The Pattern in the Carpet by Margaret Drabble is published in hardback by Atlantic Books, priced £18.99.
The sub-title is A Personal History with Jigsaws and Margaret Drabble’s own life with jigsaws began during childhood visits to her Aunt Phyllis, which is how she came in later life to the quest for the history of jigsaws.
This is set against memories of her aunt, and the third main character in the book, the Great North Road.
Aunt Phyllis’ home in Lincolnshire was beside that road when it still wound through villages and the early part of the book is scattered with its memorabilia – the Ram Jam Inn, Hovis tearooms, towns that are now just names on signposts.
The author’s own childhood, her enjoyment or otherwise of writing she encountered, nostalgia and angst are intermingled with the quest for the story of puzzles, particularly of the jigsaw variety.
This intermingling doesn’t always make for smooth reading, but it is a gentle pursuit of an enthusiasm, a very personal book of a distinguished author and in no great hurry over 338 pages.
– PD
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