JULY 2021 - AudioFile
Siobhan Redmond narrates Clare Hunter’s thoughts on how her experience as a community textile artist fits into the history of textile artistry. Redmond uses an even pace and tone for academic details, such as the origin of a medieval tapestry, and speeds up and adds vocal variety when describing Hunter’s excitement at seeing such notable works up close. A variety of stories spanning centuries and continents highlights sewing as a form of communication, protest, protection, and even navigation. Redmond changes her voice to emphasize the moving nature of these stories. For example, she delivers a chant from the women’s suffrage movement in a singsong intonation and lowers her volume to express empathy for the tragic stories told by many textiles. A.L.C. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
Radio Times
A blend of history and memoir, the book roves across centuries and continents to reveal how sewing has played a crucial part in our lives - from courts and battlefields to prisons and drawing rooms... Many of the stories in Threads of Life are heart-breaking...This beautiful, moving book makes you want to rush out and grab a needle.
The Bookseller
Hunter's non-fiction debut reframes needlework as a powerful and political medium . . . Threads of Life is a compelling and beautifully written account of how marginalised peoples throughout history have used the language of sewing, embroidery and textiles to tell their neglected stories.
The Sunday Times (London) - Christina Patterson
An astonishing feat, this patchwork of history, culture, and politics, which takes us from Saxon England to colonized African tribes, Palestinian villages, rural China and the cramped homes of American slaves. … Hunter writes in clear, sometimes lyrical prose and knows just the detail to bring a story alive. Her highly impressive debut is a richly textured and moving record of a history that has largely been lost.
Girl With a Pearl Earring - Tracy Chevalier
Threads of Life is a beautifully considered book that reminds us of how much sewing plays a crucial part in expressing the many facets of our lives. Clare Hunter has managed to mix the personal with the political with moving results. Reading it made me pick up my needle with a new perspective.
The Herald (Scotland)
A celebration of the power of thread … By unpicking the seams of the clothes on our backs, Clare Hunter has brought to light elements of history that have languished in our collective attic for far too long. Threads Of Life is a terrific book.
The Mail on Sunday
Triumphant … crammed with vivid anecdotes and colourful snippets of fascinating information, Hunter’s debut is an inspiration to anyone who has ever thought of picking up a needle and thread.
From the Publisher
A celebration of the power of thread … By unpicking the seams of the clothes on our backs, Clare Hunter has brought to light elements of history that have languished in our collective attic for far too long. Threads Of Life is a terrific book.”—The Herald (Scotland)
“An astonishing feat, this patchwork of history, culture, and politics, which takes us from Saxon England to colonized African tribes, Palestinian villages, rural China and the cramped homes of American slaves. … Hunter writes in clear, sometimes lyrical prose and knows just the detail to bring a story alive. Her highly impressive debut is a richly textured and moving record of a history that has largely been lost.”—Christina Patterson, The Sunday Times (London)
“Triumphant … crammed with vivid anecdotes and colourful snippets of fascinating information, Hunter’s debut is an inspiration to anyone who has ever thought of picking up a needle and thread.”—The Mail on Sunday
“Hunter's non-fiction debut reframes needlework as a powerful and political medium . . . Threads of Life is a compelling and beautifully written account of how marginalised peoples throughout history have used the language of sewing, embroidery and textiles to tell their neglected stories.”—The Bookseller
“Threads of Life is a beautifully considered book that reminds us of how much sewing plays a crucial part in expressing the many facets of our lives. Clare Hunter has managed to mix the personal with the political with moving results. Reading it made me pick up my needle with a new perspective.”—Tracy Chevalier, Girl With a Pearl Earring
“A blend of history and memoir, the book roves across centuries and continents to reveal how sewing has played a crucial part in our lives - from courts and battlefields to prisons and drawing rooms... Many of the stories in Threads of Life are heart-breaking...This beautiful, moving book makes you want to rush out and grab a needle.”—Radio Times
JULY 2021 - AudioFile
Siobhan Redmond narrates Clare Hunter’s thoughts on how her experience as a community textile artist fits into the history of textile artistry. Redmond uses an even pace and tone for academic details, such as the origin of a medieval tapestry, and speeds up and adds vocal variety when describing Hunter’s excitement at seeing such notable works up close. A variety of stories spanning centuries and continents highlights sewing as a form of communication, protest, protection, and even navigation. Redmond changes her voice to emphasize the moving nature of these stories. For example, she delivers a chant from the women’s suffrage movement in a singsong intonation and lowers her volume to express empathy for the tragic stories told by many textiles. A.L.C. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
