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The Book of Eve
A book whispers. A woman hears its power.
A man will stop at nothing to silence them both.
'It is wonderful - beautiful. It is dangerous - sinful.
It is the best thing that could have come to me. It is the worst.'
Beatrice is the convent's librarian. For years, she has shunned the company of her sisters, finding solace only with her manuscripts. But she longs for knowledge of the outside world - a world ruled by men in which women can play no part.
One carnival night, it seems her prayers are answered: two women, badly injured and desperate for help, are abandoned at the convent's gate. Moments from death, one of them presses something into Beatrice's hands: a bewitching book whose pages have a dangerous life of their own.
But the men of the city, bent on the book's destruction, are closing in. Beatrice must do all she can to protect it - no matter what the cost.
The Binding meets The Handmaid's Tale. Perfect for fans of dark academia and historical feminist fiction.
A man will stop at nothing to silence them both.
'It is wonderful - beautiful. It is dangerous - sinful.
It is the best thing that could have come to me. It is the worst.'
Beatrice is the convent's librarian. For years, she has shunned the company of her sisters, finding solace only with her manuscripts. But she longs for knowledge of the outside world - a world ruled by men in which women can play no part.
One carnival night, it seems her prayers are answered: two women, badly injured and desperate for help, are abandoned at the convent's gate. Moments from death, one of them presses something into Beatrice's hands: a bewitching book whose pages have a dangerous life of their own.
But the men of the city, bent on the book's destruction, are closing in. Beatrice must do all she can to protect it - no matter what the cost.
The Binding meets The Handmaid's Tale. Perfect for fans of dark academia and historical feminist fiction.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2023
154 people are currently reading
4396 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 336 reviews
March 27, 2024
Hmm ... I guess I expected more from this book. I'm kind of disappointed.
The plot was your classic magic-mystery-book-plot. MC finds a mysterious and forbidden books and dives into the world of magic, all the while being hunted by those who want to destroy it. As I said, a classic.
Even the monastery setting wasn't new to me but nontheless, the blurb sounded so good! Yeah, well ... Meg Clothier has a style of writing that does not pull the reader in. Very few conversations, hunks of paragraphs of describing every single thing our FMC does or thinks. You know those little rivers that plow their way through the woods peacefully? That's what reading this book feels like. Like a tiny baby river in the forest, not being bothered by anything.
I guess this book is good for when you're lying on the beach? It WAS nice for a change not having the ups and downs of an adventure-packed monster.
The plot was your classic magic-mystery-book-plot. MC finds a mysterious and forbidden books and dives into the world of magic, all the while being hunted by those who want to destroy it. As I said, a classic.
Even the monastery setting wasn't new to me but nontheless, the blurb sounded so good! Yeah, well ... Meg Clothier has a style of writing that does not pull the reader in. Very few conversations, hunks of paragraphs of describing every single thing our FMC does or thinks. You know those little rivers that plow their way through the woods peacefully? That's what reading this book feels like. Like a tiny baby river in the forest, not being bothered by anything.
I guess this book is good for when you're lying on the beach? It WAS nice for a change not having the ups and downs of an adventure-packed monster.
March 9, 2023
Based upon the mysterious Voynich Manuscript (which has both fascinated and baffled scholars for centuries) Meg Clothier has woven a dark and gorgeously atmospheric, feminist tale of that I didn’t want to put down!
Told from the perspective of Convent Librarian, Beatrice who, in longing for the knowledge housed beyond the Convent’s gates, has spent her years shunning the company of her sisters (and in some instances shirking her duties) in favour of her precious manuscripts.
Then, one carnival night two women (badly injured and in need of assistance) find themselves at the convent’s gate—and effectively answering all of Beatrice’s prayers. For on their death bed, the youngest woman hands Beatrice a mysterious book, whose pages contain a dangerous life of their own.
But there are men in the city-powerful, important and boldened by religion who will stop at nothing to destroy it, for the book’s existence proves that women aren’t nearly as powerless as they’ve been lead to believe…
I genuinely loved every second of this! The pacing was a little slow to start but the writing was literally DIVINE! If like me, you’re partial to beautifully rich and lyrical prose then you’re definitely going to adore Clothier’s writing style. I also loved the attention to detail in the world building and the intensity that slowly beings to seep into the narrative as Beatrice’s fascination in deciphering the book (and it’s mysteries) slowly creeps into obsession.
The empowering sense of friendship and sisterhood that developments between our Fiercely determined protagonist and the women at the convent was wonderfully wrought and really highlighted the complexities and challenges faced by women in a male dominated (and religiously patriarchal) society.
I genuinely loved the ease with which Beatrice disregards soo many ‘rules and regulations’ that didn’t suit her needs. And her rebellious streak had me root for her from the very start. The Reverend Mother, Chiara, painter Diana and Beatrice’s step-mother Ortolana were also some of the really strong and empowered characters that meet (either by their confidence, job or social position) and enjoyed getting to know each, as well as their small acts of rebellion along the way.
There’s definitely some pretty dark (and harrowing moments) that make up Beatrice (and many of the the other sister’s) emotional journeys so I do suggest checking out the TWs beforehand.
But if you love bewitching, feminist plot lines that involve poignant scenes of female heroism and resistance and utterly compelling characters—then I definitely recommend checking this one out!
Also, a huge thank you to Emily over at Wildfire Books for the proof
Told from the perspective of Convent Librarian, Beatrice who, in longing for the knowledge housed beyond the Convent’s gates, has spent her years shunning the company of her sisters (and in some instances shirking her duties) in favour of her precious manuscripts.
Then, one carnival night two women (badly injured and in need of assistance) find themselves at the convent’s gate—and effectively answering all of Beatrice’s prayers. For on their death bed, the youngest woman hands Beatrice a mysterious book, whose pages contain a dangerous life of their own.
But there are men in the city-powerful, important and boldened by religion who will stop at nothing to destroy it, for the book’s existence proves that women aren’t nearly as powerless as they’ve been lead to believe…
I genuinely loved every second of this! The pacing was a little slow to start but the writing was literally DIVINE! If like me, you’re partial to beautifully rich and lyrical prose then you’re definitely going to adore Clothier’s writing style. I also loved the attention to detail in the world building and the intensity that slowly beings to seep into the narrative as Beatrice’s fascination in deciphering the book (and it’s mysteries) slowly creeps into obsession.
The empowering sense of friendship and sisterhood that developments between our Fiercely determined protagonist and the women at the convent was wonderfully wrought and really highlighted the complexities and challenges faced by women in a male dominated (and religiously patriarchal) society.
I genuinely loved the ease with which Beatrice disregards soo many ‘rules and regulations’ that didn’t suit her needs. And her rebellious streak had me root for her from the very start. The Reverend Mother, Chiara, painter Diana and Beatrice’s step-mother Ortolana were also some of the really strong and empowered characters that meet (either by their confidence, job or social position) and enjoyed getting to know each, as well as their small acts of rebellion along the way.
There’s definitely some pretty dark (and harrowing moments) that make up Beatrice (and many of the the other sister’s) emotional journeys so I do suggest checking out the TWs beforehand.
But if you love bewitching, feminist plot lines that involve poignant scenes of female heroism and resistance and utterly compelling characters—then I definitely recommend checking this one out!
Also, a huge thank you to Emily over at Wildfire Books for the proof
November 25, 2023
Siento que se desperdició la premisa y se dirigió la atención a personajes que no provocan tanto interés, en lugar de centrarla en el códice (que yo pensé al principio que sería el protagonista de esta historia). Los personajes secundarios se quedaron sin desarrollo, y esto pudo haberse evitado si no hubiese habido un afán de poner una cantidad innecesaria de ellos. La historia está compuesta de elementos que por sí solos generan gran interés, pero considero que no se logró potenciarlos y el resultado fue más bien confuso, con pérdida de enfoque en el misterio y enfásis en detalles mágicos que no tuvieron mayor explicación. Hay demasiadas cosas que no se resuelven. Aún así, fue una lectura con una buena atmósfera. Algunos diálogos y escenas me gustaron bastante.
January 15, 2023
Firstly I thank Headline for a copy of ‘The book of Eve by Meg Clothier.
