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Matrix by Lauren Groff - 3 stars - My Review

At age seventeen, protagonist Marie de France is banished from the French court by Eleanor of Aquitaine and sent to live in a remote English abbey. She “climbs the ladder” until she achieves major influence in the running of the abbey. She experiences religious visions and writes poetry. She attempts to shield the abbey from the influence of (male) outsiders. It is basically a book of feminist thinking.

Set in the 12th century, it is an imagining of what Marie de France’s life may have been like, though ultimately, I doubt her life was anything like what is described in this book, and I wonder why the author did not just create a fictional protagonist. I was unprepared for a book set in an abbey to be about a woman exploring her sexuality with other nuns. Read this for the beautiful prose or writing style but be prepared for a modern story masquerading as historical fiction.

I agree with your points, but I enjoyed this more than you did.

Thanks for this insightful review. This book is on my stack by the bed right now. I read something by the author before that was awful so I am hesitant to begin it. Thanks for this review. I think I will read it - hope it is better than the list one. peace, janz

Peacejanz wrote: "Thanks for this insightful review. This book is on my stack by the bed right now. I read something by the author before that was awful so I am hesitant to begin it. Thanks for this review. I think ..."
It is fairly explicit about sex at the nunnery if this will effect your reading.

I was looking forward to this, having actually read her poetry in my French Lit major. But now I wonder.

Robin P wrote: "I was looking forward to this, having actually read her poetry in my French Lit major. But now I wonder."

Don'[t count on it being true to life.

I have taken off my shelf, doesn't sound like I would enjoy it. Thanks for the review Joy

Joanne wrote: "I have taken off my shelf, doesn't sound like I would enjoy it. Thanks for the review Joy"

To be fair, sexuality is not the main part of this nor is historical accuracy.
It does show Marie de France, to be innovative in perhaps more ways than was possible at that time. I enjoyed reading it.

I am wondering, BnB, what do you think was the point of this story?

It seems very feminist, but Marie does the same types of things we complain about in men, particularly abusing power. It certainly is no "woman's utopia."

I am rather sensitive to explicit sex, so if that does not bother you, then this book will be more appealing. While it is not the main focus, it crops up again and again and is impossible to ignore.

I have read non-fiction about nuns in convents, and their lives are lives of quiet devotion and prayer. As BnB says, do not expect anything true to life.

Joy D wrote: "I am wondering, BnB, what do you think was the point of this story?

It seems very feminist, but Marie does the same types of things we complain about in men, particularly abusing power. It certai..."

That was my biggest problem with it, actually. As I was reading I kept thinking what is the point of this?

Truthfully, I am not actually sure.

Rising above odds. Making the best of a bad situation. Showing the ways in which such a closed society relies on its members and ways in which it works to meet its needs.

I wonder about her visions, I kind of just rolled my eyes at them, but I wonder if she meant to show something with them.

I really don't know.

Glad it's not just me.

Joy D wrote: "Glad it's not just me."

No, I was thinking that the whole time I was reading. I just like to go into that world, so for me that was the point, but I think I am the exception and that was part of the reason, I kept wondering why would anyone want to read this.

The descriptive writing of the time period is beautiful. Overall I can say "I liked it" mainly due to the prose, but it is hard to recommend it for other reasons (believability and nun-sex).

Booknblues wrote: "Joy D wrote: "I am wondering, BnB, what do you think was the point of this story?

It seems very feminist, but Marie does the same types of things we complain about in men, particularly abusing po..."

Thanks for this comment. Helps me understand more. peace, janz