A Thousand Fibers

<p class=ql-align-center><strong><em>Whatever is going to happen will happen.</em></strong></p><p><strong><em>                                                </em></strong></p><p>Early spring 1909 and New York City was gasping over the shocking performances of the diva Mary Garden in the opera<em> Salome</em>. Ingrid Winthrop also performed... in the Manhattan Opera Company's chorus... and was exhausted after a lengthy season but it was her turn to remain and help tidy up the costumes. Task completed she walked towards the sound of her waiting grandmother's voice and was surprised to see a man sitting with Louisa Winthrop. Ingrid's life was about to change.</p><p>She was born Ingrid Winthrop and orphaned at age two.</p><p>Although she was raised by her grandmother Louisa Winthrop to be a proper society wife the young woman had other ideas. </p><p><em>A Thousand Fibers</em> is Ingrid's story: her education and musical career; her connection to the opera entrepreneur Oscar Hammerstein; her eventual and surprising marriage; her lifelong friendship with the housekeeper; and the audacious decision Ingrid made which if discovered would be considered <em>disreputable and degrading</em>.</p><p>Late nineteenth century New York city's opera wars the difficulties of European immigrants <em>Steinway Village</em> in Astoria New York the growth of Chicago the patriotism and nationalism of the World Wars and a dozen additional people places and events blend in the real and fictional world of Ingrid Winthrop her family her acquaintances. Add a healthy dash of serendipity and chance and connection and <em>A Thousand Fibers</em> proves to be a captivating absorbing read.</p><p>  </p><p><strong>Susan M. Szurek</strong> is not wholly convinced Fate is an actual contrivance except between the covers of this novel. </p>