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Margaret of Ashbury #1
A Vision of Light
The bestselling novel that introduces Margaret of Ashbury and launches a trilogy featuring this irrepressible woman.
Margaret of Ashbury wants to write her life story. However, like most women in fourteenth-century England, she is illiterate. Three clerics contemptuously decline to be Margaret’s scribe, and only the threat of starvation persuades Brother Gregory, a Carthusian friar with a mysterious past, to take on the task. As she narrates her life, we discover a woman of startling resourcefulness. Married off at the age of fourteen to a merchant reputed to be the Devil himself, Margaret was left for dead during the Black Plague. Incredibly, she survived, was apprenticed to an herbalist, and became a midwife. But most astonishing of all, Margaret has experienced a Mystic Union—a Vision of Light that endows her with the miraculous gift of healing. Because of this ability, Margaret has become suddenly different—to her tradition-bound parents, to the bishop’s court that tries her for heresy, and ultimately to the man who falls in love with her.
Margaret of Ashbury wants to write her life story. However, like most women in fourteenth-century England, she is illiterate. Three clerics contemptuously decline to be Margaret’s scribe, and only the threat of starvation persuades Brother Gregory, a Carthusian friar with a mysterious past, to take on the task. As she narrates her life, we discover a woman of startling resourcefulness. Married off at the age of fourteen to a merchant reputed to be the Devil himself, Margaret was left for dead during the Black Plague. Incredibly, she survived, was apprenticed to an herbalist, and became a midwife. But most astonishing of all, Margaret has experienced a Mystic Union—a Vision of Light that endows her with the miraculous gift of healing. Because of this ability, Margaret has become suddenly different—to her tradition-bound parents, to the bishop’s court that tries her for heresy, and ultimately to the man who falls in love with her.
438 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
213 people are currently reading
3836 people want to read
About the author
Judith Merkle Riley
8 books235 followersJudith Astria Merkle was born on January 14, 1942 in Brunswick, Maine and grew up in Livermore, California, U.S.A. Her great-grandfather was a Swiss emigrant, who moved to the United States in 1860. Her uncle-abue was the famous player of baseball Fred Merkle. Her father, Theodore Charles Merkle was contralador of the Project Pluto and her brother Ralph C. Merkle is technological professor in a Computer science School.
Judith Astria Merkle holds a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley and teaches in the Department of Government at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. Married with Mr. Riley, she wrote as Judith Merkle Riley six historical and romance novels.
Judith Astria Merkle holds a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley and teaches in the Department of Government at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. Married with Mr. Riley, she wrote as Judith Merkle Riley six historical and romance novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 343 reviews
January 29, 2008
This is one of my favorite books and when I find copies of it in used bookstores, I buy them so I can give them to people to read.
Riley has the ability to put the reader into the mindset of women in history and to show how they thought and how they managed to survive in societies that could be extremely dangerous for intelligent women.
In this book, the main character survives the Black Plague and learns from a light that appears to her how to save the lives of others. Of course, she is accused of witchcraft, and rescued, but there is so much more to the story than that.
This is a book I have been happy to reread every so often.
Riley has the ability to put the reader into the mindset of women in history and to show how they thought and how they managed to survive in societies that could be extremely dangerous for intelligent women.
In this book, the main character survives the Black Plague and learns from a light that appears to her how to save the lives of others. Of course, she is accused of witchcraft, and rescued, but there is so much more to the story than that.
This is a book I have been happy to reread every so often.
September 26, 2015
Reading this tale was an absolute delight. It was 5 star on the enjoyment scale. There was enough there for two books. But I would never conclude redundancy, because the pop and power of the personalities of Margaret and Brother Gregory required that verbiage.
It's England countryside village during the 1340's and Plague is the catalyst. But overall it is a tale of a female who is a feisty saint. She's centered in good intent, and yet the world gives her little to nourish or bloom her seed of intelligence. In fact, quite the opposite of dire and manipulative marriage bonds are foisted upon her at 13.
This is the adventure of her next 10 years. And within them, she experiences changes and turmoil sufficient for 5 decades. Margaret's thought patterns are often quotable. And particularly at times, extremely funny. Her answers to inquiry can be literal and savvy beyond her time and generation.
She becomes a midwife and the main body of the book is Margaret recording her story to Brother Gregory who is paid to be her scribe.
But there's more too after her completed book and eventual self-printed manuscript. More that becomes surprising besides the healing gifts she experiences coupled with spiritual connection. Margaret lives in and of her own time and religious dominated paradigms. Be they changing to printed words and manly theories.
It's an old fashioned and witty story. I would never expected from the slow start that I would have enjoyed this book as much as I did. Reading this author in the future; that is a surety. 4.5 stars.
It's England countryside village during the 1340's and Plague is the catalyst. But overall it is a tale of a female who is a feisty saint. She's centered in good intent, and yet the world gives her little to nourish or bloom her seed of intelligence. In fact, quite the opposite of dire and manipulative marriage bonds are foisted upon her at 13.
This is the adventure of her next 10 years. And within them, she experiences changes and turmoil sufficient for 5 decades. Margaret's thought patterns are often quotable. And particularly at times, extremely funny. Her answers to inquiry can be literal and savvy beyond her time and generation.
She becomes a midwife and the main body of the book is Margaret recording her story to Brother Gregory who is paid to be her scribe.