I really wanted to like this book and I liked the premise of this story. But I found this book to be really slow and confusing due to the amount of different characters in this story. So, I started losing interest.
I also think that I am not the right type of audience for this book. So it is three stars from me.
I really wanted to like this book and I liked the premise of this story. But I found this book to be really slow and confusing due to the amount of different characters in this story. So, I started losing interest.
I also think that I am not the right type of audience for this book. So it is three stars from me.
January 31, 2023
In hindsight I should have found out a little about the Voynich manuscript before reading this book. The manuscript is an early 15th century text in an as yet undeciphered script with many illustrations. Meg Clothier takes this as the foundation of her novel. I would have found some form of prologue or author's note useful to help understand the story. Without this I found it very difficult to know what the book was trying to do. I struggled to maintain interest in the first half of the book which is set in a convent in an unspecified time, a probable Italy and a slightly masked Catholicism. The book picked up pace in the second half and appears to be a feminist expose of the misogyny of organised Christian religion. As such it should have appealed to me but I felt the author could not decide what approach to take: fantasy, historical, fictional biography .... The overall message of sisterhood is powerful took a long time to be made clear.
November 18, 2023
En un lugar que no nos dice, pero intuimos Italia, en un tiempo que no se define, pero claramente es algún momento entre los siglos XV-XVII, Beatrice es la bibliotecaria de un convento de monjas de clausura. La noche de carnaval, mientras todo el mundo en la localidad se divierte, llegan a las puertas del convento dos mujeres heridas que morirán pasadas unas horas no sin antes entregar a Beatrice un libro. ¿Quiénes eran? ¿Qué o quién las atacó? ¿Por qué ese ansia por proteger el libro? Bueno, pues todo misterios porque las mujeres solo hablaban una lengua extranjera que nadie pudo entender.
Con esta premisa yo solita le puse unas expectativas altísimas a este libro que en mi cabeza era un cruce entre ‘El código Da Vinci’ y ‘El nombre de la rosa’ pero con monjas. Esperaba yo aventurillas, misterios y una buena dosis de ficción de secretos históricos. Y a ver, algo de eso tiene, pero lamentablemente este libro no ha sido de mi gusto.
Me ha resultado muy lento, con los capítulos y diferentes personajes sin ligar bien entre sí. La forma de narrar en primera persona presente, se me ha hecho rarísima y muy poco natural. Luego, hay una barbaridad de personajes que apenas se nos presentan y hay momentos que yo sentía un batiburrillo de gente haciendo cosas y hablando sin tener ni idea de quién era quién. De hecho, se abren varias líneas de recuerdos y se nombran personajes que parece que nos van a ayudar a entender más a la protagonista (que por cierto me dejó completamente indiferente), pero cuyas historias al final no se cuentan y todo queda en interrogantes. Y… mi sensación es que no se le saca partido al misterio principal, todo se deja muy ambiguo por lo que cuando se meten elementos sobrenaturales o de realismo mágico… lo vi muy forzado.
La verdad que una pena porque creo que la idea es muy buena, pero el desarrollo no consigue sacarle partido, en mi opinión. Digo que la idea es buena porque a pesar de que no se nombra directamente (lo cual tiene sentido porque el nombre por el que lo conocemos se le dio siglos después), la novela gira en torno al manuscrito (o códice) Voynich, un libro miniado fechado en el siglo XV, cuyas ilustraciones y textos son todo un misterio, incluso a día de hoy. Sus frases están escritas en un lenguaje que no ha podido ser descifrado (he leído que ahora han puesto a una IA a intentar leerlo), sus páginas están llenas de misteriosas imágenes a todo color que hacen referencia a las estrellas, plantas de las que no se tiene constancia, escenas de mujeres que se han interpretado como rituales…. Vamos, ¡que este códice es lo más de lo más y merece un novelón como poco! Pero… en la novela se diluye su interés y se deja en un lugar secundario en la trama.
Pero bueno, no todo ha sido malo. Es un libro que se lee rápido, sin complicaciones (más allá de que si se te hace aburrido como a mí, algunas partes se hacen durillas). Creo que es una aproximación interesante a la vida en los conventos de clausura en la época medieval, conocer algo del día a día en estos espacios, sus rutinas, creencias… y también las injusticias que sufrían muchas mujeres, porque no siempre se convertían en novicias por decisión propia. También una visión interesante de los conventos y la clausura como algo que aportaba tranquilidad y libertad a las mujeres (dentro de unos límites) contraponiéndola a los abusos de poder a las que se veían subyugadas por parte de otros religiosos con una mayor categoría otorgada, principalmente, por su condición de hombres. Lo dicho, que ojalá me hubiera gustado porque siempre es interesante leer historias con enfoques feministas, que colocan el centro en la vida de mujeres, pero como novela se me quedó a medias.
En cualquier caso, esta es tan solo mi experiencia con esta lectura. Si te llama la atención te animo mucho a leerla y ¡ojalá la disfrutes!
Con esta premisa yo solita le puse unas expectativas altísimas a este libro que en mi cabeza era un cruce entre ‘El código Da Vinci’ y ‘El nombre de la rosa’ pero con monjas. Esperaba yo aventurillas, misterios y una buena dosis de ficción de secretos históricos. Y a ver, algo de eso tiene, pero lamentablemente este libro no ha sido de mi gusto.
Me ha resultado muy lento, con los capítulos y diferentes personajes sin ligar bien entre sí. La forma de narrar en primera persona presente, se me ha hecho rarísima y muy poco natural. Luego, hay una barbaridad de personajes que apenas se nos presentan y hay momentos que yo sentía un batiburrillo de gente haciendo cosas y hablando sin tener ni idea de quién era quién. De hecho, se abren varias líneas de recuerdos y se nombran personajes que parece que nos van a ayudar a entender más a la protagonista (que por cierto me dejó completamente indiferente), pero cuyas historias al final no se cuentan y todo queda en interrogantes. Y… mi sensación es que no se le saca partido al misterio principal, todo se deja muy ambiguo por lo que cuando se meten elementos sobrenaturales o de realismo mágico… lo vi muy forzado.
La verdad que una pena porque creo que la idea es muy buena, pero el desarrollo no consigue sacarle partido, en mi opinión. Digo que la idea es buena porque a pesar de que no se nombra directamente (lo cual tiene sentido porque el nombre por el que lo conocemos se le dio siglos después), la novela gira en torno al manuscrito (o códice) Voynich, un libro miniado fechado en el siglo XV, cuyas ilustraciones y textos son todo un misterio, incluso a día de hoy. Sus frases están escritas en un lenguaje que no ha podido ser descifrado (he leído que ahora han puesto a una IA a intentar leerlo), sus páginas están llenas de misteriosas imágenes a todo color que hacen referencia a las estrellas, plantas de las que no se tiene constancia, escenas de mujeres que se han interpretado como rituales…. Vamos, ¡que este códice es lo más de lo más y merece un novelón como poco! Pero… en la novela se diluye su interés y se deja en un lugar secundario en la trama.
Pero bueno, no todo ha sido malo. Es un libro que se lee rápido, sin complicaciones (más allá de que si se te hace aburrido como a mí, algunas partes se hacen durillas). Creo que es una aproximación interesante a la vida en los conventos de clausura en la época medieval, conocer algo del día a día en estos espacios, sus rutinas, creencias… y también las injusticias que sufrían muchas mujeres, porque no siempre se convertían en novicias por decisión propia. También una visión interesante de los conventos y la clausura como algo que aportaba tranquilidad y libertad a las mujeres (dentro de unos límites) contraponiéndola a los abusos de poder a las que se veían subyugadas por parte de otros religiosos con una mayor categoría otorgada, principalmente, por su condición de hombres. Lo dicho, que ojalá me hubiera gustado porque siempre es interesante leer historias con enfoques feministas, que colocan el centro en la vida de mujeres, pero como novela se me quedó a medias.
En cualquier caso, esta es tan solo mi experiencia con esta lectura. Si te llama la atención te animo mucho a leerla y ¡ojalá la disfrutes!
March 5, 2023
The Book of Eve tells the story of Beatrice, who runs the convent’s library. Like many of us book lovers, she chooses her manuscripts & books over spending time with her sisters!
