Helpful Score: 8
This book is a delightful historical fiction story! Charming,warm( with a slight mystery- women, their bonds, their strength, love ,kindness,intelligence... the steel magnolias of the dust bowl!
Helpful Score: 5
This one has it all...laughter, mystery, tears.
I found it confusing to start but got into it after the first chapter. Great characterization.
I found it confusing to start but got into it after the first chapter. Great characterization.
Helpful Score: 4
Excellent story of women in the 1930's who come together once a week to quilt and share their lives in very hard times.
Helpful Score: 4
Enjoyable book, good story of a group of women in a quilting group in the 1930's with a murder mystery twist.
Helpful Score: 3
Sandra Dallas tells a good story and this book is no exception. Don't worry about getting all the characters straight in the beginning. The whole story comes together and tells of strength and friendship in a quilting club in Harveyville, Kansas during the dry years in the '30s.
Helpful Score: 3
I really loved this book, and it was nice to read about Kansas (where I grew up) in the 1930's, when my parents were pre-teens. I loved the quilting angle, as I am a quilter. A really good book and one that stayed with me... and a good twist at the end!
Helpful Score: 2
It is the 1930s, and hard times have hit Harveyville, Kansas, where the crops are burning up and there\'s not a job to be found. For Queenie Bean, a young farm wife, a highlight of each week is the gathering of the Persian Pickle Club, a group of local ladies dedicated to improving their minds, exchanging gossip, and putting their quilting skills to good use. When a new member of the group stirs up a dark secret, the women must band together to support and protect one another. In her magical, memorable novel, Saundra Dallas explores the ties that unite women through good times and bad.
Helpful Score: 2
LOVED this book. I read it in one sitting!
Helpful Score: 2
A new friend with a prying mind comes dangerously close to uncovering a secret that members of the Persian Pickle Club have sworn to keep under wraps.
Helpful Score: 1
I adored this book, set in Kansas in the 1930's. It is a mystery surrounding a quilting bee of women. Wonderful!
Helpful Score: 1
This is a fun friendship book with a suprise ending. It is also set in Kansas which is neat.
Helpful Score: 1
This entertaining second novel from the author of the well-received Buster Midnight's Cafe could be a sleeper. Set in Depression-era Kansas and made vivid with the narrator's humorous down-home voice, it's a story of loyalty and friendship in a women's quilting circle. Young farm wife Queenie Bean tells about the brief membership of a city girl named Rita, whose boredom with country living and aspirations to be an investigative reporter lead her to unearth secrets in the close-knit group, called the Persian Pickle Club after a coveted paisley print. Queenie's desire to win Rita's friendship ("We were chickens... and Rita was a hummingbird") clashes with her loyalty to the Pickles when Rita tries to solve the murder of a member's husband, in the process unearthing complicated relationships among the women who meet each week to quilt and read aloud to each other. The result is a simple but endearing story that depicts small-town eccentricities with affection and adds dazzle with some late-breaking surprises. Dallas hits all the right notes, combining an authentic look at the social fabric of Depression-era life with a homespun suspense story.
Helpful Score: 1
I read this book for a book club and thought it was outstanding, as did the other 5 women! I found myself enveloped in their lives and really enjoyed the book.
Helpful Score: 1
A story about a close knit group of women during the 1930s. This story is written in true Sandra Dallas style. A very quick read with many twist and turns right up to the end.
Helpful Score: 1
One of my favorite books. Sandra Dallas's characters are so real, it's like they live next door.
The reason I have a copy to give is that I loaned this copy to someone and when it didn't come back, I bought another copy.
The reason I have a copy to give is that I loaned this copy to someone and when it didn't come back, I bought another copy.
Helpful Score: 1
Great heart-warming book that gives the history into the lives of women in 1930 Kansas. I thought it was just great.
Helpful Score: 1
Set in the dust bowl during the Depression, this is an interesting story about a group of women who have a quilting group. (Persian Pickle is a colloquialism for paisley.) The thing that held me back from giving it 4 stars: I found the unusual and odd names a little difficult to assign to characters, because of their oddity, but also because there are extended families, several of whom only factor into the story for a sentence or two, which makes them difficult to distinguish from one another.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book. I thought the characters of the women were well developed, especially that of Rita. I liked how the women all banned together to help each other over and over in the book. They even covered up two major scandalls and protected each other at all costs. I loved this quality about these women.
Helpful Score: 1
I love this author. This story about the depression in Kansas brought back many memories of that time when I was a child. Very short book; very readable, very enjoyable. I did have some confusion remembering all of the names of the women in the club for some reason. It is a book about friendship and hardship. I would recommend it to anyone. Also loved her book, "Buster Midmight's Cafe" era post WWII. Genny Sikes
Helpful Score: 1
Easy reading mystery story based in 1930's Kansas where a new member of their quilting club starts digging into the clubs deep dark secrets. Nice story with interesting characters.
