friendship is struck, but can they really trust each other again?
7. Emma at night –When Emma is taken to work for Lord and Lady Buckingham in their manor, her life is about to change. The manor will soon receive a royal visitor while danger lingers in the air.
8. Murder she sewed – NYPD, Carla Del Riggio, visits Dr Rogette, and soon discovers that she has to take a leave of absence. Carla takes a much needed break on a cruise ship; however, it turns into a stormy ride.
9. Precious gifts – it all started at the Washington Territory State Fair in 1872 with a sewing machine, and then an addiction, followed by a very unusual friendship.
10. Lyla’s summer of love – Murder, a complicated affair, and a ‘trip’ the prof will never forget.
11. Nightmare at four corners – Helen is bored and wants to return to journalism while her employee, Little Wind, wants her help.
I loved all of these short stories. When I began to read the book, I was amazed by the variety of stories that took place in various locations, and at different historical times. I’d half expected some repetition in story lines and this was simply not the case. It was also curious, as well as clever, to link them through the topic of sewing. Ms Mallery also gives detailed descriptions of situations which drew me into each story with ease. If you read suspense and/or mystery books, I found these are well written and definitely worth a read.
1. Sewing can be dangerous. Sasha is one brave girl. Her family travel across the sea to America where she is made to suffer at home and work. Eventually she despairs. Sewing really can be a dangerous thing.
2. A Drunkards Path. Can anything be done about Deborah’s curse? A curse that has successfully travelled down her family line.
3. Lettie’s Tale. Slave Beulah, much to her dismay, discovers her daughter Lettie is deaf. It brings her mother great sadness when Lettie is forced to leave the owner’s house to work in the fields, but that type of work wasn’t meant to be. Quilting was to be Lettie’s role, although her job was so much more than sewing.
4. The Comforter, Germany, World War II, Hans makes passports for the Jews and his wife helps to hide them, but can they really help those in danger?
5. A Plague on both your houses – Mark and Lizzie come from two different sides of the street. When their two worlds collide, love is in the air, but can their relationship survive in a dog eat dog world.
6. Border Windfalls – Jack is from a rich family and Peter comes from a hard working one. The two young men have a strained relationship at college, but some years later a friendship is struck, but can they really trust each other again?
7. Emma at night –When Emma is taken to work for Lord and Lady Buckingham in their manor, her life is about to change. The manor will soon receive a royal visitor while danger lingers in the air.
8. Murder she sewed – NYPD, Carla Del Riggio, visits Dr Rogette, and soon discovers that she has to take a leave of absence. Carla takes a much needed break on a cruise ship; however, it turns into a stormy ride.
9. Precious gifts – it all started at the Washington Territory State Fair in 1872 with a sewing machine, and then an addiction, followed by a very unusual friendship.
10. Lyla’s summer of love – Murder, a complicated affair, and a ‘trip’ the prof will never forget.
11. Nightmare at four corners – Helen is bored and wants to return to journalism while her employee, Little Wind, wants her help.
May 12, 2015
At first glance, the title SEWING CAN BE DANGEROUS may seem innocently humorous, but when you look into what inspired it, you realize that the collection revolves around a serious issue. The author’s father told her all about the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911. According to him, not only was that day horrific—over 140 young women’s lives were lost—but how important that event was because of the building codes that were changed after that.
Riveted by the fate of those hapless immigrant girls, Sarah Mallery set out to flesh out, in her sensual style, her vision of the event, in the short story by that name. “By nightfall the fire has subsided, leaving glowing embers and assuring the firemen of an end in sight. But along with their relief came the dreaded job of scouting for more girls inside the building, and as the searchlight crisscrossed up towards the hollowed floors, an even more gruesome sight was revealed…”
This is historical fiction at its best, where the research into the subject matter enriches the writing without hindering the way you engage with the characters. This is the case with every story of the eleven stories in this collection, with every page, every paragraph: it inspires you to experience the plight of the characters as if you are there with them, and at the same time delight in the beauty of the language. My favorite muse is the muse of literature. Spinning tales takes a fine thread, and skill in sewing. It can be dangerous.
Five stars.
Riveted by the fate of those hapless immigrant girls, Sarah Mallery set out to flesh out, in her sensual style, her vision of the event, in the short story by that name. “By nightfall the fire has subsided, leaving glowing embers and assuring the firemen of an end in sight. But along with their relief came the dreaded job of scouting for more girls inside the building, and as the searchlight crisscrossed up towards the hollowed floors, an even more gruesome sight was revealed…”
This is historical fiction at its best, where the research into the subject matter enriches the writing without hindering the way you engage with the characters. This is the case with every story of the eleven stories in this collection, with every page, every paragraph: it inspires you to experience the plight of the characters as if you are there with them, and at the same time delight in the beauty of the language. My favorite muse is the muse of literature. Spinning tales takes a fine thread, and skill in sewing. It can be dangerous.
Five stars.
July 13, 2015
This is exactly why I am so supportive of the self-publishing Indie community!
Sarah Mallery’s collection of short stories is absolutely superb. Don’t be misled by the title. This is NOT a collection of tales about little old ladies sitting around drinking dandelion and burdock and darning socks.
Far from it. The stories are so diverse that they include a murder aboard a cruise ship, escape from a slave plantation in the deep south of America, threats to kill Richard the Lionheart in the Middle Ages, a Native American wrongly accused of murder, a love affair and a murder during the Summer of Love in Haight Ashbury, a witches’ curse, Jews escaping from the Nazis, a fire in a New York garment factory, settlers in the Wild West and so on. And I so loved these tales!!
Mallery is a superb storyteller, but here we have much more than that for she often weaves past and present so skilfully that they dovetail into a ‘Cold Case’ effect.