One evening, two women are found beaten & abandoned outside the convent’s walls. They are taken in & as one of the women reaches the point of death, she hands Beatrice a book that appears to have a dangerous life of its own. Some men of faith want the book destroyed & they eventually track the book down. Beatrice must therefore choose between protecting the book or her sisters.
If you follow my reviews, you’ll know I really enjoy books with feisty, central female characters, and Beatrice certainly fits that bill. She fights for what she believes is right, and becomes empowered to continue her journey against all odds. The book does become quite unsettling, as the zealots become ever more angry & violent.
Overall, I found The Book of Eve a beautiful book of female empowerment, standing up against those who try to stifle us, and the power of sticking together. A powerful, well told story.
One evening, two women are found beaten & abandoned outside the convent’s walls. They are taken in & as one of the women reaches the point of death, she hands Beatrice a book that appears to have a dangerous life of its own. Some men of faith want the book destroyed & they eventually track the book down. Beatrice must therefore choose between protecting the book or her sisters.
If you follow my reviews, you’ll know I really enjoy books with feisty, central female characters, and Beatrice certainly fits that bill. She fights for what she believes is right, and becomes empowered to continue her journey against all odds. The book does become quite unsettling, as the zealots become ever more angry & violent.
Overall, I found The Book of Eve a beautiful book of female empowerment, standing up against those who try to stifle us, and the power of sticking together. A powerful, well told story.
May 4, 2024
As I read this book, I kept thinking about Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose". Can you blame me: the story is set in a convent in Italy, it's about forbidden books and fanatical monks who hate them... Albeit with a strong feminist twist that Eco obviously did not include in his work, but I remember looking up from the book to tell my husband "if this ends with the library burning down, so help me..."
I had not read Clothier's other books before, but I was surprised that this wasn't a debut, as it felt a bit like one: it was throwing a lot of things at me without clear direction. Is this fantasy or historical fiction? Since she remained very vague about the setting, it was hard to tell which of the two genres she was going for. Some of the language is also modern enough to be jarring at times, especially if this is supposed to be historical. I'm a huge fan of stories about strange and special books, so I knew a bit about the Voynich manuscript, but a short intro about it, or at least a small note, would have helped clarify what the big deal was - especially the newer theories about it being a women's medicine manual or pharmacopeia.
Beatrice is the librarian in a convent. She is not terribly devout, but the convent is the only place she has ever truly felt safe and like she had a purpose. One night, her quiet existence is thrown into chaos when two injured women are whisked to the infirmary. Before they succumb to their injuries, one of them slips Beatrice a book and tells her to keep it hidden. Beatrice soon comes to understand that a group of itinerant monks are looking for this book with the intent of destroying it. She is very familiar with what happen to forbidden books, and her librarian heart can't bear the idea of any book being destroyed, but she realizes that this book is unlike any she has seen before. She can't make out the writing on the pages, but she has seen it somewhere before...
I was really hoping to enjoy this more than I did, which was quite dissapointing. The subject and themes Clothier chose to explore are fascinating, but she doesn't go far enough,nor does she truly develop the characters. It all felt superficial and thin. As much as "The Name of the Rose" was hard work, it did pay off and it did feel incredibly rewarding to read, which was not the case here.
A few articles about the Voynich Manuscript, if you are curious:
https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/9/18...
https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-...
https://undark.org/2020/02/12/decodin...
I had not read Clothier's other books before, but I was surprised that this wasn't a debut, as it felt a bit like one: it was throwing a lot of things at me without clear direction. Is this fantasy or historical fiction? Since she remained very vague about the setting, it was hard to tell which of the two genres she was going for. Some of the language is also modern enough to be jarring at times, especially if this is supposed to be historical. I'm a huge fan of stories about strange and special books, so I knew a bit about the Voynich manuscript, but a short intro about it, or at least a small note, would have helped clarify what the big deal was - especially the newer theories about it being a women's medicine manual or pharmacopeia.
Beatrice is the librarian in a convent. She is not terribly devout, but the convent is the only place she has ever truly felt safe and like she had a purpose. One night, her quiet existence is thrown into chaos when two injured women are whisked to the infirmary. Before they succumb to their injuries, one of them slips Beatrice a book and tells her to keep it hidden. Beatrice soon comes to understand that a group of itinerant monks are looking for this book with the intent of destroying it. She is very familiar with what happen to forbidden books, and her librarian heart can't bear the idea of any book being destroyed, but she realizes that this book is unlike any she has seen before. She can't make out the writing on the pages, but she has seen it somewhere before...
I was really hoping to enjoy this more than I did, which was quite dissapointing. The subject and themes Clothier chose to explore are fascinating, but she doesn't go far enough,nor does she truly develop the characters. It all felt superficial and thin. As much as "The Name of the Rose" was hard work, it did pay off and it did feel incredibly rewarding to read, which was not the case here.
A few articles about the Voynich Manuscript, if you are curious:
https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/9/18...
https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-...
https://undark.org/2020/02/12/decodin...
January 9, 2023
Wow! I absolutely loved this. I was lucky enough to read an proof copy and what a treat it was. Once I started reading, it took over my life so that I had trouble tearing myself away to do anything else. Totally spellbinding. I can’t remember the last time I was so captivated by a novel that I had to put everything else on hold to read it.
Tense and claustrophobic, with a creeping sense of dread that builds throughout the story, The Book of Eve is a beautifully written, utterly enthralling read.
Huge thanks to the author, and the publisher, Headline, for my advance copy.
Tense and claustrophobic, with a creeping sense of dread that builds throughout the story, The Book of Eve is a beautifully written, utterly enthralling read.
Huge thanks to the author, and the publisher, Headline, for my advance copy.
April 16, 2023
The Book of Eve by Meg Clothier was a powerful and compelling historical fantasy. The story was dark and gloomy in its atmosphere but feminist all the way through. It had remarkable female characters that I won't forget anytime soon and on top of that it was partly based on the early 15th century Voynich Manuscript, which to this day remains undeciphered.
I randomly picked this book up at the bookstore on a friday because it seemed like my kinda read but of course you can never be completely sure about a book and author that's new to you. By sunday I had finished the book. I quite literally couldn't put the book down. It had a bit of a slow start but every chance I got I was continuing where I left off and this is something that doesn't easily happen anymore.
The Book of Eve features Sister Beatrice, the covent's librarian, who prefers to be with her books and manuscripts than people, even her sisters of the convent. One night two women show up at the convent at the verge of death. Before dying one of the women shoves a mysterious book at Beatrice, speaking in a language that the scholarly Beatrice doesn't even understand. Not long after men of faith with Brother Abramo at head, show up who want the book desperately to destroy it for it contains secrets that are forbidden.
Needless to say I could definitely relate to Sister Beatrice and preferring books over people. I adored her love for her manuscripts and how it was often work from ancient authors that wouldn't exactly be approved of by powerful men, who want to use religion for their own needs, that she cared the most about. Aside from Beatrice, this book had a bunch of other strong female characters like Mother Chiara, Diana and Ortolana that I couldn't help but love too. Also, I learned that the character of Diana was based on Artemisia Gentileschi and that made me love this book even more.
The author's writing was also something special. The prose was absolutely beautiful, detailed and unlike anything I've read recently. I couldn't get enough of it. The message that Meg Clothier convened was also one to take notice of. The bond of sisterhood, friendship and resistance was empowering and just amazing to read about.
I randomly picked this book up at the bookstore on a friday because it seemed like my kinda read but of course you can never be completely sure about a book and author that's new to you. By sunday I had finished the book. I quite literally couldn't put the book down. It had a bit of a slow start but every chance I got I was continuing where I left off and this is something that doesn't easily happen anymore.
The Book of Eve features Sister Beatrice, the covent's librarian, who prefers to be with her books and manuscripts than people, even her sisters of the convent. One night two women show up at the convent at the verge of death. Before dying one of the women shoves a mysterious book at Beatrice, speaking in a language that the scholarly Beatrice doesn't even understand. Not long after men of faith with Brother Abramo at head, show up who want the book desperately to destroy it for it contains secrets that are forbidden.
