The Unraveling Thread

by Priscilla Cogan

The Unraveling Thread is the story of a family exploding in crisis. Harriet McWhinnie, a divorced but successful career woman, arrives home to discover that yet another Agency person has fled, leaving behind Harriet's sweet but demented mother, her adolescent twin girls, one psychotic with an undiagnosed genetic disorder, the other rebellious and resentful of her disabled sibling, a little five year old son yearning for the return of his father, and an hyperactive dog who drives everyone crazy. Desperate, Harriet hires a middle-aged, Native American woman, Agatha, with no references, no address, and a past steeped in mystery. Stern but loving, Agatha forces each family member to work through their issues with honesty and dignity while hiding from her own grief. In the end, the story's memorable characters each learn how to pick up the threads of both love and self respect that will pull them out into the harsh world and then lead them back home. This story is the first time that the relatively common, but severely under-diagnosed chromosomal disorder, Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome, has ever appeared in fiction. As typical of Dr. Cogan's previous novels, the clash of the Anglo and Native American cultures casts a different light on the issues facing many American families. The story of a career woman, caught in the sandwich generation, taking care of both her parent and her children, is one that will resonate with many readers, as will the story of a family overwhelmed with medical problems. It is the kind of page-turning novel which will tug on the reader's heart.

253 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2008

About the author

I was a psychologist for 29 years, so that experience is very present in my books. Back in 1979, I became involved in Native American ceremonies, propelled by some strong dreams. I did 3 visions quests, the last one for 3 days and 3 nights, on a hillside with no food or water. When my husband, Duncan Sings-Alone began his own inipi community (after 7 years of training), we had two sweat lodges - one for men and one for women. Lots of paranormal experiences. We NEVER charged for any Native American ceremonies or healing. The Winona series reflects the different viewpoints and healing practices between that of Psychology and that of Native American medicine work. It is when you contrast two very different viewpoints, interesting questions arise as to the nature of reality.
You will also notice a lot of humor in my 6 published novels, because the Spirits taught me that in everything serious, there is something funny and in everything funny, there is something serious!
From psychologist to novelist and now to play writing. I love the magic of what happens in the theatre, between the actors, the script, and the audience. There is an immersion that does not happen for me in the world of cinema but does in the theatre. My first play, The Summer Cottage, won an award and is a comedy. My second play, while funny, also tackles stereotypes of age and race. My third play is very dramatic and historical about racism and also being a young vulnerable female. I suspect my next play will be an adaptation of Winona's Web.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindness and knowledge help troubled ones through the maze of life. Connections bring strength.
I recently reread this, and enjoyed it even more this time, with characters I love and lessons I value.

[ril]

I don't think I would've picked up this book if we hadn't chosen it for our bookclub. But we picked it in order to support a 'local' author. And I seriously regret it. I imagine our meeting next week will be on how this book could've been better written. Or how it would've looked if Cogan actually had an editor. I believe the only reason why her books have been published is because she has skipped over the general vanity presses and done the next big step--she bought her own.

Cogan seems to have misplaced one of the first (and most important) lessons in creative writing: SHOW! DON'T TELL!! The characters are smooshed together in such a way that the reader cannot tell the kindergartener from the mother in tone and word choice. Not to mention that she has put a lot of things into the book that have great potential, but skims over them in a way that is almost full of itself. "Look over here, I'm a writer."

Unwilling to truly confront her characters, Cogan doesn't remain with any of them long enough for them to develop or for the reader to sympathise with one.

No stars for you.

[Linda R Dulicai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Priscilla Cogan is a master of looking at the intertwining of relationship in a way that leaves you inspired instead of depressed. She's a great storyteller.

The lesson is looking at situations from an unexpected viewpoint that can change everything. I love the claiming of personal power by the daughter in this one.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good quick read. Story of a family that comes unraveled and comes back together. Lots of chance for empathy. A chance to walk a mile in someone else's moccasins.

[Debra a-c · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to Winona's Web, an intertwining of
family and the web that is weaved over many
years and generations... try to untangle the
web and you are in for some puzzling moments.