Casting Off:
1. Ending a knitted work.
2. Releasing lines holding a boat to its mooring.
3. Letting go...
On a tiny ... read full description
1. Ending a knitted work.
2. Releasing lines holding a boat to its mooring.
3. Letting go...
On a tiny ... read full description
reviews
Apr 20, 2011
Joanne
rated it: 
I knit, so I thought I'd try some books with knitting as a theme or part of the story. I'm not sure why I thought that would make for a good book.
I liked the setting of this book, and even though the island is a creation of the author, an amalgam of real places, it seemed real.
Which is more than I can say for most of the characters. Rebecca, the main character, had some dimension to her, but everyone else in the story seemed to exist for the sole purpose of helping Rebecca ov More...
I liked the setting of this book, and even though the island is a creation of the author, an amalgam of real places, it seemed real.
Which is more than I can say for most of the characters. Rebecca, the main character, had some dimension to her, but everyone else in the story seemed to exist for the sole purpose of helping Rebecca ov More...
Mar 02, 2010
Kristie
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jan 17, 2010
Jane
rated it: 
I enjoyed this book! It was a little confusing at first because the main character Rebecca comes to the island off of Ireland and meets a whole bunch of people at once, but as the story moves along and the characters interact with her, it becomes clearer who is who and how they are related. I especially enjoyed the way each chapter began with a definiton of a knitting stitch and explained what it looked like and how it was made. This was related to the sweaters that the families made. Then there
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Jun 11, 2009
Bridget
rated it:
I read an Advance Reader's Copy of this book, and though I was somewhat skeptical prior to reading it, I decided that it was well done by the time I was finished.
The main character is Rebecca Moray, who is traveling to an island (based on the Aran Islands, according to the author's notes) off the west coast of Ireland, to do research on a book she is writing about ganseys. As a textile archaelogist, she has been interested in the history of the sweaters and those who knit them eve More...
The main character is Rebecca Moray, who is traveling to an island (based on the Aran Islands, according to the author's notes) off the west coast of Ireland, to do research on a book she is writing about ganseys. As a textile archaelogist, she has been interested in the history of the sweaters and those who knit them eve More...
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May 31, 2011
Dorothy (D. J.)
rated it: 
This is about as close to literary fiction as I usually tread. I picked this one up on summer vacation in Michigan and didn't end up reading it until the next year. The title's clever tie in of the two main themes the life of an aging fishermen and a widow researching traditional knitting patterns on an isolated Irish island is what got me to purchase the book. (The book store is Forever Books on 312 State St. in St. Joseph, MI, by the way - a lovely book store, that would not be out of place as
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Feb 01, 2010
Melissa
rated it:
I finished this book on Saturday morning and was delighted to leave it behind. Despite the charming setting, it was a shallow, sappy romance with a sort of a knitting theme. The "folklore" surrounding the history of Aran knitting was mostly false or speculative and I found that very annoying.
The chapter headings included a quote from a fictitious book written in the future by one of the characters in the novel and took the form of definitions of specific Aran stitch pat More...
The chapter headings included a quote from a fictitious book written in the future by one of the characters in the novel and took the form of definitions of specific Aran stitch pat More...
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Sep 22, 2010
Cupcakencorset
rated it:
I liked it, with some nits to pick. Nit #1: Dickson has gone out of her way to make her protagonist an "outsider" in the story, making her rather irritatingly (i.e., unbelievably) prickly about things that don't make a whole lot of sense. It's like she's stressing how much the main character is a stranger in a strange land because she doesn't think we'll get it if she's more subtle. Nit #2: Her writing style annoys me from time to time, for she is fond of using the word "for"
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Jun 22, 2009
penny
rated it:
If I hadn't found this in the book proof section of Strand, I doubt I'd have given it a chance -- it's not the sort of book I read, despite my fibre addiction. It deserves that chance and Dickson does a nice job in balancing the expected with a developed plot that moves it along. I found this to be a quick fun read (about two hours or so on another rainy Friday night). I found the research into the technical process of knitting and spinning fairly accurate. I am not knowledgeable enough to fact-
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Nov 01, 2009
Ruth
rated it:
At long last Becky receives a grant and is able to fulfill her dream of traveling to Ireland to do research for a book that she would like to write. Her college friend, Sharon is from an island off the coast of Ireland and helps to prepare things for her friend's visit. The people of the island already know much about Becky because they have heard many many "Becky" stories from Sharon. Becky becomes involved with the people in town and realizes that she is becoming a part of the com
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Aug 15, 2009
S
rated it:
I found this book very slow at the start...or maybe I was turned off of the book at the beginning, since the domestic violence that the major characters suffered in their past was not described on the back of the book. I wanted to learn about Aran sweaters/stitches and their meanings. I seriously thought before reading the book that they were ugly and did not know they had special significance. (Not necessarily ugly, but I just didn't understand why cables and bobbles and what not were all over
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Aug 28, 2011
Rachel
rated it:
I must admit I didn't get the whole part about knitting. Perhaps visuals of the ganseys would have helped.
