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The Lace Weaver
1941, Estonia. As Stalins brutal Red Army crushes everything in its path, Katarina battles to protect her grandmothers precious legacy the weaving of gossamer lace shawls stitched with intricate patterns that tell the stories passed down through generations. Meanwhile Lydia is suffocating in her prison of privilege in Moscow, yearning for freedom and to discover her beloved mothers Baltic heritage escapes to Estonia. Soon, these two young women find themselves in a fight for life, liberty and love.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 19, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
September 3, 2019
Each lace shawl begins and ends the same way-with a circle. Everything is connected with a thread as fine as gossamer, each life affected by what has come before it and what will come after.
So begins The Lace Weaver, a compelling tale of two young women struggling to survive in Estonia during World War Two. First we have Kati, a farm girl and talented lace weaver, and we have Lydia, who grew up in a privileged household in Moscow, and finds herself fleeing to her mother's birth country of Estonia after her lover is arrested in the street in front of her. Their stories come together in the town of Tartu, at first under the Soviet regime, and then at the hands of the German invaders, who promise to free Estonia. These two women find within themselves a great strength while the world is in turmoil, we learn about their lives, loves and unbreakable spirit in the face of terror, grief and loss.
The Lace Weaver is a beautifully written, symbolic tale, rich with history and well-drawn believable characters. It did take me a little while to get into this book, but then I found I couldn't put it down. The look into Estonian history, and it's fate during the war, I found to be of great interest, especially as it's a country I didn't know too much about. I also found it a breath of fresh air as it just had the one time-line, unlike most authors these days who seem to think historical fiction needs two timelines interwoven. This novel proves that it's certainly not the case. All in all this book is a first rate read and I have no hesitation in recommending it to all lovers of the genre.
So begins The Lace Weaver, a compelling tale of two young women struggling to survive in Estonia during World War Two. First we have Kati, a farm girl and talented lace weaver, and we have Lydia, who grew up in a privileged household in Moscow, and finds herself fleeing to her mother's birth country of Estonia after her lover is arrested in the street in front of her. Their stories come together in the town of Tartu, at first under the Soviet regime, and then at the hands of the German invaders, who promise to free Estonia. These two women find within themselves a great strength while the world is in turmoil, we learn about their lives, loves and unbreakable spirit in the face of terror, grief and loss.
The Lace Weaver is a beautifully written, symbolic tale, rich with history and well-drawn believable characters. It did take me a little while to get into this book, but then I found I couldn't put it down. The look into Estonian history, and it's fate during the war, I found to be of great interest, especially as it's a country I didn't know too much about. I also found it a breath of fresh air as it just had the one time-line, unlike most authors these days who seem to think historical fiction needs two timelines interwoven. This novel proves that it's certainly not the case. All in all this book is a first rate read and I have no hesitation in recommending it to all lovers of the genre.
March 26, 2018
4.5★s
It was 1941 and Estonia was in the grip of Russian rule – brutal, cruel and without heart, the Red Army killed, deported and demoralized each and every member of the community who wouldn’t be of any use to them. Kati and her parents were cautiously optimistic as their farm had been approved because of the produce the Russians would take to feed themselves. Kati was also keeping her beloved grandmother’s legacy of the weaving of fine lace shawls – the knitting circle was kept going under Kati’s guidance now her grandmother had passed.
In Moscow Lydia lived with her oppressive and cruel uncle – until the day she had had enough of the beatings and humiliation. She and her housemaid, good friend Olga, escaped to Lydia’s home land, hoping to find her father and learn more of Estonia where her mother was from. But the shock she was greeted with almost knocked her from her feet – her life had been nothing but a lie…
When the Germans drove the Russians from Estonia, the citizens thought they were safe – no longer oppressed. But were they exchanging one cruel force for another? Would Kati and Lydia ever know peace? And would they know safety, freedom and love in a future that was so uncertain?
The Lace Weaver is Aussie author Lauren Chater’s debut novel, and wow! What a debut! Heartbreaking and poignant; but it was the story of the lace weaving, the delicate scarves that, to be perfect, should thread through the golden band of a wedding ring. The weaving of the fine lace shawls had been passed down over generations – the stories were told in the delicate weave. I have no hesitation in recommending The Lace Weaver to all lovers of historical fiction.
With thanks to Simon & Schuster AU and NetGalley for my uncorrected proof ARC to read and review.
It was 1941 and Estonia was in the grip of Russian rule – brutal, cruel and without heart, the Red Army killed, deported and demoralized each and every member of the community who wouldn’t be of any use to them. Kati and her parents were cautiously optimistic as their farm had been approved because of the produce the Russians would take to feed themselves. Kati was also keeping her beloved grandmother’s legacy of the weaving of fine lace shawls – the knitting circle was kept going under Kati’s guidance now her grandmother had passed.
In Moscow Lydia lived with her oppressive and cruel uncle – until the day she had had enough of the beatings and humiliation. She and her housemaid, good friend Olga, escaped to Lydia’s home land, hoping to find her father and learn more of Estonia where her mother was from. But the shock she was greeted with almost knocked her from her feet – her life had been nothing but a lie…
When the Germans drove the Russians from Estonia, the citizens thought they were safe – no longer oppressed. But were they exchanging one cruel force for another? Would Kati and Lydia ever know peace? And would they know safety, freedom and love in a future that was so uncertain?
The Lace Weaver is Aussie author Lauren Chater’s debut novel, and wow! What a debut! Heartbreaking and poignant; but it was the story of the lace weaving, the delicate scarves that, to be perfect, should thread through the golden band of a wedding ring. The weaving of the fine lace shawls had been passed down over generations – the stories were told in the delicate weave. I have no hesitation in recommending The Lace Weaver to all lovers of historical fiction.
With thanks to Simon & Schuster AU and NetGalley for my uncorrected proof ARC to read and review.
May 4, 2018
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
World II Estonia, a perilous time as the struggle between Hitler’s regime and the Russian Red Army grips a nation is the haunting backdrop of The Lace Weaver. With themes of friendship, love, self sacrifice, survival and the protection of culture forming the lifeblood of this debut novel, no wonder it resonates long after the final page has been turned.
In the year 1941, the Eastern European country of Estonia witnesses the infiltration of the Red Army on all facets of life. For Katarina and her family, survival in this brutal regime is dependent on her family’s thriving farm produce, which is a central source of sustenance for the forces. Despite the evil and oppression that surrounds her, Katarina takes solace in continuing her beloved grandmother’s tradition, knitting lace shawls. These beautiful garments are weaved with great care and embody the stories of the people of Estonia. While Katarina grapples with the hardship that has befallen her and the people who surround her, another young woman is suffering. Lydia is being held captive in Moscow and eventually escapes to discover her family roots in Estonia. It is a dangerous path to tread in such an uncertain time and Lydia soon finds herself embroiled in a desperate situation. It will take a lot of friendship, love and autonomy to rise above the insurgence of the war.
The Lace Weaver has been on my radar, long before it was published. I have been awfully excited about this release, soon after I spied it on Australian author Kate Forsyth’s blog. Kate claimed The Lace Weaver to be one her most anticipated debuts of 2018. My love and connection to The Lace Weaver was a swift one. The first pages instantly pulled me into the rich narrative. Each page seemed to offer as much awe as the previous one. It didn’t take long to develop a full and sustained relationship with the two leads of this engrossing historical tale, Katarina and Lydia.
Historical fiction is my favourite genre and I have preference for fiction based in the Great War and World War II. The Lace Weaver is set during the onslaught of World War II (1941) but it also considers the impact of World War I had on the people of Estonia, the central locale for this book. What struck me most about The Lace Weaver was the originality and authenticity. Ever since I read The Bronze Horseman back in 2008, I have been desperately trying to seek more literature about the eastern side of Europe. The Lace Weaver filled this void and more, offering a historical insight into a part of the world I know virtually nothing about, both now and in the past. I am grateful to Lauren Chater, the author of The Lace Weaver, for providing me with a gentle education of this country, the people that populate the land and their rich cultural traditions.
The extent of Chater’s research cannot be faulted. I actually had to check at the back of the book as I was convinced Chater must be Estonian and The Lace Weaver must be based on oral stories passed down from her family. Although this isn’t the case, Chater did spend a great deal of time in Estonia, talking to the Estonian people and thoroughly researching her rich locale. The level and attention to finer details greatly impressed me. The focus on Estonia is like a breath of fresh air. It is great to see an alternative part of the world and the impact of the World War II on this country aired. This book also allows voices from the past, previously forgotten and repressed, to come to the floor. I found The Lace Weaver to be an excellent example of a women’s history novel. Rarely are we treated to two female lead perspectives of war. The solid presentation and contrast in class between the primary characters, Kati and Lydia was strength in this novel. Chater illuminates this aspect of her story with ease.
A significant proportion of the book is devoted to the entrenched cultural traditions of the Estonian people. Chater’s sense of time and place is flawless. We receive a full insight into general way of life and the simple daily routines of the Estonian population at this point in history. In reading these aspects of the narrative, we begin to form a picture of just how the World War II impacted on the ordinary citizens of this country. The oppression, lack of freedom, food restrictions and sheer brutality often moved me so much I had to stop and gather the strength to read on.
