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Casting Off
Casting Off:
1. Ending a knitted work.
2. Releasing lines holding a boat to its mooring.
3. Letting go...
On a tiny island off the west coast of Ireland, the fishermen's handmade sweaters tell a story. Each is unique-feelings stitched into rows, memories into patterns.
It is here that Rebecca Moray comes to research a book on Irish knitting. With her daughter, Rowan, accompanying her, she hopes to lose herself in the history of the island and forget her own painful past. Soon, the townsfolk's warm embrace wraps Rebecca and Rowan in a world of friendship, laughter, and love.
And it is here that young Rowan befriends Sean Morahan, a cantankerous old fisherman, despite his attempts to scare her off. As Rebecca watches her daughter interact with Morahan, she recognizes in his eyes a look that speaks of a dark knowledge not unlike her own. And when current storms threaten to resurrect old ones, Morahan and Rebecca find themselves on a collision course-with Rowan caught between them-each buffeted by waves of regret and recrimination. Only by walking headfirst into the winds will they find the faith to forgive without forgetting...and reach the shore.
1. Ending a knitted work.
2. Releasing lines holding a boat to its mooring.
3. Letting go...
On a tiny island off the west coast of Ireland, the fishermen's handmade sweaters tell a story. Each is unique-feelings stitched into rows, memories into patterns.
It is here that Rebecca Moray comes to research a book on Irish knitting. With her daughter, Rowan, accompanying her, she hopes to lose herself in the history of the island and forget her own painful past. Soon, the townsfolk's warm embrace wraps Rebecca and Rowan in a world of friendship, laughter, and love.
And it is here that young Rowan befriends Sean Morahan, a cantankerous old fisherman, despite his attempts to scare her off. As Rebecca watches her daughter interact with Morahan, she recognizes in his eyes a look that speaks of a dark knowledge not unlike her own. And when current storms threaten to resurrect old ones, Morahan and Rebecca find themselves on a collision course-with Rowan caught between them-each buffeted by waves of regret and recrimination. Only by walking headfirst into the winds will they find the faith to forgive without forgetting...and reach the shore.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Nicole R. Dickson
3 books37 followersNicole R. Dickson is a writer residing in North Carolina. Her first novel, Casting Off, was a top ten entry in the first Amazon Breakthough Novel Award. Her second novel, Here and Again, published in 2014 Penguin/NAL.
Nicole R. Dickson's is writing the orphan stories.
Nicole R. Dickson's is writing the orphan stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 301 reviews
December 12, 2017
Beautiful characters. A delight to read.
June 11, 2009
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 ever since her college roommate, Sharon, taught her to knit. Rebecca and Sharon became as close as sisters, and though Sharon returned to Ireland, they keep in touch regularly.
Rebecca arrives in Ireland with her 6-year-old daughter, Rowan, and with the memory of her relationship with Rowan's father, who had been abusive to her. Sharon, who remains in Dublin ready to give birth, has told the people of the island stories over the years about Rebecca, so even though she is a stranger, everyone seems to know all about her.
Though Rebecca only has two months in which to do her research before her grant money runs out, she finds that the people of the island are very leisurely about providing the information she is seeking. They do not concern themselves with her deadlines, and try to make her comfortable in a slower pace of life. Her daughter Rowan makes friends and loves her new life, becoming very close with an older, widowed recluse, Sean Morahan.
This book was interesting to me because it was very descriptive of the way of life and the traditions of the people on the island. I also learned a lot about spinning, weaving, ganseys, and curraghs (a type of fishing boat).
A few of the characters were "typical," in that you felt you knew where there stories were headed, and in some sense, Rebecca and Sean fell into that category as well. But I think it is to the author's credit that she took what could have been a predictable story and instead made it a story of loss and redemption without it becoming too "perfect."
As is the case in a lot of books, the ending left something to be desired. It seemed to me that once the climax of the story had been reached, the author felt she had to tie things up and end it right away, and that seemed false to me, given the way the rest of the book had progressed.
An interesting story of someone hoping to find a place to call home.