Helpful Score: 1
A book about how times can never be so hard that they can't be eased when friends gather together.
Helpful Score: 1
Delightful read that depicts small town eccentricities w/ affection and adds dazzle w/ some late breaking surprises
Helpful Score: 1
A colorful exploration of Depression-era Kansas and the meaning of friendship.
Helpful Score: 1
This is my 4th Sandra Dallas book and I've enjoyed everyone. This particular book is about the 1930's and hard times in Harveysville, Kansas. It explores the ties that unite women through good times and bad.
Helpful Score: 1
A story about women supporting and protecting each other. The women belong to a quilting club that believes in enlightening their minds, gossip and joining together to make quilts. A story about the true sister-hood of women!
Helpful Score: 1
Another book about a bunch of women and their lives, some mystery and it takes an unexpected twist! the end leaves you guessing...
Helpful Score: 1
A very enjoyable read. I loved all the characters!
Helpful Score: 1
This is a delightful book set in Kansas in the 30's. The Pickle Club is the neighborhood quilting club. You learn a little about each member and the secrets they share.
Helpful Score: 1
Good tale, thought-provoking and touching.
Enjoyed this little read so very much. The phrasing of these wonderful characters are enough to make one like this one. I laughed many times as I read through their conversations.
Just so you know it's about a murder and a women's quilting club during dust bowl years. Friendship among the women is a strong thread that holds the story together. The murder? Who did it? One is never certain but it doesn't seem to matter in this read. Why? You have to pick it up to discover for yourself. Somehow it all weaves together for an entertaining reading experience.
Just so you know it's about a murder and a women's quilting club during dust bowl years. Friendship among the women is a strong thread that holds the story together. The murder? Who did it? One is never certain but it doesn't seem to matter in this read. Why? You have to pick it up to discover for yourself. Somehow it all weaves together for an entertaining reading experience.
If you're looking for a book about the power of friendship, The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas is the book for you. Don't let the name fool you. It's not set in the Middle East. The story takes place in Kansas during the hard times and drought of the 1930s. A Persian pickle is a paisley, and the club is a quilting bee. The women of the Persian Pickle Club dress up and meet regularly to quilt and socialize. They love nothing more than trading fabric scraps and finding new patterns with names like Better Times, Nine-Patch, Wandering Foot, and Road to Californy.
When new comer, Rita, joins the group, they try to welcome her even though she doesn't quite fit in. She's a college girl who doesn't know how to sew a stitch. She has a hankering for bourbon and a yearning to be a journalist. She would prefer to read rather than sew, which is something Queenie just can't understand. The story is told by Queenie, a kind and sensible young farmwife who befriends Rita and helps her in her quest to become a journalist.
I loved this book from beginning to the very end. Through miscarriages, polio scares, problems with daughters, or even the discovery of one woman's missing husband found buried in a field, the Pickles are there for each other. The book is a fast read. You might zip through it, but Queenie and the Pickles will stay with you a long time.
Read other reviews at http://readinginthegarden.blogspot.com
When new comer, Rita, joins the group, they try to welcome her even though she doesn't quite fit in. She's a college girl who doesn't know how to sew a stitch. She has a hankering for bourbon and a yearning to be a journalist. She would prefer to read rather than sew, which is something Queenie just can't understand. The story is told by Queenie, a kind and sensible young farmwife who befriends Rita and helps her in her quest to become a journalist.
I loved this book from beginning to the very end. Through miscarriages, polio scares, problems with daughters, or even the discovery of one woman's missing husband found buried in a field, the Pickles are there for each other. The book is a fast read. You might zip through it, but Queenie and the Pickles will stay with you a long time.
Read other reviews at http://readinginthegarden.blogspot.com
It is the 1930s, and hard times have hit Harveyville, Kansas, where the crops are burning up, and there's not a job to be found. For Queenie Bean, a young farm wife, a highlight of each week is the gathering of the Persian Pickle Club, a group of local ladies dedicated to improving their minds, exchanging gossip, and putting their quilting skills to good use. When a new member of the club stirs up a dark secret, the women must band together to support and protect one another. In her magical, memorable novel, Sandra Dallas explores the ties that unite women through good times and bad.
This is a great story and mystery; all the way to the last page of the book.
This is a great story and mystery; all the way to the last page of the book.
I figured out the "mystery" fairly quickly. But still it was a good quick get away from the world for a day read. I may pick up some more of her books for those times I need a super simple book to just get away.
I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. It is my favorite Sandra Dallas book. It has a wonderful story of the enduring friendships between women.
This is a light read, and very enjoyable. I was surprised at the age of the narrator. She seemed to have an older voice to me. Perhaps it was because of the Dust Bowl Era, that she seemed more mature. Overall, the storyline was good. I could get a firm picture of each character. Though the title is unusual, I liked that the author explained what it meant as I read through the book. If you're looking for something light to read at the beach or in the carpool line at school, this is a perfect choice. I look forward to reading more of Sandra Dallas' books.