But there's more too after her completed book and eventual self-printed manuscript. More that becomes surprising besides the healing gifts she experiences coupled with spiritual connection. Margaret lives in and of her own time and religious dominated paradigms. Be they changing to printed words and manly theories.
It's an old fashioned and witty story. I would never expected from the slow start that I would have enjoyed this book as much as I did. Reading this author in the future; that is a surety. 4.5 stars.
January 3, 2016
This is a dual time line story written before it was cool (and overdone).
It is humorous historical fiction set in the medieval period with a strong sense that the era was well researched. How clever to have a woman of the 14th century write her autobiography dictated to a begrudging friar as women were not taught to read or write. That is the more contemporary story while her story beginning from childhood is told through her narration. Interestingly she is a woman with a magical "gift" and also a midwife so there are lots of opportunities for drama there. Medieval times are still a bit too barbaric for me but the humor throughout helped me to digest that.
The story moves along at a fairly fast clip and flows for the most part - a tad slow/long midway but with a strong finish. This reminds me of the feel of the Princess Bride in the mode of story telling and the combo of scary and humorous elements. This is part of a series.
It is humorous historical fiction set in the medieval period with a strong sense that the era was well researched. How clever to have a woman of the 14th century write her autobiography dictated to a begrudging friar as women were not taught to read or write. That is the more contemporary story while her story beginning from childhood is told through her narration. Interestingly she is a woman with a magical "gift" and also a midwife so there are lots of opportunities for drama there. Medieval times are still a bit too barbaric for me but the humor throughout helped me to digest that.
The story moves along at a fairly fast clip and flows for the most part - a tad slow/long midway but with a strong finish. This reminds me of the feel of the Princess Bride in the mode of story telling and the combo of scary and humorous elements. This is part of a series.
January 20, 2018
4.5 stars
This book took me forever to read. Not because it was dull (it wasn't) and not because it was hard (it wasn't ) but because I loved it so much that I intentionally dragged it out as long as I possibly could, just so it would last. I adored it so much that I turned the sequel back into the library unread, because I knew these are books I want to own and Reread multiple times.
I docked it a half star because there's a bit of a lull midway through, but it's not much of one and it doesn't last long.
This book took me forever to read. Not because it was dull (it wasn't) and not because it was hard (it wasn't ) but because I loved it so much that I intentionally dragged it out as long as I possibly could, just so it would last. I adored it so much that I turned the sequel back into the library unread, because I knew these are books I want to own and Reread multiple times.
I docked it a half star because there's a bit of a lull midway through, but it's not much of one and it doesn't last long.
March 6, 2008
A Vision of Light is historical fiction at its best. I've heard Judith Merkle Riley speak on several occasions, and the reason I believe this trilogy is so good is because of the intense research she did to make her books historically accurate. Margaret, the main character, survives the plague, speaks with God, helps with childbirth and manages to stay alive in a time when they burn women as witches. This is a really good book.
May 30, 2016
This novel is set in England in the middle of the 14th century. It all starts when Margaret, a wealthy but illiterate merchant wife, struggles to find someone willing to write her memoirs. She meets Brother Gregory, a copyist down on his luck, who reluctantly accepts the post. Like most of his colleagues, Gregory is resistant to the idea of writing about the life of a commoner (and a woman besides) because only classics, religious texts or saints biographies are worthy of a scholar’s time and effort.
The book started strong with the author presenting Margaret and describing the medieval setting really well. Misogyny by Brother Gregory was annoying at first but it is typical of the times, his religious views and exchanges with Margaret were believable. The tale of Margaret’s life was interesting and varied, although some of her stories were predicable .
The tales are populated by medieval class stereotypes, with the poor but wise peasant, crafty merchants, dishonest peddlers, wealthy and wicked lord and unkind clergymen. They have a picaresque quality but were also a bit humdrum. Unfortunately, the novel for me started going downhill at the halfway mark and by the time I reached the ending I had enough.
In the book, you’ll find stories of religious fervour and superstition, mystic visions and miraculous healing, witchery and heresy trials, pestilence and alchemy, violence and plenty of death. I would have preferred less stories and more character depth and I didn’t like the conclusion at all.
Based on the many glowing reviews, once again I seem to be in the minority with my opinion, so even if this novel didn’t work for me it may work for you.
2.5 stars rounded down.
The book started strong with the author presenting Margaret and describing the medieval setting really well. Misogyny by Brother Gregory was annoying at first but it is typical of the times, his religious views and exchanges with Margaret were believable. The tale of Margaret’s life was interesting and varied, although some of her stories were predicable .
The tales are populated by medieval class stereotypes, with the poor but wise peasant, crafty merchants, dishonest peddlers, wealthy and wicked lord and unkind clergymen. They have a picaresque quality but were also a bit humdrum. Unfortunately, the novel for me started going downhill at the halfway mark and by the time I reached the ending I had enough.
In the book, you’ll find stories of religious fervour and superstition, mystic visions and miraculous healing, witchery and heresy trials, pestilence and alchemy, violence and plenty of death. I would have preferred less stories and more character depth and I didn’t like the conclusion at all.
Based on the many glowing reviews, once again I seem to be in the minority with my opinion, so even if this novel didn’t work for me it may work for you.
2.5 stars rounded down.
