Status
Checked out
Description
Walker & Daughter is Georgia Walker's little yarn shop, tucked into a quiet storefront on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Its Friday night knitting club is improvised by some of Georgia's regulars, who stroll into the shop looking for tips on knitting and end up finding much, much more. So now, once a week, they gather to work on their latest projects and to chat--and occasionally clash--over their stories of love, life, and everything in between. However, unexpected changes soon throw these women's lives into disarray, and the shop's comfortable world gets shaken up like a snow globe. When the unthinkable happens, they realize what they've created: not just a knitting club but a sisterhood.
Publication
Berkley Books (2008), Edition: 1st, 372 pages
Language
Similar in this library
ISBN
0425219097 / 9780425219096
User reviews
LibraryThing member BeckyJG
The Friday Night Knitting Club is a lovely little word-of-mouth novel which seems to have been written just for the book group crowd. What doesn't The Friday Night Knitting Club have, to make it so perfect for discussion? There's a singular woman in the starring role, quirky, smart, gorgeous in a
Georgia Walker is the proprietress of Walker and Daughter, a cozy/trendy yarn shop in trendy/cozy Manhattan. Dakota is the daughter--a mixed race almost thirteen year old whom Georgia has raised alone. James is Dakota's father, a gorgeous (one really can't use the word gorgeous enough when talking about the people and things in this book) African-American architect who split when Georgia got pregnant and hasn't been seen since. When James walks back into Georgia's life on the same day that the friend who stabbed her in the back in high school also makes first contact, we know what we're in for.
It's a made for TV movie on the printed page.
Yet, how could one not be charmed? The characters are so beautifully and lovingly drawn that their problems--and gorgeous knitting projects-- become important to the reader, even as she feels her emotions being shamelessly manipulated. Yes, I cried. I mentally slapped myself for crying, but I couldn't help it; I truly loved these characters, and I felt their pain.
The Friday Night Knitting Club is recommended for fans of Eileen Goudge, Judy Blume, Patricia Gaffney, and other writers of thoughtful--yet easy to read--woman-centric fiction. It's not chick lit, but it's not exactly Joyce Carol Oates, either.
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non-standard way. There's the group of equally interesting and vivacious--although perhaps not quite so attractive physically--women with whom she's surrounded herself. There's love lost and found again. There's young love and there's late in life love. There's betrayal, there's illness and yes, there's death. And, making it all possible, there's friendship. Georgia Walker is the proprietress of Walker and Daughter, a cozy/trendy yarn shop in trendy/cozy Manhattan. Dakota is the daughter--a mixed race almost thirteen year old whom Georgia has raised alone. James is Dakota's father, a gorgeous (one really can't use the word gorgeous enough when talking about the people and things in this book) African-American architect who split when Georgia got pregnant and hasn't been seen since. When James walks back into Georgia's life on the same day that the friend who stabbed her in the back in high school also makes first contact, we know what we're in for.
It's a made for TV movie on the printed page.
Yet, how could one not be charmed? The characters are so beautifully and lovingly drawn that their problems--and gorgeous knitting projects-- become important to the reader, even as she feels her emotions being shamelessly manipulated. Yes, I cried. I mentally slapped myself for crying, but I couldn't help it; I truly loved these characters, and I felt their pain.
The Friday Night Knitting Club is recommended for fans of Eileen Goudge, Judy Blume, Patricia Gaffney, and other writers of thoughtful--yet easy to read--woman-centric fiction. It's not chick lit, but it's not exactly Joyce Carol Oates, either.
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LibraryThing member dancingBeagles
Too many of the central characters are left underdeveloped. I expected to see a group of women supporting each other through various crisis, but was disappointed by the fairy tale nature of the stories. Spoiler alert. Georgia's one true love realizes she is his only real love and comes back; Anita
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finds tender love and romance at the age of 70; Darwin knits a sweater and her husband forgives her infidelity; Cat does one noble act and gets a comfy apartment and a successful business; Peri ditches law school, knits a purse and Bloomingdales is all over her; KC gets laid off, doesn't appear to have any financial worries, and gets into law school; and, Lucie is a middle aged single woman freaked out over her biological clock, stuck in a dead job for health care benefits who just happens to be a brillant film maker. I don't even know one person with that kind of luck let alone seven. Show Less
LibraryThing member seitherin
Wonderful feel good tear jerker chick lit although I did not think the tear jerker part necessary.
