“…According to Jessie, the parents don’t want to pay the fees of an expensive governess since Rachel can’t manage all the things that a governess would teach. But they’re willing to spend some money for someone to do basic reading, and maybe later on with writing tasks.”
“I wonder what they would pay for that? It’s not the job of a hired domestic like Jessie, so the wage should reflect that.”
Margaret was stunned. Her mother’s question sounded serious. Why would she want to know such a thing? She read down to the end of the letter.
“Jessie doesn’t say anything about how much money. She adds that she wonders if they would consider me.”
The driving force in young Margaret Law’s life is her thirst for education. She has always wanted to learn to read and write, having watched her parents sorting orders in their drapery shop. Through careful budgeting, her father is able to scrape together the necessary funds to send her to the Subscription School, where she excels.
However, as Margaret’s life is on the uphill path, her best friend, Jessie, finds things falling apart. Her family circumstances are starkly different from Margaret’s, and her mother’s reputation is tainted with an air of scandal. When Jessie’s situation takes a turn for the worse, she secures employment as a scullery maid. Using the small amount of literacy skills she had managed to obtain, Jessie writes to Margaret as often as she can. When a potential household opening arises, Jessie writes Margaret a letter to inquire if she is interested in the job.
Novice Threads (Silver Sampler Series Book 1) by Nancy Jardine is a truly moving and captivating novel that explores the true essence of ‘family’.
Margaret’s arrival at the Duncan house in Edinburgh’s New Town area introduces her to a joyful reunion with Jessie and a newfound responsibility that is completely different from anything she has ever experienced. One of the Duncan daughters, Rachel, had a nasty accident, rendering her unable to use her legs, and leaving her confined to the parlour. It fell upon Margaret to educate her, teaching her literacy, arithmetic, and the ways of the world — despite Rachel’s inability to truly reside in it. Rachel is a darling girl who undoubtedly captivates the reader with her emotional presence in this novel. Despite her young age, Rachel must adapt rapidly to a new life because those around her struggle to comprehend what has happened to her. Rachel’s accident has a profound effect on the rest of the family, especially with regard to her mother. Margaret quickly becomes the one person Rachel can completely trust and rely on. Even amid tragedy, the bond that develops between the two girls is truly beautiful. Margaret’s affectionate support, cheers, and love for Rachel go beyond that of a hired tutor, resembling more of a sister, a confidant and a friend. The reader cannot help but be deeply moved by their relationship.
Despite appearances, this novel has its fair share of drama, as things were not always as they seemed behind closed doors. With a highly anxious disposition, Rachel’s mother is not the most composed person, and Rachel’s accident only heightens her uneasiness. Although she puts on a composed front when around others, Mistress Duncan’s inner turmoil manifests in erratic tantrums and fury behind closed doors, leaving the servants as the unfortunate recipients of her wrath. Readers are granted a remarkable perspective into the private affairs of the Duncans, shedding light on the unseen moments that occur away from prying eyes. With society’s insatiable appetite for gossip, the family couldn’t risk exposing the constant anxiety experienced by the woman in charge of the household. Nonetheless, her mood swings are an additional burden the servants must bear.
The workload is challenging for the household employees. The demands of the job leave Jessie feeling pulled in opposite directions, as she struggles to manage a workload that is overwhelming for a single individual. Margaret is responsible for overseeing Rachel’s life and ensuring her happiness and satisfaction, as well as her education. Encouraging a child who had faced immense challenges to participate in arithmetic and literacy felt like an impossible mission. However, when Margaret succeeded in making the young girl laugh and genuinely enjoy herself, it made every struggle seem meaningful.
Housemaid, Kate, also has more than her fair share of tasks to do. The fact that Jessie, Kate, and Margaret are all so young really underscores the difficulties they face in running the household from behind the scenes, while their employees struggle to keep up appearances. They might have only been young, but without more members of staff, and with such a large workload, they had no choice but to get stuck in, and do their best to keep everyone happy. The author shines a glaring light on what really went on behind closed doors during this era, and also how normal it was for young children to be employed.
The friendship between Margaret and Jessie is undeniably one of the novel’s strongest aspects. Their bond is more akin to sisters rather than best friends, and this is portrayed with great clarity. The novel presents moments that challenge their friendship, yet their shared past, and deep love for each other, keep them connected. Working for the Duncans is no walk in the park, with demanding hours and heavy workloads — Jardine skilfully exposes the harsh reality of a servant's life during this era. Similarly, the narrative is packed with surprises and intricate subplots that will constantly keep the reader guessing.
The emotional coming-of-age saga, Novice Threads, sets the stage for a future collection of classic novels. People will be reading this book for years because it will stand the test of time.
It’s not just a book, it’s an immersive experience where you journey alongside the characters, forming emotional bonds as if they were your own family. You’ll never tire of reading this novel, no matter how many times you read it.