August 21, 2009
Judith Merkle Riley in "A Vision of Light" presents us with an anomaly: an ordinary saint. Most saints, by definition, achieve sainthood by some spectacular act of faith which nearly always claims their lives. But this novel gives us Margaret, an ordinary girl of the Middle Ages who just happens to talk to God - and unlike most of us, gets an answer back. Margaret starts as a village girl, whirls through a twisted and ultimately failed marriage, and then a visit from God gives her the ability to heal by touch, and launches her on a career as midwife and faith healer. This is the kind of story that could turn saccharine and sanctimonious, but what saves it is Margaret's innate humor, and the humor Riley sketches in the plot's more mystical aspects. This is a story of faith, and most of all its funny and touching side. As well, it is a marvelous coming-of-age tale of a medieval woman who is both of her time and outside of it. Thank goodness there are two sequels.
February 7, 2017
I loved this book! Such a joy to read so it definitely goes on my list of favorite books. On to the second in Riley's excellent trilogy. 5+ stars.
September 27, 2020
I don't read many book from this kind of historical fiction but I got interested in this one. I think it was a pretty good for this genre.
I wasn't sure to give it 3 or 4. The thing is that somewhere in the middle I lost my interest in the story, it did catch up again. But I am not sure it is the book's fault or just the circumstances when I was reading it, so I stay with a 4 because for the most part I thought it was really good.
What I loved the most is the writing style. Actually in a way I felt it didn't fit too well to a book set in 1340, those seem to be darker, but I think it added to me liking the book. It wasn't a comedy but I also liked a lot of humor that it had. Was a nice way to look at what was happening then.
I wasn't sure to give it 3 or 4. The thing is that somewhere in the middle I lost my interest in the story, it did catch up again. But I am not sure it is the book's fault or just the circumstances when I was reading it, so I stay with a 4 because for the most part I thought it was really good.
What I loved the most is the writing style. Actually in a way I felt it didn't fit too well to a book set in 1340, those seem to be darker, but I think it added to me liking the book. It wasn't a comedy but I also liked a lot of humor that it had. Was a nice way to look at what was happening then.
January 26, 2014
**3.5**
Started off potentially strong and then it became uneven for me. And then the ending picked up and finished with a cliffhanger.
The story starts when Margaret is in her early twenties and married to her second husband. She desires to write her memoirs so she hires the reluctant Brother Gregory. After that the story jumps between the "present day" and the story of Margaret's life, beginning when she is about 11.
Until the very end, I had very little interest in the "present day" storyline as not much happened, but we are given glimpses of the kind of person Brother Gregory is and what Margaret's life is like and the type of person she has become.
I found Brother Gregory somewhat infuriating due to his extreme views about women and their incapacity for independent thought (and this is not an exaggeration. I know that women were considered inferior in the middle ages, but Gregory's stance still feels extreme. And highly offensive to a modern woman obviously). I know his character was supposed to be more funny than aggravating (i.e. his constant quest for Humility, despite his constantly arrogant thoughts and thick-headedness), but despite the intended irony, I still wanted to slap his face. Obviously this was all set up so we could witness his change due to Margaret's influence. But that literally didn't come about until like the last 10 pages and, according to the synopsis, seems to manifest itself more in the sequel.
The story of Margaret's life was the more interesting part to me, but even then the story had its peaks and valleys and there were parts that were rather slow moving in between the interesting ones.
Usually when I read medieval fiction I have no problem imagining the scene in my head as I read, but despite the author's extensive use of descriptive language, I found that I had a hard time creating that picture in my head during this book. And I'm not quite sure why.
I highly caution anyone that picks up this book because they think its a romance. Its historical fiction. It sounds like the sequel may be more of a romance, but this one certainly was not. I only bring this up because I've seen it described as a romance in certain places and people that pick this up for those reasons will be disappointed. I went into it thinking it was more historical fiction and I liked it, just did not love it.
Started off potentially strong and then it became uneven for me. And then the ending picked up and finished with a cliffhanger.
The story starts when Margaret is in her early twenties and married to her second husband. She desires to write her memoirs so she hires the reluctant Brother Gregory. After that the story jumps between the "present day" and the story of Margaret's life, beginning when she is about 11.
Until the very end, I had very little interest in the "present day" storyline as not much happened, but we are given glimpses of the kind of person Brother Gregory is and what Margaret's life is like and the type of person she has become.
I found Brother Gregory somewhat infuriating due to his extreme views about women and their incapacity for independent thought (and this is not an exaggeration. I know that women were considered inferior in the middle ages, but Gregory's stance still feels extreme. And highly offensive to a modern woman obviously). I know his character was supposed to be more funny than aggravating (i.e. his constant quest for Humility, despite his constantly arrogant thoughts and thick-headedness), but despite the intended irony, I still wanted to slap his face. Obviously this was all set up so we could witness his change due to Margaret's influence. But that literally didn't come about until like the last 10 pages and, according to the synopsis, seems to manifest itself more in the sequel.
The story of Margaret's life was the more interesting part to me, but even then the story had its peaks and valleys and there were parts that were rather slow moving in between the interesting ones.
Usually when I read medieval fiction I have no problem imagining the scene in my head as I read, but despite the author's extensive use of descriptive language, I found that I had a hard time creating that picture in my head during this book. And I'm not quite sure why.
