Knotting Before Them, penned by Amy Oliveira, is a thought-provoking journey into the complexities of familial bonds, personal dilemmas, and the intricate patterns of relationships intertwined with life's unpredictable events. Oliveira’s narrative style is both rich and poetic, offering a palpable texture to her storytelling, which intricately knits the lives of her characters into a compelling tapestry of human experience. The book provides a unique blend of melancholy and hope, making it a resonant exploration of the human condition.

The novel is set in a quaint coastal town, where the sea seems to mirror the tumultuous lives of its residents. At the heart of Oliveira’s story is the Reynolds family, whose lives are as interconnected and complicated as the title suggests. The patriarch, George Reynolds, is a retired boat builder whose relationship with his past is as tenuous as the decaying ships he once crafted. His wife, Marge, battles with the advancing fog of dementia, her memories fading like the light at dusk. It is within this setting that their children, Lucy and Daniel, return to their childhood home, prompted by their mother's worsening condition.

Lucy, a struggling artist in New York, finds herself knotted in the struggles of her faltering career and a crumbling romantic relationship. Her brother, Daniel, faces his own battle, intertwined with the corporate world’s soul-sucking demands, which starkly contrasts with the sleepy rhythm of his hometown. Oliveira masterfully portrays these personal conflicts with a delicate sensitivity, delving deep into each character’s internal dialogue and emotional nuances. The return to their roots confronts both siblings not only with their mother’s illness but also with unresolved family tensions, long-buried secrets, and the haunting remnants of their past mistakes.

One of Oliveira’s standout skills is her deep dive into the emotional reservoirs of her characters, using their introspection to build a bridge between her audience and the narrative. Her intricate descriptions of Marge's fragmented memory and her clingy hold on momentary lucidities are heartbreakingly poignant, presenting a respectful and insightful depiction of dementia’s impact both on the sufferer and their loved ones. Through Marge’s eyes, the narrative occasionally slips into moments of lucidity, bringing to light her once-vibrant essence and the stark contrast to her present state.

Oliveira does not shy away from exploring tough themes. Knots, both literal and metaphorical, recur throughout the novel, symbolizing the inextricable links between the characters’ personal histories and their current identities. Themes of reconciliation, acceptance of the past, and the healing power of time are stitched across the narrative. The novel's pacing is unhurried yet distinctly purposeful, mimicking the slow, relentless pull of the tide on the shores of the town. Her adeptness in weaving backstories with current dramas without losing the reader’s interest is a testament to her storytelling prowess.

The narrative is also seasoned with a myriad of secondary characters – each bringing additional layers to the seaside town’s story. From the enigmatic old sailor who harbors secrets as deep as the ocean, to the lively café owner whose establishment serves as a communal hub, each character adds a stroke of color to the town’s gray palette. Their interactions with the main characters serve as catalysts for revelations and introspections, beautifully dovetailing into the main storyline.

In her depiction of the coastal setting, Oliveira's prose often reads like poetry, filled with vibrant imagery that almost allows the reader to smell the salty air and hear the seagulls. However, despite the beauty of her writing, at times, the detailed prose might slow down the narrative for those eager for plot advancements. Yet, it is precisely this meticulous crafting that invites the reader to savor each sentence, each metaphor laden with meaning.

Knotting Before Them reaches its crescendo in a series of revelations that not only unravels the family’s tangled threads but also knots them anew, offering a semblance of closure and new beginnings. Oliveira’s resolution is neither trite nor overly optimistic, but instead a realistic portrayal of life’s continual ebb and flow.

To conclude, Amy Oliveira’s Knotting Before Them is a poignant, beautifully written novel that dives deep into the aspects of human relationships, memory, and redemption. It is both a literary feast and an emotional odyssey that will resonate with readers long after the last page is turned. This novel is recommended for those who appreciate rich character development, poetic prose, and narratives that challenge yet soothe the human spirit.