Needless to say I could definitely relate to Sister Beatrice and preferring books over people. I adored her love for her manuscripts and how it was often work from ancient authors that wouldn't exactly be approved of by powerful men, who want to use religion for their own needs, that she cared the most about. Aside from Beatrice, this book had a bunch of other strong female characters like Mother Chiara, Diana and Ortolana that I couldn't help but love too. Also, I learned that the character of Diana was based on Artemisia Gentileschi and that made me love this book even more.
The author's writing was also something special. The prose was absolutely beautiful, detailed and unlike anything I've read recently. I couldn't get enough of it. The message that Meg Clothier convened was also one to take notice of. The bond of sisterhood, friendship and resistance was empowering and just amazing to read about.
January 26, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! I’m a sucker for anything with libraries and special books. I became invested in the main character, Beatrice, and also the intrigue surrounding the book. At times I felt like too much time was spent on random details that didn’t matter to the story and I would find myself skimming to get to the good parts. Other than that, it was a solid read!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing the ARC.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing the ARC.
July 14, 2024
✨️ I found it really difficult to get into this book... whilst the back offered a mysterious, dark mythological story, I just didn't get into it at all... I felt the need for big ambitious words lost within the story. I couldn't really tell where or when it was supposed to have taken place without looking up some phrases and snippets of history dropped in here and there... the whole story I felt was lost, only coming back and then lost once more within the authors need for excessive language descriptions.
July 25, 2023
4.02/5 • Estoy gratamente sorprendida porque tenía cero expectativas con este libro
Y no penséis que es un libro que os volará la cabeza porque no creo que sea su función, pero sí es un libro con una intención muy concreta en la que realzar la sororidad entre las mujeres y, en cierta manera, el feminismo.
El libro nos transporta a un convento en la Italia medieval en donde aparecen dos extranjeras heridas que portan un libro. Por diferentes motivos este libro, en apariencia vacío y sin utilidad ninguna, acaba en manos de la bibliotecaria que, sin remedio, se verá intrigada por las imágenes que comienzan a aparecer. Sin embargo, todo empieza a truncarse cuando aparece un hombre del Padre que busca a las dos mujeres y el libro.
La historia trata varios temas, pero sobre todo el poder y la influencia que ha tenido la religión en la Alta Edad Media y cómo las mujeres eran vistas como portadoras del mal y el pecado. Las niñas, aunque vinieran de familias respetables, eran mandadas a los conventos a hacer una vida como feligresas por diferentes motivos: desfiguración en su rostro o cuerpo y, por tanto, pérdida de la dote en un futuro casamiento; ser pecaminosa y tener relaciones fuera del matrimonio; no seguir convencionalismos de la época; haber tenido un hijo/a a un edad temprana y/o fuera del matrimonio, etc.
Así, nos encontramos diferentes versiones de mujeres que, en ocasiones, buscan la expiación del Padre entregándose a él en cuerpo y alma. Sin embargo, este convento es algo distinto ya que hay mujeres que no han hecho votos y están allí para sobrevivir, pues es el único lugar seguro para ellas.
Una de las cosas que más han llamado la atención es el tratamiento histórico que ha hecho Meg Clothier de la historia aunque tiene tintes fantasiosos y de realismo mágico. También me ha gustado mucho la forma en la que ha contado la historia y cómo cada personaje tiene una personalidad muy marcada, ayudando a diferenciar a las diferentes monjas del convento.
El libro siempre es narrado a través de Beatrice, la protagonista, pero durante todo el libro se ve cómo las influencias y relaciones con sus otras hermanas la llevan por diferentes caminos y trabas.
Aquellxs que seguís mis reseñas sabéis que valoro mucho los libros que me enseñan algo o me hacen inmiscuirme emocionalmente con la historia, más allá de los clichés actuales de la literatura. Y en esta novela, he sentido la empatía por estas mujeres y he sufrido con ellas el flagelo que sufren por culpa de los hombres y una religión que no las tiene en ninguna consideración.
Es triste ver este tipo de historias porque al tener un componente histórico, aún con toda la ficción de sus líneas, te lleva a pensar en todas aquellas mujeres de la época que vivieron situaciones similares. Y es duro, una vez más, ver cómo tu propio género ha sufrido los caprichos y vicisitudes de una sociedad patriarcal, machista y religiosa que pone en tela de juicio la naturaleza de la mujer como "un ser pecaminoso".
Y, por si esto no fuera poco, duele pensar que las mujeres a día de hoy seguimos teniendo que sufrir este tipo de ataques; ver cómo la fe de algunos les otorga el derecho de decidir por nosotras o creer que tienen la potestad de 'arreglarnos' e, incluso, de tomar nuestras decisiones.
Es triste que sea la religión, una creencia en algo no-tangible, una ideología personal... lo que más daño hace al ser humano y coarte las libertades de las personas. Y en este libro se ve perfectamente reflejado e, historias como esta, merecen ser leídas para aprender y tomar conciencia.
Y no penséis que es un libro que os volará la cabeza porque no creo que sea su función, pero sí es un libro con una intención muy concreta en la que realzar la sororidad entre las mujeres y, en cierta manera, el feminismo.
El libro nos transporta a un convento en la Italia medieval en donde aparecen dos extranjeras heridas que portan un libro. Por diferentes motivos este libro, en apariencia vacío y sin utilidad ninguna, acaba en manos de la bibliotecaria que, sin remedio, se verá intrigada por las imágenes que comienzan a aparecer. Sin embargo, todo empieza a truncarse cuando aparece un hombre del Padre que busca a las dos mujeres y el libro.
La historia trata varios temas, pero sobre todo el poder y la influencia que ha tenido la religión en la Alta Edad Media y cómo las mujeres eran vistas como portadoras del mal y el pecado. Las niñas, aunque vinieran de familias respetables, eran mandadas a los conventos a hacer una vida como feligresas por diferentes motivos: desfiguración en su rostro o cuerpo y, por tanto, pérdida de la dote en un futuro casamiento; ser pecaminosa y tener relaciones fuera del matrimonio; no seguir convencionalismos de la época; haber tenido un hijo/a a un edad temprana y/o fuera del matrimonio, etc.
Así, nos encontramos diferentes versiones de mujeres que, en ocasiones, buscan la expiación del Padre entregándose a él en cuerpo y alma. Sin embargo, este convento es algo distinto ya que hay mujeres que no han hecho votos y están allí para sobrevivir, pues es el único lugar seguro para ellas.
Una de las cosas que más han llamado la atención es el tratamiento histórico que ha hecho Meg Clothier de la historia aunque tiene tintes fantasiosos y de realismo mágico. También me ha gustado mucho la forma en la que ha contado la historia y cómo cada personaje tiene una personalidad muy marcada, ayudando a diferenciar a las diferentes monjas del convento.
El libro siempre es narrado a través de Beatrice, la protagonista, pero durante todo el libro se ve cómo las influencias y relaciones con sus otras hermanas la llevan por diferentes caminos y trabas.
Aquellxs que seguís mis reseñas sabéis que valoro mucho los libros que me enseñan algo o me hacen inmiscuirme emocionalmente con la historia, más allá de los clichés actuales de la literatura. Y en esta novela, he sentido la empatía por estas mujeres y he sufrido con ellas el flagelo que sufren por culpa de los hombres y una religión que no las tiene en ninguna consideración.
Es triste ver este tipo de historias porque al tener un componente histórico, aún con toda la ficción de sus líneas, te lleva a pensar en todas aquellas mujeres de la época que vivieron situaciones similares. Y es duro, una vez más, ver cómo tu propio género ha sufrido los caprichos y vicisitudes de una sociedad patriarcal, machista y religiosa que pone en tela de juicio la naturaleza de la mujer como "un ser pecaminoso".
Y, por si esto no fuera poco, duele pensar que las mujeres a día de hoy seguimos teniendo que sufrir este tipo de ataques; ver cómo la fe de algunos les otorga el derecho de decidir por nosotras o creer que tienen la potestad de 'arreglarnos' e, incluso, de tomar nuestras decisiones.
Es triste que sea la religión, una creencia en algo no-tangible, una ideología personal... lo que más daño hace al ser humano y coarte las libertades de las personas. Y en este libro se ve perfectamente reflejado e, historias como esta, merecen ser leídas para aprender y tomar conciencia.