I highly caution anyone that picks up this book because they think its a romance. Its historical fiction. It sounds like the sequel may be more of a romance, but this one certainly was not. I only bring this up because I've seen it described as a romance in certain places and people that pick this up for those reasons will be disappointed. I went into it thinking it was more historical fiction and I liked it, just did not love it.
April 19, 2009
This is one of the select few books I read every so often to remind myself how good it is.
Being the picky sort, I can find some historical errors in it - but guess what? The writing is so good that it doesn't matter.
It's a magical book in more senses than one - the heroine, Margaret of Ashbury, has an unusual gift from God. It enables her to perform miracles, but it also gets her into all sorts of trouble.
I'm a great admirer of Judith Merkle Riley - her books are never dull, always full of lively invention and plot twists. If you haven't read this one, give it a try. Just don't expect the usual style of HF.
Being the picky sort, I can find some historical errors in it - but guess what? The writing is so good that it doesn't matter.
It's a magical book in more senses than one - the heroine, Margaret of Ashbury, has an unusual gift from God. It enables her to perform miracles, but it also gets her into all sorts of trouble.
I'm a great admirer of Judith Merkle Riley - her books are never dull, always full of lively invention and plot twists. If you haven't read this one, give it a try. Just don't expect the usual style of HF.
February 23, 2018
I was reading this on Kindle for a book club and got 17% in when I decided to set it aside for a few days to decide whether or not I should return to it. I have decided to forsake this book. I was very excited to read it because of the description but in reality, there is too much violence, abuse, rape etc.
April 9, 2022
The idea that Margaret that should write a book seems preposterous. After all, she was born in the Middle Ages, a woman, consequently illiterate, and she walks a fine line that threatens to tilt her toward condemnation of one sort or another by the Church. She'd survived the Black Plague, an unhappy marriage, practiced midwifery and healing herbs, and had been gifted with the ability to heal by the laying on of hands. Though she risks condemnation for witchcraft or heresy and being burned at the stake, that still, small voice in her head is the voice of God. And God doesn't serve the Church.
So Margaret hires Brother Gregory, a copyist, to write her life story, which she dictates. Of all the monks, he alone accepts the job because it will feed his stomach and his curiosity. So begins Margaret's story and Brother Gregory's reaction as a completely blind bigot against women and their intellect.
Margaret's life is filled with adventure and miracles, washing up against Gregory's dam of prejudice, We meet several fascinating individuals, some of whom are endearing. Margaret and Gregory, however, are the main characters, and we see how they evolve as the story progresses. I loved Margaret and some of her friends. My opinion of Gregory gradually changed, as he did.
The author plunges us into the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Reformation, so we see how life changes for a system upended by the Plague. Times are treacherous then, and it's not an era we'd like to experience, with the lack of sanitation, the ignorance and attitudes of the populace and the Church, the power of the guilds.
The novel ends on a note of expectation, not my favorite ending. Yet one might say our heroine goes on to have more adventures. I didn't realize this is book one of a trilogy.
So Margaret hires Brother Gregory, a copyist, to write her life story, which she dictates. Of all the monks, he alone accepts the job because it will feed his stomach and his curiosity. So begins Margaret's story and Brother Gregory's reaction as a completely blind bigot against women and their intellect.
Margaret's life is filled with adventure and miracles, washing up against Gregory's dam of prejudice, We meet several fascinating individuals, some of whom are endearing. Margaret and Gregory, however, are the main characters, and we see how they evolve as the story progresses. I loved Margaret and some of her friends. My opinion of Gregory gradually changed, as he did.
The author plunges us into the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Reformation, so we see how life changes for a system upended by the Plague. Times are treacherous then, and it's not an era we'd like to experience, with the lack of sanitation, the ignorance and attitudes of the populace and the Church, the power of the guilds.
The novel ends on a note of expectation, not my favorite ending. Yet one might say our heroine goes on to have more adventures. I didn't realize this is book one of a trilogy.
November 11, 2015
This is one of those books I could read over and over again, and can't put down until it's finished. During my most recent rereading, I accidentally left the book in another city and frantically drove around to the nearest library and bookstore, desperate to finish the story. The library was closed and the bookstore (if you can call it that!) didn't even own a copy. It was tragic.
When I finally got my hands on a copy, I pretty much finished the story in one sitting (you want me to leave the house? try and make me!!), took a few seconds to appreciate the story-just-ended-feelings, and moved onto the sequel.
All that to say: I like this book. You might like it, too, if you enjoy:
-The Middle Ages
-Underdogs
-Sword fights
-Miracles
-Dogs that look the same on both ends
-Women vs. men
-Humor vs. serious contemplation
-Romance (the complicated kind, that's not like "I see you once and am inexplicably in love with you forever," but changes over time, kind of like when the old guys from the Muppets are reviewing a show: "You're terrible! You're awful! Well, you're not so bad. I actually kind of like you. You're great! I love you!")
What? You like those things too? Okay, go read this book.
When I finally got my hands on a copy, I pretty much finished the story in one sitting (you want me to leave the house? try and make me!!), took a few seconds to appreciate the story-just-ended-feelings, and moved onto the sequel.