By far though, the standout feature of The Lace Weaver is the lace weaving aspect. The passion, tradition, friendships and family stories to come out of this simple act, passed down from one generation to the other was presented in meticulous detail. More than once I wanted to ask Kati and the other talented lace weavers to create me a lace shawl, encompassing my own family roots. It gave me a greater appreciation for this amazing talent. It was also heartbreaking, especially when the women were prevented from engaging in this area of obvious talent. I cannot imagine how awful if would feel to have your passion and culture suppressed in such a way.
The Lace Weaver is a book that will make you feel, the depth of emotions that are thrashed around at various points in the novel are quite a feat. For a debut novelist, Chater has produced a sophisticated piece of writing. She captures the hardship, deprivation, immense loss, the courage, hope and love that existed in these fraught conditions. The unexpected friendships that flow between the leads and the love stories that follow them through the novel makes for one very involving read. The epilogue, which moves forward in time to 1953, was fitting, hopeful and visibly moving. The ending note of this book added another layer to this excellent piece of writing.
The Lace Weaver uncovers a hidden and silenced history of both a country and set of people, namely women, who were touched immensely by the impact of war. I cannot recommend this novel enough. Based on her first book, Lauren Chater has an illustrious career awaiting her. I can’t wait for more quality historical fiction from this amazing new voice.
The Lace Weaver is book #43 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
World II Estonia, a perilous time as the struggle between Hitler’s regime and the Russian Red Army grips a nation is the haunting backdrop of The Lace Weaver. With themes of friendship, love, self sacrifice, survival and the protection of culture forming the lifeblood of this debut novel, no wonder it resonates long after the final page has been turned.
In the year 1941, the Eastern European country of Estonia witnesses the infiltration of the Red Army on all facets of life. For Katarina and her family, survival in this brutal regime is dependent on her family’s thriving farm produce, which is a central source of sustenance for the forces. Despite the evil and oppression that surrounds her, Katarina takes solace in continuing her beloved grandmother’s tradition, knitting lace shawls. These beautiful garments are weaved with great care and embody the stories of the people of Estonia. While Katarina grapples with the hardship that has befallen her and the people who surround her, another young woman is suffering. Lydia is being held captive in Moscow and eventually escapes to discover her family roots in Estonia. It is a dangerous path to tread in such an uncertain time and Lydia soon finds herself embroiled in a desperate situation. It will take a lot of friendship, love and autonomy to rise above the insurgence of the war.
The Lace Weaver has been on my radar, long before it was published. I have been awfully excited about this release, soon after I spied it on Australian author Kate Forsyth’s blog. Kate claimed The Lace Weaver to be one her most anticipated debuts of 2018. My love and connection to The Lace Weaver was a swift one. The first pages instantly pulled me into the rich narrative. Each page seemed to offer as much awe as the previous one. It didn’t take long to develop a full and sustained relationship with the two leads of this engrossing historical tale, Katarina and Lydia.
Historical fiction is my favourite genre and I have preference for fiction based in the Great War and World War II. The Lace Weaver is set during the onslaught of World War II (1941) but it also considers the impact of World War I had on the people of Estonia, the central locale for this book. What struck me most about The Lace Weaver was the originality and authenticity. Ever since I read The Bronze Horseman back in 2008, I have been desperately trying to seek more literature about the eastern side of Europe. The Lace Weaver filled this void and more, offering a historical insight into a part of the world I know virtually nothing about, both now and in the past. I am grateful to Lauren Chater, the author of The Lace Weaver, for providing me with a gentle education of this country, the people that populate the land and their rich cultural traditions.
The extent of Chater’s research cannot be faulted. I actually had to check at the back of the book as I was convinced Chater must be Estonian and The Lace Weaver must be based on oral stories passed down from her family. Although this isn’t the case, Chater did spend a great deal of time in Estonia, talking to the Estonian people and thoroughly researching her rich locale. The level and attention to finer details greatly impressed me. The focus on Estonia is like a breath of fresh air. It is great to see an alternative part of the world and the impact of the World War II on this country aired. This book also allows voices from the past, previously forgotten and repressed, to come to the floor. I found The Lace Weaver to be an excellent example of a women’s history novel. Rarely are we treated to two female lead perspectives of war. The solid presentation and contrast in class between the primary characters, Kati and Lydia was strength in this novel. Chater illuminates this aspect of her story with ease.
A significant proportion of the book is devoted to the entrenched cultural traditions of the Estonian people. Chater’s sense of time and place is flawless. We receive a full insight into general way of life and the simple daily routines of the Estonian population at this point in history. In reading these aspects of the narrative, we begin to form a picture of just how the World War II impacted on the ordinary citizens of this country. The oppression, lack of freedom, food restrictions and sheer brutality often moved me so much I had to stop and gather the strength to read on.
By far though, the standout feature of The Lace Weaver is the lace weaving aspect. The passion, tradition, friendships and family stories to come out of this simple act, passed down from one generation to the other was presented in meticulous detail. More than once I wanted to ask Kati and the other talented lace weavers to create me a lace shawl, encompassing my own family roots. It gave me a greater appreciation for this amazing talent. It was also heartbreaking, especially when the women were prevented from engaging in this area of obvious talent. I cannot imagine how awful if would feel to have your passion and culture suppressed in such a way.
The Lace Weaver is a book that will make you feel, the depth of emotions that are thrashed around at various points in the novel are quite a feat. For a debut novelist, Chater has produced a sophisticated piece of writing. She captures the hardship, deprivation, immense loss, the courage, hope and love that existed in these fraught conditions. The unexpected friendships that flow between the leads and the love stories that follow them through the novel makes for one very involving read. The epilogue, which moves forward in time to 1953, was fitting, hopeful and visibly moving. The ending note of this book added another layer to this excellent piece of writing.
The Lace Weaver uncovers a hidden and silenced history of both a country and set of people, namely women, who were touched immensely by the impact of war. I cannot recommend this novel enough. Based on her first book, Lauren Chater has an illustrious career awaiting her. I can’t wait for more quality historical fiction from this amazing new voice.
The Lace Weaver is book #43 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
November 25, 2018
There are so many words to describe this beautiful story but all would fall short of doing it justice. The author has created a wonderful read, cleverly weaving together two women from very different lives and circumstances bringing them together and enriching the story as they fight for their survival. The finely knitted shawls are the common factor with each chapter designated a name of a pattern. Estonia as with many surrounding countries of the time is in the grip of the Communist Russian invasion. Tartu is where Kati and brother Jacob live with their parents on their farm where they struggle to feed themselves due to the demands of the Russians who confiscate practically all that the farm produces. With the small amount of sheep wool leftover after shearing Kati along with her grandmother and the knitting group are able to sell their knitted items at the town’s market. Kati’s father is a compliant man but eventually through circumstances he and his wife are killed by the Russians. Jacob and Kati on the run live in the forest along with many others in similar circumstances. Jacob joins the militia group where Oskar, childhood friend and now love interest for Kati fight the Russians. Hitler’s German army starts to make an impact on the Russians in Estonia who in turn begin to forcibly remove all residents via trains in cattle cars. This is where Lydia, a Russian along with her nursemaid/companion find themselves separated from each other. Lydia while enjoying a life of privilege has always had a restrictive and guarded life, controlled by her uncle/guardian. Knowing that her father is in charge of Tartu she and Olga had made their way there in order for Lydia to be with him. Her real identity and unfortunate heritage is revealed to her at this time by the man whom she always thought was her father. For Lydia this reduces further her feelings of self worth adding to the guilt of events that had occurred in Moscow. Now with events unfolding it is impossible for her to return to Moscow and with all the madness occurring at the railway station she finds herself in the group with Etti and Kati. Her survival amongst a few of the Estonians is only because of Etti. Kati takes a long time to accept this Russian woman, however with all the terrible events that come into play with the Estonians realising that the Germans are no better than the Russians these young women find themselves bonded together for the fight of their lives. Through all this and with the eventual sharing of Lydia’s secret Kati is able to embrace her.
March 27, 2018
I am an avid reader of war time fiction. My grandfather’s family hailed from Belgium and I’ve written in the past about his life in the resistance and how that has resulted in this seemingly insatiable need I have within to read anything and everything I can about WWII. The thing with being widely read on a particular topic though, is that over time, unique stories become harder to uncover. So when you do find one, you instantly want to jump up and down and start waving said book in the air, shouting at everyone:
READ THIS BOOK!
Consider yourself waved at and shouted at, simultaneously.
The Lace Weaver is utterly brilliant and Lauren Chater has such a beautifully refined style of writing. I fell in love with her words from the very first paragraph. Stories about the war in Eastern Europe are not all that common; the countries that were annexed by Russia and later absorbed into the USSR have such hidden histories, their culture all but obliterated and buried beneath genocide and communism. To read a novel like The Lace Weaver is such an honour; for an author to have meticulously researched a lost history, breathing gold dust onto it and bringing it to life—how lucky as readers we are. And once again, I am brought to a standstill as I contemplate how truly far reaching the horrors of WWII were.
