The Union Quilters: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel [Hardcover]

I just finished the long awaited, "The Union Quilters." It was worth the wait as far as I'm concerned. The Elm Creek Quilters novels that are set in the Civil War Era are among my favorites, and this one was not a disappointment for me. In "The Lost Quilter," the author let us know what the outcome of the war would be for several of her main characters, so I wasn't necessarily surprised or holding my breath. I'm not sure if I was glad I knew or not, but that doesn't really matter. I feel like I know a little more what life was really like for the ordinary family, especially the women that were taking care of things on the homefront, during that difficult time in our country's history. I highly recommend the book, especially to readers that have read her earlier Civil War/Slavery era novels.

I've read all of Ms. Chiaverini's novels to date, including this one. And I'm amazed by how much her seemingly devoted fans chastise her whenever the writer strays from the original setting and the characters established in the first book. If the action takes place outside of central Pennsylvania, people complain. If the Elm Creek Quilters, as they were first introduced, do not appear in the newest episode, people complain. If there's "not enough quilting," people complain. And yet: if the author stuck to the pattern of the first couple of episodes and produced cookie-cutter plot lines every few years, I have no doubt that people would complain about that work, too.

Instead, we should be applauding Ms. Chiaverini for adding dimension to the series. She's giving backstories to the women of the Elm Creek Quilters -- ones that see action in other states, at other times. She's doing the same for the craft of quilting. Perhaps she's considering that readers who are quilters (or who at least appreciate their construction and beauty) might very well be interested in how those fabric designs came to be; how they were used in the past; and who the women were who assembled them. Some of the Elm Creek novels are set in contemporary times, and some are examples of historical fiction. Taken together, they all follow a common thread that transcends specific individuals and time periods, no matter what changes might come. In this respect, the cumulative Elm Creek Quilts story is a Fiction that mirrors Real Life. It is the act of quilting that ties it all together.

That brings us to "The Union Quilters," which is set in that special Pennsylvania valley in the 1860s. Of course, some surnames will be familiar to avid readers of the series. Of course, the women of the valley will send their men South. Of course, some soldiers won't come back; and those who do will be forever different. Quilting does play a part in the lives of these brave women on the home front. And yet, some of the chapters instead follow the men and the fighting in Virginia, Gettysburg, and at other sites whose names we recognize from history class. I'll admit that I was a tad startled at first to suddenly find myself in battle. But the switch was necessary for us to truly understand what those days were like. And at least one quilt has an heroic role here. The idea of quilting is always in the background of the storyline. The story itself is driven by unique characters who find themselves in a variety of challenging situations. Some we can identify with. Some, we can only imagine through the vivid descriptions presented.

Is "The Union Quilters" the best episode in the Elm Creek Quilts series? Probably not. Should new readers begin with this one? No. Ideally, the books should be read in their order of release. Yes, they lead readers back and forth in time and across state boundaries. But would we really want to keep eavesdropping on the same group of women sitting around a mansion, sewing by hand or by machine, over and over and over? I don't think so. Thank you, Ms. Chiaverini, for bringing us variety, and for teaching us along the way.

In 1862 the men of Water's Ford, Pennsylvania join the Northern army leaving behind their loved ones. The women worry about the males but know the cause is just. They will do whatever they can to support the war and pray for the safe return of their beloved.

The Elm Creek Valley quilting bee members rally around one another. Constance Wright knows her husband Abel a freeman of color wants to free other slaves like he did when he bought her freedom though this time he will use his rifle even if the Union refuses to accept a black. Dorothea Nelson and Charlotte Granger worry about their educated spouses. A former schoolmaster Thomas Nelson takes with him his beloved Dorothea's Dove in the Window quilt. His brother-in-law Dr. Jonathan Granger leaves behind his pregnant wife Charlotte and their child. Gerda Bergstrom misses Jonathan who seems to have moved on from his first love while her brother Hans refuses to fight claiming he is a pacifist.

The latest Elm Creek drama (see The Aloha Quilt and A Quilter's Holiday) is a strong fresh entry that gives readers a profound look at mostly abolitionists either fighting as volunteer soldiers for the Union Army or at home in Pennsylvania seeking ways in addition to prayers to help their loved ones at war. Readers will appreciate this superb Civil War entry though ironically for an Elm Creek tale the stich count is at an all time low.

Harriet Klausner

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