All that to say: I like this book. You might like it, too, if you enjoy:
-The Middle Ages
-Underdogs
-Sword fights
-Miracles
-Dogs that look the same on both ends
-Women vs. men
-Humor vs. serious contemplation
-Romance (the complicated kind, that's not like "I see you once and am inexplicably in love with you forever," but changes over time, kind of like when the old guys from the Muppets are reviewing a show: "You're terrible! You're awful! Well, you're not so bad. I actually kind of like you. You're great! I love you!")
What? You like those things too? Okay, go read this book.
May 30, 2018
This book follows the eventful life of Ahsbury, a young woman in fourteenth century England.
I know that "Mary Sue" is a problematic category, but here is a list of things our Margaret invents:
- hand-washing
- actually, bathing on the reg.
- vegetarianism
- first-wave feminism
- obstetric forceps
Like, I know a lot of pre-enlightenment fiction that has to deal with pre-enlightenment medicine comes up with up with some hand-waving as to why their hero washes their hands because honestly, the reality is too gross to contemplate, but this is a bit advanced.
And then the end of the book has "discussion questions", a thing that always puts my back up, and the very first one asks how Margaret is "not like other women."
I know that "Mary Sue" is a problematic category, but here is a list of things our Margaret invents:
- hand-washing
- actually, bathing on the reg.
- vegetarianism
- first-wave feminism
- obstetric forceps
Like, I know a lot of pre-enlightenment fiction that has to deal with pre-enlightenment medicine comes up with up with some hand-waving as to why their hero washes their hands because honestly, the reality is too gross to contemplate, but this is a bit advanced.
And then the end of the book has "discussion questions", a thing that always puts my back up, and the very first one asks how Margaret is "not like other women."
May 6, 2013
In A Vision of Light we are introduced to the ‘eccentric’ Margaret, and overhear a conversation she has with God, who tells her she needs to write her life story. Funny thing is she’s only about twenty (so how can she have much to say?), she can’t read or write, and she’s an English woman in the 14th century when it’s indecent for women to write much of anything. Fortunately she’s married to a wealthy mercer who indulges her, and she hires the intractable Brother Gregory to copy down her story.
And what a story it is. It begins when she’s quite young, and at the age of fifteen married off to a rich, no-good fur merchant who mistreats her. When the plague spreads through England she’s abandoned as her husband tries to escape it. Near death, she witnesses a ‘vision of light’ and is given a gift that not only makes her glow when she thinks about God, but also the ability to heal others. She is taken in by the midwife Mother Hilde, from whom Margaret learns the trade, and we follow their adventures around the countryside and London. But those who learn (particularly the clergy) of Margaret's ability to heal are jealous and try her for heresy.
The best thing about the books in this series is the setting. Riley pulls the reader into the time and place, talking about everyday things with ease and subtly, from household details to prejudices to cultural notions. For example, in the second book we understand that Brokesford Manor is broken down and unkempt, but we also actually believe that people live there; it’s not simply a place to put characters as they go about enacting the plot (you could almost say it’s a character in the story, too). London and the surrounding areas also take on a flavor I haven’t gotten from other historical fiction; Riley describes the people and the place with such clarity and quirkiness that it actually feels like it’s all real.
A very close second to the setting is the characterization. Margaret and Gilbert are two of my favorite fictional characters because of their qualities and foibles. They grow and change as we move through the series, watching their trials, in particulary dealing with Gilbert’s family. What’s great about Riley is that her secondary characters receive special treatment, and while they aren’t as deep as the two main characters, we still get plenty of detail about them and their idiosyncrasies.
As readers we hear a great deal about alchemy and religion in these books. Brother Malachi is an alchemist in search of the Philosopher’s Stone (aka Green Lion, hence the name of the second book), which is used to transmute base metals into gold. There are many times when his skills as an alchemist and charlatan come in handy, and even save the day.
Among the characters is a wide-range of religious beliefs, from Brother Gregory/Gilbert’s desire to see God, Margaret’s almost saintly holiness (i.e., the vision of light), Gilbert’s brother’s fickle beliefs according to his needs at any given time, to Malachi’s downright atheism. The believers aren’t all sappy over-zealous types, and neither are the atheists strident. This, however, doesn’t mean that the characters don’t take jabs at each other regarding their faithful persuasions, but Riley obviously doesn’t have an agenda regarding religion (the Catholic Church isn’t exactly exemplary in the story, but that’s rather the author being true to the times, and not necessarily derogatory).
But simply because God appears and many of the characters are faithful, doesn’t mean that strange and mysterious things can’t happen. There are ghosts, demons, psychotic nobility, poisoned rings, loaded dice, and a cross that Margaret wears around her neck which burns the hands of unbelievers. These things in and of themselves seem ridiculous, but Riley weaves these quirks into the story, which only makes the plot more interesting.
I gush, I know, but I also realize that there are flaws to the books. Sometimes the plot seems to meander, and we are introduced to things in not-as-subtle ways that obviously will be important to the story later on. The point-of-view switches from first person to third person omniscient repeatedly, and it takes a little getting used to. But these flaws are easy for me to pass as I enjoy the prose, the quirks of Margaret’s nature, the zany people we meet, and Riley’s cunning observations about life and love.
And what a story it is. It begins when she’s quite young, and at the age of fifteen married off to a rich, no-good fur merchant who mistreats her. When the plague spreads through England she’s abandoned as her husband tries to escape it. Near death, she witnesses a ‘vision of light’ and is given a gift that not only makes her glow when she thinks about God, but also the ability to heal others. She is taken in by the midwife Mother Hilde, from whom Margaret learns the trade, and we follow their adventures around the countryside and London. But those who learn (particularly the clergy) of Margaret's ability to heal are jealous and try her for heresy.
