My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Michael Bassey Johnson, a Nigerian Poet, Playwright, Novelist, Aphorist, Satirist, caricaturist and a Newspaper columnist, quoted remarkably about "carnal joy" as:
“Once you are defiled, you can't get back your purity by any means, instead, you will only look for ways to be defiled over and over again.”
Mary Novik, an Canadian award-winning author, spun a spectacular tale, called, Muse, tells us the life-story of a orphan girl, named, Solange Le Blanc, in the 14th century, anti-women society in Avignon in France.
Synopsis:
Solange Le Blanc begins life in the tempestuous streets of 14th century Avignon, a city of men dominated by the Pope and his palace. When her mother, a harlot, dies in childbirth, Solange is raised by Benedictines who believe she has the gift of clairvoyance. Trained as a scribe, but troubled by disturbing visions and tempted by a more carnal life, she escapes to Avignon, where she becomes entangled in a love triangle with the poet Petrarch, becoming not only his muse but also his lover.
Later, when her gift for prophecy catches the Pope's ear, Solange becomes Pope Clement VI's mistress and confidante in the most celebrated court in Europe. When the plague kills a third of Avignon's population, Solange is accused of sorcery and is forced once again to reinvent herself and fight against a final, mortal conspiracy.
Period: 14th century, Place: Avignon, France
This was the period when women were destined either to be an abbess of the church or someone's wife or everybody's harlot.
This was the only place in the world where seven successive popes resided other than Rome.
The author, Mary Novik, who is a truly remarkable author, painted the picture of this commune town so gorgeously and vividly. While reading this book, I can bet that you will feel like you are standing by the canal just outside the main town of Avignon and observing the people intently, moreover, you'll even time-travel back in the 14th century, when the streets of Avignon filled with poets and courtesans, nuns, benedictine, etc. In short, you will transport yourself to a culturally rich society.
Her protagonist, Solange, is vulnerable yet strong enough to challenge the norms of the society. However, Solange portrayed as an exemplary figure in the society, but because of her ability to stand up against the tide, made her an outcast in her own birth-land. The whole story, told from her perspective, made us realize how brave she was to handle all her hurdles in a men-dominated society. Another aspect of Solange that will strike you remarkably was her ability to enjoy her carnal pleasures freely without shame. She betrothed herself with her lover, Petrarch and later to claim power in the society, she became the mistress of Pope Clement VI. She was the only woman who wanted to earn her bread and butter by becoming a professional scribe, but the 14th century Avignon was not right place for her. Instead, she used her sexuality to claim back to power.
The author's emphatic prose will completely bewitch you. Moreover, the author unfolded Solange's life-story filled with mysteries, danger, challenges and many unexpected twists, thus making the plot very intriguing to read. The narration is easy, simple, and free flowing and that makes it easy to read the story. Moreover, the supporting characters, though portrayed as flawed, will still make an impression upon your minds. While reading the book, you cannot turn away your eyes from the vivid darkness surrounding the plot.
Verdict: A must read for all women of all ages, and for the historical fiction lovers, this historically-rich book will only allure your soul and mind.
Courtesy: I'm highly indebted to the author, Mary Novik, for giving me the opportunity to read and review her novel.
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Author Info:
Mary Novik was born in Victoria, British Columbia, the most English city in Canada. Her grandmother and grandfather were from Birmingham and she was nourished by Yorkshire pudding, mince pies, and classic children’s books. All their lives her grandparents remained as English as you could get without actually living there. She grew up in a big family in a rural area of Victoria serviced by a library bookmobile that was more exciting than the ice cream truck. She remembers hiding her shoes in the ditch and waiting barefoot for the bookmobile to come ambling down Gordon Head Road. Even then–she must have been eight or nine at most–she understood that literature was coming to the unwashed masses!
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