February 1, 2024
An historical fiction novel inspired by the Voynich manuscript? Yes please! For those needing a refresher, the Voynich manuscript is a handwritten book on vellum in an unknown script dated to the early 15th century. The book has some botanical illustrations - including some fictitious plants - but the contents have never been successfully de-coded, despite some of the best minds and scholars all over the world doing their best to uncover the mystery. The Voynich manuscript is now available in full and is free online, making it available to the public to view and solve at their leisure.
The Book of Eve by Meg Clothier is set in Renaissance Florence, where Sister Beatrice is the librarian in a convent. Beatrice feels safe in her library with her prayerbooks and scrolls until the arrival of two women desperately seeking sanctuary one night changes things at the convent irreparably. One of the women hands Beatrice a book, and Beatrice realises this is no ordinary book when men come looking for the women.
After falling in love with the cover design of this book - it might even end up being one of my favourite covers of the year - next to impress me was the writing skill of this new-to-me author.
"'Did you hear that, Beatrice? What do you say to that?' There are many things I should like to say, but none that will do me credit. I swallow a mouthful of pie, and find that my thoughts are in danger of spoiling its flavour." Page 31
I just love that double-barrelled quote, don't you? The convent was a terrific setting, and I greatly enjoyed meeting some of the other sisters and learning the rhythms of life within the veritable safety of the convent walls. The political climate of the time in Italy was relatively familiar, having recently read other books set in Renaissance Florence, largely One Illumined Thread by Sally Colin-James (April 2023); The Brightest Star by Emma Harcourt (2022); and The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell (2022).
As the pressure rises and Beatrice finds herself in danger, the author was able to capture unique character insights, like this gem:
"And so, compelled by fear, not buoyed by courage, I fling myself clumsily forwards," Page 270
Having said that, I had to begin to suspend my belief when it came to the powers of the book. I should say that this isn't a dual narrative, and there's no part of the plot set in contemporary times where the book is being decoded. The Book of Eve is inspired by the Voynich manuscript, but isn't about decoding the book. It's an origin story of sorts and I was firmly in a four star frame of mind within the closing pages - one star being lost along the way to the influence of ancient powers. Putting it another way, the creep of urban fantasy into this tale went a little too far for my liking.
However, it was the use of the word 'meaningless' just three pages from the end that saw a further star slip away. The denouement regarding the origin story of the book was a little ambiguous and while I often dislike ambiguity, this one was rather fitting until that one word threw one of my interpretations under the convent's cart wheels, splashing me right in the face.
The Book of Eve by Meg Clothier is a well written feminist tale set in Italy during the Renaissance period and readers without any knowledge of the Voynich manuscript will enjoy this immensely.
* Copy courtesy of Hachette *
The Book of Eve by Meg Clothier is set in Renaissance Florence, where Sister Beatrice is the librarian in a convent. Beatrice feels safe in her library with her prayerbooks and scrolls until the arrival of two women desperately seeking sanctuary one night changes things at the convent irreparably. One of the women hands Beatrice a book, and Beatrice realises this is no ordinary book when men come looking for the women.
After falling in love with the cover design of this book - it might even end up being one of my favourite covers of the year - next to impress me was the writing skill of this new-to-me author.
"'Did you hear that, Beatrice? What do you say to that?' There are many things I should like to say, but none that will do me credit. I swallow a mouthful of pie, and find that my thoughts are in danger of spoiling its flavour." Page 31
I just love that double-barrelled quote, don't you? The convent was a terrific setting, and I greatly enjoyed meeting some of the other sisters and learning the rhythms of life within the veritable safety of the convent walls. The political climate of the time in Italy was relatively familiar, having recently read other books set in Renaissance Florence, largely One Illumined Thread by Sally Colin-James (April 2023); The Brightest Star by Emma Harcourt (2022); and The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell (2022).
As the pressure rises and Beatrice finds herself in danger, the author was able to capture unique character insights, like this gem:
"And so, compelled by fear, not buoyed by courage, I fling myself clumsily forwards," Page 270
Having said that, I had to begin to suspend my belief when it came to the powers of the book. I should say that this isn't a dual narrative, and there's no part of the plot set in contemporary times where the book is being decoded. The Book of Eve is inspired by the Voynich manuscript, but isn't about decoding the book. It's an origin story of sorts and I was firmly in a four star frame of mind within the closing pages - one star being lost along the way to the influence of ancient powers. Putting it another way, the creep of urban fantasy into this tale went a little too far for my liking.
However, it was the use of the word 'meaningless' just three pages from the end that saw a further star slip away. The denouement regarding the origin story of the book was a little ambiguous and while I often dislike ambiguity, this one was rather fitting until that one word threw one of my interpretations under the convent's cart wheels, splashing me right in the face.
The Book of Eve by Meg Clothier is a well written feminist tale set in Italy during the Renaissance period and readers without any knowledge of the Voynich manuscript will enjoy this immensely.
* Copy courtesy of Hachette *
April 17, 2023
Another challenging book for me to review. There are some things about it which are extremely well done. I can fully appreciate the quality of the prose which flows nicely and is very easy to read whilst at the same time being expressive and poetic in places. There is a clever sense of ambiguity about the setting. We are in a convent. The time period and place is never fully defined. There is a strong undertone of magical realism flowing through the text. The implicit criticism of patriarchy within religion was mostly well crafted. At the same time, I found myself struggling to connect with it.
I really want to like the more feminist takes on fantasy which are cropping up more and more (the GSFF book subscription which I received this through is doing a good job of highlighting them), but they are consistently fallen down on the caricature like presentation of men, losing any subtlety and ending up trying to bludgen the reader with pretty much all male characters being one note evil. This is taking the bechdel test and flipping it to its opposite extreme and honestly it ends up feeling just as unrealistic. I want books where there is a balance on these things!
I also got a sense that this book doesn't know where it is being marketed - I received it through a fantasy and Sci-fi subscription box, but honestly it felt more like historical fiction even if it isn't exactly placed in time or place. The fantastical elements are mostly present through a sense of magical realism which was only very minor.
Mostly, I feel this book just wasn't for me. I can respect the ambitions of the author even if I ended up a bit underwhelmed during the reading
I really want to like the more feminist takes on fantasy which are cropping up more and more (the GSFF book subscription which I received this through is doing a good job of highlighting them), but they are consistently fallen down on the caricature like presentation of men, losing any subtlety and ending up trying to bludgen the reader with pretty much all male characters being one note evil. This is taking the bechdel test and flipping it to its opposite extreme and honestly it ends up feeling just as unrealistic. I want books where there is a balance on these things!
I also got a sense that this book doesn't know where it is being marketed - I received it through a fantasy and Sci-fi subscription box, but honestly it felt more like historical fiction even if it isn't exactly placed in time or place. The fantastical elements are mostly present through a sense of magical realism which was only very minor.
Mostly, I feel this book just wasn't for me. I can respect the ambitions of the author even if I ended up a bit underwhelmed during the reading
March 15, 2023
In the name of the father, not a word of this. Her letters are forbidden.
Beatrice lives a rather content life as the librarian in her convent. For many years, she has shunned the company of her fellow sisters as she has learned that to find true solace and peace, she need look no further than manuscripts, missives, and parchments that can hold her attention much better than any person ever could.
Then, one fateful carnival night amongst all the revelry and chaos, two women, bleeding and stricken, barely even conscious are abandoned outside of the convent’s mighty fortress walls.
Moments from death, one of the unfortunate women presses a rather curious volume into Beatrice’s hands; a book most bewitching and mysterious and upon first inspection seem to be completely devoid of even the most basic ink, yet as Beatrice becomes more enamoured with this artefact it soon becomes clear that danger lies within its innocent looking binding…
Men of the faith are hunting this blasphemous item, convinced it has been crafted from sin itself made tangible to lead those who listen to its siren song to nothing but ruin, and a zealous preacher has tracked it to her door.
The choice is a simple one: her sisters’ lives - or her growing obsession.
Beatrice must choose.
The books voice grows ever stronger.
An ancient power uncoils.
Will she dare to listen?
A powerful, gorgeous, emotional story which highlights the power of just how influential faith and belief can truly be.
Beatrice lives a rather content life as the librarian in her convent. For many years, she has shunned the company of her fellow sisters as she has learned that to find true solace and peace, she need look no further than manuscripts, missives, and parchments that can hold her attention much better than any person ever could.