Cultural traditions are an endless source of interest to me, so I adored the way Lauren built this story around the Estonian tradition of lace knitting. About halfway through the novel, I had to Google Estonian lace shawls because I was certain that what I was envisaging was nowhere near as beautiful as the real thing. I couldn’t quite marry knitting with delicate lace. The knitting I knew was chunky and heavy. Goodness, the lace shawls I pored over online were divine! Just exquisite and so incredibly fine. Seeing these images changed the story for me, added a layer of consequence that made me appreciate why a woman would flee with a pair of knitting needles and a lace shawl stuffed somewhere on her person. Because the lace is a story, its pattern a family’s heritage, the folklore of a country that has been ground down under the heels of so many oppressors, yet still retained its cultural identity. This passage articulates this beautifully:
“I began to turn away.
My grandmother’s voice came back to me, loud and clear as if she was standing behind me, hidden in the shadows. Why do we make shawls? Not only for ourselves but to send our Estonian traditions out into the world.
Here was a shawl which had come back.
Before I could change my mind, before I could quieten the voice of warning screaming in my head, I seized her shoulder and dragged her outside with me, into the night.”
I love that so much: ‘Here was a shawl which had come back.’ History returned. The spirituality of Kati’s grandmother wolf combined with the lovely fairytales she was prone to telling, had me in a state of rapture over this novel. I felt such a keen awareness of the culture Lauren was putting forward, such an appreciation of the history being unearthed.
There was of course a fair amount of dread impeaching on my rapture, expected when you read a novel where you know the approaching Nazis are not the liberators the characters are hoping for. The loss of life, the brutality, the sheer bloody mindedness of war; I was overcome quite often. The capacity for survival, the bravery and belief in freedom—I find it hard to imagine having to fight for every minute of your existence, to gain one step forward only to face death once again, over and over. Rarely have I been so impacted by a story.
I’m going to leave you now with an extract, one the most moving scenes I have ever read in a novel, and one of the most beautiful—from this, you will get a sure sense of what you’re in for with The Lace Weaver. This is a story of love and survival, of enduring cultures and the importance of preserving the things we hold dear. It’s a novel that is destined to become a teaching text, its themes so exacting and monumental. I can’t wait to see what Lauren has in store for us next.
See blog for extract:
https://theresasmithwrites.com/2018/0...
READ THIS BOOK!
Consider yourself waved at and shouted at, simultaneously.
The Lace Weaver is utterly brilliant and Lauren Chater has such a beautifully refined style of writing. I fell in love with her words from the very first paragraph. Stories about the war in Eastern Europe are not all that common; the countries that were annexed by Russia and later absorbed into the USSR have such hidden histories, their culture all but obliterated and buried beneath genocide and communism. To read a novel like The Lace Weaver is such an honour; for an author to have meticulously researched a lost history, breathing gold dust onto it and bringing it to life—how lucky as readers we are. And once again, I am brought to a standstill as I contemplate how truly far reaching the horrors of WWII were.
Cultural traditions are an endless source of interest to me, so I adored the way Lauren built this story around the Estonian tradition of lace knitting. About halfway through the novel, I had to Google Estonian lace shawls because I was certain that what I was envisaging was nowhere near as beautiful as the real thing. I couldn’t quite marry knitting with delicate lace. The knitting I knew was chunky and heavy. Goodness, the lace shawls I pored over online were divine! Just exquisite and so incredibly fine. Seeing these images changed the story for me, added a layer of consequence that made me appreciate why a woman would flee with a pair of knitting needles and a lace shawl stuffed somewhere on her person. Because the lace is a story, its pattern a family’s heritage, the folklore of a country that has been ground down under the heels of so many oppressors, yet still retained its cultural identity. This passage articulates this beautifully:
“I began to turn away.
My grandmother’s voice came back to me, loud and clear as if she was standing behind me, hidden in the shadows. Why do we make shawls? Not only for ourselves but to send our Estonian traditions out into the world.
Here was a shawl which had come back.
Before I could change my mind, before I could quieten the voice of warning screaming in my head, I seized her shoulder and dragged her outside with me, into the night.”
I love that so much: ‘Here was a shawl which had come back.’ History returned. The spirituality of Kati’s grandmother wolf combined with the lovely fairytales she was prone to telling, had me in a state of rapture over this novel. I felt such a keen awareness of the culture Lauren was putting forward, such an appreciation of the history being unearthed.
There was of course a fair amount of dread impeaching on my rapture, expected when you read a novel where you know the approaching Nazis are not the liberators the characters are hoping for. The loss of life, the brutality, the sheer bloody mindedness of war; I was overcome quite often. The capacity for survival, the bravery and belief in freedom—I find it hard to imagine having to fight for every minute of your existence, to gain one step forward only to face death once again, over and over. Rarely have I been so impacted by a story.
I’m going to leave you now with an extract, one the most moving scenes I have ever read in a novel, and one of the most beautiful—from this, you will get a sure sense of what you’re in for with The Lace Weaver. This is a story of love and survival, of enduring cultures and the importance of preserving the things we hold dear. It’s a novel that is destined to become a teaching text, its themes so exacting and monumental. I can’t wait to see what Lauren has in store for us next.
See blog for extract:
https://theresasmithwrites.com/2018/0...
April 24, 2018
The Lace Weaver is the first novel by Australian author, Lauren Chater. In mid-1941, the hard-won independence of Estonia (and the other Baltic states) was no more: the Red Army occupied the countries, installing pro-Soviet governments, although they put it this way: “the Baltics have always belonged to Russia. She has just welcomed them back to the fold.”
On their farm near Tartu, Katarina Rebane and her parents work hard to survive, tending sheep and growing apples. Much had been lost in the preceding years: Kati’s beloved grandmother Elina had died; her best friend Oskar Magi had fled after being accused of murdering his family; her brother, Jakob attends University in town, seldom returning home.
At least she still has her knitting group, where the important Estonian tradition of creating lace shawls, to be sold at the flea markets, is continued. But now, the Partorg (party organiser) in Tartu has directed that all their wool be handed over to the state: not even the meagre amount used for shawls can be retained. Will their tradition die?
Partorg at Tartu, Piotr Volkov has just received word that another round of mass deportations is to be enforced, when his daughter, Lydia turns up from Moscow. Reeling from the arrest of her beau, Joachim, and revelations about her mother’s death, Lydia has decided to console herself with a visit to her father, there in her mother’s homeland. But more shocking revelations are to come.
Within days, both Kati and Lydia are with other refugees in a forest camp under the protection of a partisan group, the Forest Brothers, while Oskar and Jakob have put on brown uniforms and are fighting the Russian soldiers. The partisan groups are pinning all their hopes on the Germans, confident that the Nazis will oust the Russians and return the Estonian government to power.
In an evocative historical novel, Chater blends fact and fiction to draw attention to the losses that war can precipitate: not just life and limb, but also the precious legacy of traditional arts and crafts that epitomise a nation. It’s easy to imagine how these groups of women knitting shawls and chatting would bring calm in troubled times. Chater also demonstrates how, even during war and flight from persecution, life with all it’s small joys and petty jealousies, goes on.
Chater’s extensive research on all matters Estonian and shawl-related is apparent on every page. She provides information in her acknowledgements on suggested further reading, although a link to images of the shawls, or even an illustration of some patterns would have been welcome. A moving debut novel.
On their farm near Tartu, Katarina Rebane and her parents work hard to survive, tending sheep and growing apples. Much had been lost in the preceding years: Kati’s beloved grandmother Elina had died; her best friend Oskar Magi had fled after being accused of murdering his family; her brother, Jakob attends University in town, seldom returning home.
At least she still has her knitting group, where the important Estonian tradition of creating lace shawls, to be sold at the flea markets, is continued. But now, the Partorg (party organiser) in Tartu has directed that all their wool be handed over to the state: not even the meagre amount used for shawls can be retained. Will their tradition die?
Partorg at Tartu, Piotr Volkov has just received word that another round of mass deportations is to be enforced, when his daughter, Lydia turns up from Moscow. Reeling from the arrest of her beau, Joachim, and revelations about her mother’s death, Lydia has decided to console herself with a visit to her father, there in her mother’s homeland. But more shocking revelations are to come.
Within days, both Kati and Lydia are with other refugees in a forest camp under the protection of a partisan group, the Forest Brothers, while Oskar and Jakob have put on brown uniforms and are fighting the Russian soldiers. The partisan groups are pinning all their hopes on the Germans, confident that the Nazis will oust the Russians and return the Estonian government to power.
In an evocative historical novel, Chater blends fact and fiction to draw attention to the losses that war can precipitate: not just life and limb, but also the precious legacy of traditional arts and crafts that epitomise a nation. It’s easy to imagine how these groups of women knitting shawls and chatting would bring calm in troubled times. Chater also demonstrates how, even during war and flight from persecution, life with all it’s small joys and petty jealousies, goes on.
Chater’s extensive research on all matters Estonian and shawl-related is apparent on every page. She provides information in her acknowledgements on suggested further reading, although a link to images of the shawls, or even an illustration of some patterns would have been welcome. A moving debut novel.
July 23, 2020
It's 1941 and Estonia has been taken over by Russia. Katarina (Kati) Rebane's farming family is trying hard to stay under the radar - and stay alive - by following the rules enforced by the Russian Communist Party Organiser (the Partorg) and his men. Kati has a strong connection to her Estonian culture and history, but as she was not allowed to go to university to study folklore, her main outlet for expressing her Estonian identity is the lace shawls she knits with patterns passed down through the generations.