The best thing about the books in this series is the setting. Riley pulls the reader into the time and place, talking about everyday things with ease and subtly, from household details to prejudices to cultural notions. For example, in the second book we understand that Brokesford Manor is broken down and unkempt, but we also actually believe that people live there; it’s not simply a place to put characters as they go about enacting the plot (you could almost say it’s a character in the story, too). London and the surrounding areas also take on a flavor I haven’t gotten from other historical fiction; Riley describes the people and the place with such clarity and quirkiness that it actually feels like it’s all real.
A very close second to the setting is the characterization. Margaret and Gilbert are two of my favorite fictional characters because of their qualities and foibles. They grow and change as we move through the series, watching their trials, in particulary dealing with Gilbert’s family. What’s great about Riley is that her secondary characters receive special treatment, and while they aren’t as deep as the two main characters, we still get plenty of detail about them and their idiosyncrasies.
As readers we hear a great deal about alchemy and religion in these books. Brother Malachi is an alchemist in search of the Philosopher’s Stone (aka Green Lion, hence the name of the second book), which is used to transmute base metals into gold. There are many times when his skills as an alchemist and charlatan come in handy, and even save the day.
Among the characters is a wide-range of religious beliefs, from Brother Gregory/Gilbert’s desire to see God, Margaret’s almost saintly holiness (i.e., the vision of light), Gilbert’s brother’s fickle beliefs according to his needs at any given time, to Malachi’s downright atheism. The believers aren’t all sappy over-zealous types, and neither are the atheists strident. This, however, doesn’t mean that the characters don’t take jabs at each other regarding their faithful persuasions, but Riley obviously doesn’t have an agenda regarding religion (the Catholic Church isn’t exactly exemplary in the story, but that’s rather the author being true to the times, and not necessarily derogatory).
But simply because God appears and many of the characters are faithful, doesn’t mean that strange and mysterious things can’t happen. There are ghosts, demons, psychotic nobility, poisoned rings, loaded dice, and a cross that Margaret wears around her neck which burns the hands of unbelievers. These things in and of themselves seem ridiculous, but Riley weaves these quirks into the story, which only makes the plot more interesting.
I gush, I know, but I also realize that there are flaws to the books. Sometimes the plot seems to meander, and we are introduced to things in not-as-subtle ways that obviously will be important to the story later on. The point-of-view switches from first person to third person omniscient repeatedly, and it takes a little getting used to. But these flaws are easy for me to pass as I enjoy the prose, the quirks of Margaret’s nature, the zany people we meet, and Riley’s cunning observations about life and love.
November 3, 2012
I only give this four stars and not 5 because of the ending which somehow seemed very jarring and not fit with the rest of the book. I met Margaret of Asbury right from the first and followed through her life along with her. I liked the relationship of the people involved in the more intimate circles in which she travelled. It was everyday thing, normal people of the times with plenty of intelligence and not always the education to go with it. And somehow it fit. I knew people, situations, and how one worked around some of the more dangerous and unpleasant and how one maneuvered themselves into better ones. Lofty thoughts were kept within reality; too much holy, holy, holier than thou and what really should be can get very tiring. And the "Ain't it a shame" game gets very worn and old fast. With that said, I would have no trouble recommending this book.
January 16, 2012
I thought this was great! I don't want to write about book content as it is not predictable and I wouldn't want to ruin the experience. Enough to comment and say how much I had the way women have been treated throughout time! I am so grateful that I have had a different experience!
October 16, 2015
A reread of one of my all time favourite books.
November 1, 2020
A step back onto a different time!
December 18, 2018
I received an e-book copy of this title from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
This is actually quite an old book (30 years since the first publication) that I have somehow never come across in my life. It came recommended by Wife, who insisted that I was going to enjoy this novel. And I did.
The novel follows the story of a young woman living in the fourteenth century, Margaret, which she dictates to a monk in order to keep a record of her life. It is partly an adventure novel in the picaresque mode, and in that way, it has everything, miraculous cures, actual miracles, singers, jugglers (I think), fake priests, alchemists, midwives, Black Death, evil merchants, good merchants, evil priests, good priests, evil lords, good lords, break-neck pacing (at times), burning at stake, and so on, and so on. But it is also quite concerned with the place of woman in the middle ages, in relation to Church, to men, to her family, to society. The observations may not very new in 2018, but they are nonetheless still valid and interesting.
One thing that points to the age of this book is how passive the heroine can be. True, she can be fairly resourceful (especially in her career as a midwife), but when it comes to the pitfalls she falls into, she is almost always helped out of them by someone, she doesn't scheme on her own. She can be very saintly, very goody-goody, at times almost unbearably so; and this is quite a contrast with how such characters are written today.
A very enjoyable book, overall. I'm not the greatest fan of the picaresque in literature, but I still did like reading about Margaret's adventures around England.
This is actually quite an old book (30 years since the first publication) that I have somehow never come across in my life. It came recommended by Wife, who insisted that I was going to enjoy this novel. And I did.