LibraryThing member Brandie
Great great book. Moved me ... being a knitter, I just wanted to hop in the book and knit with these women. Really, I wish they were all real and I could call them and meet them! I know, very silly really, but a sign of what I think is a great novel. I really thought this would be a light fluffy
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read, and although it sort of is, it is also thicker and touching and moving! Show Less
LibraryThing member LeHack
what a great read! It's about life, the choices we make, growth, strength and wonderful friendships. Georgia and Dakota, Anita, Lucie - you get to know them all through the stories. If the shop were real, I would look for it the next time I visited NY City.
LibraryThing member KC9333
Very enjoyable chick lit. The story of Georgia Walker and her friends will lift your spirits. The women are diverse and very real despite what other reviewers have said. The novel reminds us of the importance of our connections to eachother. Read when in the mood for the genre. Once you start,
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prepare to read all weekend and maybe even take up knitting with friends. Show Less
LibraryThing member m_mozeleski
Set around a knitting boutique in New York, an informal Friday Night group accumulates, to knit and eat the shop owner's daughter's baked creations, chat about their lives, and knit. For such a warm, cozy-like story, the ending is rather sudden, and very sad.
However, the narrative of the story
It wasn't a bad book--the minor stylistic flaws don't specifically detract from the narrative--but it needed just one more examination for consistency. And the sudden ending felt like a dropped stitch--it needed casting off, with a proper collection of the loose threads, rather than what felt like the rug being pulled out from under us, the readers.
However, the narrative of the story
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jumps points of view mid-chaper and almost seemingly midsentence, and while there isn't too much confusion over "who is speaking right now, mid paragraph switches get irritating. The whole book was written in 3rd person limited, but who it is limited to changed regularly.It wasn't a bad book--the minor stylistic flaws don't specifically detract from the narrative--but it needed just one more examination for consistency. And the sudden ending felt like a dropped stitch--it needed casting off, with a proper collection of the loose threads, rather than what felt like the rug being pulled out from under us, the readers.
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LibraryThing member WeeziesBooks
I tried to read this book and gave up before the end, but when it was available on audio book I listened to it and enjoyed it a lot more. I wasn’t too keen about the characters, and found the storyline trite, but I did enjoy the idea of the friends gathered around the table in the shop sharing
The idea of “making it big” with her childhood girlfriend by knitting the expensive and beautiful dresses and becoming a great designer was a stretch too far but dropping stitches and choosing yarns and working together on projects is something I could relate to and felt might happen in many places each day. This was a light novel and for me was better as an audio selection that a print alone novel.
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stories and friendship. The support they gave each other as they were going through their respective relationships, jobs and illness were important for us all as an example of how to be there for those around us.The idea of “making it big” with her childhood girlfriend by knitting the expensive and beautiful dresses and becoming a great designer was a stretch too far but dropping stitches and choosing yarns and working together on projects is something I could relate to and felt might happen in many places each day. This was a light novel and for me was better as an audio selection that a print alone novel.
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LibraryThing member judye
I disliked this book because of the two dimensional romance and the twee single mother story that becomes tragedy from ovarian cancer at the end. It was neither one thing nor the other and the two dimensional characters oversimplified the disease. The film at the end was too much sentiment.
LibraryThing member Bonni208
The cover of the book touts:
"Like Steel Magnolias set in Manhattan. USA Today"
I haven't seen that congruent of a book description in a very long time. It was enjoyable to read about these women's lives and their friendships. The characters were well developed and even as a non-knitter, I loved the
"Like Steel Magnolias set in Manhattan. USA Today"
I haven't seen that congruent of a book description in a very long time. It was enjoyable to read about these women's lives and their friendships. The characters were well developed and even as a non-knitter, I loved the
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book beginning to end. Show Less
LibraryThing member Honey
If I had to describe the book in one word, I'd say 'languid'. It moves at a slow pace, shining the spotlight on the lives, relationships and everyday worries of five women, who seem to only have in common their love for (if not always ability in) knitting. It's a nice book to read on a rainy
The last 60 or so pages finally pick up the pace a bit, but again I could have done without that tearjerker ending. Not to give the plot away, but in a novel where you could see the plot from page 20 on, it felt vaguely disconcerting to have that idea yanked out from under you in the last 20 pages. (Yeah, I'm contradicting myself with wanting a less obvious plot, but at the same time complaining about a surprise ending; however, once I had accepted that the plot wouldn't be overly dramatic, I would have liked for it to stay that way.)