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 ever since her college roommate, Sharon, taught her to knit. Rebecca and Sharon became as close as sisters, and though Sharon returned to Ireland, they keep in touch regularly.
Rebecca arrives in Ireland with her 6-year-old daughter, Rowan, and with the memory of her relationship with Rowan's father, who had been abusive to her. Sharon, who remains in Dublin ready to give birth, has told the people of the island stories over the years about Rebecca, so even though she is a stranger, everyone seems to know all about her.
Though Rebecca only has two months in which to do her research before her grant money runs out, she finds that the people of the island are very leisurely about providing the information she is seeking. They do not concern themselves with her deadlines, and try to make her comfortable in a slower pace of life. Her daughter Rowan makes friends and loves her new life, becoming very close with an older, widowed recluse, Sean Morahan.
This book was interesting to me because it was very descriptive of the way of life and the traditions of the people on the island. I also learned a lot about spinning, weaving, ganseys, and curraghs (a type of fishing boat).
A few of the characters were "typical," in that you felt you knew where there stories were headed, and in some sense, Rebecca and Sean fell into that category as well. But I think it is to the author's credit that she took what could have been a predictable story and instead made it a story of loss and redemption without it becoming too "perfect."
As is the case in a lot of books, the ending left something to be desired. It seemed to me that once the climax of the story had been reached, the author felt she had to tie things up and end it right away, and that seemed false to me, given the way the rest of the book had progressed.
An interesting story of someone hoping to find a place to call home.
April 20, 2011
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 overcome trauma from her past. It's like the entire village got together to stage an intervention for someone they'd never met, and then they figured out the best way to help her, whether she liked it or not.
And then there's the love story! I don't want to spoil the book, but I still don't know why they fell in love. Unless, as Rebecca put it at one point, it's a pretty small island, and there's not much to choose from. I can't figure out why any of these people liked Rebecca. I understood her reactions, mostly because we were privy to her thoughts, but I don't see why any of the villagers wanted to help her. She seemed disagreeable most of the time.
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 overcome trauma from her past. It's like the entire village got together to stage an intervention for someone they'd never met, and then they figured out the best way to help her, whether she liked it or not.
And then there's the love story! I don't want to spoil the book, but I still don't know why they fell in love. Unless, as Rebecca put it at one point, it's a pretty small island, and there's not much to choose from. I can't figure out why any of these people liked Rebecca. I understood her reactions, mostly because we were privy to her thoughts, but I don't see why any of the villagers wanted to help her. She seemed disagreeable most of the time.
March 27, 2011
Adorable, wise Irish people existing to serve and help the fucked up American. And the knitting wasn't good. Avoid.
January 16, 2014
It is just one of those books that you want to curl up and read without interruption, and wish you could move into the place and time, having the characters for your neighbors and friends.
January 11, 2015
This book had been in my TBR pile for a while now. I finally decided to start it and could not put it down. I loved it! It is set on an island off the Irish coast and talks of knitting and Irish people and music so what is there not to love. It gave me that good feeling like I got when watching the TV series Ballykissangel. What is not to like with a combination like this?
Rebecca (Becky to her family) is setting off to Sharon's island with her 6 year old daughter Rowan in tow to write a book on a university grant. She is going to study the fisherman's knit sweaters called a gansey. Each family used unique sets of stitches for their men's sweaters. They were meant to keep them warm on the waters as they fished but also helped identify anyone washed ashore.
Rowan is at home on the island from the start and I enjoyed seeing her experience everything in my mind's eye while her mother was wading through her past and trying to keep her mind on her work.
The people on the island are warm and welcoming. They were well written and you felt as if you were there watching the story unfold. Good thing I cannot knit or I would be pulling out my needles to make a gansey after reading this book.
Rebecca (Becky to her family) is setting off to Sharon's island with her 6 year old daughter Rowan in tow to write a book on a university grant. She is going to study the fisherman's knit sweaters called a gansey. Each family used unique sets of stitches for their men's sweaters. They were meant to keep them warm on the waters as they fished but also helped identify anyone washed ashore.