At the same time in Moscow Lydia Volkova, the Partorg's daughter, is living a life of privilege under the watchful eye of her eminently powerful Uncle. She longs for her deceased Estonian mother, and endures the absence of her father, but basks in the love and security of life with Olga, her former nursemaid. When her Jewish boyfriend, Joachim, is arrested by members of her Uncle's security detail, Lydia knows she has to get away, and the following morning she and Olga are on a train to Tartu in Estonia. But her arrival coincides with the beginning of a massive deportation exercise and the Partorg is less than pleased to see her...
I thought this book was quite good for a debut, although the pacing was a little uneven. The unfamiliar setting was enough to keep me going through the slower parts. I also learned a lot about an aspect of WWII that I haven't had much exposure to - that of the deterioration of the relationship between Russia and Germany, and the role played by the Baltic states. Although I wasn't really sold on the connection between Lydia and her uncle, I chose to go along with it, as it's there more for context than as part of the active storyline. Finally, I really appreciated the introduction to Estonian knitting, and spent hours googling images of shawls and patterns as I read through the book. Stunning!
At the same time in Moscow Lydia Volkova, the Partorg's daughter, is living a life of privilege under the watchful eye of her eminently powerful Uncle. She longs for her deceased Estonian mother, and endures the absence of her father, but basks in the love and security of life with Olga, her former nursemaid. When her Jewish boyfriend, Joachim, is arrested by members of her Uncle's security detail, Lydia knows she has to get away, and the following morning she and Olga are on a train to Tartu in Estonia. But her arrival coincides with the beginning of a massive deportation exercise and the Partorg is less than pleased to see her...
I thought this book was quite good for a debut, although the pacing was a little uneven. The unfamiliar setting was enough to keep me going through the slower parts. I also learned a lot about an aspect of WWII that I haven't had much exposure to - that of the deterioration of the relationship between Russia and Germany, and the role played by the Baltic states. Although I wasn't really sold on the connection between Lydia and her uncle, I chose to go along with it, as it's there more for context than as part of the active storyline. Finally, I really appreciated the introduction to Estonian knitting, and spent hours googling images of shawls and patterns as I read through the book. Stunning!
May 14, 2018
A heart-wrenching novel of love, war and resistance set in Estonia in the 1940s, The Lace Weaver tells the story of two very different young women and their struggle to survive in a country caught between two of the greatest evils of the 20th century: Stalin’s Red Army and Hitler’s Third Reich.
The story begins in 1941, when Estonia is under Russian rule and suffering brutality, hunger and mass murders and deportations. Kati and her parents are doing the best they can by keeping their heads down and doing as they are told. Kati quietly rebels by keeping her beloved grandmother’s lace weaving circle alive, with a group of women meeting in secret to make the exquisite lace shawls that Estonia is famous for. The lace patterns become a repeating motif throughout the book, with each section named after one of the designs: Wolf’s Paw, Ring Pattern, Peacock’s Tails, Spider Stitch, Ash Pattern, and so on. I really love this aspect of the book, as the patterns became symbols for what the characters endured.
Meanwhile, in Moscow, another young woman named Lydia is living a life of ease and privilege with the bejewelled cage of the Stalinist elite. She longs to escape, however, as she gradually becomes aware of the cruelty of the Russian dictatorship. Eventually, she and her old nurse Olga escape to Estonia, only to be caught up in that country’s struggle for liberation.
For the oppressed Estonians, the news that Hitler’s forces are marching towards them brings hope and jubilation. It is not long, however, before they realise that they have exchanged one cruel regime for another. And Kati and Lydia are caught in the maelstrom, struggling just to survive.
This is a novel of love and war, heartbreak and hope, and the bonds between women, delicate as lace and yet as unbreakable as steel. Powerful, subtle and beautifully written and composed.
The story begins in 1941, when Estonia is under Russian rule and suffering brutality, hunger and mass murders and deportations. Kati and her parents are doing the best they can by keeping their heads down and doing as they are told. Kati quietly rebels by keeping her beloved grandmother’s lace weaving circle alive, with a group of women meeting in secret to make the exquisite lace shawls that Estonia is famous for. The lace patterns become a repeating motif throughout the book, with each section named after one of the designs: Wolf’s Paw, Ring Pattern, Peacock’s Tails, Spider Stitch, Ash Pattern, and so on. I really love this aspect of the book, as the patterns became symbols for what the characters endured.
Meanwhile, in Moscow, another young woman named Lydia is living a life of ease and privilege with the bejewelled cage of the Stalinist elite. She longs to escape, however, as she gradually becomes aware of the cruelty of the Russian dictatorship. Eventually, she and her old nurse Olga escape to Estonia, only to be caught up in that country’s struggle for liberation.
For the oppressed Estonians, the news that Hitler’s forces are marching towards them brings hope and jubilation. It is not long, however, before they realise that they have exchanged one cruel regime for another. And Kati and Lydia are caught in the maelstrom, struggling just to survive.
This is a novel of love and war, heartbreak and hope, and the bonds between women, delicate as lace and yet as unbreakable as steel. Powerful, subtle and beautifully written and composed.
April 24, 2018
This was a beautifully written, compellingly readable and at times quite thrilling book.
Set mostly in Estonia 1941 as Stalins Red Army crushes the land and the people living in it, partisans arise to try and protect their country and their people and the way they see of doing that is by inviting Nazi Germany in to get the Russians out.
In a forested part of Estonia, Katarina struggle in her own way to keep her heritage alive; she was taught to weave traditional lace shawls by her grandmother and she tries to keep these skills alive. Her life is about to come to a pass where even that small battle is denied her.
In a privileged niche of Moscow wartime society, Lydia makes the decision to flee to her father who she has not seen for years, he is serving Russia in Estonia and Lydia is keen to find out more about her dead mother's native Estonia. Her journey is about to become so much more difficult and dangerous than she imagines.
The stories of the two women bind together quite beautifully and by going from one viewpoint to another we see a much more comprehensive picture of events than we would get any other way, it was a very good writing tactic in this story.
I have given this book five stars, based on the flawless reading experience that it represents. Beautifully researched and with a descriptiveness that allows you to practically small the forests you are reading about, I am more than slightly awed by the authors talent. The only point I can think of that might be even slightly negative (slightly, not really), is that the story is very much a girl's story. It is told from the perspective of women and so some male readers might find it a little hard to emphasize with. It is a very small criticism really- and I can thoroughly recommend it to everyone, otherwise.
Set mostly in Estonia 1941 as Stalins Red Army crushes the land and the people living in it, partisans arise to try and protect their country and their people and the way they see of doing that is by inviting Nazi Germany in to get the Russians out.
In a forested part of Estonia, Katarina struggle in her own way to keep her heritage alive; she was taught to weave traditional lace shawls by her grandmother and she tries to keep these skills alive. Her life is about to come to a pass where even that small battle is denied her.
In a privileged niche of Moscow wartime society, Lydia makes the decision to flee to her father who she has not seen for years, he is serving Russia in Estonia and Lydia is keen to find out more about her dead mother's native Estonia. Her journey is about to become so much more difficult and dangerous than she imagines.
The stories of the two women bind together quite beautifully and by going from one viewpoint to another we see a much more comprehensive picture of events than we would get any other way, it was a very good writing tactic in this story.
I have given this book five stars, based on the flawless reading experience that it represents. Beautifully researched and with a descriptiveness that allows you to practically small the forests you are reading about, I am more than slightly awed by the authors talent. The only point I can think of that might be even slightly negative (slightly, not really), is that the story is very much a girl's story. It is told from the perspective of women and so some male readers might find it a little hard to emphasize with. It is a very small criticism really- and I can thoroughly recommend it to everyone, otherwise.
August 21, 2018
What a beautiful book! Meticulously researched and an incredibly moving story about a little known aspect of WWII, from the perspective of two strong women. The lace shawls and their significance adds poignancy to the plot. A wonderful read.
April 25, 2018
‘Every shawl we make will be laced with defiance. Every stitch will carry a message out into the world.’
Set during the Second World War, this is a captivating look at Estonia which found itself caught between, firstly the occupation of Russia, and then later, Germany. I knew very little about the Baltic area during this time in history and found it fascinating - everything from the dual occupation, to the resistance of the ‘forest people’, to the strong influence lace making as part of the culture and heritage had been.
‘The peace I had experienced briefly at Aunt Juddit’s this morning was gone, the threads of it scattered like a shawl unravelling in the wind.’
This is not only a story of survival but of family and friendship. The characters here are totally engaging. Lydia who was half Estonian-half Russian and had connections to Stalin’s regime (made for some interesting Google research to read of the factual inspiration); to Kati the daughter of an Estonian farmer. These two characters are brought together happy to have shaken off the invading Russians, only to then fall under the Nazi regime and the terrifying labour camps. Infused throughout all this turmoil is the tradition of knitting circles and shawl making amongst the women.
‘...to stay alive and to fulfil the promise I had made my Grandmother; to maintain our culture through the knitting circle, to keep sharing our stories and continue the tradition of making shawls.’
The Lace Weaver is Aussie author Lauren Chater’s debut novel and the writing is something special. Characters and stories are brought to life as the heartache and trauma of this impossible situation is compellingly presented. Lauren skillfully interweaves fact and fiction and leaves you breathless at times.
