This is the book that has made Duffy a must read on my reading list. In A Tapestry of Light, Duffy introduces readers to Ottilie Russell, a young woman of European and Indian ancestry, caught between two worlds and surrounded by grief.
This is an easy book to get lost in. Duffy skillfully brings India of the late 1800s to life as she invites readers into Ottilie's hometown. I really appreciated her attention to the smaller but important details using things like the spices and the scents of Ottilie's daily routine to bring the narrative to life. You can feel Duffy's excitement for history and storytelling come through with this care. I was glad to see this detail maintain it's pace throughout the story as Ottilie left India for England, eventually ending up in London.
One of my biggest issues with Duffy's last book was an inability for me, personally, to connect with the main characters, that wasn't a problem at all here. I really appreciated how Duffy tackled so many universal issues amid her backdrop, things like racism, poverty, loss, and love. The characters weren't rushed through their stories and many had more complicated backgrounds than their initial introduction hinted at.
I also really appreciated Duffy's treatment of faith within Ottilie's story. Ottilie isn't the typical heroine I see so often in the genre. She wrestles with her faith, she feels the questioning about having questions, she knows her own brokenness, she fights in the midst of loss. Her grief and questions feel so real. I love how Duffy chose to keep Nani and her Bible as such a central part of Ottilie's journey and her interactions became a favourite part of the story for me.
For people wanting a vibrantly painted setting, deeply realized characters, and a plot to keep the pages turning A Tapestry of Light is well worth diving into.
4.5 out of 5 stars.
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