Normally by the time a book’s coming to an end I get to the stage where I wish it would kind of hurry up a little bit, and I’m looking forward to starting the next one. Not so with ‘Sewing’ for I was genuinely sad when I reached the end. There truly seems to be no limit to Mallery’s imagination. You feel you could pick any subject out of the blue and ask her to write a detective story or a murder mystery story or a secret love affair story around it and she’d say, “Okay, I’ll have it done by Friday,” and just crack on with it.
A cracking book in the true storyteller’s tradition. And one I highly recommend.
Sarah Mallery’s collection of short stories is absolutely superb. Don’t be misled by the title. This is NOT a collection of tales about little old ladies sitting around drinking dandelion and burdock and darning socks.
Far from it. The stories are so diverse that they include a murder aboard a cruise ship, escape from a slave plantation in the deep south of America, threats to kill Richard the Lionheart in the Middle Ages, a Native American wrongly accused of murder, a love affair and a murder during the Summer of Love in Haight Ashbury, a witches’ curse, Jews escaping from the Nazis, a fire in a New York garment factory, settlers in the Wild West and so on. And I so loved these tales!!
Mallery is a superb storyteller, but here we have much more than that for she often weaves past and present so skilfully that they dovetail into a ‘Cold Case’ effect.
Normally by the time a book’s coming to an end I get to the stage where I wish it would kind of hurry up a little bit, and I’m looking forward to starting the next one. Not so with ‘Sewing’ for I was genuinely sad when I reached the end. There truly seems to be no limit to Mallery’s imagination. You feel you could pick any subject out of the blue and ask her to write a detective story or a murder mystery story or a secret love affair story around it and she’d say, “Okay, I’ll have it done by Friday,” and just crack on with it.
A cracking book in the true storyteller’s tradition. And one I highly recommend.
April 30, 2015
Warm and comforting like a handmade quilt...A quilt is a bed covering made from fabric and batting joined together with lines of stitching. The more simple quilts are made from squares of different colored fabrics to form a decorative design while other more intricate ones are pieced together from tiny swatches of fabric such that they tell a tale or convey a family’s history within its intricate design. This would be the best way to describe Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads. Each story, like the fabrics of a quilt, are brought together lovingly to form a cohesive, powerful work. The beauty of these stories lies in their diversity, their attention to historical detail and their unerring ability to seamlessly connect past and present. Each story covers a different era of history, from the sweatshops in turn of the last century New York City to the Salem witch trials to Nazi Germany, with the author paying painstaking attention to historical accuracy – not an easy thing to do. The heart and compassion behind the stories cannot be denied and Mallery is truly a master storyteller. A wonderful read, perfect for lovers of short stories as well as those readers fascinated with history. Like a beautiful handmade quilt, Mallery’s work will leave the reader feeling warm and comforted.
February 3, 2014
Reading Can Be Exciting!
To start with, it is extremely difficult to describe something you really like and enjoy. Mallery's short stories are like jewels encrusted on a deeply cherished 'tapestry' of ingrained memories, implied symbolism, deep feelings and life-changing experiences.
Her style of narration is so rich, all-embracing and enthralling that the reader would inevitably relive all the plots, immerse into the setting of each story, feel all the emotions of the characters and empathize with them, to say the least.
Undeniably outstanding talent, remarkable writing and memorable prose with lots to think about, ponder and decipher.
A book you will surely love!
To start with, it is extremely difficult to describe something you really like and enjoy. Mallery's short stories are like jewels encrusted on a deeply cherished 'tapestry' of ingrained memories, implied symbolism, deep feelings and life-changing experiences.
Her style of narration is so rich, all-embracing and enthralling that the reader would inevitably relive all the plots, immerse into the setting of each story, feel all the emotions of the characters and empathize with them, to say the least.
Undeniably outstanding talent, remarkable writing and memorable prose with lots to think about, ponder and decipher.
A book you will surely love!
August 24, 2015
I really enjoyed this collection. S.R. Mallery's words paint images that transport the reader to another time, place and culture.
You'll enjoy getting lost in each experience.
Each tale gives a deeper understanding of history.
Among my favorite's are Lettie's Tale, the story of a slave child viewed as less valuable since she is deaf and mute. Lettie becomes a master seamstress and is invaluable quilting messages and directions to help slaves escape.
A very exciting story.
Also, Murder She Sewed, about detective Carla Del Riggio, burnt out after cases gone wrong, who is ordered to take a leave of absence. She finds herself not only on a cruise but with an arm-chair sleith for a cabinmate.
Mary Ellen Stafford is teaching a quilting workshop on the cruise.
This lighter, breezy tale proves vacation can be murder.
The book opens with the title story, Sewing Can Be Dangerous, a heart tugging tale about a disasterous fire in 1911.
It covers the horrendous conditions for immigrants both at work and at home.
A Drunkard's Path is a mystical mystery of a different sort, with ties back to the Salem Witch Trials.
The Comforter takes us to yet another era, where an art professor turned passport forger risks his own life, and his wife's, to save Jews from the Nazis.
A Plague on both Your Houses is a modern day twist on the classic from which the title is borrowed.
Border Windfalls makes us think deeper about our life choices and their consequences. Does the end justify the means?
Emma at Night is a harrowing adventure of duplicity and betrayal, secret messages sewn and almost unnoticed.
Speaking of duplicity - there is no telling who is really who in Layla's Summer of Love.
Two additional tales make the reader consider how how different races and culture are viewed, even today.
Nightmare at Four Corners is a study of contrasts. Can it end up being inspiring and encouraging? Who will make a difference if only someone will listen?
Precious Gifts was very interesting and enjoyable. Taking place around 1872, after Mr. Singer himself brings his sewing machine to the territory fair.
At great expense and sacrifice, Mama becomes addicted to her machine and spends many hours sewing in the middle of the cornfield.
That decision puts her in the path of an Indian retaliation, but what ends up happening could be a spiritual intercession.
Could sewing actually create greater understanding?
I did receive this book in exchange for my honest review.
The opinions are 100% my own.
