Crazy Quilt

Paula Paul
University of New Mexico Press (2005)
ISBN 082633704X
Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (9/06)

Flora Adams is a woman of forty plus years who is returning home to west Texas from Albuquerque to visit her Aunt Cora in Luddock.  It’s been twenty years since Flora has been home, but she hopes a visit will help her recover from recent breast cancer surgery and the ravages of the chemotherapy treatments.  Flora also hopes the time away will help her failing marriage of twenty years to husband Jeff.

While visiting her old hometown, Flora remembers all the fond childhood memories of her mother and grandmother as they put together lovely quilts for the family to enjoy, creating lasting treasures to snuggle and keep warm with.  Flora remembers how the intricate patterns of special blocks were always special to behold such as the Five Point Star and the Flower Basket.  With the leftover scraps, the odd shaped pieces could be used as a Crazy Quilt, and that is what Flora feels she’s made of her life—not a lovely and stitch perfect block, but a crazy quilt.

While visiting the exact spot of her old home, Flora meets Mac, a stubborn old man who teaches Flora some important lessons of life.  Flora ends up extending her visit and moving in with Mac.  Flora reacquaints herself with old friends, even old boyfriend, James Willie, who is now the town sheriff.  Mac teaches Flora to live for today and to take what your soul needs, for tomorrow may be too late.  Flora tells Mac about her cancer and her fears of death.  Flora and Mac become good friends and learn just how much they have in common.  They soon realize they both need each other in more ways than they know.  Even Shorty the dog is a loyal and needed companion in this unique partnership.

Because of troubles at home, Mac’s granddaughter Jillian comes to live with Mac and Flora.  It soon becomes apparent the know-it-all punk rock front that Jillian wears is just that, a front.  She too is running away from something and has found solace in the lifestyle Mac leads.  Jillian loves the home she now shares in Texas, especially when she meets Scott, another teen who lives nearby.

I loved everything about Crazy Quilt from the first page to the last.  It is all about living and caring about what is most important in life.  Crazy Quilt is about finding out who you are, what you really want out of life, and what makes you happy.  Ultimately, we all desire a fulfilling life without regrets.

Women in their middle years or those touched by cancer are the target audience, for they will readily relate to Flora and her fears. Those dealing with chemo, a troubling marriage, menopause, teens, or sick and aging loved ones should also relate.  Quilt lovers will enjoy the novel too.

Crazy Quilt is a lovely story with a memorable and heartwarming message you will not soon forget.  The characters are interesting and their personalities are well developed.  The underlying theme of quilts just pulls it together so nicely.  I strongly recommend reading this superb book.  Thirty percent of the author’s royalties from the book goes to the University of New Mexico Cancer Research and Treatment Center for cancer research.

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