The Once and Future Sex: Going Medieval on Women's Roles in Society by Eleanor Janega, professor of Medieval and Early Modern History at the London School of Economics, explores the roles of women in medieval society in terms of sexuality, beauty standards, occupations, religion, and much more. Dr. Janega writes in an accessible way, so… Continue reading Review: The Once and Future Sex by Eleanor Janega
Medieval Woman by Ann Baer is not your typical plot-driven narrative, but rather an intimate portrait of ordinary life among farmers and tradesmen in medieval England. The reader follows Marion, wife of Peter the town carpenter and mother of pre-teen Peterkin and infant Alice. From the start, Medieval Woman is vivid and raw in its… Continue reading Review: Medieval Woman by Ann Baer
The Maiden of All Our Desires by Peter Manseau takes place about twenty years after the deadliest stretch of the Black Death in 14th century Europe, as well as incorporates flashbacks occurring just before the start of the plague. While the novel follows Sister/Mother John, Mother Ursula, and Sister Magdalene, the nuns sometimes feel like… Continue reading Review: The Maiden of All Our Desires by Peter Manseau
The Rebel Nun by Marj Charlier tells the little-known true story of 6th-century nun Clotild who leads a rebellion for the rights and freedom for her sisters. The story takes place in medieval France at the monestary of the Holy Cross where, after the death of the progressive-thinking (for the time) abbess, the male-led… Continue reading Review: The Rebel Nun by Marj Charlier
I was already familiar with the Kingsbridge series from the Pillars of the Earth and World Without End mini-series. The Evening and the Morning is my first Ken Follett...and I must say, I went a very long time assuming he must be a very talented writer. But I think I was wrong. I appreciate the… Continue reading Review: The Evening and the Morning by Ken Follett
Linnea Hartsuyker's Golden Wolf trilogy has been on my to-read list for a while for its realistic representation of Scandanavia during the 9th century. Historical Fiction with Vikings--yes, please, but it's surprisingly hard to find serious stories about Vikings rather than harlequin-esque romance novels about stereotypes (no offense if those are your vice.) The Half-Drowned… Continue reading Review: The Half-Drowned King by Linnea Hartsuyker
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