Weak Flesh

by Kate Pierce

A sensual, darkly funny debut novel about a young woman in 18th century Provence who joins the nunnery in an attempt to reform her family’s reputation, only to discover how secrets and desire swirl in even the most unexpected of places, for fans of Lauren Groff's Matrix if it were written by Ottessa Moshfegh.

During the suffocating heat wave of 1778, Louise-Hélène arrives at L’Abbaye Sainte-Claire de la Lumière with one fragile hope: that becoming a nun will redeem her family from the scandal that has ruined their good name. Unattractive, naïve, and already a disappointment to all who knew her, Louise embraces a life of obedience, poverty, and silence as a way to finally be useful—to finally be good.

But beneath the abbey’s rituals of prayer and penance, something feral stirs. As the local village’s harvest festival approaches, the boundaries between sanctity and sin begin to break. Among sharp-tongued sisters, a quietly manipulative priest, and a mentor whose casual rebellion unsettles Louise-Hélène’s rigid faith, her longing to prove her virtue begins to twist into something far more dangerous.

Darkly comic, brazen, and unexpectedly tender, Weak Flesh is a visceral historical debut about faith, female repression, and the bloody, humiliating extremes a young woman will go to for absolution.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical

256 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 2, 2027

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Weak Flesh was such a unique and unexpectedly enjoyable read. Set in an eighteenth century convent the story explores faith, repression, and the expectations set on women. I loved how Kate Pierce balanced the absurdity of certain situations with the more serious themes that are woven throughout this novel, including the wonderfully dark sense of humor. The writing was clever, the characters were intriguing and the story felt different from anything I've read recently. I will definitely be recommending this to other readers who appreciate historical fiction with an unconventional twist.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy, I very much enjoyed it!

[Bourbon_bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! You have an unhinged woman, repressed religious trauma, and historical fiction. The writing was just perfect. This is so unique. I do question why it is categorized as humor/satire.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with opportunity to read this. I will definitely be recommending it.

[grier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was totally engrossed. Really loved its pacing, its direction, its humor etc. So many weird funny moments and characters.

[Elena M · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperNorth for the arc!

I was pleasantly surprised by this book and in particular the ending. Fair warning that this book is in fact very strange. We follow the main character Louise-Hélène who joins an 18th century convent and comes to terms with her new reality in many dark and deranged ways. I thought the interaction between the nuns was quite funny and enjoyed the exploration of a crisis of faith. Overall, a very fun "weird girl" book.

[Ronnica Fatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s not a strong sense of time or place for historical fiction, but I enjoyed what we got even more. This is weird girl lit. The deconstruction our protagonist does as she comes to terms with her unusual calling was incredibly compelling.

[Emily Macdonald · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

very good ending