‘As she read from the book’s pages, Mama’s beautiful language had flowed around me like dust motes in the air, the words settling on my skin.’
I found The Lace Weaver to be beautifully written and presented a fresh take on an otherwise well documented time in history. Stories of WW2 from this part of Europe are rare, especially with many countries being consumed by the USSR. Such histories then often became hidden, with individual country cultures and traditions erased. This tale shines a bright light in a most enlightening way and I highly recommend reading about it.
‘Who will keep our stories? Who will guard our history until it is safe to tell?’
Set during the Second World War, this is a captivating look at Estonia which found itself caught between, firstly the occupation of Russia, and then later, Germany. I knew very little about the Baltic area during this time in history and found it fascinating - everything from the dual occupation, to the resistance of the ‘forest people’, to the strong influence lace making as part of the culture and heritage had been.
‘The peace I had experienced briefly at Aunt Juddit’s this morning was gone, the threads of it scattered like a shawl unravelling in the wind.’
This is not only a story of survival but of family and friendship. The characters here are totally engaging. Lydia who was half Estonian-half Russian and had connections to Stalin’s regime (made for some interesting Google research to read of the factual inspiration); to Kati the daughter of an Estonian farmer. These two characters are brought together happy to have shaken off the invading Russians, only to then fall under the Nazi regime and the terrifying labour camps. Infused throughout all this turmoil is the tradition of knitting circles and shawl making amongst the women.
‘...to stay alive and to fulfil the promise I had made my Grandmother; to maintain our culture through the knitting circle, to keep sharing our stories and continue the tradition of making shawls.’
The Lace Weaver is Aussie author Lauren Chater’s debut novel and the writing is something special. Characters and stories are brought to life as the heartache and trauma of this impossible situation is compellingly presented. Lauren skillfully interweaves fact and fiction and leaves you breathless at times.
‘As she read from the book’s pages, Mama’s beautiful language had flowed around me like dust motes in the air, the words settling on my skin.’
I found The Lace Weaver to be beautifully written and presented a fresh take on an otherwise well documented time in history. Stories of WW2 from this part of Europe are rare, especially with many countries being consumed by the USSR. Such histories then often became hidden, with individual country cultures and traditions erased. This tale shines a bright light in a most enlightening way and I highly recommend reading about it.
‘Who will keep our stories? Who will guard our history until it is safe to tell?’
March 28, 2018
‘Sometimes a shawl is not just a shawl.’
In 1941, Estonia is being crushed by the Soviet Army. Katarina and her family have survived because the produce their farm produces is needed by the Soviets. The women have been able to save enough wool to continue knitting shawls. These shawls are intricate pieces of work. They are fine enough to pass through a gold wedding ring, knitted in intricate patterns passed down through the generations.
At the same time, in Moscow, Lydia prepares to escape to Estonia in search of her mother’s heritage. Her mother is dead, and Lydia has only two things that belonged to her: an old lace shawl and a tattered book.
This novel is about so many aspects of life, including love, tradition, tragedy and war. Ms Chater depicts the struggles of the Estonians as they first endure occupation by the Soviets and then by the Germans. Partisans, surviving in the forest, battle for their homeland. There is danger everywhere. Will Lydia and Katarina, and their companions survive?
‘Safe. There was no meaning in that word. It was an empty promise.’
I won’t write more about the story (I’m trying hard to avoid any spoilers). I liked the way in which Ms Chater wrote her story around the successive invasions of Estonia during World War II. The history supports the fiction without overpowering it. I could easily envisage the women knitting together, sharing their knowledge, unpicking and then reknitting the wool when no new wool was available. There’s a strength here, in sharing this tradition, a continuity in common purpose.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
In 1941, Estonia is being crushed by the Soviet Army. Katarina and her family have survived because the produce their farm produces is needed by the Soviets. The women have been able to save enough wool to continue knitting shawls. These shawls are intricate pieces of work. They are fine enough to pass through a gold wedding ring, knitted in intricate patterns passed down through the generations.
At the same time, in Moscow, Lydia prepares to escape to Estonia in search of her mother’s heritage. Her mother is dead, and Lydia has only two things that belonged to her: an old lace shawl and a tattered book.
This novel is about so many aspects of life, including love, tradition, tragedy and war. Ms Chater depicts the struggles of the Estonians as they first endure occupation by the Soviets and then by the Germans. Partisans, surviving in the forest, battle for their homeland. There is danger everywhere. Will Lydia and Katarina, and their companions survive?
‘Safe. There was no meaning in that word. It was an empty promise.’
I won’t write more about the story (I’m trying hard to avoid any spoilers). I liked the way in which Ms Chater wrote her story around the successive invasions of Estonia during World War II. The history supports the fiction without overpowering it. I could easily envisage the women knitting together, sharing their knowledge, unpicking and then reknitting the wool when no new wool was available. There’s a strength here, in sharing this tradition, a continuity in common purpose.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
June 18, 2025
Captivating and powerful historical fiction, set during WWII in Estonia.
This is a remarkable debut novel!
This is a remarkable debut novel!
January 7, 2018
The Lace Weaver by Lauren Chater - I recently won an advance copy of Lauren's debut novel which will be published by Simon and Schuster in April 2018. I couldn't put it down. It is a gut wrenching and beautiful story of tradition, love, war, fear and heartache. The knitting of shawls links the past to the present. The characters both good and bad spring off the page. They are beautifully drawn and the story arc is riveting with surprising twists and turns which kept me totally enthralled. There were times when I gasped and more than a few times when I cried. Lauren has skillfully woven historical facts into the story without distracting from the story line. I don't want to give anything away about the characters or the story, what I can say is this is an excellent read. Congratulations Lauren.
February 27, 2019
Each lace shawl begins and ends the same way – with a circle. Everything is connected with a thread as fine as gossamer, each life affected by what has come before it and what will come after ~ The Lace Weaver.
The Lace Weaver is a powerful story of war told through the experiences of women.
Beautifully written, the novel touched my heart and, long after I finished the book, left me thinking of two unforgettable images. The first image was that of a delicate shawl spreading over the shoulders of a woman, a woman burdened with sorrow, oppression and the fight for survival, not simply the fight for her own survival, but also that of the people she loves. The second image is that same shawl being pulled through a wedding ring, with the hope it will re-emerge triumphantly in its full glory. The shawl is the work of one individual woman, but its creation births through the agency of women who come together, sharing their skills and expertise, and the stories they tell one another. The finely woven threads of the shawl become stories in themselves, linking women from the present, and down the generations. They are threads of faith and love – of belief in the continuation of life.
In 1941, the people of Estonia are desperately struggling to survive the terrible subjugation and oppression of Stalin’s Russia. It is an oppression little hiding its intention to inflict genocide on the proud Estonian people. Then World War Two sees Russia pushed out by Germany – and the people of Estonia hope for better times, only to discover that one hard battle for survival is exchanged for yet another.
Chater tells the story of this time and place through the point of views of two different yet similar young women: Katarina and Lydia. Katarina is a proud Estonian and gifted shawl maker. Living on a farm with her parents, farmers forced to supply the occupying forces with the fruits of their labour, leaving very little for their own subsistence, Katarina must surmount tragedy and work out ways to keep the threads of her existence, and that of others, from fraying beyond repair.
Lydia is the daughter of a powerful and tyrannical Russian leader and his Estonian mistress. Wearing the treasured shawl of her mother, she runs away from the cold, brutal man she does not know is her father, leaving Russia to go to Estonia – pulled by the memories of love and her dead mother’s heritage.
Katarina and Lydia, who soon rejects her unwanted Russian blood for her Estonia birthright, bond in a deepening sense of sisterhood during a time of great heartbreak – both of them suffering great loss and witnessing the worst of what humans can do to one another.
All through the novel, the intricate and delicate Estonia shawl is used as a compelling writing device to bring together the threads of the story, symbolizing the strong connection between the women in the story, and women everywhere. It also symbolizes the fragility of life; life tested but which can still emerge unbroken and magnificent.
The Lace Weaver is impressive, powerful and skilfully told anti-war novel from an extremely gifted writer. I now look forward to reading more of Chater’s works.
Review first published in Issue 5 of Backstory: http://www.backstoryjournal.com.au/ca...
The Lace Weaver is a powerful story of war told through the experiences of women.
Beautifully written, the novel touched my heart and, long after I finished the book, left me thinking of two unforgettable images. The first image was that of a delicate shawl spreading over the shoulders of a woman, a woman burdened with sorrow, oppression and the fight for survival, not simply the fight for her own survival, but also that of the people she loves. The second image is that same shawl being pulled through a wedding ring, with the hope it will re-emerge triumphantly in its full glory. The shawl is the work of one individual woman, but its creation births through the agency of women who come together, sharing their skills and expertise, and the stories they tell one another. The finely woven threads of the shawl become stories in themselves, linking women from the present, and down the generations. They are threads of faith and love – of belief in the continuation of life.
In 1941, the people of Estonia are desperately struggling to survive the terrible subjugation and oppression of Stalin’s Russia. It is an oppression little hiding its intention to inflict genocide on the proud Estonian people. Then World War Two sees Russia pushed out by Germany – and the people of Estonia hope for better times, only to discover that one hard battle for survival is exchanged for yet another.