The book tells the story of two individuals, Rebecca and Sean, who experienced domestic violence in their pasts. One as the victim and one as the perpetrator.
After 40 years, Sean supposedly feels guilt or remorse at how he treated his family, but I'm not sure most perpetrators of domestic violence feel that way. I believe most go to their graves continuing to b More...
The book tells the story of two individuals, Rebecca and Sean, who experienced domestic violence in their pasts. One as the victim and one as the perpetrator.
After 40 years, Sean supposedly feels guilt or remorse at how he treated his family, but I'm not sure most perpetrators of domestic violence feel that way. I believe most go to their graves continuing to b More...
Nov 09, 2010
Marianne
rated it: 
I did not finish this book. There was too much going back in time with many of the people with the same names. The story line was too contrived. People showing up at the right time to take someone someplace. Too many sub plots. Main character acted like a Victorian character, "What would people think? Maybe they don't like me because of my past"
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Aug 16, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jul 04, 2010
Kathleen
rated it:
There have been a lot of novels written lately with a knitting theme, testimony to the popularity of knitting in current society - a good thing in my opinion. The reviews on them have been mixed, some are good, others are basically little more than Harlequin-type romances with a few knitting scenes thrown in. I was a little skeptical about Nicole R. Dickson's Casting Off but it proved to be quite charming.
It is essentially a romance, too, and there are no surprises to be had but the More...
It is essentially a romance, too, and there are no surprises to be had but the More...
Jun 02, 2010
Heather
rated it:
Casting Off-
1. Ending a knitted work.
2. Releasing lines holding a boat to its mooring.
3. Letting go...
A storybook isle off of Ireland. In Casting Off I got to experience a slice of life in a small tight-knitted Irish community.
From the moment Rebecca and her daughter, Rowan, step onto the island, life will never be the same. The reader is introduced to a whole community all at once. It was a little overwhelming, but then shouldn't it be when you go somewhere More...
1. Ending a knitted work.
2. Releasing lines holding a boat to its mooring.
3. Letting go...
A storybook isle off of Ireland. In Casting Off I got to experience a slice of life in a small tight-knitted Irish community.
From the moment Rebecca and her daughter, Rowan, step onto the island, life will never be the same. The reader is introduced to a whole community all at once. It was a little overwhelming, but then shouldn't it be when you go somewhere More...
Aug 03, 2009
Bonny
rated it:
This book is thebest I have read about the relationship between partners, families and friends. True, it is a novel but filled with insights and worth to teach and educate about domestic violence and how to find redemption.
That is not the reason I bought the book. The book also is a study of women in a socoety who create and nurture traditions, family values and knitting patterns. The knitted ganseys tell a story of their own both figuratively and literally in this book.
T More...
That is not the reason I bought the book. The book also is a study of women in a socoety who create and nurture traditions, family values and knitting patterns. The knitted ganseys tell a story of their own both figuratively and literally in this book.
T More...
Jun 14, 2011
Jen
rated it:
So Good! I just finished reading this, and I'm still thinking about this beautiful story. It's a story of love and forgiveness based on two characters Sean & Rebecca. Sean is older and has lived 40 years with a haunting past that has left him trapped in guilt, and Rebecca is a young mother of a 6 year old girl who also has a past that she can't let go of. The two end up helping one another let go and live life as it should be lived. I admit that the first half of this book was a little slow
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Mar 30, 2010
Eileen
rated it:
The beginning is promising, with a ferry arriving at an unnamed Aran island. (I later discovered that the author has combined aspects of several Aran islands.) Having spent days on Inishmore several years ago I was thrilled to be reliving this time. But, the story doesn't keep up the bargain. There are far too many characters thrown into the mix at the beginning. This settles down to a manageable number as the book progresses. The story also becomes a ho-hum romance, with contrived tie-ins t
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Jul 11, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
I would have given it a higher rating if the dialogue between Rebecca and her daughter Rowen would have been more believable. She spoke to her as you would a 2 yr old and it was annoying as well.... hell. Liked the plot about damaged goods and all but again Rebecca irritated me and needed to kick herself in the butt. MAybe I don't understand the psychology of abused women. Her victimization and all. I am not diminishing her pain, I just don't understand it and her inability to let go and just
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May 01, 2011
Maelou
rated it:
This is one of the best "almost good" books I've read. I loved the Irish setting and the knitting and spinning allusions even though I'm not a knitter. The writing - sometimes good, sometimes ouch! I wonder whether her editor read her first draft and told her that the character of Rebecca/Becky needed more work - more evidence of her torment, etc. and the author added evidence throughout - resulting in some very awkward writing that sticks out like a sore tham and makes Becky a less th
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Aug 06, 2011
Kristin
rated it:
this is a beautifully written story set on a small Irish island. I enjoyed the knitting aspect of the book and learning about the history of Irish sweaters. This is the story of a single mother of a 6 year old daughter, Rowan. She comes to Ireland to study the history of Irish sweaters and visit the childhood home of her college roommate and best friend. Rebecca comes in the hopes of working and in the process starts to find a home and a place to feel safe as she is still trying to put a bad r
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Mar 01, 2010
David
rated it:
This was a delightful read. And I'm not sure why. The characters, the setting and the writing I found to be really well done. I was left a little perplexed at the climax, and some of the critical points in the plot left me a bit underwhelmed. At times I thought the dramatic moments a bit indulgent.
