Mar. 22, 2010 - Knit Two by Kate Jacobs

"Life is just a process to figure out who we are." As the story progresses that is exactly what each of the characters is attempting to do. This close-knit group of friends must move on without Georgia to guide them or to be a part of their life. Georgia was the glue that bound the friendships, that brought everyone together. It is interesting that in their grief, the friends continue to turn to each other to sort out the various problems in their lives. These problems hinge around relationships with each other, with spouses, and with children all while each character tries to figure out who they are and what ultimately makes them happy.

It is easy to connect with each character's problems as they are everyday situations that many of us deal with. For example, in the first book, Darwin was separated from her doctor husband, Dan, and was unsure what to do with her life. Now, after reuniting with her husband and having just given birth to twins, she sees life in a new perspective. Lucie is raising a child as a single mother and is beginning to doubt that decision as she finds it difficult to manage a child and a career. Lucie's older brother, Nathan, doesn't agree with their mother babysitting for her constantly - she is now 80 years old and is beginning to have difficulty getting around. So much so, that Nathan has taken away her car keys. He believes Lucie is taking advantage of their mother instead of doing her part to help. Meanwhile, Lucie is also neglecting her friendship with Darwin now that the twins have arrived. Darwin supported Lucie when Ginger was born but she is not receiving the same support from her friend. Catherine, having reunited with Georgia before her death continues to see James who is Dakota's father. They go for lunch and reserve a table for three, one place setting for Georgia. They are having difficulty accepting Georgia's death, as is her daughter, Dakota. She doesn't really want to work at the knitting shop as there are too many reminders of her mother but no one understands and thinks that she is unmotivated instead.

These and many other realistic situations engage the reader in the lives of the characters and the outcome of the story as it draws to a conclusion. Will everyone's problems be happily resolved in the end? That's not always real life, but in the end, it is the journey that is often more important.