Rowan is at home on the island from the start and I enjoyed seeing her experience everything in my mind's eye while her mother was wading through her past and trying to keep her mind on her work.
The people on the island are warm and welcoming. They were well written and you felt as if you were there watching the story unfold. Good thing I cannot knit or I would be pulling out my needles to make a gansey after reading this book.
January 13, 2015
Casting off was one of the warmest books I read during these holidays. In a way, it felt like a really nice Christmas present too - it was just what I needed. I liked just about everything about it - except maybe for the dialogues, as they can be a little stiff and artificial - but I've noticed that this is a very common thing in American books, so perhaps it's understandable. Other than that, the book offered a safe-feeling atmosphere which I happened to be needing at the time I received it. I really liked the theme of letting go - because, incidentally, I was facing similar thoughts at the time. There were at least two instances when certain passages in the book seemed to refer to my situation and suggested commentary, which in turn made me think about certain things more deeply, of course.
Another thing I really liked about the book is how knitting patterns were used in the beginning of every chapter. Although - I have to say - it is regrettable that they're only explained and not drawn or photographed. I caught myself googling the patterns numerous times, trying to imagine them better!
Now for the actual tale.. The book is layered very nicely - parts of the story happen in the current time, parts of it intertwine with memories of the past. You don't really find out what happened in the main character's past almost till the very end - although you do have your suspicions. Both the stories of the main character Rebecca and and the old man Sean are touching, yet sad. Although Rebecca has no way of facing her actual past, Sean's history is used in the book to act as the 'other side' of what happened - through the similarities of their lives - similar disaster, yet different side of the experience. Both these stories are nicely tied together by the innocent affection and understanding of a small child (Rebecca's daughter) - the unconditional understanding that most adults will have lost the capacity to give because of preconceptions and past experiences.
Generally, if you're looking for hope, warmth and reassurance - this book is the book for you. It's the kind of book you'll want to read curled up on the sofa by an (imaginary, perhaps) fireplace with some hot cocoa in your mug.. trying to delay the ending as long as you can.
EDIT: I wonder if I mentioned anywhere that I received this as a Firstreads giveaway. In case I haven't, I'm mentioning it now :)
Another thing I really liked about the book is how knitting patterns were used in the beginning of every chapter. Although - I have to say - it is regrettable that they're only explained and not drawn or photographed. I caught myself googling the patterns numerous times, trying to imagine them better!
Now for the actual tale.. The book is layered very nicely - parts of the story happen in the current time, parts of it intertwine with memories of the past. You don't really find out what happened in the main character's past almost till the very end - although you do have your suspicions. Both the stories of the main character Rebecca and and the old man Sean are touching, yet sad. Although Rebecca has no way of facing her actual past, Sean's history is used in the book to act as the 'other side' of what happened - through the similarities of their lives - similar disaster, yet different side of the experience. Both these stories are nicely tied together by the innocent affection and understanding of a small child (Rebecca's daughter) - the unconditional understanding that most adults will have lost the capacity to give because of preconceptions and past experiences.
Generally, if you're looking for hope, warmth and reassurance - this book is the book for you. It's the kind of book you'll want to read curled up on the sofa by an (imaginary, perhaps) fireplace with some hot cocoa in your mug.. trying to delay the ending as long as you can.
EDIT: I wonder if I mentioned anywhere that I received this as a Firstreads giveaway. In case I haven't, I'm mentioning it now :)
October 5, 2016
This is a wonderful, magical story that takes place on a tiny island off the west coast of Ireland. The author has created this island by taking parts of the three Aran Islands and making them into one. It is an island where the women (and an occasional man) spin wool, which they then use to create beautiful handmade sweaters (fishermen's sweaters, called ganseys) each with its own special story.
Casting Off begins sixteen years after Rebecca (American) and Sharon (Irish) have met at college (UC - Berkeley) and have grown to become best friends. Rebecca and her six year old daughter, Rowan, have just stepped off the ferry on this quaint little island that Sharon has told her so much about. Although Sharon is now living in Dublin and expecting her first child, she has many family members and friends on the island who will look after Rebecca and Rowan.