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weekend, but it didn't keep me up until 2am, wanting to see what happens next. Neither did it make me laugh uproariously, but sometimes made me want to hide in embarrassment at the slight melodrama and emotionality.The last 60 or so pages finally pick up the pace a bit, but again I could have done without that tearjerker ending. Not to give the plot away, but in a novel where you could see the plot from page 20 on, it felt vaguely disconcerting to have that idea yanked out from under you in the last 20 pages. (Yeah, I'm contradicting myself with wanting a less obvious plot, but at the same time complaining about a surprise ending; however, once I had accepted that the plot wouldn't be overly dramatic, I would have liked for it to stay that way.)
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LibraryThing member punxsygal
Walker and Daughter, a Manhattan yarn shop is the setting for a weekly meeting of knitters. I wanted to walk in, look at the colors, touch the yarn, sit at the table, pick up my needles and join in.
LibraryThing member emigre
A total tearjerker. The funny thing is at first the book didn't seem that emotionally engrossing to me, maybe the writer's third-person voice made the story seem more removed. There was a lot of telling vs showing and the narration was detached, almost cool. Her descriptions of the various women
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were right on, the details were just right. I still didn't feel that connected to or identify with any one character, still, as I kept reading, as more surprises revealed themselves, I found myself wanting to read more and dreading the "unthinkable" the back cover blurb hinted. Have to say the plot twist caught me by surprise. Show Less
LibraryThing member lfamous
I liked the characters. The ending was unexpected and a downer. It left me disturbed.
LibraryThing member TheBookLady
The Friday Night Knitting Club is a genuine attempt at storytelling by a novice novelist. Jacobs’s tale has obvious energy and seeks to impart a message to readers - friendship, perseverance and second-chances - but instead loses the message in a story that follows too many characters and really
Jacobs has no less than 5 main characters and instead of focusing on her main protagonist, Georgia Walker, the reader is immersed in the lives of less important individuals, which distracts both from the plot and from the character development. It seems as though Jacobs is attempting to consolidate material best suited for a mini-series into a mere 352 pages, and the reader is given too much information to digest while the plot does not suit intense character development. That Georgia’s diagnosis comes as a complete shock illustrates the lack of proper plot development. If her symptoms are mentioned, they are not done in a manner that captures the reader’s attention, and that is an unfortunate deficiency and a missed opportunity on Jacobs’s part.
The novel has such potential as a story about friendship, starting over, standing strong in the face of adversity, and the strength of female bonds. Unfortunately, Jacobs’s weaknesses as a novelist leaves these messages underdeveloped and the reader needs more.
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just glosses the lives and emotional make-up of each. The result is a superficial story that is further undermined with kitschy language (e.g. “omigod”) and syrupy sentiments.Jacobs has no less than 5 main characters and instead of focusing on her main protagonist, Georgia Walker, the reader is immersed in the lives of less important individuals, which distracts both from the plot and from the character development. It seems as though Jacobs is attempting to consolidate material best suited for a mini-series into a mere 352 pages, and the reader is given too much information to digest while the plot does not suit intense character development. That Georgia’s diagnosis comes as a complete shock illustrates the lack of proper plot development. If her symptoms are mentioned, they are not done in a manner that captures the reader’s attention, and that is an unfortunate deficiency and a missed opportunity on Jacobs’s part.
The novel has such potential as a story about friendship, starting over, standing strong in the face of adversity, and the strength of female bonds. Unfortunately, Jacobs’s weaknesses as a novelist leaves these messages underdeveloped and the reader needs more.
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LibraryThing member mspolly
Walker and Daughter is the name of the knitting shop where five women become friends and confidants through the Friday night knitting club.
