Female ambition and empowerment wrapped up in a 12th Century tale of nuns, by the hit author of Fates And Furies.

“Omnia Bene!” (translation: “All is well!”)

At 17, Marie is sent to a decrepit abbey (having been banished from court by mighty Queen Eleanor) to become a nun and devote herself to God. She rails against her fate but cannot escape and then, despite her anger and frustration, she understands she can make a difference. She organises, cajoles and leads her holy sisters to improve their lot. She works hard and gradually things improve; there is enough to eat, rents are collected, buildings are repaired, life becomes better for everyone.

Marie’s vision is to create a sanctuary for her nuns, protecting them from the evils of the outside world. As the abbey prospers, a beneficent community flourishes and Marie grows to become a powerful and respected abbess, but multiple threats arise to challenge her resourcefulness and leadership.

In this engrossing novel, Lauren Groff creates a magnificent female leader who inspires huge loyalty and achieves great things using her wit, strength and sense of purpose, frequently contravening the established hierarchies and social norms. Cleverly balancing the 12th century setting with the very contemporary themes of patriarchy, sexuality and women in power, Groff writes convincingly and navigates the peril of anachronisms to create a great story, which is rich in historical detail with meaningful resonances for today’s readers.

(Review by Andrew)