Quilting and Patchwork

The Runaway Quilt (An Underground Railroad Novel)

by Mary Emma Allen on January 3rd, 2006

In my explorations of the Underground Railroad in the United States and its connection with quilts and quiltmaking, I’ve found the novel, The Runaway Quilt, a fascinating one. I enjoy Jennifer Chiaverini’s Elm Creek Quilts novels anyway, but this one was particularly interesting.

Old quilts, combined with a memoir written by the heroine’s ancestor, provide an enlightening story about runaway slaves and the use of quilts to help them find their way. The melding of past and present weaves two stories and helps Sylvia Compson, the main character, come to terms with her heritage.

(Do you have any favorite quilting books, fiction or non-fiction? E-mail me: me.allen@juno.com. Type “quilt blog” into the subject line.)

Share This

Related Stories

The Underground Quilt Controversy
Hidden in Plain View - A Favorite Quilt Book
Student Makes Quilt Depicting Slavery & the Underground Railroad
The Fascination of Civil War Era Quilts
Round-up of the Arts Bloggers as Spring Arrives

POSTED IN: Quilting / Patchwork Books and Magazines