“Weaving Roots” by Heather Wood

Blurb

Baltimore, 1828
Spinning. Turning flax to fine linen thread for her family’s weaving business keeps Betha’s hands occupied all day, but it’s the concerns spinning in her heart that never truly rest. How can she give her nephew Henry a secure, loving home when his father remains indifferent? How can she guide the boy who calls her “Ma” to know and follow the Lord for himself? And when past secrets and future changes collide, will she lose Henry altogether?
Colm Gallagher is passionate about teaching boys using innovative educational methods. But is his kind and thorough instruction enough if he is not allowed to give his students the ultimate truth of God’s Word? Confronted by his student Henry Young and the boy’s lovely but determined aunt, Colm considers if he has allowed practical considerations to outweigh his deepest-held beliefs. Even as Betha and Colm are drawn to each other, family loyalties, financial pressures, and personal uncertainties push them further apart. Will the threads of their lives unravel or become knit together into something stronger?
Weaving linen is her family’s legacy. Weaving roots of truth and grace is her calling.

My Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

4 stars. The things that intrigued me most about this book’s blurb was the weaving, the chosen family, and the idea of a spiritual lesson being tied to the question, should Bibles be used in schools, and what do you do if it’s forbidden you? Sounds like a modern problem, hm? Yet it isn’t! 

I don’t know much about Baltimore, or about 1828 America, so I enjoyed the setting, and particularly seeing the working class. The weaving, as I’ve mentioned before, was also a cool element, and I appreciated all the little life details thrown in, like the cookbook and beds! Being homeschooled the Charlotte Mason way, I was also fascinated by Colm’s school and the Lancaster method. 

Speaking of Colm, he’s a pretty great guy! I appreciated how he’s not flawless or fearless, but he also has (or develops) confidence and strength. I deeply related to his struggle with comparison and his brother’s censure for not doing the same work as he was, and I really appreciated how that was resolved. Betha was probably my favourite. She was very realistic, but strong, and so caring. As an eldest sister, I related to her position and struggles. Henry was a sweet boy—not too sweet though!—and although Seamus and Cora were the antagonists I couldn’t help liking them in the end, despite their many failings. Colm’s family was darling, and I would specifically like to see Patrick’s story and more Underground Railway activity! 

My favourite thing about the novel was the spiritual themes. First off, there’s a very good message about trust and prayer, though it’s not the main focus. The main message is about Colm struggling with whether or not he should use the Bible in his school, or leave it out so he can gain the affections of his students and so lead them to his Sunday school. His arc is well paced, and there was a lot to think about, but I love the final realization that the Gospel is paramountly important and not just a Sunday thing. And there’s a couple other little themes and messages that I really appreciated. 

Betha, Colm, and Henry make a lovely family, and I look forwards to the next book in this series!

Content: a few light mentions of the marriage bed, etc; Henry was conceived out of wedlock and some people in the book refer to him with a slur.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*

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