11 April, 2010

The Sugar Camp Quilt

The Sugar Camp Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

The seventh book in the Elm Creek Quilt series. Once again Chiaverini took us away from Elm Creek Quilts and expanded on earlier characters.

This book centres around Dorothea who we were first introduced to in The Runaway Quilt as one of Sylvia's ancestors friends and a stop on the underground railway. Sugar Camp is set just before the American Civil War and explains how Dorothea marries Mr Nelson, how they become part of the underground railway and why quilts were so important to the movement.

It's interesting reading a book where you know the ending! Chiaverini keeps you guessing. Dorothea originally detests Mr Nelson (whose first name I can't remember and I am too lazy to get up and find the book!) and is courted by someone you know supports the Southern cause. Their introduction into the underground railway is surprising it makes you realise how hard stations on the railway worked to stay as secret as possible.

I'm glad to say I am still enjoying these books and am looking forward to the next one!