In 1950's (?) Turkey, in a remote village, a young woman, Nurdane, hand-weaves traditional rugs that are rumored to be like the rugs of no other weaver. One of Nurdane's rugs, as a dowry gift, will supposedly bring the bride luck and fertility. However, Nurdane herself, painfully afflicted by polio, seems doomed never to be a bride herself. Superstition holds that if ever a man touches her, she will lose the gift that Allah has placed in her hands.
However, not one but two men are fascinated with the weaver - a western anthropologist in search of a rug to take back home, and the educated doctor who has treated Nurdane's crippled legs for years.
This book is Payne's first novel, and the characters and the twists of the plot are well-crafted and effective. However, the writing can seem a bit awkward or overdone at times. I feel that future books by the author may be even better.... ( )

i got confused since I was not sure when the story takes place. But the characters wereinteresting, but at times the books was very slow. the end was surprising and fast and I had to read it twice to understand what just happened. ( )

I thought this was a beautifully written book. I could almost smell the carpets being woven and feel the calluses developing in my own fingers. Ms Payne is a force to be reckoned with. I hope she writes more books ( )