A glimpse into life at a 12th century abbey

 

 ⭑⭑⭑⭑  Matrix by Lauren Groff tells the life story of Marie de France who is kicked out of the 12th century French court of her half brother and deposited, as a prioress, in a crumbling English abbey. In this fictionalized account, Marie is a force of nature and vastly unhappy by the turn in her fortunes but soon makes the most of the circumstances in which she finds herself. When she sees an opportunity in her situation she finds ways of maneuvering events and people to her will.

In one way the story is immersive. The time and place feels real making the damp simply seep into your bones as you read of Marie's chilly arrival to the abbey. The day-to-day life is well illustrated in the vignettes of life for the nuns who reside and work within the abbey. The characterization of Marie's fellow nuns is spectacular. Their ailments, temperaments and peculiarities bring them to life.

On the flip side, the story seems to be told from a safe remove. We pop in and out and around events that shape the abbey but feel held at a safe distance by being told from a dispassionate onlooker, Marie. Not unlike chronicling of a work career from beginning to the end by an automaton. Not much in the way of emotion but rather a lying out of 'facts'. Matrix is the first book I've read by Lauren Groff so, perhaps, that is her style? I wasn't troubled by it but found it noticeable even if it didn't diminish my enjoyment.