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The Peddler of Wisdom
In the borderlands of the village Les Échelles, giants sleep and werewolves howl. Travelers must cross deep gorges to pay visit. The only strangers are treasure-hunters seeking the riches of Zahara, a drowned Crusader bride. She planted the nearby woods with rich botanicals, now the healing herbs of Irène Guéri, apothecary in these parts. When a cruel invader storms the village he brings along his shy, though brilliant alchemist, Joaquíno Durande. Will Irene join forces with this scholar, risking her profession and her neighbors’ trust, or flee to the valley? Enormous decisions await, and great danger as friends, neighbors, and even the tools of Irene’s workshop rise, enchanted, into the fray of war.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
638 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2018
12 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 12, 2019
Massive book hangover alert! I stayed up way past my bedtime last night so that I could finish this amazing book! I thought 2018 was a great year of reading but 2019 is like...hold my beer!
The Peddler of Wisdom is an incredible work of historical fiction/fantasy. While I was intrigued with the synopsis I hadn't read Laura Bendoly before and whenever you read a book from a new author there's always a little anxiety there. Well, I needn't have worried. Bendoly is a master storyteller and I was blown away by The Peddler of Wisdom.
Irene Gueri, called the Lady of Wisdom, lives in the small Provencal hamlet of Les Eschelles. She is the town's apothecary and healer, and occasionally reads Tarot cards, but most people in the village shun her because they blame her for the plague that recently visited their town and killed their family members. She lives quietly until one day a stranger shows up on her land. Not long after invaders come to the village, blows up their bridge, and murders their leader. Soon townspeople are being kidnapped or tortured, and the invaders ravage the town. Irene becomes close with the new Duke's alchemist - the stranger that was lost on her land - and partners with him to help the people of the village.
As the story progresses the danger and action increase and Irene has to decide if she will run from them or stay and join the resistance. I must say, this was an engrossing read. I was immediately drawn to the novel within the first few pages and stayed engaged for the entire read. The pacing is great and makes it easy to fly through the pages.
Bendoly also provides a Historic Note at the end of the book and provides the sources she used while researching and writing the novel. It's clear that Bendoly did her research!
I highly recommend The Peddler of Wisdom and I look forward to move from Laura Matthias Bendoly. I have an interview with her that will be live tomorrow and I hope you will stop by to check it out!
The Peddler of Wisdom is an incredible work of historical fiction/fantasy. While I was intrigued with the synopsis I hadn't read Laura Bendoly before and whenever you read a book from a new author there's always a little anxiety there. Well, I needn't have worried. Bendoly is a master storyteller and I was blown away by The Peddler of Wisdom.
Irene Gueri, called the Lady of Wisdom, lives in the small Provencal hamlet of Les Eschelles. She is the town's apothecary and healer, and occasionally reads Tarot cards, but most people in the village shun her because they blame her for the plague that recently visited their town and killed their family members. She lives quietly until one day a stranger shows up on her land. Not long after invaders come to the village, blows up their bridge, and murders their leader. Soon townspeople are being kidnapped or tortured, and the invaders ravage the town. Irene becomes close with the new Duke's alchemist - the stranger that was lost on her land - and partners with him to help the people of the village.
As the story progresses the danger and action increase and Irene has to decide if she will run from them or stay and join the resistance. I must say, this was an engrossing read. I was immediately drawn to the novel within the first few pages and stayed engaged for the entire read. The pacing is great and makes it easy to fly through the pages.
Bendoly also provides a Historic Note at the end of the book and provides the sources she used while researching and writing the novel. It's clear that Bendoly did her research!
I highly recommend The Peddler of Wisdom and I look forward to move from Laura Matthias Bendoly. I have an interview with her that will be live tomorrow and I hope you will stop by to check it out!
March 25, 2019
I'm glad to be reviewing a historical fiction with a strong woman protagonist during women's history month. I won a digital copy of The Peddler of Wisdom by Laura Matthias Bendoly in a giveaway on the Historical Fictionistas group on Goodreads. The author sent it to me as a gift from Amazon, and this is my honest review.