You'll enjoy getting lost in each experience.
Each tale gives a deeper understanding of history.
Among my favorite's are Lettie's Tale, the story of a slave child viewed as less valuable since she is deaf and mute. Lettie becomes a master seamstress and is invaluable quilting messages and directions to help slaves escape.
A very exciting story.
Also, Murder She Sewed, about detective Carla Del Riggio, burnt out after cases gone wrong, who is ordered to take a leave of absence. She finds herself not only on a cruise but with an arm-chair sleith for a cabinmate.
Mary Ellen Stafford is teaching a quilting workshop on the cruise.
This lighter, breezy tale proves vacation can be murder.
The book opens with the title story, Sewing Can Be Dangerous, a heart tugging tale about a disasterous fire in 1911.
It covers the horrendous conditions for immigrants both at work and at home.
A Drunkard's Path is a mystical mystery of a different sort, with ties back to the Salem Witch Trials.
The Comforter takes us to yet another era, where an art professor turned passport forger risks his own life, and his wife's, to save Jews from the Nazis.
A Plague on both Your Houses is a modern day twist on the classic from which the title is borrowed.
Border Windfalls makes us think deeper about our life choices and their consequences. Does the end justify the means?
Emma at Night is a harrowing adventure of duplicity and betrayal, secret messages sewn and almost unnoticed.
Speaking of duplicity - there is no telling who is really who in Layla's Summer of Love.
Two additional tales make the reader consider how how different races and culture are viewed, even today.
Nightmare at Four Corners is a study of contrasts. Can it end up being inspiring and encouraging? Who will make a difference if only someone will listen?
Precious Gifts was very interesting and enjoyable. Taking place around 1872, after Mr. Singer himself brings his sewing machine to the territory fair.
At great expense and sacrifice, Mama becomes addicted to her machine and spends many hours sewing in the middle of the cornfield.
That decision puts her in the path of an Indian retaliation, but what ends up happening could be a spiritual intercession.
Could sewing actually create greater understanding?
I did receive this book in exchange for my honest review.
The opinions are 100% my own.
February 9, 2014
I loved S. R. Mallery's first book, Unexpected Gifts, for its rich and varied historical eras used in the setting and theme of the novel.
She continues that same talent in her collection of short stories, Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads. The thread that holds the stories together is a literal one as all the short stories employ some type of sewing or weaving of threads at the heart of the plots. The stories are set in important historical eras and are sometimes romantic, sometimes horrific, and always riveting. The life of immigrants who worked in the textile plants during the heyday of the Industrial Revolution are profiled in one of the short stories. It's not only an indictment of the appalling conditions of the workrooms but Ms. Mallery also examines the yearnings of a young woman who wants to disappear from her cruel and repressive father. Nazi Germany and all its ramifications on those who tried to help the Jews escape from the torture and death at the hands of the Nazis is the setting for one story. A quilt becomes the all important piece of evidence and hope for fifty Jews hoping to leave the country before they were rounded up by Hitler's soldiers. Medieval courts, Hopi and Chinook native traditions, the sixties from a unique perspective, and more make up the varied and entertaining plots.
In the talented hands of Ms. Mallery, this collection of short stories allows the reader to escape into other worlds where even a macrame necklace can become an object of subterfuge and a piece of evidence in a murder case.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading each story. I began each one with great anticipation as I discovered the era, setting, and threads to tie it altogether. Sometimes the sewing and thread of the story wasn't evident, and in other stories, it played a starring role.
The divergent historical content is impressive. Ms. Mallery's research is evident only after completing the story because while engrossed in the plot of each one, I forgot I was reading and simply enjoyed each of the journeys Ms. Mallery created for me.
I highly recommend reading this collection of short stories weaved by a very meticulous and talented author.
She continues that same talent in her collection of short stories, Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads. The thread that holds the stories together is a literal one as all the short stories employ some type of sewing or weaving of threads at the heart of the plots. The stories are set in important historical eras and are sometimes romantic, sometimes horrific, and always riveting. The life of immigrants who worked in the textile plants during the heyday of the Industrial Revolution are profiled in one of the short stories. It's not only an indictment of the appalling conditions of the workrooms but Ms. Mallery also examines the yearnings of a young woman who wants to disappear from her cruel and repressive father. Nazi Germany and all its ramifications on those who tried to help the Jews escape from the torture and death at the hands of the Nazis is the setting for one story. A quilt becomes the all important piece of evidence and hope for fifty Jews hoping to leave the country before they were rounded up by Hitler's soldiers. Medieval courts, Hopi and Chinook native traditions, the sixties from a unique perspective, and more make up the varied and entertaining plots.
In the talented hands of Ms. Mallery, this collection of short stories allows the reader to escape into other worlds where even a macrame necklace can become an object of subterfuge and a piece of evidence in a murder case.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading each story. I began each one with great anticipation as I discovered the era, setting, and threads to tie it altogether. Sometimes the sewing and thread of the story wasn't evident, and in other stories, it played a starring role.
The divergent historical content is impressive. Ms. Mallery's research is evident only after completing the story because while engrossed in the plot of each one, I forgot I was reading and simply enjoyed each of the journeys Ms. Mallery created for me.
I highly recommend reading this collection of short stories weaved by a very meticulous and talented author.
April 23, 2015
Take a step back into history, and follow the threads of eleven stories that feature mystery, romance, and suspense, woven into a tapestry quilt of events that will lead you through many genres; all with the theme of “sewing” interwoven into the collection.
From the nimble fingers of a slave stitching codes into her quilts to help runaway slaves obtain freedom, to a mystifying fire during the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, to a Haight-Asbury romantic interlude between a professor and a bewitching macramé designer; each story adds another quilt block to this duvet of skillfully intertwined tales.
