The Friday Night Knitting Club
Book Review of a Best Seller for Knitters and Non-Knitters Alike
Feb 7, 2008
The Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs is not a book about knitting per se; instead, it is a novel about the lives of a group of women who are united by the craft of knitting. The heroine of the story is Georgia Walker, owner of a knitting store known as “Walker and Daughter,” and mother of Dakota, 12 years old. Dakota, a wonderful daughter who happens to be biracial, is an only child who does not know her father – at least, not at the beginning of the book – and is the center of Georgia’s life. These two demonstrate, from the very beginning, the true nature of strong females with high ethical values.
Georgia had a tough time before meeting Anita, but from the moment these two became acquainted, Anita knew Georgia had much potential. Anita gave Georgia not just a fresh start in life, but a sense of self, a support network and a friendship both women came to depend on.
With Anita’s help, Georgia opens the knitting shop, which leads to the formation of the Friday night knitting club. The women in the club help each other through pregnancy, single parenting, interracial relationships, divorce, separation, infidelity and even grave illness. Although these women come from quite different backgrounds and lives, they are united by the love of knitting.
Although Georgia is the main character who links everyone to each other, each woman’s story is vividly told throughout the book. The reader is familiarized with all of their strengths and all of their weaknesses. When Dakota’s father attempts to get back into her life, readers will actually feel the turmoil that Georgia goes through. The reader will pull for both ends of the struggle for the sake of not just the child, but for her parents, as well.
The story is believable, captivating, and mature. It touches the reader emotionally, and draws one into the circle of friendship that these women shared.This book is at times funny, thoughtful, and even sad. Whatever the case, it will give its readers affirmation that life is definitely worth living. It is a book for all ages, and for all types of people – not just knitters.
Many people have similar circles of friends – friends that are as close as sisters, without the familiar baggage. If not the case already, then the reader will want to become part of a group such as this as soon as possible.
The book may be entitled The Friday Night Knitting Club, but it’s far from being simply about knitting. Instead, it concerns any woman who is part of something greater than herself. It’s about life, in all its beauty, and in all its misery. If everyone could be touched by a “Friday Night Knitting Club,” this would be a better world. Read this book, and then pass it on to another special woman.
Book Information
The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs, Berkley Trade Publishing, 2008, is available at bookstores and Amazon.
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