The Iceweaver

Rating:
Summary: more please
Review: All of the novels in this series were good, but this one is something spectacular, most probably because the author allowed herself to leave the conventions of the mystery novel behind and let the story develop on its own.

This is a stunning book, beautifully realized.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Story!
Review: I've been a fan of Margaret Lawrence from the beginning. I have to admit that I was slow to pick "The Iceweaver" up to read, because Hannah Trevor is not in this story. I also have to admit that I felt cheated that we missed out on the last 23 years of Hannah and Daniel's life. I got over my sulking very quickly. Ms. Lawrence is such a wonderful storyteller that it wasn't until I was reading the other reviews that I realized that there was no murder mystery! This is a very engrossing tale of love and life. The author does a great job in developing all the new characters needed to tell this tale. The crowning achievement of character development is Jennet. Ms. Lawrence does an outstanding job with Jennet. This was another one of my concerns with reading this book. How could a deaf and mute character carry a story? Well in this author's capable hands, it is not a problem. Jennet comes through alive and well. She one of the most interesting characters I have ever read. I always liked Jennet in the other books and even found myself wondering what would become of her after Hannah died. Well, she has grown into a full and wonderful character. Ms. Lawrence gives Jennet a lot of warmth, love, understanding and caring, but with that stubborn and determined personally of Hannah's. The plot of this story is also written very well too. Ms. Lawrence has a great and vast understanding of the life and times of the people in the early 1800's. She delivers this knowledge with a wonderful command of the language, both past and present, so that the reader can fully understand what it was like during these times. I love the author's use of everyday chores to help the reader understand the harshness of life. After reading Margaret Lawrence's four books, I have to wonder that anyone lived long enough to produce the next generation. These books are a wonderful testament to human nature. I not only recommend "The Iceweaver" but all of Ms. Lawrence's books, start with "Hearts and Bones" and read them all.

Rating:
Summary: Bittersweet historical novel
Review: Margaret Lawrence's talent for creating strong, unforgettable characters continues in this historical novel featuring Jennet Trevor, the deaf and mute daughter of Hannah Trevor. Hannah Trevor, the Maine midwife featured in Margaret Lawrence's Hearts and Bones series, only appears at the very beginning of the book, when John Frayne, newly returned to his confiscated New York home after the American revolution, observes Jennet slipping her body into the lake on his property. Frayne, an early 19th century collector and redeemer of the lost and the frightened, slowly draws Jennet back into the land of the living along with other memorable characters, like a crippled French soldier. In the process he invokes fear, loathing, love and lust.

Like many of Lawrence's works, this is a bitter-sweet story, hard-edged and uncompromising in its portrayal of both love and anger. It is also deeply satisfying and it will be hard to put down once you pick it up!