The novel follows the story of a young woman living in the fourteenth century, Margaret, which she dictates to a monk in order to keep a record of her life. It is partly an adventure novel in the picaresque mode, and in that way, it has everything, miraculous cures, actual miracles, singers, jugglers (I think), fake priests, alchemists, midwives, Black Death, evil merchants, good merchants, evil priests, good priests, evil lords, good lords, break-neck pacing (at times), burning at stake, and so on, and so on. But it is also quite concerned with the place of woman in the middle ages, in relation to Church, to men, to her family, to society. The observations may not very new in 2018, but they are nonetheless still valid and interesting.
One thing that points to the age of this book is how passive the heroine can be. True, she can be fairly resourceful (especially in her career as a midwife), but when it comes to the pitfalls she falls into, she is almost always helped out of them by someone, she doesn't scheme on her own. She can be very saintly, very goody-goody, at times almost unbearably so; and this is quite a contrast with how such characters are written today.
A very enjoyable book, overall. I'm not the greatest fan of the picaresque in literature, but I still did like reading about Margaret's adventures around England.
June 28, 2018
Jag har läst den förut, för länge sen. Jag tyckte om den då och jag gillar den fortfarande. Egentligen är det en konstig historia men med en huvudperson som är både ödmjuk och klok så... Jag gillar Rösten, den skulle fler behöva ha kontakt med.
May 12, 2020
This is an old favorite from my bookshelves. Woven into the the history of the 14th century, it’s the story of Margaret, who hears the voice of God and can heal people of minor things. Her story is fascinating, enchanting and makes me laugh too! Love the colorful descriptions of the times.
After reading this one? I purchased the rest of the series. Love them all
After reading this one? I purchased the rest of the series. Love them all
March 31, 2020
Decent book, filled with interesting storylines and good history. At times, a bit more religious than I felt truly necessary, and with a less than exciting ending, but still good enough for me to add the next book in the series to my to read list.
February 26, 2023
A charming and delightful novel.
March 10, 2018
I liked it at first, but then it just kind of plodded along to the end and got boring. There was a lot of action, but it was disconnected from the core theme of Margaret and her visions so it felt random. I started off liking the characters but then they didn't go anywhere.
January 15, 2017
The realistic life of a Saint in medieval England. A unique telling of a woman bewildered by her gift, and an unlikely leader to a band of loving misfits. Charming, reflective, ecclesiastical, and rich with historical character.
March 12, 2011
This novel was a pleasure to read. Not that I can't find fault. Margaret of Ashbury, the wife of a rich merchant, hires a clerk to dictate her memoirs in the year 1355. The narrative switches between the present day and her experiences with her amanuensis, Brother Gregory in third person, and her own story told by her first person. Whenever we hear her own story in her own voice, I found the story absolutely engrossing. I was less taken at first with the third person parts, more than anything because within it, without the restraint of first person, Riley can't hold point of view, sometimes hopping heads within a paragraph.
Yet I forgive what I often find a deal breaker, because the story of Brother Gregory and his interaction with the unorthodox Margaret is so compelling in its own right and compliments the story she's telling; it illuminates the misogyny of the day, especially among the religious, who don't see women as capable of reason or whose only possible virtue is obedience.
The story is told with wonderful period detail bringing 14th Century England--the period of the Black Plague and its aftermath to life--lives high and low, from the nobility of the castle to rich merchants, clergy, even robber bands and traveling minstrels. And there's a winning humor lacing the entire tale throughout.
There's also a thread of the fantastical that tempts me to tag this as fantasy--as Margaret has a "vision of light" and afterwards develops powers of healing. But then that could be seen as not out of place in a century that produced such mystics as Birgitta of Sweden, Julian of Norwich, Catherine of Siena, and particularly Margery Kempe. Kempe dictated to scribes what is considered the first autobiography in the English language and her life has several points in common with the story of Margaret of Ashbury.
I feel mixed about the ending. Part of me wishes it has ended when Margaret put a "finis" on her memoirs--though it does end on a good note for further books in the series--I saw two more on the bookstore shelf. After this first book, I'll certainly be picking more up someday. And that very last line is perfect.
Yet I forgive what I often find a deal breaker, because the story of Brother Gregory and his interaction with the unorthodox Margaret is so compelling in its own right and compliments the story she's telling; it illuminates the misogyny of the day, especially among the religious, who don't see women as capable of reason or whose only possible virtue is obedience.
The story is told with wonderful period detail bringing 14th Century England--the period of the Black Plague and its aftermath to life--lives high and low, from the nobility of the castle to rich merchants, clergy, even robber bands and traveling minstrels. And there's a winning humor lacing the entire tale throughout.
There's also a thread of the fantastical that tempts me to tag this as fantasy--as Margaret has a "vision of light" and afterwards develops powers of healing. But then that could be seen as not out of place in a century that produced such mystics as Birgitta of Sweden, Julian of Norwich, Catherine of Siena, and particularly Margery Kempe. Kempe dictated to scribes what is considered the first autobiography in the English language and her life has several points in common with the story of Margaret of Ashbury.
I feel mixed about the ending. Part of me wishes it has ended when Margaret put a "finis" on her memoirs--though it does end on a good note for further books in the series--I saw two more on the bookstore shelf. After this first book, I'll certainly be picking more up someday. And that very last line is perfect.
February 21, 2019
“In the year of our Lord 1355, three days after the Feast of the Epiphany, God put it in my mind that I must write a book.
