A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler

I honestly thought I would like this book more than I did. Four major things bothered me about it. First of all, the writing style. For the first third of the book especially, it really distracted and annoyed me. It just read so "flighty" and uninvested. The more I read though, the more I got interested in each character's personal stories - the ones that were actually told. That's not to say that I liked the personal stories though! What an odd family.

Secondly, Abby. I did NOT predict her storyline to end the way it did. What an odd plot twist. Everything came across as just so unemotional. Abby wanted goodbyes. She wanted the chance to say her goodbyes. She wanted for her and Red to die at the same time - like on a plane that was going down so that they would have a chance to trade last words. For someone who loved her husband, dogs, children so much - for someone who adopted a child who needed a home - for someone who brought other needy people into her home - her demise did not do her justice.

Thirdly, Denny drove me crazy. I tried really hard to understand him and accept him as the black sheep of the family. He really just came across as self-centered. He seemed to have an ulterior motive for everything, so he could not be trusted. I was impressed that he cooked, cleaned and sewed though, so there is that. We know next to nothing about him - even at the end when he apparently gets back together with Allie. Who the heck is Allie? Did I miss something?? And then, the real kicker is when the young boy sitting next to Denny on the bus is sobbing (at the end), and after acknowleding to himself that the boy might be asking for help, he pretends not to notice. Ugh. Double ugh.

Finally, Junior and Linnie Mae. Good grief. What kind of marriage is that?? Junior didn't even like Linnie Mae, much less love her. What a pitiful life for both of them. Reading their story honestly just disturbed me.

So, the spool of blue thread. I guess this is in reference to the blue thread that Denny uses to repair the dashiki that Red wore to his wedding to Abby - and her funeral. They were married for 48 years, so their marriage was significant - and their love for each other was real. So was this the "thread" that held this family together? Not sure if this title represents anything more than Red's love for Abby. I am open to hear thoughts on this though! 

Wendy's Rating: ***