Chater tells the story of this time and place through the point of views of two different yet similar young women: Katarina and Lydia. Katarina is a proud Estonian and gifted shawl maker. Living on a farm with her parents, farmers forced to supply the occupying forces with the fruits of their labour, leaving very little for their own subsistence, Katarina must surmount tragedy and work out ways to keep the threads of her existence, and that of others, from fraying beyond repair.
Lydia is the daughter of a powerful and tyrannical Russian leader and his Estonian mistress. Wearing the treasured shawl of her mother, she runs away from the cold, brutal man she does not know is her father, leaving Russia to go to Estonia – pulled by the memories of love and her dead mother’s heritage.
Katarina and Lydia, who soon rejects her unwanted Russian blood for her Estonia birthright, bond in a deepening sense of sisterhood during a time of great heartbreak – both of them suffering great loss and witnessing the worst of what humans can do to one another.
All through the novel, the intricate and delicate Estonia shawl is used as a compelling writing device to bring together the threads of the story, symbolizing the strong connection between the women in the story, and women everywhere. It also symbolizes the fragility of life; life tested but which can still emerge unbroken and magnificent.
The Lace Weaver is impressive, powerful and skilfully told anti-war novel from an extremely gifted writer. I now look forward to reading more of Chater’s works.
Review first published in Issue 5 of Backstory: http://www.backstoryjournal.com.au/ca...
January 15, 2023
Being an avid reader of historical fiction set during World War Two, I was attracted to The Lace Weaver by the fact it is set in Estonia. Although I’ve visited Tallinn, I knew very little about Estonia’s history and certainly not about the period covered by the book during which the country was occupied by the Soviet Union and then by the Nazis with Germany initially being looked upon as Estonia’s saviour. As we learn, it didn’t work out like that.
First published in 2018, I doubt if Lauren Chater could have imagined at the time how the situation facing Estonia described in the novel – a small country threatened by a much more powerful neighbour whose stated aim is to bring it within its orbit – would have such similarities with the situation facing Ukraine today. Indeed, if applied to Ukraine, President Putin might well agree with Russian officer Lieutenant Lubov when he insists, ‘The Baltics have always belonged to Russia. She has just welcomed them back to the fold’.
Ostensibly Katarina and Lydia represent different sides of the conflict. Katarina, born and brought up in Estonia, is determined to ensure her country’s culture, such as the making of traditional lace shawls, survives for the day when Estonia is restored to independence. It also acts as a silent form of resistance when more active resistance brings only death. Lydia seemingly represents everything Estonia is fighting against, innocently absorbing the propaganda that Estonia is prospering under Soviet rule when, as we witness, the opposite is the case. Much of the population are starving having been robbed of their property as part of Stalin’s policy of collectivisation. Lydia has her own personal link to Estonia through her mother and her own reasons for wanting to flee Russia when she discovers the truth about her parentage. However, being a Russian in Estonia at that time brings its risks.
The author brings us moments of high drama as the worst excesses of both the Soviet and German occupations of Estonia play out. It starts with confiscation of property, travel restrictions and attempts to destroy the culture of the country, such as outlawing its language, and progresses to forced deportation, the persecution of Jews and other minorities, and eventually to mass murder and the horror of the concentration camps. There are scenes of brutality and cruelty that are hard to stomach, even more so because they are based on historical fact.
In time of war, it’s perhaps understandable that people will snatch at any chance of happiness. After all, who knows what tomorrow will bring or even if there will be a tomorrow? Katarina and Lydia both become involved in romantic relationships. I found Katarina’s more believable given that it developed from a childhood friendship into something more. Lydia’s was less credible being the product of a convenient chance encounter.
The book’s title is a bit of a misnomer as Estonian shawls of the kind featured in the book are knitted from wool not woven. Indeed, Kati and the other women themselves refer to their gatherings as ‘knitting circles’. Maybe ‘The Lace Knitter’ didn’t sound as good as a title? I found it difficult to visualise the lace patterns mentioned, which also form the chapter headings. It would have been helpful to have illustrations of them and while I’m at it perhaps a map of Estonia and a glossary too? This might have helped me appreciate the extent of the forest in which those displaced took shelter and which acted as the base for the Estonian partisans known as the Forest Brothers.
The Lace Weaver shines a light on events in a little known theatre of war. Those who like to be immersed in actual historical events will find much to appreciate in the book. And those who love an element of romance in their historical fiction won’t be disappointed either.
First published in 2018, I doubt if Lauren Chater could have imagined at the time how the situation facing Estonia described in the novel – a small country threatened by a much more powerful neighbour whose stated aim is to bring it within its orbit – would have such similarities with the situation facing Ukraine today. Indeed, if applied to Ukraine, President Putin might well agree with Russian officer Lieutenant Lubov when he insists, ‘The Baltics have always belonged to Russia. She has just welcomed them back to the fold’.
Ostensibly Katarina and Lydia represent different sides of the conflict. Katarina, born and brought up in Estonia, is determined to ensure her country’s culture, such as the making of traditional lace shawls, survives for the day when Estonia is restored to independence. It also acts as a silent form of resistance when more active resistance brings only death. Lydia seemingly represents everything Estonia is fighting against, innocently absorbing the propaganda that Estonia is prospering under Soviet rule when, as we witness, the opposite is the case. Much of the population are starving having been robbed of their property as part of Stalin’s policy of collectivisation. Lydia has her own personal link to Estonia through her mother and her own reasons for wanting to flee Russia when she discovers the truth about her parentage. However, being a Russian in Estonia at that time brings its risks.
The author brings us moments of high drama as the worst excesses of both the Soviet and German occupations of Estonia play out. It starts with confiscation of property, travel restrictions and attempts to destroy the culture of the country, such as outlawing its language, and progresses to forced deportation, the persecution of Jews and other minorities, and eventually to mass murder and the horror of the concentration camps. There are scenes of brutality and cruelty that are hard to stomach, even more so because they are based on historical fact.
In time of war, it’s perhaps understandable that people will snatch at any chance of happiness. After all, who knows what tomorrow will bring or even if there will be a tomorrow? Katarina and Lydia both become involved in romantic relationships. I found Katarina’s more believable given that it developed from a childhood friendship into something more. Lydia’s was less credible being the product of a convenient chance encounter.
The book’s title is a bit of a misnomer as Estonian shawls of the kind featured in the book are knitted from wool not woven. Indeed, Kati and the other women themselves refer to their gatherings as ‘knitting circles’. Maybe ‘The Lace Knitter’ didn’t sound as good as a title? I found it difficult to visualise the lace patterns mentioned, which also form the chapter headings. It would have been helpful to have illustrations of them and while I’m at it perhaps a map of Estonia and a glossary too? This might have helped me appreciate the extent of the forest in which those displaced took shelter and which acted as the base for the Estonian partisans known as the Forest Brothers.
The Lace Weaver shines a light on events in a little known theatre of war. Those who like to be immersed in actual historical events will find much to appreciate in the book. And those who love an element of romance in their historical fiction won’t be disappointed either.
April 21, 2018
4.5 Stars. I can’t believe it’s a debut but I wasn’t surprised to learn there was a little sprinkling of Fiona McIntosh’s magic to be found in it (thanks to a masterclass). I love Fiona and there was something about Lauren’s book that set off everything I enjoy. Strong female characters set back in time (in this case during WWII), action, suspense, romance, sadness, family, history, mystery. I must say I have never read a book about Estonia nor did I know anything about Estonian lace shawls. It was an education I was pleased to receive while reading a book I absolutely enjoyed. Well done TeamS&S and congrats to Lauren for writing an entertaining, interesting and wonderfully good work of historical fiction.
July 4, 2019
What a beautiful book. It's hard to believe that The Lace Weaver is Lauren Chater's debut book; how deftly she weaves her spellbinding tale of an Estonian family during the Russian Occupation and then, the Second World War.
Chater is a natural storyteller; the landscape of her story springs vividly to life and her characters are wondrously frail human creatures who you can't help but treasure.
The Lace Weaver is easily one of the finest books I have read this year, and I am only annoyed that it took me so long to pick it up. I am now impatient for Chater's next novel, Gulliver's Wife to hit the shelves. If it is anything like The Lace Weaver it will be a perfect example of magical storytelling. Bravo, Lauren.
Chater is a natural storyteller; the landscape of her story springs vividly to life and her characters are wondrously frail human creatures who you can't help but treasure.
The Lace Weaver is easily one of the finest books I have read this year, and I am only annoyed that it took me so long to pick it up. I am now impatient for Chater's next novel, Gulliver's Wife to hit the shelves. If it is anything like The Lace Weaver it will be a perfect example of magical storytelling. Bravo, Lauren.
August 9, 2018
The Lace Weaver (Simon & Schuster 2018), the debut novel by Lauren Chater, begins: ‘They say Estonia has five seasons. Bitter winter. Pale spring. Autumn, when the forests are carpeted with mushrooms. Summer, with its blue cloudless skies and rich harvest of fruit. Lastly, my favourite: the thaw.’ Beautiful imagery to start us on this journey. This prologue is the only time we hear from Elina, although she is a constant presence throughout this story of love, war, grief, sacrifice and struggle. Elina’s granddaughter, Katarina, is keeping alive the family tradition and skill of lace weaving, creating beautiful gossamer-fine shawls with distinct and unique patterns. Kati narrates alternating chapters of the book as she describes her life in rural Estonia with her brother, Jakob, and their parents, as they struggle to make ends meet under the Soviet occupation of 1941. The second narrator, Lydia, the daughter of a prominent and important Soviet leader, tells her story from a perspective of privilege and means. Lydia and her companion, Olga, both miss Lydia’s Estonian mother, who died too young, and find it difficult to live up to the expectations of her strict father.