It quickly becomes obvious that something very tragic has happened in Rebecca's past, and it concerns the father of her child in some way. She has come to the island to study the sweaters and to write a book about them. It seems there is more to her journey than just that, though, as she is very frightened and does not want to let anyone into her life. She is not the only one with a secret and a tragic past . We soon meet an older fisherman, Sean Morahan, who is very bitter and unfriendly. Something awful has happened in his past that is revealed as the story is carried along. This book has more than mystery, suspense and secrets, though. Fionn O'Flaherty with his red hair and Irish charm brings the fun and romance into the story, as do the various islanders with their never ending kindness and little lessons that mend broken pieces.
The author has clearly done a lot of research in writing this book, and it is full of interesting facts and pieces of history. I learned not only about gurneys, but also fishing boats called curraghs and Mistle thrush birds, who sing during storms. Casting Off is a story that will speak to your heart. I found it very hard to put down and enjoyed every page and every character. I felt as if I was right there with the cool air blowing off the water and the waves washing up on the shore. I wanted to finish the story to see how it would all end up, but at the same time I knew I was going to miss it once I was done.
Casting Off begins sixteen years after Rebecca (American) and Sharon (Irish) have met at college (UC - Berkeley) and have grown to become best friends. Rebecca and her six year old daughter, Rowan, have just stepped off the ferry on this quaint little island that Sharon has told her so much about. Although Sharon is now living in Dublin and expecting her first child, she has many family members and friends on the island who will look after Rebecca and Rowan.
It quickly becomes obvious that something very tragic has happened in Rebecca's past, and it concerns the father of her child in some way. She has come to the island to study the sweaters and to write a book about them. It seems there is more to her journey than just that, though, as she is very frightened and does not want to let anyone into her life. She is not the only one with a secret and a tragic past . We soon meet an older fisherman, Sean Morahan, who is very bitter and unfriendly. Something awful has happened in his past that is revealed as the story is carried along. This book has more than mystery, suspense and secrets, though. Fionn O'Flaherty with his red hair and Irish charm brings the fun and romance into the story, as do the various islanders with their never ending kindness and little lessons that mend broken pieces.
The author has clearly done a lot of research in writing this book, and it is full of interesting facts and pieces of history. I learned not only about gurneys, but also fishing boats called curraghs and Mistle thrush birds, who sing during storms. Casting Off is a story that will speak to your heart. I found it very hard to put down and enjoyed every page and every character. I felt as if I was right there with the cool air blowing off the water and the waves washing up on the shore. I wanted to finish the story to see how it would all end up, but at the same time I knew I was going to miss it once I was done.
July 26, 2012
Man, I read this book in two days! I was so hooked! I SO want to go to Ireland now! I even bookmarked this website dedicated to Irish baby names just so I could look up names to know how they were pronounced.
I am a knitter; damn proud to be one too. I found the topic of ganseys so fascinating. I had heard about fisherman ohanas creating their own designs so if one were to drown identification could be done. It is so amazing how families have their own designs and it was so cool to learn about the meaning behind a different type of stitch or pattern before each chapter started.
While there was bit of a romance aspect between Becky and Fionn, I thought what Becky and Sean went through with their past demons was realistic. Things like that happen in real life and traumas like that can scar you deeply. To try to move on can be extremely difficult. But you never know what will happen in life later on that will bring you up. The flow of the characters' slow healing was right on. The transitions between the present and the past were smooth and related to what was going on in the moment. There were funny moments throughout the book too.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will keep an eye out for this author's future works.
I am a knitter; damn proud to be one too. I found the topic of ganseys so fascinating. I had heard about fisherman ohanas creating their own designs so if one were to drown identification could be done. It is so amazing how families have their own designs and it was so cool to learn about the meaning behind a different type of stitch or pattern before each chapter started.
