When Mother Talk asked me to review The Lace Makers of Glenmara by Heather Barbieri, I didn’t quite know what to expect. As I started reading it, I knew I was in for a treat but I still didn’t know what kind of treat or or exactly how that treat would be delivered. In the end, I learned about Ireland, the Gaelic traditions, lace making, good writing and, shockingly, information about my own family that I did not previously know.

The book is wonderfully written. I will admit that it started off a little slow for my liking but the pace of the book is appropriate for the subject at hand. Kate, our main character, an American who has taken off to Ireland to find herself after her mother’s death and a bad breakup, needs that slower pace in order to heal. Of course, at one point, things do pick up rather quickly with an attractive Irishman. Throughout the book there are moments of quick-paced action and tongue lashing (the Irish tongue-lashings) along with moments that allow you to appreciate the Irish landscape, the process of lace-making and the wonderful, descriptive writing.

In Ireland, after a random turn of events, Kate finds herself in the very small town of Glenmara. She makes friends with a group of women who have a lace making society. Kate eventually has an idea as to how these women can turn their hobby into a profitable business but some people both in the group and in town don’t really embrace change. I was intrigued with each chapter to see how people would accept (or not) the changes to their town as things continued to move forward. I will admit that my favorite character was Bernie, a woman who had lost the love of her life. She was able to tell it like it was without being a mean and nasty type of character. I need a little bit of Bernie in my own character, I think.

I loved the story and how it evolved through all of the changes that came to the town. I loved the pace by the time I finished the book, feeling that it was a welcome slow down to my otherwise fast-paced life. I really can’t even begin to describe how much I loved the writing other than I have a renewed interest in Ireland and Gaelic traditions. The writing was so, well, well-written that I want to read more about Ireland! But only if it is that beautifully described that I almost feel as if I am standing on the cliffs as well. I know that those to whom I will pass this book on will love the escape across the pond to a world that seems much simpler than the lives we’re currently attempting to live. (But, I will demand the book to be returned as this is one that I am keeping.)

So, how did this book introduce me to something in my own family that I didn’t know about? In the process of reading this book, I went back to Pennsylvania to visit with my family. It was sitting on the kitchen table as my mom, paternal grandmother and I talked one evening. My grandma looked at it and asked as to what the book was about and I told her. She then let me know that my great-grandmother, her mother, used to make similar lace. Polish, not Irish, but lace all the same. She then went on to tell me that she still has doilies and a full tablecloth that took great-grandma forever to finish during the Depression due to lack of materials. She’s going to find said things for me in the Hope Chest. Without this book, I don’t think I would have learned such information. Little bonus feature for me!

And, so, do I recommend this book? Yes. Did it make me cry? A few minor times. (Word of warning: there is the mention of a miscarriage/stillbirth that I wasn’t expecting. Thought I should pass that on to others who find the subject to be triggering.) But, as I finished the last page of the book, I felt happy. I like books that make me feel happy. The book comes out on June 23, 2009 and you can pre-order it now on Amazon. I strongly suggest that you do!