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edamamebean's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I adored this book and have already recommended it to like three people. Clara Parkes is such a charming writer and demystifies the whole wool industry in a way that feels completely accessible and fascinating. But this book isn’t just about wool. It’s also about the humans behind the wool industry, and she tells their stories with such care and curiosity. I think everyone who knits or crochets should read this book, but even if you aren’t into fiber crafts it’s still such an enjoyable read. The last chapter and acknowledgements had me in tears. I highly recommend the audiobook as the author reads it herself and adds a lot of character and heart to the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Terminal illness
readingrainbowroad's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
Suicide is only discussed in the acknowledgements - specifically someone's voluntary end of life, not so much related to mental illness (as described at least). Not mentioned in the main text at all.sandreline's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
A personal and engaging story about a very precise craft. Even while she was explaining the technical details of wool, machinery, and industrial cleaning, I was never bored. I was always interested in the next thing she had to say. The author clearly has a real passion for the subject and she effortlessly passes that on to her audience.
I think the pacing could have been evened out a bit. The first 2/3 is a comfortable stroll, and near the end it picked up to a brisk power walk. The best criticism you can give a book is that you wanted to spend more time with it.
I listened to this as an audiobook. The author narrates and she brings a ton of personality and life to it.
Content Warning: near the end of the book there is a brief (and flowery) description of a real person committing suicide. It was sudden and upsetting. A content warning or some clearer telegraphing would have been appreciated.
I think the pacing could have been evened out a bit. The first 2/3 is a comfortable stroll, and near the end it picked up to a brisk power walk. The best criticism you can give a book is that you wanted to spend more time with it.
I listened to this as an audiobook. The author narrates and she brings a ton of personality and life to it.
Content Warning: near the end of the book there is a brief (and flowery) description of a real person committing suicide. It was sudden and upsetting. A content warning or some clearer telegraphing would have been appreciated.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
emrol1's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
Mention of suicide in Acknowledgementsc_totume's review against another edition
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A really interesting book about the journey of wool to become yarn. Even if I’m not American it was still super interesting and i learned a lot.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
melissajh's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
klfgasaway's review
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
ghostly_monstera's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
"Chasing this whale would have been futile. There is no vengeance against change. You can harpoon it until you run out of harpoons, and you'll never bring it down. But you can grieve the wake it has left behind and figure out how best to thrive in these new waters" (168).
As someone who doesn't really knit and hasn't encountered the wool industry much, I found this book to be informative, fun, and encouraging. Getting an inside look at the 'small' American businesses of the wool industry was charming yet a little disheartening, considering how much the industry has dwindled.
I found the more technical side of the process a bit hard to get through because I was not familiar with the terminology she used, but I don't think I missed out on much because of my lack of knowledge.
The last chapter was a beautiful culmination of everything she had experienced and learned throughout her journey of turning raw wool to yarn while giving perspective and advice on how to support the dwindling industry.
As someone who doesn't really knit and hasn't encountered the wool industry much, I found this book to be informative, fun, and encouraging. Getting an inside look at the 'small' American businesses of the wool industry was charming yet a little disheartening, considering how much the industry has dwindled.
I found the more technical side of the process a bit hard to get through because I was not familiar with the terminology she used, but I don't think I missed out on much because of my lack of knowledge.
The last chapter was a beautiful culmination of everything she had experienced and learned throughout her journey of turning raw wool to yarn while giving perspective and advice on how to support the dwindling industry.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
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