While there was bit of a romance aspect between Becky and Fionn, I thought what Becky and Sean went through with their past demons was realistic. Things like that happen in real life and traumas like that can scar you deeply. To try to move on can be extremely difficult. But you never know what will happen in life later on that will bring you up. The flow of the characters' slow healing was right on. The transitions between the present and the past were smooth and related to what was going on in the moment. There were funny moments throughout the book too.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will keep an eye out for this author's future works.
January 17, 2010
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 were alternate definitions that were people, objects, or character traits, etc and somehow tied into the story. These were made up by the author, but seemed to be from a real book!
The only thing I thought was a little much, was Rebecca's hold on her daughter and her inablility to let her go and to trust. She had good reason for it and her new friends were like family caring and accepting her-but it took the whole book for her to work through it. In life everything does happen in its own time... I also enjoyed vicariously roaming the island, by the sea, hardy folks, boats, etc.
The only thing I thought was a little much, was Rebecca's hold on her daughter and her inablility to let her go and to trust. She had good reason for it and her new friends were like family caring and accepting her-but it took the whole book for her to work through it. In life everything does happen in its own time... I also enjoyed vicariously roaming the island, by the sea, hardy folks, boats, etc.
February 1, 2010
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 patterns, but also included metaphors related to the story. This was confusing, distracting, annoying.
If you are not a serious knitter and you like flimsy romances, go for it. I have read many of the knitting needlework related novels and mysteries - most are lightweight entertainment at best, but this one needed a rewrite.
And by the way, the title terminology is wrong - a knitter Casts On a garment but Binds Off at the end. Casting off is a nautical term, but not a correct knitting term.
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 patterns, but also included metaphors related to the story. This was confusing, distracting, annoying.
If you are not a serious knitter and you like flimsy romances, go for it. I have read many of the knitting needlework related novels and mysteries - most are lightweight entertainment at best, but this one needed a rewrite.
And by the way, the title terminology is wrong - a knitter Casts On a garment but Binds Off at the end. Casting off is a nautical term, but not a correct knitting term.
September 22, 2010
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" as a conjunction. It is completely disruptive and pulled me out of the story every time I encountered it (which was often), for normal people don't use "for" that way in contemporary conversation or writing. They use "since" or "because" or "as," for "for" has become archaic and stilted, for "for" as a conjunction makes the sentence feel forced and unnatural. I hope you do not need more examples, for I am ready to end this review.
March 30, 2010
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 to knitting and spinning.
Several characters ultimately turn and face their demons. Ultimately, it is unsatisfying, but quick, read.
Several characters ultimately turn and face their demons. Ultimately, it is unsatisfying, but quick, read.
March 1, 2010
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 good read if you want to feel good and escape to a really cool place.
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 good read if you want to feel good and escape to a really cool place.
January 13, 2013
Loved it. Thanks for the recommendation Katie .
June 11, 2018
This book was very unusual in many ways. It was planned out very well. Knitting stitches described every chapter. How the two main characters- Sean and Rebecca- connected was a compelling story. I wanted to go to this Irish island! The ghosts and the influence of the priest made me feel God was in control of these character lives. Overall, it was very touching and worth the read.
June 10, 2022
I got caught up in it. Someone brought it to my fiber group meeting and I was waiting on a hold so I took it to read. Didn’t expect to like it.
What’s not to like? A nice story with nice characters. I thought the author did well by not letting it get over the top sappy or ridiculously romantic.
Almost made me want to knit one. Heaven knows I’ve plenty of the fisherman’s wool.
What’s not to like? A nice story with nice characters. I thought the author did well by not letting it get over the top sappy or ridiculously romantic.
Almost made me want to knit one. Heaven knows I’ve plenty of the fisherman’s wool.
June 21, 2019
I put this on my "to read" list a long time ago. I seem to have moved on. It's hard to write a book, even a bad one, but sorry - this is bad. On the plus side, I haven't been able to read much fiction at all lately, and I managed to skim this one thoroughly enough to say I actually read it. :/ I agree with the other one-star reviews re: weaknesses. Too bad, because I love a cheesy romance-with-knitting novel!
October 20, 2012
I loved the concept of this book: a woman travels to Ireland to learn the history of the knitted sweaters, and the significance of the patterns of stitches in each.
