Matrix

“Medieval feminist fiction featuring a labyrinth and badass nuns who isolate and cut out men”

“Gay nuns essentially create their own society and it’s less the gayness/love that’s forbidden and more that they’re just really doing their own thing in general that’s forbidden. It is excellllllent.”

“Co-sign! Just obsessed with Lauren Groff—one of the most masterful American novelists of our time.”

“Soooo.. the eternal lit student in me wants to write an analysis comparing Mother Marie and Judge Holden (from Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian). Strikingly similar characters. Both giant, ugly, divinely-touched, mystic, lofty, charismatic and ambitious. The contrast of Holden’s masculine ambition (manifesting as conquest, war, abuse, destruction and ownership) and Marie’s feminine ambition (tenderness, divinity, community, regeneration and independence) are fascinating. There’s something there.”

“still don’t understand what special sauce she added to this to make a novel about a 12th century nun a page-turner, but we know lauren groff is super-human so i guess i should stop wondering.”

“For this wonderfully lyrical medieval novel — think sapphic Ken Follett — Bridgerton’s Adjoa Andoh takes on a voice actor’s greatest challenge: bringing each member of a huge cast of similar characters to unique, individual life. In this case, they are nuns — a whole convent of them — and their story spans a lifetime. Andoh masterfully maintains a distinct, memorable voice for each woman, even as they audibly age from teenage novices to ancient sisters. In the fiercely independent prioress Marie, we hear echoes of Lady Danbury — sharp-witted and sensual beneath her impeccable propriety. Audie nominee and winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”

“YES YES YES hard agree”

“Great writing, amazing story of a woman ahead of her time”