Today I am reviewing The Tapestry of Grace A Novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer. Out on April 18th.
Blurb
A Mennonite widower struggling to raise his mischievous boys becomes the unwilling target of the well-intentioned women’s benevolent society in this heartwarming romance inspired by historical events-from the bestselling author of Freedom’s Song.
After reading about the popularity in New York of the Frauenverein, a benevolent society dedicated to caring for German widows and orphans, the women of a Mennonite community in Alexandertol, Kansas, eagerly organize their own group and begin to identify the individuals most in need of their assistance.
Schoolteacher Augusta Dyck is particularly grateful to have meaningful work to occupy her time when classes are closed for planting season, and she’s certain the quiet and reserved widower Konrad Rempel and his two young twin boys should be high on the list of people to receive help, even if he doesn’t quite agree. Martina Krahn, who founded the community’s Frauenverein, is thankful the society gives her a reason to spend less time in her own unhappy home. And if it means she might find a young boy in need of a family to adopt and answer her husband’s desire for a son, all the better.
Will the women’s outreach be the unexpected answer to Konrad’s prayers about his boys and his heart? Will the members of this Mennonite community find the answer to their prayers in one another–or will their conflicting agendas lead only to fresh heartache?
My Review
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
This book is set late 1800’s with a Town Community in Kansas of most people who have immigrated from Russia. They are a Mennonite community. The book features 3 main characters, School Teacher Augusta, Widower with twin boys Konrad, and Martina who would dearly love a child.
The book starts with Marina’s dream to start a community’s Frauenverein (Benevolent society) to help widows and orphans. Her hope is to find an orphan who needs a home. Augusta can see that Konrad needs some help but do the others agree? Konrad also has his own problems he is praying about.
Martina is the character that can be quite harsh. She can come across as brash and controlling but there is a reason for her thinking. The more we read the more we learn why she is how she is. I found I felt for her in so many ways.
Konrad is still grieving his wife who died in childbirth leaving him 3-year-old twins who are now 8. They are busy boys who do what boys do. He can see he needs help and comes up with a solution he hopes will be the answer to prayer
Augusta is a widow with an 11-year-old daughter and a school teacher. She has a heart for children and can see the twins need extra help.
Reading the 3 different points of view was interesting, it was clear who was who and it was good seeing what they were thinking. It really helped to understand the characters and what makes them tick. On the surface we see a person and may judge them as being brash or rude but we often don’t stop to think is there a reason. Sometimes its just who they are but other times there are reasons. Seeing the reasons really helped understand the characters.
It was easy to read, and I just wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next. I would love to read more about this community and to see what happens next although the ending was good. This book up in the top books I have read this year.
Yeah, this one is at my library. I’ve just put a hold on it. Sounds good. Thanks, Jenny.
Hi Dienece I am so glad I got to read it as I learnt stuff but also got to know the characters. I like a variety of books.
Dear Kenny, thank you for this review. It sounds very interesting. It is one I will keep in mind. I have found information about Mennonite people very interesting. We had a gentleman we knew quite well who had grown up in a Mennonite community near the Black Sea. His family had migrated to Canada and he later came to Australia. He was led to become a missionary to Japan. This all happened about the time war broke out and was taken prisoner of war. He did serve in Japan after the war and we met him after his missionary service. He and his wife were lovely people. She predeceased him and he died just a couple of years ago at 104. He was still attending Christian Conventions at 100.