What I didn't like (among other things) was the main character herself, Rebecca Moray. From the very start of the book she is whiny and self-centered. Her spirit has been broken by "That Thanksgiving night six years ago..."
What happened that fateful night?
By page 295 I was sick of trying to piece it together. I do like a bit of mystery in a story, but if the author wanted to get us on Rebecca's side (and to understand why she is determined to be cold and prickly to just about every man she meets), then perhaps she should have let us in on the trauma that has shaped Rebecca's life thus far.
I was also mystified by the way Rebecca and another character, Sean, were constantly beset with "crushing pain in [her or his respective] chest", or "crushing pain in [her or his] heart" when they remember the tragic events of their past. Sorrow, fear, grief, anxiety, crushing chest pain.
There is so much crushing chest pain in this book that I was certain I would turn the page to read that either Rebecca or Sean had died of a heart attack. I didn't stick around for the ending, but I can assure you that they are both alive at least until page 295.
Between the crushing chest pains and the contrived love story (seriously, how can anyone love Rebecca when she is so emotionally unavailable?) the knitting really takes a back seat. It's a shame, because the knitting is the reason I wanted to read the book in the first place.
What I didn't like (among other things) was the main character herself, Rebecca Moray. From the very start of the book she is whiny and self-centered. Her spirit has been broken by "That Thanksgiving night six years ago..."
What happened that fateful night?
By page 295 I was sick of trying to piece it together. I do like a bit of mystery in a story, but if the author wanted to get us on Rebecca's side (and to understand why she is determined to be cold and prickly to just about every man she meets), then perhaps she should have let us in on the trauma that has shaped Rebecca's life thus far.
I was also mystified by the way Rebecca and another character, Sean, were constantly beset with "crushing pain in [her or his respective] chest", or "crushing pain in [her or his] heart" when they remember the tragic events of their past. Sorrow, fear, grief, anxiety, crushing chest pain.
There is so much crushing chest pain in this book that I was certain I would turn the page to read that either Rebecca or Sean had died of a heart attack. I didn't stick around for the ending, but I can assure you that they are both alive at least until page 295.
Between the crushing chest pains and the contrived love story (seriously, how can anyone love Rebecca when she is so emotionally unavailable?) the knitting really takes a back seat. It's a shame, because the knitting is the reason I wanted to read the book in the first place.
September 20, 2014
I struggled with how to review this book. I'm still uncertain about how to approach it. I'm certainly not a reviewer.... What I really want is to address some of the previous reviews. The main character in this book, Rebecca, has been a victim of emotional domestic abuse. Several previous reviewers commented that it was hard to believe that she was so afraid for her daughter, about her control issues, and about the fact that it took an entire book for her to deal with those issues. Speaking from personal experience, I think the part that's hardest for ME to buy in to is that in one summer with relative strangers she was "cured". I am aware that there are certain restraints in writing a novel and can accept that Rebecca would continue to deal with the repercussions of her experience, now with a solid support system, after our story ends. I thought the portrayal of Rebecca was excellent. It's a love story ultimately and things don't get too heavy. Rebecca's memories are enough to show that this was not a bad relationship, but truly an abusive one. Rebecca's reactions and fears are completely believable and relate-able to me. While I would not consider this an amazing, life changing novel I would certainly consider it a worthwhile read and recommend it to others. Oh, and there is knitting and spinning, which just makes me happy!
February 25, 2011
I really wanted to love this book, as an Irish-American who loves both Ireland and knitting, but this just didn't work for me.
It was hard to warm up to some of the characters - I didn't even feel like I 'knew' or understood the main character, Rebecca. Nor did I understand what Fionn saw in her.
I ADORED the knitting stitch definitions at the beginning of each chapter - and thought that the whole construct had so much potential. But, alas, it just didn't come together for me. Maybe I can find some other novels that center around knitting.
It was hard to warm up to some of the characters - I didn't even feel like I 'knew' or understood the main character, Rebecca. Nor did I understand what Fionn saw in her.
