The Red Thread

September 1, 2007
When Charlotte MacLeod journeys from her home in Madagascar to faraway, exotic Singapore in the 1830s, little does she realize how very different her new life will be. Her brother Robert has just been named head of the local police force, and her social position, together with her boundless curiosity and formidable intellect, leads her into friendships and affairs with men and women of many nationalities, religions, and political beliefs. Farnhams debut is bittersweet and contemplative, a leisurely exploration replete with richly detailed landscapes both physical and interior. Multiple protagonists and perspectives, both Eastern and Western, and elaborate description transport the reader to a fascinating time and place brimming with mystical and poetic flourishes.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)