Then, one fateful carnival night amongst all the revelry and chaos, two women, bleeding and stricken, barely even conscious are abandoned outside of the convent’s mighty fortress walls.
Moments from death, one of the unfortunate women presses a rather curious volume into Beatrice’s hands; a book most bewitching and mysterious and upon first inspection seem to be completely devoid of even the most basic ink, yet as Beatrice becomes more enamoured with this artefact it soon becomes clear that danger lies within its innocent looking binding…
Men of the faith are hunting this blasphemous item, convinced it has been crafted from sin itself made tangible to lead those who listen to its siren song to nothing but ruin, and a zealous preacher has tracked it to her door.
The choice is a simple one: her sisters’ lives - or her growing obsession.
Beatrice must choose.
The books voice grows ever stronger.
An ancient power uncoils.
Will she dare to listen?
A powerful, gorgeous, emotional story which highlights the power of just how influential faith and belief can truly be.
November 10, 2023
"Das Buch Eva" von Meg Clothier, übersetzt von Edith Beleites, ist ein historischer Roman mit phantastischen Elementen und hat mich sofort angesprochen, als ich gesehen habe, worum es geht: Im Italien der Renaissance findet Beatrice, die Bibliothekarin eines Klosters, ein rätselhaftes Buch - das, was wir heute als Voynich-Manuskript kennen, geschrieben in einer Sprache, die niemand zu verstehen scheint. Doch nach und nach kommt Beatrice seinen Geheimnissen auf die Spur und muss sich dabei vor denjenigen retten, die sich ebenfalls für den scheinbar ketzerischen Text interessieren...
Die italienische Renaissance und ein Kloster als Schauplatz, Christentum, Volksglaube, Mystik - das musste ich einfach ausprobieren. Ich finde es spannend, das Thema Schrift/ Schriftarten mit einem phantastischen Ansatz zu bearbeiten.
Besonders gut gefallen hat mir das Miteinander der Frauen im Kloster, der Schutz, den sie anderen Frauen geben und der Mut, den sie sich gegenseitig zusprechen. Generell war es ein sehr atmosphärisches Leseerlebnis, ich habe mich richtig in das Setting hineinversetzt gefühlt. Auch der Schreibstil hat mir sehr gut gefallen - man konnte ihn gut lesen, aber irgendwie war er doch etwas eigenwillig und sehr, sehr ruhig, was ich mag.
Allerdings wurde das Potential, das diese außergewöhnliche Prämisse bietet, meiner Meinung nach nicht voll ausgeschöpft. Die Umsetzung blieb da leider ziemlich blass. Ich hatte das Gefühl, dass sich der Text davor hütet, zu sehr ins Phantastische abzugleiten, denn das hätte in eine ziemlich gruselige Horror-Richtung gehen können. Ich hätte mir MEHR gewünscht, mehr Spannung, mehr Konsequenzen, mehr verzwickte Rätsel... weshalb ich tatsächlich nur 2,5 Sterne vergeben kann.
Unterm Strich bleiben mir das Setting und die Atmosphäre definitiv im Gedächtnis, aber insgesamt kann ich das Buch nur bedingt empfehlen. Zum Beispiel, wenn man wirklich, wirklich auf italienische Renaissance steht.
Vielen Dank an den Verlag für dieses Rezensionsexemplar.
Die italienische Renaissance und ein Kloster als Schauplatz, Christentum, Volksglaube, Mystik - das musste ich einfach ausprobieren. Ich finde es spannend, das Thema Schrift/ Schriftarten mit einem phantastischen Ansatz zu bearbeiten.
Besonders gut gefallen hat mir das Miteinander der Frauen im Kloster, der Schutz, den sie anderen Frauen geben und der Mut, den sie sich gegenseitig zusprechen. Generell war es ein sehr atmosphärisches Leseerlebnis, ich habe mich richtig in das Setting hineinversetzt gefühlt. Auch der Schreibstil hat mir sehr gut gefallen - man konnte ihn gut lesen, aber irgendwie war er doch etwas eigenwillig und sehr, sehr ruhig, was ich mag.
Allerdings wurde das Potential, das diese außergewöhnliche Prämisse bietet, meiner Meinung nach nicht voll ausgeschöpft. Die Umsetzung blieb da leider ziemlich blass. Ich hatte das Gefühl, dass sich der Text davor hütet, zu sehr ins Phantastische abzugleiten, denn das hätte in eine ziemlich gruselige Horror-Richtung gehen können. Ich hätte mir MEHR gewünscht, mehr Spannung, mehr Konsequenzen, mehr verzwickte Rätsel... weshalb ich tatsächlich nur 2,5 Sterne vergeben kann.
Unterm Strich bleiben mir das Setting und die Atmosphäre definitiv im Gedächtnis, aber insgesamt kann ich das Buch nur bedingt empfehlen. Zum Beispiel, wenn man wirklich, wirklich auf italienische Renaissance steht.
Vielen Dank an den Verlag für dieses Rezensionsexemplar.
August 12, 2024
i think, like so many of these 'feminist retellings', it ends up slapping you over the head with moralising to belabour the point. that being said, i do think 'feminist retelling of the voynich manuscript' is at least more inspired than some!
July 16, 2025
J'en attendais davantage… Je vais pas vous mentir, je suis un peu déçue
April 19, 2025
3,5/5
Le livre d’Eve est une lecture qui me laisse un peu perplexe. J’ai beaucoup aimé l’ambiance posée par l’autrice : un cadre à la fois bucolique et mystérieux, avec une atmosphère assez énigmatique qui m’a tout de suite plu. Il y a de très beaux passages et on sent une vraie maîtrise pour créer une ambiance forte et prenante.
En revanche, j’ai un ressenti plus mitigé sur la plume et l’intrigue. Le style est assez particulier, avec pas mal de répétitions, et la traduction fait un usage un peu trop fréquent du participe présent à mon goût, ce qui alourdit le texte. C’est une lecture assez dense, et j’ai souvent eu besoin de relire des passages pour bien suivre, ce qui m’a un peu sortie de l’histoire. J’ai même l’impression d’être passée à côté de certains éléments.
Cela dit, j’ai trouvé l’histoire originale, et j’ai apprécié les thèmes abordés, notamment la religion et le féminisme. Certains aspects m’ont agréablement surprise, et malgré mes réserves, j’ai passé un bon moment. C’est peut-être un livre qui mériterait une relecture pour en saisir toutes les nuances.
Le livre d’Eve est une lecture qui me laisse un peu perplexe. J’ai beaucoup aimé l’ambiance posée par l’autrice : un cadre à la fois bucolique et mystérieux, avec une atmosphère assez énigmatique qui m’a tout de suite plu. Il y a de très beaux passages et on sent une vraie maîtrise pour créer une ambiance forte et prenante.
En revanche, j’ai un ressenti plus mitigé sur la plume et l’intrigue. Le style est assez particulier, avec pas mal de répétitions, et la traduction fait un usage un peu trop fréquent du participe présent à mon goût, ce qui alourdit le texte. C’est une lecture assez dense, et j’ai souvent eu besoin de relire des passages pour bien suivre, ce qui m’a un peu sortie de l’histoire. J’ai même l’impression d’être passée à côté de certains éléments.
Cela dit, j’ai trouvé l’histoire originale, et j’ai apprécié les thèmes abordés, notamment la religion et le féminisme. Certains aspects m’ont agréablement surprise, et malgré mes réserves, j’ai passé un bon moment. C’est peut-être un livre qui mériterait une relecture pour en saisir toutes les nuances.
March 15, 2023
There have been a good few novels in recent years flaunting similar ideas to 'The Book of Eve'. Since I'd enjoyed books such as 'The Dance Tree' by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Katherine Arden's Winternight trilogy, I thought I'd enjoy this, given its premise.
However, the novel is very slow to start. It eventually falls into a kind of dawdling pace once the company of characters are established. Yet, I continued to feel various aspects to be problematic, despite Clothier's evident talent for writing.
