Plot Summary

The Lace Reader

Brunonia Barry
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The Lace Reader

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2006

Book Brief

Brunonia Barry

The Lace Reader

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2006
Book Details
Pages

416

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Salem, Massachusetts • 1990s

Publication Year

2006

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry follows Towner Whitney, an unreliable narrator grappling with past trauma, as she returns to her native Salem to investigate her aunt Eva's mysterious disappearance and death. There, Towner confronts her family's complex history, including her sister's death, and faces a community's hostility towards witchcraft, ultimately seeking resolution through her inherited gift of lace reading. The book covers sensitive topics including mental health issues and domestic violence.

Mysterious

Contemplative

Emotional

Dark

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

3.8

31,179 ratings

52%

Loved it

33%

Mixed feelings

15%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry is praised for its atmospheric setting and intricate plot, weaving together suspense and historical Salem with a touch of the supernatural. Critics appreciate Barry's engaging prose and well-drawn characters. However, some find the narrative occasionally confusing and the pacing uneven. Overall, it is a compelling and original read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Lace Reader?

Readers who enjoy The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry are typically fans of intricate, character-driven mysteries with elements of magical realism. Comparable to audiences of Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic and Sarah Addison Allen's Garden Spells, they appreciate deeply atmospheric stories woven with family secrets and New England charm.

3.8

31,179 ratings

52%

Loved it

33%

Mixed feelings

15%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

416

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Salem, Massachusetts • 1990s

Publication Year

2006

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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