Midwest Writer Publishes Historical Novel
Award-winning author P. L. Reid published the highly anticipated historical novel The Weaver's Loom in October 2010. The Weaver's Loom is a story about the special bond between Gypsies and Jews, of which the Gypsies, and a good many Jews, are keenly aware. Reid grew up on Pigeon Hill, a community of Hungarian and Romanian immigrants in Aurora, Illinois, where she uncovered her own Hungarian Jewish heritage - a secret kept hidden for three generations.
A story about forgiveness, The Weaver's Loom explores the struggles of two beautiful cultures, bound together by the great human tragedy, the Holocaust. This is no political novel. It is an illumination of an enduring friendship between two unlikely women with an indomitable will to live. "This is material everyone should know," proclaims author Joan Afman.
Reviews
"I've never read historical fiction before, so I had no idea what to expect. I absolutely loved this book. The story wraps the history of Jews and Rroma gypsies together, tying their plight to escape Nazi born extermination tightly--and the connections are many. As someone that had no background knowledge of the thriving gypsy community in Hungary-- and the hostilities they faced, cultural beliefs they held--I found this to be absolutely fascinating.
It's tragic. Heart wrenching...I have no words. You have to read it to believe--even then it's beyond comprehension.
The two main characters, Eva (a young Jewish woman, well respected in her community)and Izabel (a gypsy, shunned from society)come together forming a bond tighter than most bound by blood. Both face trials that would shatter most, and make decisions that seem impossibly unfair. Just when you think you can't take another page...a ray of sun peeks out and you keep going.
If you have an affinity for Sophie's Choice--read this.
If you like history, particularly WWII--read this.
If you want a good cry--read this.
If you want to believe that things happen for a reason, and there is always hope--READ THIS!"
E. B. Loan,
Killer On The Key
Opals & Rubies
"When I read the opening scene of The Weaver’s Loom, I recalled having first read it as a contest entry for ‘Beginnings.’ It is the perfect example of beginning a book at a pivotal moment that doesn’t include going into a dramatic car chase, or the excitement of exploding bombs, which seems to be expected in today’s U.S. [novels]."
JoEllen Conger,
Conger Books Reviews
Review Rate 5+
"This book is an exceptionally well-written story of Hungarian customs during the atrocities of a war-torn country clashing with the society of nomadic Gypsies and their deep-seated drive to survive."
JoEllen Conger,
Conger Books Reviews
Review Rate 5+
A story about forgiveness, The Weaver's Loom explores the struggles of two beautiful cultures, bound together by the great human tragedy, the Holocaust. This is no political novel. It is an illumination of an enduring friendship between two unlikely women with an indomitable will to live. "This is material everyone should know," proclaims author Joan Afman.
Reviews
"I've never read historical fiction before, so I had no idea what to expect. I absolutely loved this book. The story wraps the history of Jews and Rroma gypsies together, tying their plight to escape Nazi born extermination tightly--and the connections are many. As someone that had no background knowledge of the thriving gypsy community in Hungary-- and the hostilities they faced, cultural beliefs they held--I found this to be absolutely fascinating.
It's tragic. Heart wrenching...I have no words. You have to read it to believe--even then it's beyond comprehension.
The two main characters, Eva (a young Jewish woman, well respected in her community)and Izabel (a gypsy, shunned from society)come together forming a bond tighter than most bound by blood. Both face trials that would shatter most, and make decisions that seem impossibly unfair. Just when you think you can't take another page...a ray of sun peeks out and you keep going.
If you have an affinity for Sophie's Choice--read this.
If you like history, particularly WWII--read this.
If you want a good cry--read this.
If you want to believe that things happen for a reason, and there is always hope--READ THIS!"
E. B. Loan,
Killer On The Key
Opals & Rubies
"When I read the opening scene of The Weaver’s Loom, I recalled having first read it as a contest entry for ‘Beginnings.’ It is the perfect example of beginning a book at a pivotal moment that doesn’t include going into a dramatic car chase, or the excitement of exploding bombs, which seems to be expected in today’s U.S. [novels]."
JoEllen Conger,
Conger Books Reviews
Review Rate 5+
"This book is an exceptionally well-written story of Hungarian customs during the atrocities of a war-torn country clashing with the society of nomadic Gypsies and their deep-seated drive to survive."
JoEllen Conger,
Conger Books Reviews
Review Rate 5+
