A USA Today Bestseller!”The Girl Who Wrote in Silk is a beautiful story that brought me to tears more than once, and was a testament to the endurance of the human spirit and the human heart. A powerful debut that proves the threads that interweave our lives can withstand time and any tide, and bind our hearts forever.”-Susanna Kearsley, New York Times bestselling authorInspired by true events, … Times bestselling author
Inspired by true events, Kelli Estes’s brilliant and atmospheric novel serves as a poignant tale of two women determined to do the right thing, and the power of our own stories.
The smallest items can hold centuries of secrets…
Inara Erickson is exploring her deceased aunt’s island estate when she finds an elaborately stitched piece of fabric hidden in the house. As she peels back layer upon layer of the secrets it holds, Inara’s life becomes interwoven with that of Mei Lein, a young Chinese girl mysteriously driven from her home a century before. Through the stories Mei Lein tells in silk, Inara uncovers a tragic truth that will shake her family to its core — and force her to make an impossible choice.
“A touching and tender story about discovering the past to bring peace to the present.”— Duncan Jepson, author of All the Flowers in Shanghai
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What a beautifully written story! The book is set mostly in Orcas Island and Seattle, Washington in two different time periods and two connected families.
When current day Anora inherits an estate from her great-aunt, she must make a decision to sell or keep the home. She is inspired to redesign the home into a boutique hotel, but must depend on her father for the funds. During the repairs Anora discovers a hidden sleeve of elaborately embroidered silk. So as she attempts to trace the history of the silk, the home, and early settlers of the island, an heartbreaking truth emerges.
Kelli Estes writes of a haunting time period of history for the west coast. The characters will remain in your thoughts after you have put the book back on the shelf.
The smallest item can hold secrets. A small piece of fabric is found and then
the secrets start to unfold. It is the story of how the past can affect the present. A really good mystery that brings you to tears but a story you have to keep reading until you know the ending.
A historical fiction worth reading.
I had no idea this kind of treatment of the Chinese went on in the Seattle area. This girl was tough, loveable and strong. A terrific read!
I don’t always love a book that goes back and forth from present to the past, while connecting the two. However, this book was an exceptionable book because as I was reading the present, I couldn’t wait to get back to the past. Incredible book that taught me about the never talked about or learned subject of The Chinese Exclusion Act of May 6, 1882, which truly was horrific treatment of the Chinese in many states in the West but this book centers on Washington State. It amazes me that so many “white” people considered them to be trash, wouldn’t look at them, and considered themselves so much more superior than the Chinese. I think of so many other ethnicities that protest that protest today about their ancestor’s treatment and I never hear of the Chinese demanding some type of retribution. Yes, there is a love story or two in this book, both wonderfully portrayed and how generations later, peace is achieved.
i loved this book. wonderful charcters. informative,
This book is sad as it is tragic. The characters are painted in an array of colors from the chinese girl to the evil villain. I loved piecing together the mystery of who was this girl and why …
I was a little leary the way the book started out but it got more interesting as it progressed. Enjoyed it!
Beautiful mystery/love story
Loved this book – what a masterful story. I really liked the characters and the imagery, even set in such a tragic place in history. Moving between a present-day love story and a family saga set in the late 1800s kept it from being too fluffy or too depressing. The contrasts, in the beginning, are startling, but by the end, they are seamed together beautifully, just as the storylines meet. Powerful debut. Look forward to what’s next from this writer.
Created awareness of anti-Chinese movement in California. Story is fiction but based on some facts.
Educaitonal
Author lost me at the end. Glad she tried to understand Chinese culture. Didn’t work for me.
All you need in a deep and moving good read
LOVED THE BOOK.
Loved the historical backdrop.
Great historical fiction. I learned about the persecution of the Chinese is America, something I never learned in school. Mei Lien was a wonderful character.
A good story with great characters. A totally enjoyable read.
I picked up this book because of the advertised connection to embroidery, and was not disappointed, but there is so much more here. History that I didn’t know about, and wonderful characters. Looking forward to her next book.
I didn’t want this book to end!