However, the knitting theme and the whole idea of culture, family and friends came together quite nicely. I was several times caught with a knot in my throat and a flutter in my heart. A goo More...
However, the knitting theme and the whole idea of culture, family and friends came together quite nicely. I was several times caught with a knot in my throat and a flutter in my heart. A goo More...
Nov 23, 2009
Joyce
rated it:
My knitting friends gave me this book. I enjoyed it very much. And it was set in Ireland and talked about the sweaters (ganseys) the fisherman wore to keep them warm while out on the seas. Was interested to learn that certain patterns mean certain things and that it was common for men to knit them. The story was a good one and I would recommend it. The woman is an anthropologist and is trying to write a book while spending a summer there, but gets caught up in the lives of the villagers. V
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Oct 17, 2009
Holly (2 Kids and Tired)
rated it:
A thoroughly charming novel. I was a bit hesitant to read another book about knitting, because I haven't truly enjoyed those I've read in the past. However, this one is charming. Set in modern-day Ireland, on a small island off the coast, Rebecca's story unfolds like a ball of yarn: sometimes gently rolling and other times bouncing out of her control. Predictably, she comes to terms with her past and accepts her new future.
The people of the island become Rebecca's new family as they More...
The people of the island become Rebecca's new family as they More...
Jan 18, 2010
Helen
rated it:
Rebecca is an archaeologist. She and her six year old daughter have just come to an island in Ireland to study the history of the sweaters this area is famous for. Each sweater tells a story and she is here on a grant to document and write a book about them.
She is also running from her past as fast as she can. This story combines the story and beauty of the sweaters and how Rebecca finds redemption from her past and hope for the future. For herself and her daughter.
She is also running from her past as fast as she can. This story combines the story and beauty of the sweaters and how Rebecca finds redemption from her past and hope for the future. For herself and her daughter.
Nov 12, 2011
Ria
rated it:
I wish I could give this book 6 stars! The book is about letting go of the past for both Rebecca and Sean. Rebecca's 6 year old daughter is the catalyst for both to let go and also brings the 2 together in friendship. I love the setting of the Western Islands and the small close knit fishing community. Also love the comical intrusion of the tourists... and seriously have a literary crush on Fionn.
Feb 04, 2010
Tere
rated it:
I did not expect this book to be about domestic violence but more about Aran sweaters or the seafaring men who wear them.
It had a slow beginning for me but once I got into it, I had a hard time putting it down. The romance was a bit expected and I think it slowed the storyline down. I was not surprised by the ending, well maybe the events that occured but not the resolution of Rebecca's past.
It had a slow beginning for me but once I got into it, I had a hard time putting it down. The romance was a bit expected and I think it slowed the storyline down. I was not surprised by the ending, well maybe the events that occured but not the resolution of Rebecca's past.
Aug 01, 2010
Jean
rated it:
I listened to this book on a recent road trip because it was the only book I had with me and the radio reception was intermittent. It was annoying company because it’s poorly written and poorly read (Emily Durante). The plot and characters are contrived and unconvincing. The setting is an island in Ireland where two people struggle to “cast off” pasts that are destroying their lives.
Apr 04, 2010
Marilyn
rated it:
Got this from the Library yesterday-seems good so far-about a woman (professor)and her young daughter who go to an island off Ireland to research a book that she is writing. Obviously it will be about relationships with the local people and adjusting to life on an island for the summer.
I finished the book the day after I started it. I liked the book it's two stories about letting go. And also about knitting-made me want to go out and buy yarn and knit an Aran sweater!
I finished the book the day after I started it. I liked the book it's two stories about letting go. And also about knitting-made me want to go out and buy yarn and knit an Aran sweater!
Oct 03, 2010
Laura
rated it:
I enjoyed this book, but I was also a bit annoyed by it. The writing style used a bit too much telling, rather than showing. I didn't really like the main character of the book until near the end.
And yet it was light reading when I was really in the mood for that, and the story kept me engaged, especially because I'm a fan of knitting, spinning, and Ireland. The plot may have been a bit predictable, but I was very satisfied by the tidy, neat bows tied up at the end.
And yet it was light reading when I was really in the mood for that, and the story kept me engaged, especially because I'm a fan of knitting, spinning, and Ireland. The plot may have been a bit predictable, but I was very satisfied by the tidy, neat bows tied up at the end.
