One of the many books in the Elm Creek Quilt series by Jennifer Chiaverini, this book could actually be more of a stand alone than any of the others. The only commonality it has with the other books are that some of the characters were briefly mentioned in a story in one of the other books. Aside from that, this is a book all its own.We are first introduced to Dorothea, a young woman who lives with her Uncle and parents on her Uncle's farm. Her Uncle Jacob is a strict man and the family, while learning a great deal, has a hard time dealing with his strict rules and non-stop work. However, they hope that their son (who is studying in the East) will inherit the farm so they do their best to please the Uncle. Despite his strict rules Dorothea is able to go out once in awhile and is being courted by one man, while another openly disdains everyone in the town but intrigues her just the same.It is during this time they are staying that Uncle Jacob requests Dorothea to make him a quilt exactly to his standards. While it is an odd design and extremely difficult to make, she finishes it exactly how he wants it. It is only later upon his death do they learn the true meaning of the quilt. It is an aide for the Uncle's station on the underground railroad, and Dorothea must be prepared to fill his shoes in helping these people, despite all the danger that it causes.The writing in this is just as easy to read as all of Chiaverini's other work. With each potential book however, it seems to me that she is losing some of the detail that made me fall in love with the series at the first book. The quilts are only standardly described and no special care given to them. The characters are well developed, but after all, with the beautiful "quilted" cover of the book, one would think the insides quilts would be just as beautiful. Chiaverini certainly presents some interesting characters in this novel as well. She has a knack for presenting characters to either end up as good or bad, but leaves the reader not knowing until the end truly which type they are. But aside from this she has the standard characters that are good and you want to cheer for. Its a nice mix.I can't say I didn't like this book though. It certainly was an enjoyable read once I realized the regular characters were not going to be appearing and that the whole storyline would take place in the past. Once I got past that it had quite the adventuresome storyline for a quilting novel. It is quite the idea to speculate that quilts were widely used to help runaway slaves and it make me more appreciative that I have it as a hobby. I do wish it would have fit more nicely in with the rest of the series since it is marketed as a part, but I suppose a take off every once in awhile doesn't hurt.You don't have to read this book as part of the series since it is totally unrelated, but I recommend that you do. It is just as valuable of a work as the rest of them.The Sugar Camp QuiltCopyright 2005306 pages
The 7th story in the Elm Creek Quilt series, Sugar Camp Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini, is different from all the other books in that it has no Bergstrom in it. This is pre-history. In The Runaway Quilt Sylvia learns of her family’s friendship with a Dorothea and her brother and how they became involved in the underground railroad accidentally through them. This story goes into how that family gets involved in it. Dorothea’s Uncle hid a station on his farm while they lived there with him because he thought they were to vocal about their opposition to slavery to be allowed in on the big secret. He would consider he had been most successful in that his own family disbelieved he had played this role upon his death. He even had Dorothea create the quilt he used as a map to the next station. He made her un-correct the “mistake” she had corrected for him and never realized that it was a representation of the very mountains outside her window. The interesting aspect that this book is completely outside the Elm Creek Quilt timeline. Sylvia is not digging into this story, nor is Summer this is simply a story to help us appreciate some historical figures. I imagine Mrs. Chiavcrini had to do a lot of research for The Runaway Quilt and decided she liked the characters so much she created for it she would go back and give them a chance to tell their story as well. We get to watch Dorothea loose her innocence about other’s politics. I did think it odd that Cyrus Pearson would go for Dorothea even if she might inherit something given their very different political opinions, but I suppose he believed she would mold to his beliefs and that any good local farm land was worth indulging a woman’s fancy’s for. I liked the album quilt they worked on. Stitching over signatures to make them more permanent and getting local and national celebrities to help raise money for their library. Understanding how much money was worth though would be useful. I am rather bad at understanding what 3 dollars means for a shelf in the library or 5 dollars for the entire quilt. Though I suppose 500 would be a lot of money for any fundraiser even today so it must have been a great deal of money back then as well.Overall a great work of historical fiction, and an interesting addition to the Elm Creek story.
What do You think about The Sugar Camp Quilt (2006)?
This was one of Jennifer Chiaverini's finest books! There is not a mention of Sylvia or the other Elm Creek people. This is set entirely right before the Civil War in Creek Crossing (which later will become Waterford). Dorothea Granger has been asked by her irascible uncle to make a quilt which exacting pattern is unconventional. Later we find out, after her uncle's death,that the quilt is actually a map for runaway slaves to find their way to the next station on their way North to freedom. Dorothea and her parents decide to become a station in the underground railroad, a decision which is fraught with danger. Mr. Pearson, from a later book (I didn't read them in order) makes an appearance again and he is a snake in disguise as he courts Dorothea (having her uncle's farm inheritance in mind). I thought he was the ultimate villain in the later book but he is nothing compared to that snivelling drunken (bad word) Mr. Liggott whose outrageous bad and evil behavior just kept astounding me. Pearson and Liggott are in league with the horrible slave catchers. Not a pretty combination. There is much adventure, breathless moments, suspense as Dorothea, her mother and father and black farmer-neighbors, the Wrights, help runaways to freedom. I was happy to see the beginning of the understated romance between Dorothea and Mr. Nelson, the schoolmaster appointed in her stead. It's very much a Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennett romance. Mr. Nelson, at a country dance no less,thrown in his honor, sniffs disdainfully at the company of the "uneducated country girls", within earshot of Dorothea. You could hear Mr. Darcy's famous line"not enough to tempt me"! Hahaha!!!
—Nathalie S
Although this book is part of the Elm Creek Quilts series, it could actually stand alone, and could easily be read and understood by anyone who has not read any of the other Elm Creek Quilt novels. This book is set in pre-Civil War years and deals with the issues of slavery and abolition. The main character, Dorothea, is a young woman who lives with her parents and harsh uncle on her uncle's farm. Through a series of events, she becomes involved helping runaway slaves as they move through the Underground Railroad. Of course, quilting plays an important role in the story.I found the characters to be likeable and the plot to be engaging. This book is a wonderful historical novel that does a good job portraying a difficult time in our country's history. HIghly recommended for both fans of the "traditional" quilting books in the Elm Creek series, as well as fans of historical fiction.
—Catherine
I actually listened to this book in the car as I drove to and from work everyday about an hour total unless I run errands as well.At first I was prepared to be disappointed because Sylvia, Sarah and the other Elm Creek quilters were not in the story at all. But this is an intriguing and informative tale of not only runaway slaves and the Underground Railroad but some pre-history to the Elm Creek series, even though it's the 7th in the series. The greasy Mr. Liggitt (not sure of spelling since I'm listening, not reading) is currently the owner of Elm Creek Farm, future home of the Bergstroms and Elm Creek Quilt Camp, and Cyrus Pearson who I've met in another book shows himself as a younger and somewhat more charming character although proves to be a dangerous adversary.Dorothea Granger and Thomas Nelson meet and spar throughout most of the book mostly due to a whole lot of misconceptions and misunderstandings. Where is honesty amongst all these righteous folks? Well, we know how that turns out!I wish Jonathan Granger had been present more than just a small portion just after Uncle Jacob's passing. But I guess he had to go to medical school sometime. He seems very young to be accepted to Harvard but....things were different then.
—Joanna