There are plot points that hum with promise in 'The Book of Eve', but which are, disappointingly, swept away or skirted around. For instance, the tension and intrigue when the two strange women are brought to the convent gates, or the push-and-pull relationship alluded to between Beatrice and her mentor Sofia. I wanted more character development for many members of the cast: Sofia and Thomas the bookseller, in particular, as well as Ortolana and the Mother Superior herself, Chiara! Perhaps 'The Book of Eve' suffers from characterisation spread-too-thinly. Maybe less characters with more substance would have satisfied me.
Similarly, I'm left asking myself, why was more not done with the effect of the book, as a point of interest? It seemed that the power of the book was wedged in inconsequentially; it continued just to whisper sporadically and mildly to Beatrice and then fired off at the end like a damp squib. Even the big reveal about who's in the book of Eve club in the finale hits with very little impact.
I was turned off by the amount of anachronisms in the text. Even though the book presents itself outside of any actual historical period, there was too much modern slang in the dialogue to affect the timelessness that I assume Clothier was aiming for. Likewise, the increasing proliferation of second-person addresses and asides to the reader, was unpleasantly jarring.
My overall judgement is that this novel doesn't seem to know what it is, or what it's doing. Ultimately, it felt like part one of a three-part novel and I was left unfulfilled at the end.
The narrator, Amalia Vitale was marvellous, by the way. Pitch-perfect, flawless delivery. I'll listen to anything she voices! Additional review star added for her contribution.
My thanks to the author and to Headline Audio for an advanced pre-release audiobook through Netgalley.
However, the novel is very slow to start. It eventually falls into a kind of dawdling pace once the company of characters are established. Yet, I continued to feel various aspects to be problematic, despite Clothier's evident talent for writing.
There are plot points that hum with promise in 'The Book of Eve', but which are, disappointingly, swept away or skirted around. For instance, the tension and intrigue when the two strange women are brought to the convent gates, or the push-and-pull relationship alluded to between Beatrice and her mentor Sofia. I wanted more character development for many members of the cast: Sofia and Thomas the bookseller, in particular, as well as Ortolana and the Mother Superior herself, Chiara! Perhaps 'The Book of Eve' suffers from characterisation spread-too-thinly. Maybe less characters with more substance would have satisfied me.
Similarly, I'm left asking myself, why was more not done with the effect of the book, as a point of interest? It seemed that the power of the book was wedged in inconsequentially; it continued just to whisper sporadically and mildly to Beatrice and then fired off at the end like a damp squib. Even the big reveal about who's in the book of Eve club in the finale hits with very little impact.
I was turned off by the amount of anachronisms in the text. Even though the book presents itself outside of any actual historical period, there was too much modern slang in the dialogue to affect the timelessness that I assume Clothier was aiming for. Likewise, the increasing proliferation of second-person addresses and asides to the reader, was unpleasantly jarring.
My overall judgement is that this novel doesn't seem to know what it is, or what it's doing. Ultimately, it felt like part one of a three-part novel and I was left unfulfilled at the end.
The narrator, Amalia Vitale was marvellous, by the way. Pitch-perfect, flawless delivery. I'll listen to anything she voices! Additional review star added for her contribution.
My thanks to the author and to Headline Audio for an advanced pre-release audiobook through Netgalley.
March 9, 2023
This book was quite unique! It is a historical fiction with a touch of fantasy set in a convent.
The first half of the book I found to be quite slow, however I did feel that it helped to really build up the main characters and the setting. The second half of the book is much more fast paced, with building tension and suspense. In the later parts of the book I couldn’t put it down, as I had no idea what was going to happen and I was desperate to find out! I loved the theme of sisterhood at the end of the book and wish that had been expanded throughout the book more.
Thanks to Hachette for providing me with an ARC for review.
The first half of the book I found to be quite slow, however I did feel that it helped to really build up the main characters and the setting. The second half of the book is much more fast paced, with building tension and suspense. In the later parts of the book I couldn’t put it down, as I had no idea what was going to happen and I was desperate to find out! I loved the theme of sisterhood at the end of the book and wish that had been expanded throughout the book more.
Thanks to Hachette for providing me with an ARC for review.
April 15, 2023
UN POTENZIALE BUTTATO VIA
Troppi personaggi da tenere a mente, e una protagonista che quasi non si distingue per la sua indolenza. Una trama lenta e narrata con uno stile che non contribuisce affatto a coinvolgere il lettore. Infine, un'enigmaticità davvero troppo densa per i miei gusti, che culmina in un finale che personalmente mi ha lasciato indifferente.
Ciò che delude di più è però il potenziale che questo libro possedeva, il potenziale di farne una storia esemplare sulla condizione femminile tra Cinque e Seicento, un potenziale completamente buttato via per i suddetti motivi.
Troppi personaggi da tenere a mente, e una protagonista che quasi non si distingue per la sua indolenza. Una trama lenta e narrata con uno stile che non contribuisce affatto a coinvolgere il lettore. Infine, un'enigmaticità davvero troppo densa per i miei gusti, che culmina in un finale che personalmente mi ha lasciato indifferente.
Ciò che delude di più è però il potenziale che questo libro possedeva, il potenziale di farne una storia esemplare sulla condizione femminile tra Cinque e Seicento, un potenziale completamente buttato via per i suddetti motivi.
November 9, 2022
I was completely captured by the intricately and delicately woven world of this book and its strange, unsettling magic. It was a delight, reminiscent in its power of Lauren Groff's Matrix - so if you liked that one, definitely give it a read! Would highly recommend.
May 11, 2024
Si je devais résumer ce roman en un mot, je n'hésiterais pas un instant : sororité.
J'ai aimé absolument chaque mot de ce livre, chaque instant passé à le lire – et pourtant, en lisant le résumé (après l'avoir acheté sur un coup de tête à cause de la magnifique couverture), j'ai eu un instant de doute, car l'histoire se passe dans un couvent.
.
Beatrice est la sœur bibliothécaire du couvent depuis peu. Une nuit, deux femmes inconnues fuyant des hommes de la ville y trouvent refuge, blessées, et perdent la vit ; mais avant de mourir, l'une d'elle confit à Beatrice un étrange livre aux pages blanches.
Mais des hommes de la ville – puissants, importants, et qui voient ce couvent d'un mauvais oeil –connaissent les "dangers" que représentent ce livre et sont prêts à tout pour le récupérer… Car ce livre, dans les mains des femmes, risquerait de leur faire croire qu'elles sont plus puissantes que ne veut leur faire croire…
.
J'ai été vraiment agréablement surprise par cette lecture. Je m'attendais, bien sûr, à un roman féministe (en tout cas c'est ce que le titre m'a évoqué), mais pas à ce point. J'ai adoré l'écriture de l'autrice (à noter que j'ai lu le livre en français), la fluidité du texte, les descriptions à la fois des personnages mais également de leurs changements, et, surtout, la relation entre les sœurs du couvent, et toutes les autres femmes, qui m'a sincèrement touchée.
Mêlant à la fois Histoire, faits réels (le livre trouvé étant inspiré du Manuscrit de Voynich), sororité, magie et sorcellerie, ce roman a eu tout pour me plaire.
.
Gros coup de cœur, donc pour le sublime Livre d'Eve, que je ne peux bien sûr que recommander.
J'ai aimé absolument chaque mot de ce livre, chaque instant passé à le lire – et pourtant, en lisant le résumé (après l'avoir acheté sur un coup de tête à cause de la magnifique couverture), j'ai eu un instant de doute, car l'histoire se passe dans un couvent.
.
Beatrice est la sœur bibliothécaire du couvent depuis peu. Une nuit, deux femmes inconnues fuyant des hommes de la ville y trouvent refuge, blessées, et perdent la vit ; mais avant de mourir, l'une d'elle confit à Beatrice un étrange livre aux pages blanches.
Mais des hommes de la ville – puissants, importants, et qui voient ce couvent d'un mauvais oeil –connaissent les "dangers" que représentent ce livre et sont prêts à tout pour le récupérer… Car ce livre, dans les mains des femmes, risquerait de leur faire croire qu'elles sont plus puissantes que ne veut leur faire croire…
.
J'ai été vraiment agréablement surprise par cette lecture. Je m'attendais, bien sûr, à un roman féministe (en tout cas c'est ce que le titre m'a évoqué), mais pas à ce point. J'ai adoré l'écriture de l'autrice (à noter que j'ai lu le livre en français), la fluidité du texte, les descriptions à la fois des personnages mais également de leurs changements, et, surtout, la relation entre les sœurs du couvent, et toutes les autres femmes, qui m'a sincèrement touchée.