This is a great story. It's fresh, suspenseful and the characters are wonderful.
loved it!
Sandra Dallas is my favorite author. She write stories about friendships between women during difficult times. Most of her books have surprise endings.
Great book! Very engaging!
This was the second time I read this book and I think I enjoyed it even more the second time around. Things I liked about the book: the author uses the vernacular of the place and time. When the characters speak they sound authentic, even though some of the characters are not well educated. You can hear their accents and "see" how they're dressed. It was not difficult to imagine the scenery, the decor of the homes, or the quilts. This book was the January read for my book club. Though I'm the only quilter in the group, everyone enjoyed it and had a lot to say. From the food to the murder mystery to the odd characters there was something for everyone to love. Highly recommend it!
This was an easy read. I liked the ending was a surprise. Enjoyable!
A group of women have a quilting club in their area. A couple comes to their town looking for a place to live.
The woman wishes very much to be a reporter for a newspaper. When she hears about a murder in town, she just KNOWS this is her time to shine and write an outstanding article.
I enjoyed this book very much. There is a twist at the end which surprised me.
The woman wishes very much to be a reporter for a newspaper. When she hears about a murder in town, she just KNOWS this is her time to shine and write an outstanding article.
I enjoyed this book very much. There is a twist at the end which surprised me.
I enjoyed this book. Takes place during the depression so deals with people learning to make do. Strong women. Surprise ending.
I loved this book....it was well written and it got me back into wanting to quilt.
Great book about friendship in the Depression era, Focus is on the young members of a quilting club. Some mystery involved. Has a lot of secondary characters which can be hard to keep straight.
This is the second Sandra Dallas book I've read. She has a special knack for developing characters that seem like your own friends. Really liked it.
Enjoyable read about a group of women, ranging in ages from 20 t0 70 who bond over quilting, support one another and keep secrets.
Set in Depression-era Kansas and made vivid with the narrator's humorous down-home voice, it's a story of loyalty and friendship in a women's quilting circle
This book was excellent. Publishers weekly as this to say about the book-"An endearing story that depicts small-town eccentricities with affection and adds dazzle with some late-breaking surprises. Dallas hits all the right notes, combining an authentic look at the social fabric of Depression-era life with a homespun suspense story.
A fun read. I really enjoy this author.
Persian Pickle Club, a group of local ladies dedicated to improving their minds, exchanging gossip, and putting their quilting skills to good use. When a new member of the club stirs up dark secrets, the women must band together to protect and support one another. 4 stars
A quilter's delight....Ladies supporting their club members in questionable situations.
Great read, one you think about after you've finished--wondering what became of the women after these events. Great exploration of the bonds of friendships.
Depression era, historical fiction. Heart warming quick read.
Hard times in Kansas, l930's. The Persian Pickle Club eet to quilt and then a new member stirs up a dark secret. A cozy book.
It is the 1930's, and hard times have hit Harveyville, Ks, where the crops are burning uap and there's not a job to be found.
For Queenie Bean, a young farm wife, a higlight of each week is the gathering of local ladies dedicated to improving their minds, echanging gossip and putting their quilting skill to good use. When a member of the club stirs up a dark secret, the women must bond together to support and protect one another.
For Queenie Bean, a young farm wife, a higlight of each week is the gathering of local ladies dedicated to improving their minds, echanging gossip and putting their quilting skill to good use. When a member of the club stirs up a dark secret, the women must bond together to support and protect one another.
Queenie Bean enjoys getting together each week with the Persian Pickle Club, a group of local ladies who get together each week, quilting and gossiping. But what about this new member...and the secret she's stirring up?
A colorful exploration of depression-era Kansas and the meaning of friendship - The New York Times Book Review
Very well written. Nice plot.
The 1930's during a drought brought farmer's wives and neighbors to form a quilting group known as The Persian Pickle Club. It was Friendship and kinship that kept the club quilting for the Preacher or other community needs. But the real treasure was not in the stitches, fabrics or choice of patterns - it was the secrets that were known and kept.
When Rita moved back with her Husband Tom, she wanted to escape the farm life and began to write articles for the local paper - coming upon secrets that needed to be kept and not exposed to the world. While being taught to quilt, she learned the true value of friendships.
When Rita moved back with her Husband Tom, she wanted to escape the farm life and began to write articles for the local paper - coming upon secrets that needed to be kept and not exposed to the world. While being taught to quilt, she learned the true value of friendships.
A heart felt touching story about women and their bonds. This book is centered on friends. Friends during the depression who get together every week to quilt. A lot more than quilting goes on during these meetings. There is a little mystery thrown in, as well. A very enjoyable read.
It is the 1930s and hard times have hit Harveyville,Kansas,where the crops are burning up,and there's not a job to be found.