One of my favorite stories in this collection is the yarn about a pioneer wife and mother who gets her first sewing machine. Anyone who is an avid sewing buff, or quilter will laugh at the competition between her family and her craft. Stitch by stitch, she is able to head off one of the worst Pioneer/Native American clashes that could have killed many on both sides.
I was so wrapped up in reading this particular story, I found myself laughing out loud, to the chagrin of my poor sleeping husband next to me, which made the story even funnier! I love when an author imprints their words on my heart.
These tales were skillfully fashioned within each historical period concerned, and I found them to be unique and unusual. I was astounded at the originality of linking the tales with the idea of sewing becoming the underlying theme in each plot. Each story then becomes a cog, in the crazy quilt of design, with Sarah Mallery stitching a place in our hearts with her words.
Anyone who enjoys variety in their reading tastes will relish these stories. Just because there is a sewing premise in each story does not mean that men will not enjoy this assortment of short stories. There is enough history, murder, and excitement to keep you guessing all through the book.
I loved this assortment of short stories, and they left me wrapped in warmth, just like a quilt constructed from the hands of the author herself.
RATINGS
Realistic Characterization: 5/5
Made Me Think: 4/5
Overall enjoyment: 5/5
Readability: 5/5
Recommended: 5/5
Overall Rating: 5
From the nimble fingers of a slave stitching codes into her quilts to help runaway slaves obtain freedom, to a mystifying fire during the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, to a Haight-Asbury romantic interlude between a professor and a bewitching macramé designer; each story adds another quilt block to this duvet of skillfully intertwined tales.
One of my favorite stories in this collection is the yarn about a pioneer wife and mother who gets her first sewing machine. Anyone who is an avid sewing buff, or quilter will laugh at the competition between her family and her craft. Stitch by stitch, she is able to head off one of the worst Pioneer/Native American clashes that could have killed many on both sides.
I was so wrapped up in reading this particular story, I found myself laughing out loud, to the chagrin of my poor sleeping husband next to me, which made the story even funnier! I love when an author imprints their words on my heart.
These tales were skillfully fashioned within each historical period concerned, and I found them to be unique and unusual. I was astounded at the originality of linking the tales with the idea of sewing becoming the underlying theme in each plot. Each story then becomes a cog, in the crazy quilt of design, with Sarah Mallery stitching a place in our hearts with her words.
Anyone who enjoys variety in their reading tastes will relish these stories. Just because there is a sewing premise in each story does not mean that men will not enjoy this assortment of short stories. There is enough history, murder, and excitement to keep you guessing all through the book.
I loved this assortment of short stories, and they left me wrapped in warmth, just like a quilt constructed from the hands of the author herself.
RATINGS
Realistic Characterization: 5/5
Made Me Think: 4/5
Overall enjoyment: 5/5
Readability: 5/5
Recommended: 5/5
Overall Rating: 5
July 23, 2015
I have always believed that it takes more efforts too write short stories as you have limited number of words to tell your complete story. In very few words you have to express all the thoughts and ideas you have in your mind. When I first saw this book, I would admit I was little confused about the title. I was wondering what all this book is going to be about. Then I read the first story and thought may be its about women who sew and make beautiful things with their talented hands. But as I continued to read the stories, these stories tell us more than just sewing beautiful quilts. These stories are also about the slavery, rights of the blacks in America, horrible conditions of industries where workers are treated as animals and a lot more. These stories will take you back in the world where all the humans were not treated equal. You will feel their pain and you would be elated when they finally get free of all the torture and exploitation that they had to bear daily in their lives. But if you thought sewing is all about making quilts, then you are mistaken, sewing is also about giving new and beautiful lives to the children who are suffering from birth anomalies like cleft palate, sewing is also about giving comfort and peace to the NYPD police officer who can't stop having panic attacks, sewing is also about never giving up on your love and keep fighting for it against all odds, sewing is all about courage and standing up for your rights.
This book has given a lot different meaning to sewing and I totally loved it for that. I would read one story and take a break and only then would read another one. Each story is quite immense and complete in itself and would tell you something different.
The author's style of writing is definitely commendable and the characterisation of all the characters has been done perfectly. For me this book is a perfect piece of writing and I can't find any flaw in the book. This book definitely deserves 5 out of 5 stars. If I am allowed, I would like to give it 7 out of 5 stars. Yes, this book is definitely so good and I would recommend everyone to read the book.
This book has given a lot different meaning to sewing and I totally loved it for that. I would read one story and take a break and only then would read another one. Each story is quite immense and complete in itself and would tell you something different.
The author's style of writing is definitely commendable and the characterisation of all the characters has been done perfectly. For me this book is a perfect piece of writing and I can't find any flaw in the book. This book definitely deserves 5 out of 5 stars. If I am allowed, I would like to give it 7 out of 5 stars. Yes, this book is definitely so good and I would recommend everyone to read the book.
March 15, 2014
Women, sewing, history and storytelling. A quilt of wonderful stories
Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads by S. R. Mallery is an extraordinary collection of 11 short stories with a common ‘thread’, sewing and allied crafts. The stories have an incredible breadth, not only because of the variety of the plots (and they are all very different) but also because of their well-researched and vivid historical settings, and their diverse genres. We go from immigrants in early XX century America, to the slavery period, from mid-Western pioneers, to the Salem witch trials, from the Zodiac serial killer in San Francisco, to a quilting teacher turned sleuth in a cruise, from the Germany of the Nazi era to modern time Native American reservations and everywhere in between. I’m not an expert in quilting (although I’ve always wanted to learn, now even more after reading the book) but this book is a quilt of stories, where each piece and patch brings its own memories to create a complex design, not a crazy quilt but something more than the sum of its parts.
At the heart of the stories are the women, who might use their skills to make a living, to survive and create a better future for those they look after, to express their artistry, to pass on cultural and spiritual traditions, to get revenge, to escape, to fight… Because it’s not only the big gestures that make the society we live in, but each small stich is a piece of the puzzle that is life.
