I have to admit I was not previously aware of the works of Rosy Thornton before being approached to read her latest book “The Tapestry of Love”. Generally speaking they appear, at least on first glance, from a genre of books I never read. But I admit I was drawn in by the author who appealed partly to my culinary interest and partly to someone who had recently abandoned the UK for life living up a mountain! (only I am in Rural Spain and not France).
When Catherine moves from England to the Cévennes mountains she hopes to experience a simple and rustic life funded by her business as a seamstress. She is rapidly adopted into the community but, as anyone who has made such a move can tell you, the course of life never quite runs smoothly…
Despite my reservations I enjoyed this book immensely. The writing has a wonderful depth, subtlety and a beautiful narrative style. It was positively enchanting. As for the food, well, the dishes of France are wonderous and her descriptive style does them immense justice. I was drawn in through her experiences as someone who has spent several years now trying to adapt to a different way of life in Spain, most recently of all a small rural mountain village in Southern Spain. Beyond that I do not wish to give too much away about the plot, only it was immensely enjoyable read highly suitable for rainy day reading at the top of a mountain!