These two girls – or young women – are strong protagonists in a well-crafted tale. Both face differences of opinions with their parents, albeit for different reasons. Both have chaste romances – Kati with local boy Oskar, and Lydia with student Joachim – which are threatened by the approaching events of war. Both must find it within themselves to brave the onslaught of deprivation, violence and discrimination coming first from the Russian soldiers, and then from the German Nazis who they had hoped would liberate their country but instead bring only more of the same trouble.
Kati and Lydia are engaging and well-drawn characters. I did find their voices somewhat similar, which sometimes made it difficult to distinguish them, but perhaps this was the author’s intention – to draw parallels between these two young women of very different backgrounds and to alert us to their similarities and the commonalities that bind them together. Their families of origin, their relationships with other friends and family members, and their place in their communities was depicted with clear-eyed detail. The research devoted to this book is obvious, although never heavy-handed or shown off. But I certainly learnt a lot about lace-making, about the relentless push of Stalin’s Red Army, about the tiny country of Estonia and its culture and traditions, and about the Forest Brothers, resistance fighters who courageously defied both the Russian and the German occupying powers.
The two other main characters in the story, Oskar and Jakob, were less of a presence in the first part of the book, and I felt I didn’t know them – or like them – as well as the women. But as the story developed and we learnt more about their characters, they too became an integral part of the story, and by the end, I cared very much about both of them.
The book is full of beautiful imagery and metaphor, the most obvious being the gorgeous lace shawls and their patterns, which begin each chapter. But there is also the image of the wolf, a touchstone for Kati in memory of her grandmother, which appears throughout the novel. The many themes explored include the bonds between women, and between mothers and their children, the vulnerability and innocence of youth, the indomitable spirit and pride of nationalism, the spark of desire and romance despite the odds of circumstance, and the ties of friendship in times of trauma.
The Lace Weaver is an easy to read story that traverses a period of great turmoil in history and shines a light on a small part of the world that many of us probably know little about. Although this is a work of fiction, I feel I know Estonia a little better, and certainly understand its history and its people on a deeper level.
These two girls – or young women – are strong protagonists in a well-crafted tale. Both face differences of opinions with their parents, albeit for different reasons. Both have chaste romances – Kati with local boy Oskar, and Lydia with student Joachim – which are threatened by the approaching events of war. Both must find it within themselves to brave the onslaught of deprivation, violence and discrimination coming first from the Russian soldiers, and then from the German Nazis who they had hoped would liberate their country but instead bring only more of the same trouble.
Kati and Lydia are engaging and well-drawn characters. I did find their voices somewhat similar, which sometimes made it difficult to distinguish them, but perhaps this was the author’s intention – to draw parallels between these two young women of very different backgrounds and to alert us to their similarities and the commonalities that bind them together. Their families of origin, their relationships with other friends and family members, and their place in their communities was depicted with clear-eyed detail. The research devoted to this book is obvious, although never heavy-handed or shown off. But I certainly learnt a lot about lace-making, about the relentless push of Stalin’s Red Army, about the tiny country of Estonia and its culture and traditions, and about the Forest Brothers, resistance fighters who courageously defied both the Russian and the German occupying powers.
The two other main characters in the story, Oskar and Jakob, were less of a presence in the first part of the book, and I felt I didn’t know them – or like them – as well as the women. But as the story developed and we learnt more about their characters, they too became an integral part of the story, and by the end, I cared very much about both of them.
The book is full of beautiful imagery and metaphor, the most obvious being the gorgeous lace shawls and their patterns, which begin each chapter. But there is also the image of the wolf, a touchstone for Kati in memory of her grandmother, which appears throughout the novel. The many themes explored include the bonds between women, and between mothers and their children, the vulnerability and innocence of youth, the indomitable spirit and pride of nationalism, the spark of desire and romance despite the odds of circumstance, and the ties of friendship in times of trauma.
The Lace Weaver is an easy to read story that traverses a period of great turmoil in history and shines a light on a small part of the world that many of us probably know little about. Although this is a work of fiction, I feel I know Estonia a little better, and certainly understand its history and its people on a deeper level.
September 6, 2018
The Lace Weaver by Lauren Chater is an interesting, informative and intricately woven Historical Fiction story set in Estonia during war time.
It's a beautifully written dark, haunting tale about weaving and knitting patterns into white, lace shawls; an occupation some women partook, starting a knitting circle as they waited for war and winter to pass.
The thaw, the foxes, snow sleds... soldiers, bloodshed and terror.
Everything starts with a circle and the finished weaving must fit through something as small as a gold wedding ring; to be so fine!
Each thread of this story brings everyone closer to their grandmother and the traditions still held true until this day.
* I'm also listening to the Audio edition of this Book, The Lace Weaver - which I also recommend for readers of this book as they blend really well together and is expertly narrated by Arianwen Parkes Lockwood and produced by Wave Sound.
It's a beautifully written dark, haunting tale about weaving and knitting patterns into white, lace shawls; an occupation some women partook, starting a knitting circle as they waited for war and winter to pass.
The thaw, the foxes, snow sleds... soldiers, bloodshed and terror.
Everything starts with a circle and the finished weaving must fit through something as small as a gold wedding ring; to be so fine!
Each thread of this story brings everyone closer to their grandmother and the traditions still held true until this day.
* I'm also listening to the Audio edition of this Book, The Lace Weaver - which I also recommend for readers of this book as they blend really well together and is expertly narrated by Arianwen Parkes Lockwood and produced by Wave Sound.
April 24, 2018
Should have been tagged YA, or younger. I cannot recommend this to an adult reader.
The many 5 star ratings convinced me to read this, I fail to find a reason for why I finished reading it.
The many 5 star ratings convinced me to read this, I fail to find a reason for why I finished reading it.
June 9, 2018
This was a fascinating and sad story of life in Estonia in 1941. I found it really interesting as I don’t know a lot about Estonia’s difficult history and will be travelling there in a few months.
September 30, 2023
3.5 stars
Listened to the audiobook on BorrowBox
Published by Wavesound from W.F. Howes Ltd
Narrated by Arianwen Parkes-Lockwood
Duration: 14 hrs, 30 min. 1.50x Speed
Listened to the audiobook on BorrowBox
Published by Wavesound from W.F. Howes Ltd
Narrated by Arianwen Parkes-Lockwood
Duration: 14 hrs, 30 min. 1.50x Speed
August 16, 2019
Kui kirjanik otsustab hakata kirjutama maast, mida ta ei tunne, võtab ta endale suure riski. Näib, nagu pole vahet, kus tegevus toimub, kuid kui tuua sisse ajalugu, siis eeldab see nii maa kui rahva head tundmist. Austraalia kirjanik Lauren Chater avastas Haapsalu sallid ja otsustas kirjutada Eestist raamatu. Ta tegi ära tohutu eeltöö ja uuris erinevat ajaloolist kirjandust ning sündis raamat "Pitsikuduja". Olin sellest raamatust eelnevalt üht-teist kuulnud, kuid võtsin siiski raamatu kätte eelarvamustevabalt. Kui autor ütleb, et Eestis on viis aastaaega, siis olgu, kuigi viiendast aastaajast räägitaks vist ainult Soomaal. Igaks juhuks ütlen, et ärge edasi lugege, kui tahate lugeda puhta lehena, sest minu porisemine võib teilt lugemisrõõmu võtta.
Esimese ehmatuse osaliseks sain, kui nägin Eesti kaarti raamatu alguses: Eesti oli ilma saarteta! Ma ei tea, kas selline kaart oli vaid eestikeelsel raamatul või oli see ka originaalis, kuid mulle kui hiidlasele jättis see ebameeldiva tunde.
Lugu ise kajastab aastat 1941. Kui võtta seda kui kahe naise lugu, siis on see täitsa loetav, aga kui tahta tutvust teha Eesti ja Eesti ajalooga, siis lähevad asjad lappama. Ajalugu oli justkui teksti vahele pandud, nii et jäi pigem sellise didaktilise materjali lugemise tunne. Samas oli ajalooga üsna vabalt ringi käidud, nii et päris õiget pilti siit ei saa. Õiget pilti ei saa ka eestlaste elust. No see, et eestlased kodus vene keelt rääkisid, ei ole ju õige. Samuti on raske uskuda, et taluperes, kus kasvatatakse lambaid, saab igasugune lõng täiesti otsa, samuti oli maal ikka midagi süüa, eriti tol ajal, nii et näljas olid pigem linnainimesed. Samuti häiris mind kirjeldus küüditamise eest põgenemisest, mida tehti pilkases pimeduses, kuid paari nädala pärast kuulutas Saksamaa Nõukogude Liidule sõja, mis tähendas, et see põgenemine metsas pidi toimuma juuni alguses, kui ööd on üsna lühikesed ja valged. Ka raamatu lõpus, kui plaaniti Eestist põgeneda, kohtas mitmeid ebaloogilisusi: paadiga viidi inimesi üle pimedatel öödel, st kuu loomise ajal. Seega tundub üsna kohatu Helmuti lause, et lootke, et homme öösel kuu välja ei tule. Sel ajal teati ikka täpselt, millal kuu luuakse ja millal on kuu taevas, ootamatult kuu loomise ajal see ju taevasse ei tule. Hoopis üllatav oli, kui põgenemise jaoks toodi lihtsa kelgu asemel sisse koerarakend. Tegelikult häiris mind ka Kati liigne omanikutunne nii oma venna, täditütre kui ka viimase lapse suhtes. Oeh, aitab vist küll porisemisest.