I ADORED the knitting stitch definitions at the beginning of each chapter - and thought that the whole construct had so much potential. But, alas, it just didn't come together for me. Maybe I can find some other novels that center around knitting.
January 16, 2015
I started this book back before the holidays and set it aside since it seemed too serious at the time. It covers a range of topics from domestic violence to historical knitting as the main character takes time to do research Irish knitting in Ireland. Picking it back up this afternoon, I was quickly drawn back into the characters until I finished it this evening. Well written and interesting cast of personalities coming together.
August 24, 2018
This book was recommended to me, and by all description I thought I would enjoy it. The writing style lost me by chapter three.
There were too many characters tossed in at once, all of whom immediately knew and liked the protagonist, although I haven’t a clue how or why.
Too many adverbs, too much dialogue going nowhere, and not enough character development made Casting Off a somewhat annoying read.
There were too many characters tossed in at once, all of whom immediately knew and liked the protagonist, although I haven’t a clue how or why.
Too many adverbs, too much dialogue going nowhere, and not enough character development made Casting Off a somewhat annoying read.
November 10, 2010
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"
April 2, 2015
Very inventive story. I love fiber art, but knew little about knitting. I really enjoyed this book.
January 24, 2023
super knit book about islands and knitting in Ireland
June 29, 2019
(3.5 stars) Rebecca has traveled to a group of islands off the coast of Ireland to study the special sweaters (ganseys) knitted there. Each gansey contains patterns that tell about the intended wearer. She plans to use the information for her dissertation. Rebecca is also visiting her college friend, soon to have a baby, that introduced her to the island. She brings her daughter, Rowan with her. Rebecca is initially frustrated in her pursuit, as the islanders take their time sharing their creations, some past down for generations. Rebecca is also holding within herself the abuse she received from Rowan’s father and the traumatic events that followed, but may open herself up for the possibility of a new relationship here on the islands. Her daughter strikes up an unlikely friendship with Sean, a troubled man who had his own cycle of abuse and tragedy and who pours his sorrow into creating his own tributes to his family through his guilt and grief. Both Rebecca and Sean begin to change and a storm is brewing that will change their lives forever.
September 24, 2021
When I first started reading this I thought I was in for a 'chick lit'. I was so wrong. What an incredibly powerful story with all the character's voices ringing true. Rebecca gets a grant to go to a small Irish Island to research traditional knitting styles made over generations. She takes her 6 year old daughter with her. What is revealed over the course of a few short weeks is the burden of her past she is carrying that won't let her move into the future and this is mirrored in an elderly fisherman on the island. The Islanders are eccentric but very real and interesting. The tourists on their bikes were both hilarious and really annoying at times. The thread of domestic violence is woven into the story to show its insidious damage as well as the healing process. I learnt about knitting and spinning, thrushes, currahs and lethal storms and could not put book down finishing it at 12.30am. An excellent read.
July 5, 2019
Loved this book. It was a book club read and became one of my favorites. The characters drew me into their stories and made me want to know the secrets they were hiding. The main character in the book is Rebecca, a young, single mother who has escaped to a small island off the coast of Ireland to work on her PHD about the patterns and meanings of the 'ganseys' or traditional Irish knit fishermen sweaters. Each chapter begins with a description of a pattern and meaning of a particular gansey - which I found fascinating. Secrets kept by the characters are revealed slowly, which some readers have found annoying, but not, I or my book club chums. I have since learned that this book is part of a series, which we didn't know as it read like a stand alone. Thoroughly enjoyed this one!
June 4, 2020
I love books that take me to another place to see what life is like there. Casting Off definitely did that. It took me to a small island off the coast of Ireland. The book has three main characters - Becky, who came to the island to research the hand-made sweaters of the locals, Sean, a mean and bitter old man who had lost his entire family, and the island. Becky learned to love again with the encouragement (and insistence - too much insistence?) of Fionn. Throughout the book the reader learns more and more about Becky's abusive husband and how he died. The reader also learns more and more about the death of Sean's family. Not only does Becky learn to love again, but Sean learns to love again because of his connection to Becky's young daughter.
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