THE PLOT: ‘Matrix’ by Lauren Groff is literary historical fiction set during the Middle Ages. In 1158, Marie de France is a royal bastard who is thrust from the English court and sent to an abbey by Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. Clever and strong, over the years Marie takes the decrepit abbey and transforms it into a prosperous community of women. But as the abbey becomes more and more wealthy, the rivalry between Eleanor and Marie intensifies. With both women determined to grasp power in a patriarchal world, ultimately Marie must choose between her desire for greatness and keeping the women in her care safe.

RATING: I shouldn’t have enjoyed this book as much as I did. Usually, I’d criticise a book like this for having a slow pace and flowery writing that obscures the plot. For very similar books, I’ve said that the over-written style ruins a wonderful premise. However, I have to admit… I loved this book. I don’t know why it’s the exception to the rule but the literary writing evoked such a strong sense of atmosphere and tone, and the world-building was so strong, I felt transported to the 12^th century. Having quite a strong knowledge of the time period, perhaps I was able to understand what was happening and fill in the gaps? I just loved the main characters and the tension between Marie and Eleanor. Additionally, the themes about female power and sapphic subplot drew me in completely. I mean, it took me until page 76 to realise there were no speechmarks! So, even though this book certainly isn’t for everyone, I’ve got to give it four and a half stars.  

GOOD BITS:  I don’t think anyone can deny that this is an impressive work of fiction. The author has thought so carefully about her sentences and every word plays into a bigger meaning. However, the more I reflect on it, I think the themes made me fall in love with this book. Essentially, this book is about a woman who is capable and wants more than the world can give her. From a modern POV, we readers are on her side but that vaulting ambition sours as nothing is ever enough. Marie is a Clytemnestra. She is a Lady Macbeth. And female power and desire and passion, especially when it’s sapphic and directly fighting against patriarchy, is something I never tire reading about.

NOT SO GOOD BITS: This book is very slow and descriptive and metaphorical so it might bore you if you don’t already know the historical background. Although the descriptions are very detailed, there are obscure references to the wider political context that you might not understand and, therefore, it might be a bit confusing and alienating. Obviously, if you are drawn to beautiful writing, you might get something out of it regardless. But it might help to have a sense of how relatively weak/new/unstable the Catholic Church was in the 12^th century and a potted timeline of Eleanor of Aquitaine’s husbands and sons.

OVERALL: I’d recommend this book to lovers of ‘The Winter Crown’ by Elizabeth Chadwick, and ‘The Dance Tree’ and ‘The Mercies’ by Kiran Millwood-Hargrave. If you enjoy historical fiction which is heavy with atmosphere, descriptive writing and sapphic love stories, this is one for you.

This book is available to purchase with a discount on my bookshop.org profile.