When invader Domenico demanded that the villagers consult his alchemist/physician instead of Irène, the village healer, I expected that she would become the victim of a witchcraft hysteria which were quite common in the 17th century when this book takes place. It turned out that I was being too pessimistic. While there were a few collaborators with the invaders, most of the village wanted to resist Domenico. So Irène became a rebel. I love women who take a stand.
There's a romance element in The Peddler of Wisdom. We even get a HEA ending. Yet I wouldn't categorize this novel as a romance. I think that the romance content is insufficient. I would say the same about characterizing The Peddler of Wisdom as a fantasy. There is a great deal of discussion about magic, but there are relatively few magical acts. I wouldn't count Irène's Tarot readings as magic. For me, they exhibit insight/intuition.
Some would say that the 17th century was too early for Tarot divination since the earliest historically recorded use of Tarot for that purpose was in the 18th century. I should point out that recorded history has tended to focus exclusively on the doings of the wealthy and powerful. Irène learned about divination with Tarot cards from a Romani woman. It seems to me at least possible that the Romani might have been reading Tarot somewhat earlier than history indicates.
The Romani are called "gypsies" in this book. I have been guilty of using the term "gypsies" myself, but that was before I learned the history of "gypsy" as a pejorative. It's enough for me that members of this ethnic group prefer Romani. My policy is that people should be called what they want to be called. Of course, 17th century Irène wouldn't have known better. It did bother me that Irène was insulting toward Romani at the end of the book. Hurtful stereotypes about the Romani have been common and they still do have a great deal of currency. Irène seemed advanced in a number of ways. That comment caused me to think less of her. It also left a bad taste in my mouth since it was literally the last thing Irène said.
The protagonist of The Peddler of Wisdom was by no means perfect, nor did she need to be perfect. Characters seem more real if they have flaws or complexity. A number of characters in Bendoly's book were well-developed including the villainous tyrant Domenico who had a background, and an unpredictable degree of ambivalence. I did like The Peddler of Wisdom for the most part, and was glad to have the opportunity to read it.
For my complete review see https://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/2...
When invader Domenico demanded that the villagers consult his alchemist/physician instead of Irène, the village healer, I expected that she would become the victim of a witchcraft hysteria which were quite common in the 17th century when this book takes place. It turned out that I was being too pessimistic. While there were a few collaborators with the invaders, most of the village wanted to resist Domenico. So Irène became a rebel. I love women who take a stand.
There's a romance element in The Peddler of Wisdom. We even get a HEA ending. Yet I wouldn't categorize this novel as a romance. I think that the romance content is insufficient. I would say the same about characterizing The Peddler of Wisdom as a fantasy. There is a great deal of discussion about magic, but there are relatively few magical acts. I wouldn't count Irène's Tarot readings as magic. For me, they exhibit insight/intuition.
Some would say that the 17th century was too early for Tarot divination since the earliest historically recorded use of Tarot for that purpose was in the 18th century. I should point out that recorded history has tended to focus exclusively on the doings of the wealthy and powerful. Irène learned about divination with Tarot cards from a Romani woman. It seems to me at least possible that the Romani might have been reading Tarot somewhat earlier than history indicates.
The Romani are called "gypsies" in this book. I have been guilty of using the term "gypsies" myself, but that was before I learned the history of "gypsy" as a pejorative. It's enough for me that members of this ethnic group prefer Romani. My policy is that people should be called what they want to be called. Of course, 17th century Irène wouldn't have known better. It did bother me that Irène was insulting toward Romani at the end of the book. Hurtful stereotypes about the Romani have been common and they still do have a great deal of currency. Irène seemed advanced in a number of ways. That comment caused me to think less of her. It also left a bad taste in my mouth since it was literally the last thing Irène said.
The protagonist of The Peddler of Wisdom was by no means perfect, nor did she need to be perfect. Characters seem more real if they have flaws or complexity. A number of characters in Bendoly's book were well-developed including the villainous tyrant Domenico who had a background, and an unpredictable degree of ambivalence. I did like The Peddler of Wisdom for the most part, and was glad to have the opportunity to read it.
For my complete review see https://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/2...