S. R. Mallery brings to life a fantastic array of characters and recreates vividly the historical periods where the stories are set. The reader gets dragged into the moment and shares with the protagonists their unique experiences. If I had to choose one I’d go with ‘Precious Gifts’ that I loved and took me completely by surprise.
I recommend this collection to everybody, whichever your genre of preference, no matter if you like sewing or not. Go and read it. You’ll be amazed and feel better for it.
Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads by S. R. Mallery is an extraordinary collection of 11 short stories with a common ‘thread’, sewing and allied crafts. The stories have an incredible breadth, not only because of the variety of the plots (and they are all very different) but also because of their well-researched and vivid historical settings, and their diverse genres. We go from immigrants in early XX century America, to the slavery period, from mid-Western pioneers, to the Salem witch trials, from the Zodiac serial killer in San Francisco, to a quilting teacher turned sleuth in a cruise, from the Germany of the Nazi era to modern time Native American reservations and everywhere in between. I’m not an expert in quilting (although I’ve always wanted to learn, now even more after reading the book) but this book is a quilt of stories, where each piece and patch brings its own memories to create a complex design, not a crazy quilt but something more than the sum of its parts.
At the heart of the stories are the women, who might use their skills to make a living, to survive and create a better future for those they look after, to express their artistry, to pass on cultural and spiritual traditions, to get revenge, to escape, to fight… Because it’s not only the big gestures that make the society we live in, but each small stich is a piece of the puzzle that is life.
S. R. Mallery brings to life a fantastic array of characters and recreates vividly the historical periods where the stories are set. The reader gets dragged into the moment and shares with the protagonists their unique experiences. If I had to choose one I’d go with ‘Precious Gifts’ that I loved and took me completely by surprise.
I recommend this collection to everybody, whichever your genre of preference, no matter if you like sewing or not. Go and read it. You’ll be amazed and feel better for it.
December 6, 2014
Sewing Can Be Dangerous is a collection of short stories that incorporates action, mystery, and history. These topics also focus on social injustice such as drug trafficking, slavery, abuse, and prejudices. Each of these stories are connected through sewing. For not only does it involve threads, but also in some stories it connects the present to the past. For a person from the present is interested in an event from the past, and digs to find the truth of the person and the incident.
I found these stories to be very intriguing. I like how in the historical short stories, the present introduces us to something that happened in the past, and it makes the reader curious to read what happened to that particular character. At first, I didn’t want to read about the person from the past because I thought that she was going to have a tragic ending, yet I was surprised that it was satisfactory. I also like the modern stories. They were also fun to read. In fact, I love all the endings in the short story. The writing is engaging, and the last sentence of each story is written beautifully.
The writing is very well-written and engaging. The characters of the story are well-developed. We get attached to these characters emotionally and want to see them triumph over their hardships. Some of the stories can be dark, but I find them deeply moving. Most of the stories lingered with me even after I read each word. I felt that I was there experiencing the characters’ hardships, and I didn’t move but just read on to see what had happened to them.
Overall, the story is about friendship, love, and family. This collection of stories offers something for everyone, for it covers a broad range of genres, and also has contemporary and historical storylines. This book is also great for anyone whose favorite hobby is sewing. Thus, this book was a fun read.
(I recieved a copy of this book as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review.)
I found these stories to be very intriguing. I like how in the historical short stories, the present introduces us to something that happened in the past, and it makes the reader curious to read what happened to that particular character. At first, I didn’t want to read about the person from the past because I thought that she was going to have a tragic ending, yet I was surprised that it was satisfactory. I also like the modern stories. They were also fun to read. In fact, I love all the endings in the short story. The writing is engaging, and the last sentence of each story is written beautifully.
The writing is very well-written and engaging. The characters of the story are well-developed. We get attached to these characters emotionally and want to see them triumph over their hardships. Some of the stories can be dark, but I find them deeply moving. Most of the stories lingered with me even after I read each word. I felt that I was there experiencing the characters’ hardships, and I didn’t move but just read on to see what had happened to them.
Overall, the story is about friendship, love, and family. This collection of stories offers something for everyone, for it covers a broad range of genres, and also has contemporary and historical storylines. This book is also great for anyone whose favorite hobby is sewing. Thus, this book was a fun read.
(I recieved a copy of this book as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review.)
January 11, 2014
In her new collection of short stories, “Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads,” S.R. Mallery has a treat for all readers, whether they like action, romance, suspense, or mystery. What makes this connection unique is S.R.Mallery’s ability to weave historical details into her stories, creating thrilling experiences for the readers that will both entertain and enlighten.
Many single-author collection of short stories tend to focus on the same kinds of issues, the same time period, or the same genre. But not S.R. Mallery’s book. Each of her stories is unique, interesting, and unexpected. The only thing that is consistent among all her stories is her fast-paced and engaging narrative style, beautiful literary language combined with the appeal and thrills of commercial fiction and surprising plot twists.
As you read the book, you will be transported from your world today to such varied times and places as the land of Hopi Indians, Nazi Germany, Salem Witch Trials, Wall Street in the 1980’s, and other surprising and historically rich times and places.
I thoroughly enjoyed each story. I loved “Sewing Can Be Dangerous” because of the masterful interplay between the past and the present events in it, and the surprising discovery that the protagonist reveals at the end of the story, bringing the horrendous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire back to the present. I couldn’t put “A Drunkard’s Path” down until I finished it and got to the satisfying ending that brought together the events of Salem Witch Trials and the present time, the ending that freed the young bride in the story from her suffering. “A Plague on Both Your Houses,” another wonderful tale of realistically portrayed characters whose lives intersect in unusual ways, is reminiscent of the timeless Romeo and Juliet romance, updated for today’s readers. A wonderful collection. Highly recommended.