Mêlant à la fois Histoire, faits réels (le livre trouvé étant inspiré du Manuscrit de Voynich), sororité, magie et sorcellerie, ce roman a eu tout pour me plaire.
.
Gros coup de cœur, donc pour le sublime Livre d'Eve, que je ne peux bien sûr que recommander.
October 9, 2023
Cuando sabes que un libro conlleva detrás el esfuerzo mayúsculo de un autor y editorial, pero no te gusta, es difícil poder hablar de él con el respeto merecido. No queda más que intentar poner sobre el tapete los puntos positivos y negativos y dejar al libre albedrío de cada uno su juicio final.
El libro de Eva parte de una premisa excepcional, un convento de corte medieval, en un contexto natural, casi bucólico, donde a la hermana bibliotecaria, le es legada la custodia de un libro milenario. Este libro, que menta muy simbólicamente a Eva como ser femenino primigenio, abre la puerta a un mundo esotérico y mágico, a una pseudo religión donde la Madre, entiendo que naturaleza, es el tronco de una doctrina, que tiene el poder de transformar a aquellos que toman contacto con el libro. Cuidado, que vienen curvas, transformar en el sentido más físico de la palabra, en árboles, aves, todo tiene cabida bajo su poder.
Tras un inicio prometedor, donde yo ya me las daba de feliz con mi historia medieval con reliquia ancestral rodeada de magia y misterio, me topo con una historia lenta, cuasi somnífera, donde la trama no acaba de arrancar, y cuando lo hace, es tan bruscamente, que parece que te hayas perdido trozos de texto por medio, se torna tan fantasiosa, que se desinfla totalmente. He vuelto páginas atrás asombrada, pensando haberme perdido algo, la narración es deslavazada, caótica, con hechos incomprensibles incluso partiendo de una premisa mágica.
Los personajes circulan como pasando lista, sin profundizar en ninguno, monja para arriba, monja para abajo, llega un momento que ni se diferencian, por el medio intercalo un malo malísimo, y una hermana tan buena que se convierte en mártir y símbolo de una pseudosecta emergente de vida y de poder.
Lo bueno, que la historia es simple, fácil de leer, con un trasfondo feminista y de sororidad bastante decente, además de un canto a la naturaleza, la tolerancia y el respeto. La ambientación es buena también, un muy correcto acercamiento a la vida en los conventos de la época. Una historia que no ha encajado conmigo y que debéis valorar siempre con la mira puesta en que, lo que a unos disgusta a otros puede encandilar.
El libro de Eva parte de una premisa excepcional, un convento de corte medieval, en un contexto natural, casi bucólico, donde a la hermana bibliotecaria, le es legada la custodia de un libro milenario. Este libro, que menta muy simbólicamente a Eva como ser femenino primigenio, abre la puerta a un mundo esotérico y mágico, a una pseudo religión donde la Madre, entiendo que naturaleza, es el tronco de una doctrina, que tiene el poder de transformar a aquellos que toman contacto con el libro. Cuidado, que vienen curvas, transformar en el sentido más físico de la palabra, en árboles, aves, todo tiene cabida bajo su poder.
Tras un inicio prometedor, donde yo ya me las daba de feliz con mi historia medieval con reliquia ancestral rodeada de magia y misterio, me topo con una historia lenta, cuasi somnífera, donde la trama no acaba de arrancar, y cuando lo hace, es tan bruscamente, que parece que te hayas perdido trozos de texto por medio, se torna tan fantasiosa, que se desinfla totalmente. He vuelto páginas atrás asombrada, pensando haberme perdido algo, la narración es deslavazada, caótica, con hechos incomprensibles incluso partiendo de una premisa mágica.
Los personajes circulan como pasando lista, sin profundizar en ninguno, monja para arriba, monja para abajo, llega un momento que ni se diferencian, por el medio intercalo un malo malísimo, y una hermana tan buena que se convierte en mártir y símbolo de una pseudosecta emergente de vida y de poder.
Lo bueno, que la historia es simple, fácil de leer, con un trasfondo feminista y de sororidad bastante decente, además de un canto a la naturaleza, la tolerancia y el respeto. La ambientación es buena también, un muy correcto acercamiento a la vida en los conventos de la época. Una historia que no ha encajado conmigo y que debéis valorar siempre con la mira puesta en que, lo que a unos disgusta a otros puede encandilar.
August 16, 2025
The plot of “The Book of Eve” was different than I expected. Unexpected, but pleasantly so. The book itself is the common thread running through the story, rather than the main focus, contrary to what one might initially think. The main characters are the women, their stories, and their legacies. It highlights a lot of misogyny within the story.
The first half of the story is rather slow-paced, except for the introduction. From the middle onwards, it becomes catchy. If you are an impatient reader or need more excitement at the beginning, this is not the right book for you. In my opinion, the genre is more in the realm of historical novel/fiction/fantasy than mystery.
Overall, I found the book very successful. The author wanted to convey a deeper message and succeeded in doing so. The setting/theme is not easy to implement, which is why I find it admirable how well she was able to interweave the theme and the individual characters.
The first half of the story is rather slow-paced, except for the introduction. From the middle onwards, it becomes catchy. If you are an impatient reader or need more excitement at the beginning, this is not the right book for you. In my opinion, the genre is more in the realm of historical novel/fiction/fantasy than mystery.
Overall, I found the book very successful. The author wanted to convey a deeper message and succeeded in doing so. The setting/theme is not easy to implement, which is why I find it admirable how well she was able to interweave the theme and the individual characters.
December 27, 2023
„Das Buch Eva“ startet stark und hat mich sofort abgeholt. Ein Nonnenkloster zu Zeiten der Renaissance, ein geheimnisvolles Manuskript und eine Protagonistin, die für die Klosterbibliothek zuständig ist; all das hat mich von Anfang an überzeugt. Dies in Verbindung mit dem wunderschönen Cover haben richtig Lust aufs Lesen gemacht.
Meg Clothiers Schreibstil ist eingängig und flüssig und vor allem die Protagonistin Beatrice ist sehr gut gezeichnet. Auch die anderen Charaktere heben sich gut voneinander ab.
Für eine Weile hat mir die Handlung auch Spaß gemacht, allerdings wurde mir die Geschichte irgendwann zu langatmig und etwas abgedreht, sodass ich mich ein bisschen dazu aufraffen musste weiterzulesen.
Vielleicht ist die religiöse Thematik einfach nicht so mein Fall, denn ich habe trotzdem Lust bekommen, mal wieder mehr historische Romane zu lesen.
Meg Clothiers Schreibstil ist eingängig und flüssig und vor allem die Protagonistin Beatrice ist sehr gut gezeichnet. Auch die anderen Charaktere heben sich gut voneinander ab.
Für eine Weile hat mir die Handlung auch Spaß gemacht, allerdings wurde mir die Geschichte irgendwann zu langatmig und etwas abgedreht, sodass ich mich ein bisschen dazu aufraffen musste weiterzulesen.
Vielleicht ist die religiöse Thematik einfach nicht so mein Fall, denn ich habe trotzdem Lust bekommen, mal wieder mehr historische Romane zu lesen.
January 24, 2025
Die Idee von Das Buch Eva fand ich eigentlich recht spannend – eine geheimnisvolle Bibliothekarin und ein gefährliches Manuskript in einem italienischen Kloster. Das Setting und die Atmosphäre haben mich sofort in die Renaissance-Zeit versetzt. Leider zog sich die Handlung für mich an einigen Stellen, und die Charaktere blieben eher oberflächlich, sodass ich nicht ganz mitfiebern konnte. Es hatte viel Potenzial, aber die Umsetzung hat mich nicht völlig überzeugt. Trotzdem ein solides Buch, das man lesen kann, wenn man historische Romane mag.
July 4, 2024
Just quite boring? The plot wasn’t a bit of me, not Clothier’s fault I don’t really know why I picked it up tbh. Also just took me ages to get through and found it really hard to follow. I liked the ending though and the feminist undertone - what saved it from being a 1-star review.
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