January 7, 2019
Through thoughtful world-building, Laura Matthias Bendoly ensnares readers bringing life to 17th century provencial France. Add exacting characterization, and here's a book that's well worth the read. With healers, alchemists, shifting loyalties, uncertainty, a precarious love-sitation, and a mad conqueror, this novel has all the components readers will appreciate.
Irene, village healer, is a strong leading character. While her spirit is gentle, she is bold and intensely likeable. Through her complex character, readers are able to examine the juxtaposition of faith in nature, science, humanity, spirits, and even God, all while immersing themselves in a world long gone. The setting is charming and easy to slip into. It is evident that Bendoly appreciates attention to detail. Having only little knowledge of this time period, I appreciated the care in which she adds historical context and allusion. Overall, this piece is well composed, intentional, and engaging. Read it!
Irene, village healer, is a strong leading character. While her spirit is gentle, she is bold and intensely likeable. Through her complex character, readers are able to examine the juxtaposition of faith in nature, science, humanity, spirits, and even God, all while immersing themselves in a world long gone. The setting is charming and easy to slip into. It is evident that Bendoly appreciates attention to detail. Having only little knowledge of this time period, I appreciated the care in which she adds historical context and allusion. Overall, this piece is well composed, intentional, and engaging. Read it!
February 8, 2019
The village of Les Échelles is a quiet farming and mining town connected to the rest of the world by one bridge. Les Échelles has just recently recovered from the plague and it's widowed healer, Irene is just beginning to be recognized again by her neighbors after many of their families perished under her care. Irene works through the protection of the town's spirit, Zahara and has read her future with her tarot cards. Soon after the plague subsides an invader, Duke Dominico, ravages the town and kills their peaceful Count Girau. Many of the villagers are taken with Dominico's finery and promises of a gilded town. The Duke also brings along Durande who works as a healer as well as an alchemist. Durande holds many of Domenico's secrets. Irene befriends Durande and finds out that Domenico's fantasies are fueled by madness and he will soon tear their small town apart. Finding strength within herself and a little push from Zahara Irene must become the leader her town needs to form a resistance against the Duke.
The Peddler of Wisdom is an engaging historical fantasy combining life in a provencial French town with a little bit of magic and large dose of female-led resistance. I immediately fell in love with Irene's character, a healer who cares for everything including birds and snakes and does not seem to hold a grudge. The town of Les Échelles was absolutely charming and picturesque, through the writing I could envision the shops, the castle, Irene's farm and the countryside where Irene left offerings for Zahara. With the arrival of the Duke and Durande, Les Échelles is turned upside down. The Duke and Durande bring elements of danger, fear and magic, a deadly combination for anyone who gets in the Duke's way. With gruesome automata, fiery jinn, and people painted in gold, the Duke attempts to create his vision. Durande, a reluctant hand to the Duke brings Irene into his fold and provides the knowledge for Irene to turn on the Duke. I liked that the relationship between Durande and Irene was not a focus of the story, but their partnership was important for town and their freedom. I enjoyed seeing Irene's leadership grow and emerge among the town. She is the beginning of the resistance, a healer in more ways than one. Her wisdom, kindness and touch of magic within leads to a revolution that the Duke never saw coming. Overall, a unique historical fantasy that left me wanting more.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
The Peddler of Wisdom is an engaging historical fantasy combining life in a provencial French town with a little bit of magic and large dose of female-led resistance. I immediately fell in love with Irene's character, a healer who cares for everything including birds and snakes and does not seem to hold a grudge. The town of Les Échelles was absolutely charming and picturesque, through the writing I could envision the shops, the castle, Irene's farm and the countryside where Irene left offerings for Zahara. With the arrival of the Duke and Durande, Les Échelles is turned upside down. The Duke and Durande bring elements of danger, fear and magic, a deadly combination for anyone who gets in the Duke's way. With gruesome automata, fiery jinn, and people painted in gold, the Duke attempts to create his vision. Durande, a reluctant hand to the Duke brings Irene into his fold and provides the knowledge for Irene to turn on the Duke. I liked that the relationship between Durande and Irene was not a focus of the story, but their partnership was important for town and their freedom. I enjoyed seeing Irene's leadership grow and emerge among the town. She is the beginning of the resistance, a healer in more ways than one. Her wisdom, kindness and touch of magic within leads to a revolution that the Duke never saw coming. Overall, a unique historical fantasy that left me wanting more.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
April 3, 2019
Dear Readers, have you ever come across an author who was meant to write a specific genre of novels? Well, I have and it is Laura Matthis Bendoly and historic & supernatural fiction! Just wow!