Many single-author collection of short stories tend to focus on the same kinds of issues, the same time period, or the same genre. But not S.R. Mallery’s book. Each of her stories is unique, interesting, and unexpected. The only thing that is consistent among all her stories is her fast-paced and engaging narrative style, beautiful literary language combined with the appeal and thrills of commercial fiction and surprising plot twists.
As you read the book, you will be transported from your world today to such varied times and places as the land of Hopi Indians, Nazi Germany, Salem Witch Trials, Wall Street in the 1980’s, and other surprising and historically rich times and places.
I thoroughly enjoyed each story. I loved “Sewing Can Be Dangerous” because of the masterful interplay between the past and the present events in it, and the surprising discovery that the protagonist reveals at the end of the story, bringing the horrendous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire back to the present. I couldn’t put “A Drunkard’s Path” down until I finished it and got to the satisfying ending that brought together the events of Salem Witch Trials and the present time, the ending that freed the young bride in the story from her suffering. “A Plague on Both Your Houses,” another wonderful tale of realistically portrayed characters whose lives intersect in unusual ways, is reminiscent of the timeless Romeo and Juliet romance, updated for today’s readers. A wonderful collection. Highly recommended.
December 9, 2014
Sewing Can be Dangerous and Other Small Threads is a collection of eleven short stories that are tied together by the theme of sewing. As with any short story collection, there were some stories that I enjoyed more than others; but, overall this is a strong collection. Each story is strongly character driven and many of the stories showcase women's strength, intelligence and motivation through history and throughout the world. Each character had a unique voice and took me to a different place and time. My favorite stories throughout the collection often wove together past and present through an object.
The very first story, Sewing Can Be Dangerous, introduced me to a Russian-Jewish immigrant family with a young girl named Sarah. Discouraged at the lack of work for his family, the father takes his frustration out on Sarah, who has managed to find a job at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. When tragedy strikes the factory, Sarah takes the opportunity to turn her life around.
Lettie's Tale tells the story of a young, deaf slave on a plantation in the south. Lettie is given the task of sewing special quilts, when she discovers the true meaning of the quilts, Lettie's talents and desires grow.
In World War II Germany, The Comforter serves a special purpose to 50 Jewish people. Hans painstakingly forges passports as his wife sews them into the batting of the quilt. When Kristallnacht happens, the comforter happens to play an important role.
Emma works for Lord and Lady Buckingham. They prepare for a royal visitor and want Emma to sew a gift to present to the King. As Emma and Lady Buckingham learn that danger awaits, the pillow Emma will sew turns from a gift into a warning.
This book was provided for free in return for an honest review.
The very first story, Sewing Can Be Dangerous, introduced me to a Russian-Jewish immigrant family with a young girl named Sarah. Discouraged at the lack of work for his family, the father takes his frustration out on Sarah, who has managed to find a job at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. When tragedy strikes the factory, Sarah takes the opportunity to turn her life around.
Lettie's Tale tells the story of a young, deaf slave on a plantation in the south. Lettie is given the task of sewing special quilts, when she discovers the true meaning of the quilts, Lettie's talents and desires grow.
In World War II Germany, The Comforter serves a special purpose to 50 Jewish people. Hans painstakingly forges passports as his wife sews them into the batting of the quilt. When Kristallnacht happens, the comforter happens to play an important role.
Emma works for Lord and Lady Buckingham. They prepare for a royal visitor and want Emma to sew a gift to present to the King. As Emma and Lady Buckingham learn that danger awaits, the pillow Emma will sew turns from a gift into a warning.
This book was provided for free in return for an honest review.
February 21, 2014
Writing historical fiction from the heart
The art of the short story requires an immediate connection with the reader so that time and space are not wasted. The author does this well in her very readable collection of eleven short stories. The first tale opened in the present, went smartly back to the sad days in Brooklyn, NY, and the tragic fire of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory on March 25th 1911, when many low-paid garment workers died. We read, with colorful Jewish dialogue, why Sasha was there, and what took place to link that dire time with the present day. The “Drunkard’s Path” uses the same formula between then and now. Here the awful witches’ trials at Salem MA in 1692-3 are described by one of the accused, capturing the bigoted persecution of innocent women. These two stories are very well researched, although research is less obvious in some others. Emma’s fifteenth century story felt rather invented; “Lyla’s Summers of Love” captured well the atmosphere of the sixties not specific events; “A Plague on both your Houses” revealed class snobbery, and the story of the plastic surgeon was near our own time. The task of ending short stories is also part of the writer’s art. The author is well versed in this; in the “Drunkard’s Path,” the resolution of the couple’s angst was beautifully done with a single simple word. I greatly enjoyed this collection and will be glad when Ms. Mallery provides some more of her genuine art.
The art of the short story requires an immediate connection with the reader so that time and space are not wasted. The author does this well in her very readable collection of eleven short stories. The first tale opened in the present, went smartly back to the sad days in Brooklyn, NY, and the tragic fire of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory on March 25th 1911, when many low-paid garment workers died. We read, with colorful Jewish dialogue, why Sasha was there, and what took place to link that dire time with the present day. The “Drunkard’s Path” uses the same formula between then and now. Here the awful witches’ trials at Salem MA in 1692-3 are described by one of the accused, capturing the bigoted persecution of innocent women. These two stories are very well researched, although research is less obvious in some others. Emma’s fifteenth century story felt rather invented; “Lyla’s Summers of Love” captured well the atmosphere of the sixties not specific events; “A Plague on both your Houses” revealed class snobbery, and the story of the plastic surgeon was near our own time. The task of ending short stories is also part of the writer’s art. The author is well versed in this; in the “Drunkard’s Path,” the resolution of the couple’s angst was beautifully done with a single simple word. I greatly enjoyed this collection and will be glad when Ms. Mallery provides some more of her genuine art.
March 1, 2014
In this collection of short stories, Mallery spins eleven yarns of historical fiction, each featuring an aspect of hand crafts. Sewing, quilting, weaving, embroidery, macrame, and hand-made Native American sacred dolls all play prominent roles in these stories.
