The Lace Weaver

Lauren Chater, in The Lace Weaver, has written a compelling story about small communities being overpowered by war and the determination of the women as they struggle to protect their families and attempt to survive.

In 1940 Russia re-invaded Estonia and incorporated the country into part of the Soviet Union. By 1941 Estonia had virtually lost its identity and its people struggled to survive. Kati, determined to help the women maintain some of the traditions of Estonia, establishes a circle of women who regularly meet to knit traditional lace shawls, sing traditional songs and provide support for each other.

Kati lives with and helps her parents on a farm outside Tartu while her brother, Jacob, attends university. Then her friend Oskar arrives at the farm warning them that they are no longer safe and should relocate to the Forest.

Meanwhile in Moscow, Lydia remembered the stories about Estonia told to her by her mother before she died when Lydia was a young girl. Lydia knew she needed to escape Moscow and, with the aid of Olga, travels to Estonia. There she discovers only turmoil but also meets Etti who takes her to her friends, including Kati.

When the Germans invade Estonia in 1941 it is hoped that they will allow the Estonians to live their own lives but it is soon obvious that one tyrannical power has been replaced by another.

This is a book about small communities, particularly women, caught up in war. Alternate chapters tell the story from the viewpoint of Kati or Lydia and eventually their individual stories become one story. The knitting of lace shawls - a traditional craft in Estonia - weaves its way throughout the stories of horror encountered by the women. Each chapter heading contains the name of a traditional pattern used to make shawls. The shawls become the stories of the women and are precious over generations. A book well worth reading.

Book review: The Lace Weaver - Backstory

Estonia profile - Timeline - BBC