“I am only a woman,” I said to the voice in my mind. I have no letters, and do not know Latin. How shall I write a book, and what should I put in it, since I have never done any great deeds?”
The Voice answered:
“Put in it what you have seen. There is nothing wrong with being a woman, and doing ordinary things. Sometimes small deeds can show big ideas. As for writing, do as others do: get someone to write it for you.”
“Voice”, I said “how do I know you are from God, and not from the Devil, tempting me into something foolish?”
“Margaret,” answered the Voice, “isn’t it a good idea? God never gives bad ones.” ....
And so it begins, a story of Margaret, a young girl who was married to a man who turned out to be a pure devil; who almost died of plague; who received a gift from Heaven, and whom the Voice instructed to write a book.
The details of Margaret’s life, past and present, emerge slowly as she dictates her book to brother Gregory. Margaret is obviously a strong woman, wise and self-aware far beyond her female-station in the medieval world. Her hired scribe, brother Gregory on the other hand, is always dissatisfied, patronizing and full of prejudice about women - and had it not been for the need of money that this embarrassing assignment is generating, he would have never agreed to anything as degrading as writing a book for a woman....
Margaret may not be the most believable of medieval characters but her story is entertaining and the dangers that an independently thinking woman in XIV century Europe would face from both her surrounding and the inquisition seem most certainly real. And then there is the Voice, that Margaret hears from time to time, that I can only wish there was more of. It’s sarcastic tone and unclear nature had such potential, and feels sadly underdeveloped.
Three stars, perhaps three and a half. Good story that could have been better.
“I am only a woman,” I said to the voice in my mind. I have no letters, and do not know Latin. How shall I write a book, and what should I put in it, since I have never done any great deeds?”
The Voice answered:
“Put in it what you have seen. There is nothing wrong with being a woman, and doing ordinary things. Sometimes small deeds can show big ideas. As for writing, do as others do: get someone to write it for you.”
“Voice”, I said “how do I know you are from God, and not from the Devil, tempting me into something foolish?”
“Margaret,” answered the Voice, “isn’t it a good idea? God never gives bad ones.” ....
And so it begins, a story of Margaret, a young girl who was married to a man who turned out to be a pure devil; who almost died of plague; who received a gift from Heaven, and whom the Voice instructed to write a book.
The details of Margaret’s life, past and present, emerge slowly as she dictates her book to brother Gregory. Margaret is obviously a strong woman, wise and self-aware far beyond her female-station in the medieval world. Her hired scribe, brother Gregory on the other hand, is always dissatisfied, patronizing and full of prejudice about women - and had it not been for the need of money that this embarrassing assignment is generating, he would have never agreed to anything as degrading as writing a book for a woman....
Margaret may not be the most believable of medieval characters but her story is entertaining and the dangers that an independently thinking woman in XIV century Europe would face from both her surrounding and the inquisition seem most certainly real. And then there is the Voice, that Margaret hears from time to time, that I can only wish there was more of. It’s sarcastic tone and unclear nature had such potential, and feels sadly underdeveloped.
Three stars, perhaps three and a half. Good story that could have been better.
May 10, 2017
I started out really loving this story, which follows the fortunes of Margaret, a woman from a common background in 14th century England who experiences a religious vision that gives her the power to heal. The writing is decent, if a little lacking in detail, and the story has enough twists and turns (the Plague! a cruel husband with a former wife who died in mysterious circumstances! a traveling theater troupe! charges of witchcraft!) to keep your attention.
But sensationalism can only carry a story for so long. By the middle, my interest started to flag a little. Margaret is a sympathetic protagonist, but she suffers from the same ailment that many novels that chronicle one person's life in detail do -- she's perfect. We're shown and told over and over how smart, funny, nurturing, forgiving, pious, charitable, kind, fastidious, industrious, resourceful, optimistic, clever, and good Margaret is. She is "not like other girls," a trope that always makes me feel uncertain as to how I'm expected to react. What does that imply about women? And she's very beautiful, of course. Is there any man in this novel, even if only tangentially related to the plot, who doesn't remark on her good looks? And over the course of the novel, as more (fantastical) situations are described that illuminate this ever-growing list of Margaret's virtues without balancing them with a single fault, she starts to appear more and more wooden and false. I feel annoyed when the huge effort to make a character likable is so transparent.
Overall, this was mildly entertaining, but by the end, I was counting down the pages. I won't be reading the other books.
But sensationalism can only carry a story for so long. By the middle, my interest started to flag a little. Margaret is a sympathetic protagonist, but she suffers from the same ailment that many novels that chronicle one person's life in detail do -- she's perfect. We're shown and told over and over how smart, funny, nurturing, forgiving, pious, charitable, kind, fastidious, industrious, resourceful, optimistic, clever, and good Margaret is. She is "not like other girls," a trope that always makes me feel uncertain as to how I'm expected to react. What does that imply about women? And she's very beautiful, of course. Is there any man in this novel, even if only tangentially related to the plot, who doesn't remark on her good looks? And over the course of the novel, as more (fantastical) situations are described that illuminate this ever-growing list of Margaret's virtues without balancing them with a single fault, she starts to appear more and more wooden and false. I feel annoyed when the huge effort to make a character likable is so transparent.
Overall, this was mildly entertaining, but by the end, I was counting down the pages. I won't be reading the other books.
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