Just as with the author's novel, Unexpected Gifts, the prose is vibrant and the history well-researched. The stories cover such settings as England during the Crusades, the Salem witch trials and a curse that lingers to the present, a slave's escape on the underground railroad, a pioneer family in the Washington Territory, a young immigrant woman working in the New York Garment District in 1911, a boarding house in Nazi Germany before WWII, a Zodiac killer copycat in San Francisco in the late sixties. Present day stories include love triumphing over class conflict in Manhattan, a well-meaning doctor helping poor children in Guatemala who unwittingly gets caught up in the drug trade, a police detective sent on a forced leave on a cruise ship who finds a murder and a sidekick eager to help her solve the crime, and an investigative reporter who visits the Hopi Indian Reservation to resolve a miscarriage of justice.
This book is not only a survey of history and the art of hand crafts, but it is also a survey of the human spirit and how it responds to conflict, tragedy, and daunting situations.
I highly recommend this book.
Just as with the author's novel, Unexpected Gifts, the prose is vibrant and the history well-researched. The stories cover such settings as England during the Crusades, the Salem witch trials and a curse that lingers to the present, a slave's escape on the underground railroad, a pioneer family in the Washington Territory, a young immigrant woman working in the New York Garment District in 1911, a boarding house in Nazi Germany before WWII, a Zodiac killer copycat in San Francisco in the late sixties. Present day stories include love triumphing over class conflict in Manhattan, a well-meaning doctor helping poor children in Guatemala who unwittingly gets caught up in the drug trade, a police detective sent on a forced leave on a cruise ship who finds a murder and a sidekick eager to help her solve the crime, and an investigative reporter who visits the Hopi Indian Reservation to resolve a miscarriage of justice.
This book is not only a survey of history and the art of hand crafts, but it is also a survey of the human spirit and how it responds to conflict, tragedy, and daunting situations.
I highly recommend this book.
April 19, 2015
“As with Unexpected Gifts, S. R. Mallery has once again graced us with her hallmark prose, weaving together a collection of historical tales involving mystery, adventure, and hardship. From the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire to the Salem Witch Trials to Jewish passport exchanges in Nazi Germany and more, each story reads like a carefully crafted stitch.”
--Lasher Lane, author of Deadlight
“Weaving a tapestry which links people's lives across the globe and throughout the ages, S. R. Mallery skillfully uses the prosaic activity of sewing to tell stories of love, courage, and danger in a variety of historical settings. Well-researched, original, and compelling...”
--Margaret Klaw, author of Keeping It Civil
“S. R. Mallery’s Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads is a box of bon-bons, every story an eye-opening surprise. Eat one and you’ll want to devour the whole box. A sparkling, irresistibly readable follow-up to her accomplished debut novel, Unexpected Gifts.”
--Grady Miller, Lighten Up, A Very Grady Christmas
--Lasher Lane, author of Deadlight
“Weaving a tapestry which links people's lives across the globe and throughout the ages, S. R. Mallery skillfully uses the prosaic activity of sewing to tell stories of love, courage, and danger in a variety of historical settings. Well-researched, original, and compelling...”
--Margaret Klaw, author of Keeping It Civil
“S. R. Mallery’s Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads is a box of bon-bons, every story an eye-opening surprise. Eat one and you’ll want to devour the whole box. A sparkling, irresistibly readable follow-up to her accomplished debut novel, Unexpected Gifts.”
--Grady Miller, Lighten Up, A Very Grady Christmas
January 5, 2014
“As with Unexpected Gifts, S. R. Mallery has once again graced us with her hallmark prose, weaving together a collection of historical tales involving mystery, adventure, and hardship. From the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire to the Salem Witch Trials to Jewish passport exchanges in Nazi Germany and more, each story reads like a carefully crafted stitch.”
--Lasher Lane, author of Deadlight
“Weaving a tapestry which links people's lives across the globe and throughout the ages, S. R. Mallery skillfully uses the prosaic activity of sewing to tell stories of love, courage, and danger in a variety of historical settings. Well-researched, original, and compelling...”
--Margaret Klaw, author of Keeping It Civil
“S. R. Mallery’s Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads is a box of bon-bons, every story an eye-opening surprise. Eat one and you’ll want to devour the whole box. A sparkling, irresistibly readable follow-up to her accomplished debut novel, Unexpected Gifts.”
--Grady Miller, Lighten Up, A Very Grady Christmas
--Lasher Lane, author of Deadlight
“Weaving a tapestry which links people's lives across the globe and throughout the ages, S. R. Mallery skillfully uses the prosaic activity of sewing to tell stories of love, courage, and danger in a variety of historical settings. Well-researched, original, and compelling...”
--Margaret Klaw, author of Keeping It Civil
“S. R. Mallery’s Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads is a box of bon-bons, every story an eye-opening surprise. Eat one and you’ll want to devour the whole box. A sparkling, irresistibly readable follow-up to her accomplished debut novel, Unexpected Gifts.”
--Grady Miller, Lighten Up, A Very Grady Christmas
November 27, 2014
An absolutely wonderful collection of well crafted and touching short stories. A collection offering a fabulous assortment - love, history, social injustices. Eleven stories well written with more than satisfying endings. Every story penned by Mallery is a delight, leaving the reader pleased. In my opinion, a hallmark of a gifted writer is one able to construct a mixture of stories diverse in content, characters along with surprising and fulfilling endings, Mallery more than accomplishes this task and exhibits her fine writing ability, she excels in historical fiction, no doubt her niche and she does it extremely well.
This is my second book by Mallery, once again she is competent of spinning a yarn, this time eleven short stories all affecting and sentimental. Fans of short stories carrying adventure, historical fiction and romance will want to read this. Once you pick this book up you won't be able to put it down, Mallery's writing and narratives are superb, her creativity and originality weaved in every story. Truly one of the best collection of shorts I have read in a long time. Wonderful for all ages, anyone seeking time well spent.
This is my second book by Mallery, once again she is competent of spinning a yarn, this time eleven short stories all affecting and sentimental. Fans of short stories carrying adventure, historical fiction and romance will want to read this. Once you pick this book up you won't be able to put it down, Mallery's writing and narratives are superb, her creativity and originality weaved in every story. Truly one of the best collection of shorts I have read in a long time. Wonderful for all ages, anyone seeking time well spent.
December 16, 2015
"Sewing can be dangerous" is a collection of 11 heart-warming short stories from the historical times.
Right from the first story, the book grabbed my heart into it. The first story with the title, Sewing Can Be Dangerous is a heart wrenching story of a teenage girl who finds herself in the horrendous fire in the factory she is working at. This story magnificently narrates the dreadful life of immigrants both at work and at home.
Author S. R. Mallery has done a wonderful job in the entire prose. The book is an emotional roller coaster ride and worth the grand praise for each story. Sewing is used in different forms in each story and it brings them together.
I love to read short stories but am not a big fan of historical fiction, they usually bore me to a great extent but this book was an exception. This book has a power to play with every emotional string of a reader. Overall a great and recommendable read.
S. R. Mallery, You have done a great job – Sew many more quilts in future.
I got this book from Nikita Soni as a part of book tour in exchange of an honest review.
The views expressed herein are my own and are in no way biased.
Right from the first story, the book grabbed my heart into it. The first story with the title, Sewing Can Be Dangerous is a heart wrenching story of a teenage girl who finds herself in the horrendous fire in the factory she is working at. This story magnificently narrates the dreadful life of immigrants both at work and at home.
Author S. R. Mallery has done a wonderful job in the entire prose. The book is an emotional roller coaster ride and worth the grand praise for each story. Sewing is used in different forms in each story and it brings them together.
I love to read short stories but am not a big fan of historical fiction, they usually bore me to a great extent but this book was an exception. This book has a power to play with every emotional string of a reader. Overall a great and recommendable read.
S. R. Mallery, You have done a great job – Sew many more quilts in future.
I got this book from Nikita Soni as a part of book tour in exchange of an honest review.
The views expressed herein are my own and are in no way biased.
December 15, 2014
Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads is a collection of 11 short stories that all have the same theme, sewing and quilting. A very clever way to incorporate the theme into these stories that are very different. These are all historical fiction and include a story about the tragedy that was The Shirtwaist Factory where 145 women died in a devastating fire, drug trafficking, 1960's Haight Ashbury during the free love and drug culture of the Vietnam War, and a quilt that was cursed from the Salem Witch Trials among others..
These are stories of love, courage and hope, each story having a moral, some happy and some sad. I really liked this collection of stories, it is a fast read and will keep the reader interested until the end. I love the way the author tells a story with well researched themes and I could tell that S.R. Mallery is passionate about what she writes. Her first published work was Unexpected Gifts that was also a very good read. I recommend this short book for the historical fiction and short story lover. You will not be disappointed.
These are stories of love, courage and hope, each story having a moral, some happy and some sad. I really liked this collection of stories, it is a fast read and will keep the reader interested until the end. I love the way the author tells a story with well researched themes and I could tell that S.R. Mallery is passionate about what she writes. Her first published work was Unexpected Gifts that was also a very good read. I recommend this short book for the historical fiction and short story lover. You will not be disappointed.
November 27, 2015
A compelling journey around the world and through history.
Sewing Can Be Dangerous was an utter delight to read because it felt like an exhilarating time travel journey. Each short story takes us to a different place and time in history. The element of sewing is always present, sometimes it's someone's work, other times a hobby, or a matter of life and death - a means to save a life. Mallery's storytelling is compelling and often haunting, the unexpected twists in the end delightful. I highly recommend this book to readers who love short stories, especially to those who enjoy delving into worlds long forgotten in the mists of time. The first short story was my favorite. It haunted me for a few days after reading it; it felt incredibly real.
Sewing Can Be Dangerous was an utter delight to read because it felt like an exhilarating time travel journey. Each short story takes us to a different place and time in history. The element of sewing is always present, sometimes it's someone's work, other times a hobby, or a matter of life and death - a means to save a life. Mallery's storytelling is compelling and often haunting, the unexpected twists in the end delightful. I highly recommend this book to readers who love short stories, especially to those who enjoy delving into worlds long forgotten in the mists of time. The first short story was my favorite. It haunted me for a few days after reading it; it felt incredibly real.
March 17, 2015
Sarah Mallery sews masterful stories of the journeys of life. Piecing together stories from days gone by Sarah took me to worlds and times I will never experience in real life, but feel as though I did through Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads.
An elegant collection of short stories were sewn together to reveal a beautiful garment worn through the ages of time. Characters who I felt I knew and belonged in my family were richly woven within the threads of these stories. I am thrilled I read these stories and look forward to more of Sarah’s breath taking stories. Bravo!
An elegant collection of short stories were sewn together to reveal a beautiful garment worn through the ages of time. Characters who I felt I knew and belonged in my family were richly woven within the threads of these stories. I am thrilled I read these stories and look forward to more of Sarah’s breath taking stories. Bravo!
August 3, 2014
This book is a collection of short stories with an underlying theme of the sewing art. That said, these stories are rich in history, thoughtfulness, and intrigue.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes history, sewing, weaving, and tales about people’s survival. This is all-around a good book. Some of the stories are better than others, but that is why they are a collection. Alone they are just another story, but together they weave a thread of understanding which will cover your thoughts and keep you wanting more.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes history, sewing, weaving, and tales about people’s survival. This is all-around a good book. Some of the stories are better than others, but that is why they are a collection. Alone they are just another story, but together they weave a thread of understanding which will cover your thoughts and keep you wanting more.
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