From her ability to submerge me in 17th century France with mesmerizing world building, to a plot which kept me on my toes, I was instantly hooked by The Peddler of Wisdom.
Her female protagonist was strong, independent and caring while being in a world where her very existence was threatened by her chosen profession, yet she never let anything stop her from being exactly who she needed to be for herself and the people in her village.
I was drawn into the story so much in fact that I actually dreamt I was a part of the storyline after I finished the book (in one day!)! This has never happened to me literary lovelies, EVER!
Lastly, there were so many quotable passages in the book that at one point I just started writing down the pages numbers and putting a tiny pencil dot write beside the sentence. My hands also ached at the end by my intense clutch of this stunning novel!
So if you are a lover of historical fiction, strong women, an intricate plot and just vivid writing this novel is for you!
*** Copy received from the author in exchange for an honest review ***
From her ability to submerge me in 17th century France with mesmerizing world building, to a plot which kept me on my toes, I was instantly hooked by The Peddler of Wisdom.
Her female protagonist was strong, independent and caring while being in a world where her very existence was threatened by her chosen profession, yet she never let anything stop her from being exactly who she needed to be for herself and the people in her village.
I was drawn into the story so much in fact that I actually dreamt I was a part of the storyline after I finished the book (in one day!)! This has never happened to me literary lovelies, EVER!
Lastly, there were so many quotable passages in the book that at one point I just started writing down the pages numbers and putting a tiny pencil dot write beside the sentence. My hands also ached at the end by my intense clutch of this stunning novel!
So if you are a lover of historical fiction, strong women, an intricate plot and just vivid writing this novel is for you!
*** Copy received from the author in exchange for an honest review ***
February 23, 2019
A lovely historical fantasy with well-crafted world building that blends into the beautiful countryside. The narrative is a fantastic ride through magic, alchemy, and resistance when a domineering duke takes over the village and throws their beloved leader from a cliff. From then on, the resistance is born in the hearts of Irene the healer and the villagers, though getting it organized takes some time. Meanwhile, as the diabolical duke is kidnapping young men and women for nefarious experiments, Irene and Durand the alchemist are falling in love as they plot and plan to save everyone. A very charming story with well-wrought fantastical elements and a twisting, complicated plot.
February 7, 2019
This novel was an interesting blend of history and fantasy. It takes place in the 17th century in a fictional French village. Irene is our main character and a strong female. I love a book that features this type of protagonist. She is the local healer. Her village is taken over my an evil man. Irene is determined to help those around her and does all she can to help her village even if that means she must start a resistance group. What follows is a story about love, alchemy, and a little fantasy. Overall not a bad read but I did feel a little lost at times with what was going on. I feel that this novel could have been shorter and I would have been happier with it. It was definitely unique read with some interesting characters.
August 3, 2021
Interesting read
Not a book I normally read but interesting. The story line was good and the characters were okay. It took me a awhile to read through this story. I was intrigued enough to want to read through it. I found it a bit slow
Not a book I normally read but interesting. The story line was good and the characters were okay. It took me a awhile to read through this story. I was intrigued enough to want to read through it. I found it a bit slow
January 9, 2019
Intriguing!
Not your usual tale, but very engrossing! Enjoyed the history and the imagination! Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Not your usual tale, but very engrossing! Enjoyed the history and the imagination! Looking forward to reading more from this author.
June 6, 2019
I loved this book. The main character was easily relatable. I enjoyed following her story. The adventure twisted and surprised again and again. I also enjoyed learning more about the state of medicine in France in the 1600’s; how it was negotiated between expectations of gender, religious belief and traditional folk knowledge. Overall, I found it fascinating and enthralling, a wonderful story in a unique setting.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews