The Mirror of Simple Souls
Description
<b>'A remarkable evocation of hidden aspects of the medieval world... Kiner blends unfamiliar history with a compelling account of women struggling in a society determined to shackle them' - <em>Sunday Times</em>, Historical Fiction Book of the Month</b>
It's 1310 and Paris is alive with talk of the trial of the Templars. Religious repression is on the rise, and the smoke of execution pyres blackens the sky above the city. But sheltered behind the walls of Paris's great beguinage, a community of women are still free to work, study and live their lives away from the domination of men.
When a wild, red-haired child clothed in rags arrives at the beguinage gate one morning, with a sinister Franciscan monk on her tail, she sets in motion a chain of events that will shatter the peace of this little world-plunging it into grave danger...
Reviews / Votes
A remarkable evocation of hidden aspects of the medieval world... Kiner blends unfamiliar history with a compelling account of women struggling in a society determined to shackle them * Sunday Times, Historical Fiction Book of the Month * A richly imagined bestselling novel beautifully translated by Susan Emanuel... A compelling story of how the very real book that gives the novel its title-a work the Inquisition dubbed heretical-may have helped to bring down the beguinages and the beguines who prospered there * Yale Alumni Magazine * A rich, surprising and devastating story of a female institution long-forgotten -- Marj Charlier, author of The Rebel Nun An intimate, heartbreaking tale of female friendship and betrayal in the royal beguinage of Paris... Highly recommended -- Candace Robb, bestselling author of the Owen Archer mysteries Brilliantly juggles history and fiction * Le Figaro * Sensitive and subtle in substance, carnal and poetic in form... A luminous novel * Huffingtonpost.fr * Leads us with brio into a little-known Middle Ages of strong, erudite, supportive, and generous women * Page des libraires * Will interest those who like to read about religion and faith in the Middle Ages and medieval women. Largely set in Paris, it could also appeal to those who want to immerse themselves in that city and its history * Medievalists.net *More details
Persons
SUSAN EMANUEL (SUSAN BOYD-BOWMAN) has been a French-to-English translator of academic and general audience books and articles for forty years. In 2022 she received an award from the French-American Foundation for two works of non-fiction. This is her first literary translation.