LibraryThing member Valkitty
This is one of the most heart warming books I have read recently about the bonds of friendship between women. This book uses the timeless topic of fiber crafts - specifically knitting - as a matrix for the interactions between women of multiple races, religions, ethnic and cultural backgrounds,
A group that started as some random tutoring and grows to a full time weekly social event that involves more peer counseling and bonding over fresh baked goods than actual knitting is the backdrop for a variety of relationships forming, ending and mending. I will warn you though, that this book had me in tears through most of it. If you have ever sat around with a group of fellow women, whether knitting, quilting, stitching (and b****ing) or just sipping coffee around the table and helping solve each others' problems, than this is a book you should curl up with a good cup of cocoa or wine and take a few evenings reading.
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generations, social classes and education levels. All women no matter where they stand in these socio-economic and cultural categories are brought to the level of equals around the table at Walker and Daughter's shop where custom knitted pieces as well as the yarn and notions for knitting and crocheting can be purchased. A group that started as some random tutoring and grows to a full time weekly social event that involves more peer counseling and bonding over fresh baked goods than actual knitting is the backdrop for a variety of relationships forming, ending and mending. I will warn you though, that this book had me in tears through most of it. If you have ever sat around with a group of fellow women, whether knitting, quilting, stitching (and b****ing) or just sipping coffee around the table and helping solve each others' problems, than this is a book you should curl up with a good cup of cocoa or wine and take a few evenings reading.
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LibraryThing member SmithSJ01
I needed my tissues! I'm not normally a one for having a blub at 'chick-lit' but I was right there with the kitchen roll lol. This book is simply fabulous, it's heart-warming and endearing. Full of wonderful characters (even if they do have dodgy names!) this was a fabulous find.
I really couldn't
A great story with some tugs at the heart strings. A little predictable in places but a cosy lovely read. Enjoy.
I really couldn't
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put this book down. I started it thinking it would be a trashy frothy read but I quickly became involved in the lives of Georgia (a single mother) and her 12 year old daughter Dakota. The knitting rapidly becomes second best to the wonderful friendships that have developed. A great story with some tugs at the heart strings. A little predictable in places but a cosy lovely read. Enjoy.
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LibraryThing member Meggo
This is the story of a women betrayed, who started a wool shop and knitting club, and along the way, discovered how to forgive and love again. This story started slowly, and only really started to pick up stitches - and steam - once it began to follow the stories of the knitting club members rather
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than merely one woman's story. Enjoyable, but disappointing to see the blurb from a review on the cover - "just like Steel Magnolias". Might as well say "someone's going to die" on the cover, and eliminate all hint of suspense. Still and all, it was an enjoyable read. Not one that I could not put down, but it did grow on me. As a knitter, I appreciated it on a couple of levels. Show Less
LibraryThing member alspray
The epitome of chic-lit. And seeing as though I am a chic I laughed, I cried and I had a hard time putting it down. A little obvious but overall an enjoyable read. I now find myself strangely compelled to learn how to knit and a little more sad that I didn't learn from my grandmother when I had the
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chance. Show Less
LibraryThing member turtlesleap
A group of women of all ages, share their problems with stress, diet, men, jobs and, of course, knitting and support each other through life's problems and tragedies. Nominally, the story is about female friendships but there is, predictably, the underlying romance. This is a pleasant enough book
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but, like a meringue, offers sweetness with little substance. Show Less
LibraryThing member maiadeb
Disappointing a bit. The knitting section was never informative, the characters (except for Gran) just okay and the story felt more like a Lifetime movie than a good read. Gran has some wisdom and advice I enjoyed but Georgia Walker needed a bit of a wake up call...The two older female characters
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saved the story for me. Show Less
LibraryThing member cheri307
When I first bought this book I wasn't sure if I would like it....boy was I wrong. I couldn't put it down. Friendships, hardships, forgiveness, and sadness 'knitted' together in one book.
LibraryThing member mojumi
Enjoyed this novel until the story became too obvious -- everything was going so well, it was clear Someone Had To Die. The only mystery was who -- the lovely daughter? the sprightly grannnie? the widowed angel who was ready to love again? the single pregnant mother? the perfect mother who can
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teach us all about ourselves? etc. Fun for a day's easy read, with some bright moments, but not much depth. I enjoyed the thought of the story laid out as a knitting project, with the characters and their lives providing the patterns and textures of the final project. Show Less
LibraryThing member vmarquar
Good read for knitters. Ending wretched and trite... almost overshadows how much I enjoyed the body of the book.
Genres
Original language
English
Original publication date
2007-01
2008-01-02