Muidugi on hinnatav, et maailma teises otsas elav inimene on Haapsalu salli au sisse tõstnud, kuid Eesti ja eestlaste tutvustamiseks oleks tulnud veidi veel vaeva näha.
Esimese ehmatuse osaliseks sain, kui nägin Eesti kaarti raamatu alguses: Eesti oli ilma saarteta! Ma ei tea, kas selline kaart oli vaid eestikeelsel raamatul või oli see ka originaalis, kuid mulle kui hiidlasele jättis see ebameeldiva tunde.
Lugu ise kajastab aastat 1941. Kui võtta seda kui kahe naise lugu, siis on see täitsa loetav, aga kui tahta tutvust teha Eesti ja Eesti ajalooga, siis lähevad asjad lappama. Ajalugu oli justkui teksti vahele pandud, nii et jäi pigem sellise didaktilise materjali lugemise tunne. Samas oli ajalooga üsna vabalt ringi käidud, nii et päris õiget pilti siit ei saa. Õiget pilti ei saa ka eestlaste elust. No see, et eestlased kodus vene keelt rääkisid, ei ole ju õige. Samuti on raske uskuda, et taluperes, kus kasvatatakse lambaid, saab igasugune lõng täiesti otsa, samuti oli maal ikka midagi süüa, eriti tol ajal, nii et näljas olid pigem linnainimesed. Samuti häiris mind kirjeldus küüditamise eest põgenemisest, mida tehti pilkases pimeduses, kuid paari nädala pärast kuulutas Saksamaa Nõukogude Liidule sõja, mis tähendas, et see põgenemine metsas pidi toimuma juuni alguses, kui ööd on üsna lühikesed ja valged. Ka raamatu lõpus, kui plaaniti Eestist põgeneda, kohtas mitmeid ebaloogilisusi: paadiga viidi inimesi üle pimedatel öödel, st kuu loomise ajal. Seega tundub üsna kohatu Helmuti lause, et lootke, et homme öösel kuu välja ei tule. Sel ajal teati ikka täpselt, millal kuu luuakse ja millal on kuu taevas, ootamatult kuu loomise ajal see ju taevasse ei tule. Hoopis üllatav oli, kui põgenemise jaoks toodi lihtsa kelgu asemel sisse koerarakend. Tegelikult häiris mind ka Kati liigne omanikutunne nii oma venna, täditütre kui ka viimase lapse suhtes. Oeh, aitab vist küll porisemisest.
Muidugi on hinnatav, et maailma teises otsas elav inimene on Haapsalu salli au sisse tõstnud, kuid Eesti ja eestlaste tutvustamiseks oleks tulnud veidi veel vaeva näha.
February 5, 2018
Thanks Simon & Schuster (Australia) and netgalley for this ARC.
A young girl who can't forget her grandmother, pain of occupation, and so much more. This novel is a epic.
A young girl who can't forget her grandmother, pain of occupation, and so much more. This novel is a epic.
April 6, 2018
I finished reading this book while sitting on a commuter train trying to hide my tears from fellow passengers. To create such beauty out of such horror is a rare skill, and one that debut author, Lauren Chater, possesses in spades.
At its heart, The Lace Weaver is a story about preserving the culture of women in the midst of war. Set in World War II, there's a whole war going on across Europe but we experience the war only through the eyes of a dozen women - part of a lace knitting circle - in Tartu, a small town in Estonia.
I feel like women's history - particularly of their war experience - is being brought to life more and more through wonderful novels like this.
I love the way childbirth and childrearing take centre stage and in such a realistic way. There is no heroic pregnant woman recovering quickly to take up arms. There is blood flow to be staunched in the days following the birth, and a baby - Leelo - who interrupts conversations with her needs and must be cared for despite being surrounded by battling armies.
Most powerfully, I had the strong feeling that this is not just a story about a war that was fought more than 70 years ago. This is now. This is the Rohingya. This is Syria. When we speak of refugees, these are their stories.
As the narrator tells us, The Lace Weaver is about 'the women who did not have a voice'. This passage still sends shivers up my spine:
At its heart, The Lace Weaver is a story about preserving the culture of women in the midst of war. Set in World War II, there's a whole war going on across Europe but we experience the war only through the eyes of a dozen women - part of a lace knitting circle - in Tartu, a small town in Estonia.
I feel like women's history - particularly of their war experience - is being brought to life more and more through wonderful novels like this.
I love the way childbirth and childrearing take centre stage and in such a realistic way. There is no heroic pregnant woman recovering quickly to take up arms. There is blood flow to be staunched in the days following the birth, and a baby - Leelo - who interrupts conversations with her needs and must be cared for despite being surrounded by battling armies.
Most powerfully, I had the strong feeling that this is not just a story about a war that was fought more than 70 years ago. This is now. This is the Rohingya. This is Syria. When we speak of refugees, these are their stories.
As the narrator tells us, The Lace Weaver is about 'the women who did not have a voice'. This passage still sends shivers up my spine:
Half her face was gone, blown away by the grenade she must have detonated to kill the Russian attackers... I rubbed the ashes on the skin at my wrists and the back of my hands. I will not forget you, I promised them... All the people who had shown us kindness this past week and shared our meals and our stories. The women who did not have a voice, whose lives and heritage had been ripped away. [Emphasis added]
February 13, 2018
I first came across Lauren Chater through her cookie-themed book reviews at The Well Read Cookie and started following her writing journey. I was mildly envious when she went on a research trip to Estonia, excited when I heard that her historical novel The Lace Weaver was accepted for publication, and thrilled when I received a copy for review.
A moving and evocative tale of war and woe, love and betrayal, fighting for rights and acceptance of the status quo, loss and hope, it's set in Estonia during WWII. The stories of two young women are deftly woven together, creating a rich, layered and memorable tale. There's heart-breaking conflict and heart-warming hope - and for me, that's a winning combo.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the ARC.
A moving and evocative tale of war and woe, love and betrayal, fighting for rights and acceptance of the status quo, loss and hope, it's set in Estonia during WWII. The stories of two young women are deftly woven together, creating a rich, layered and memorable tale. There's heart-breaking conflict and heart-warming hope - and for me, that's a winning combo.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the ARC.
August 25, 2018
The novel (a first by Australian writer, Chater) is set in Estonia during the second world war. That was interesting as it covered aspects of that conflict I hadn’t known about before. I also found the lace making of the title interesting, particularly in the way it showed women’s skills and the way that survival of this traditional craft mirrored the strength and survival of the Estonian people.
The focus of the novel alternates between two women, Estonian Katarina and Russian Lydia. I simply couldn’t believe in Lydia, her experiences or decisions and as the story continued, it became predictable and lost its appeal for me.
The focus of the novel alternates between two women, Estonian Katarina and Russian Lydia. I simply couldn’t believe in Lydia, her experiences or decisions and as the story continued, it became predictable and lost its appeal for me.
April 15, 2018
This was a heartbreaking and moving story of a time in Estonia during the second world war where they were caught between being occupied by Russia or Germany, neither a good choice for the country or the people. It was a history I knew nothing about, not just the occupation and the forest resistance people, but also the culture and the lace making that was part of their heritage. The strength these people had to survive despite everything they had been through is just incredible. A story of family, friendship and survival that I found I had to keep reading.
March 28, 2018
ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review
The Lace Weaver is a beautifully told story of love and loss in occupied Estonia during WW2, and it had me enthralled right from the very start.
It was nice to get into something other than the light fluffy romance - that I absolutely adore - and dig my nails into something like this story. I have read a few stories set in WW2 lately, and it is refreshing to come across a book as unique as The Lace Weaver.
Kati and Lydia's lives are so different, but also so similar. Their stories are seamlessly interwoven, just like the beautiful shawls that are part of the Estonian culture. I googled them, I want one!
Ms Chater has written a beautiful story of love, loss, bravery and strength, and I really am looking forward to what she brings us in the future.
The Lace Weaver is a beautifully told story of love and loss in occupied Estonia during WW2, and it had me enthralled right from the very start.
It was nice to get into something other than the light fluffy romance - that I absolutely adore - and dig my nails into something like this story. I have read a few stories set in WW2 lately, and it is refreshing to come across a book as unique as The Lace Weaver.
Kati and Lydia's lives are so different, but also so similar. Their stories are seamlessly interwoven, just like the beautiful shawls that are part of the Estonian culture. I googled them, I want one!
Ms Chater has written a beautiful story of love, loss, bravery and strength, and I really am looking forward to what she brings us in the future.
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