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sicksadlit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book left me speechless. Truly.
Matrix is the second novel by Lauren Groff that I have read, and following on from the masterpiece that was The Vaster Wilds, I was not sure what to expect as to whether she’d stay true to the style of TVW or whether Matrix would stand its own with a unique spin.
Well, stand alone it sure does.
As is true to Groff’s consistent theme of strong female characters thrust into harrowing situations, Matrix is, at times, difficult story to read. We follow Marie who is sent to live in a convent at the young age of 17 following the death of her royal mother. Marie is the byproduct of r*pe, and so is deeply shamed within her family.
Initially resisting the abbey, she soon finds her element and begins to rise up through the ranks until she assumes the ultimate power of abbess and baroness to the crown.
Marie is a powerful force to be reckoned with, who brings wealth and abundance to her women, but always at a price.
Every decision she makes has an often fatal consequence, although ultimately benefiting the wider abbey.
Groff is such a phenomenally talented, lyrical writer. Matrix took me on a visceral journey across the broad spectrum of emotion. From joy to anguish, I felt it all, right alongside Marie.
The care and attention that Groff dedicates to researching her subject matter was abundantly clear in Matrix. It had me wondering if it was perhaps based on a true story because it felt so incredibly real and inspired.
Groff’s work is not for the faint of heart and carries some heavy trigger warnings, so readers should take care.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
thewritebooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This read like a quiet masterpiece.
Immediately after finishing this, having cried through the last 15 pages, all I could think about was the beautiful way that all of the themes came together at the end to tell a story of life and loss. We travelled through the role of medieval women in the church, female solidarity and sisterhood, sapphic love and desire, the cycles of the seasons and the catholic calendar, power and greed and the sin of creation, followed by the moral weighting of these sins against these women's souls.
The prose was never dramatic, and by avoiding direct speech throughout, the author adds to the feeling of being another witness to the years marching onwards at the Abbey. The messages in this book were very close to my heart and I would be interested in going back with tabs to track and analyse those themes a bit more, having the hindsight now to see how well they were laid out.
Immediately after finishing this, having cried through the last 15 pages, all I could think about was the beautiful way that all of the themes came together at the end to tell a story of life and loss. We travelled through the role of medieval women in the church, female solidarity and sisterhood, sapphic love and desire, the cycles of the seasons and the catholic calendar, power and greed and the sin of creation, followed by the moral weighting of these sins against these women's souls.
The prose was never dramatic, and by avoiding direct speech throughout, the author adds to the feeling of being another witness to the years marching onwards at the Abbey. The messages in this book were very close to my heart and I would be interested in going back with tabs to track and analyse those themes a bit more, having the hindsight now to see how well they were laid out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Minor: Excrement, Dementia, Death of parent, and Classism
edamamebean's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Probably the best book I’ll read all year. It’s small in scale—never leaving the abbey—but it’s proportions are mythic. The writing is so beautiful that I had to stop and underline often. Lauren Groff is not only a good writer, she’s also a wise one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Dementia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
thecriticalreader's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Review:
Admittedly, it took me nearly 200 pages to really start to get used to Matrix by Lauren Groff and its poetic, fluid, somewhat stream-of-consciousness writing style as well as its unique storyline that often produces more questions than answers. Even then, it was not until the end of the story that I fully appreciated the book for what it is. At the heart of the story is the character of Marie, an admirable but flawed nun whose ambition leads her to transform a starving, poor abbey into a magnificent, self-sustaining wealthy fortress. Marie’s character arc is wonderfully executed, and I appreciated the large cast of supporting characters as well.
My favorite part of Matrix, however, is its thematic exploration of religion, feminism, ambition, power, sapphic love, and humanity’s relationship with the natural world. This is the sort of book that I could read many times over and glean new meaning each time; it is the type of book that begs to be analyzed in a literature class. Groff trusts in the intelligence of her readers and never oversimplifies or hits the reader over the head in order to make her point.
The Run-Down:
You will probably like Matrix if:
· You go into the book with an open mind
· You are someone who is interested in themes of religion and queerness
· You enjoy poetic writing styles
You might not like Matrix if:
· You dislike flowery writing and fluid plot structure
· You prefer exciting plots and clear explanations for events
A Similar Book:
This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladsone. Similarities between these books include:
· Beautiful, lyrical, intelligent prose
· Friend/enemy relationship between two strong women from different worlds
· Themes of feminism, queerness and humanity’s relation to the natural world
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cancer, Death, Miscarriage, Sexism, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Dementia, Grief, Pregnancy, and Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Homophobia, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Excrement, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and War
xjuliaaaaaax's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
What it's about:
We follow Marie de France over the course of her life at an English abbey from ages 17 til her death at 72. Marie de France is a real historical figure, and is known as the first female francophone poet and writer of a series of lais that are still studied; however, her true identity is not known. Groff has chosen to interpret her identity as that of Marie Abbess of Shaftesbury and half-sister to Henry II, King of England.
In this life, Marie is born to a house of lively warrior-women with free-spirits after her mother is raped by Geoffrey of Anjou, descended from a fairy. With her fairy-blood and wild upbringing, she doesn't fit in at the English court where she is forced to find shelter after her mother's death. As an ugly, unfeminine, illegitimate daughter, she is sent to an impoverished abbey to become the prioress and prevent any risk of competing heirs to the throne.
Convinced she has been sent to a living death, Marie despairs. She's been sent here by the woman she loves, Eleanor of Aquitane, Queen of England. We continually view glimpses of Eleanor through rumors that make their way to Marie, whose love eventually turns to respect and friendship for the beautiful and radiant queen who never stops seeking power. In their relationship we see two similar women born to different fates, one beautiful and given the chance to rule the world through marriage and motherhood; the other ugly, and finding greatness through community with her sister-nuns, and motherhood of a different kind as she raises the abbey from poverty, employees and educates local women, and encourages their nascent talents for the sake of their "island of women."
Marie struggles to find faith like the nuns she leads but is blessed with visions from the Virgin Mary, the holy mother. Her political mind, network of spies and friends, and holy visions establish her power locally, freeing her from the patriarchal hierarchy of the church. She builds a labyrinth around the abbey, protecting the nuns from men who wish to steal and harm them, isolating them from external forces, and securing Marie's power over her abbey.
Through her life, you see her struggle with her pride, which threatens the abbey on more than one occasion when her hand stretches too far and risks attracting too much attention to this group of women uninfluenced by men; her blasphemous tendencies, such as believing women are equal or superior to men, able to conduct mass and take confession, and that God is a woman; and her love for women, which is explored platonically, romantically, and sexually as the thing that both connects her to her community, and threatens to destroy everything she has built if she cannot control her earthly desire.
This book paints a portrait of a complex and remarkable woman who challenged all societal norms of medieval England to create a safe haven for women on earth.
How I felt:
I don't feel particularly strongly about this book. I liked the style of writing, though there are many historical references that are subtly hinted rather than overtly named, such as Geoffrey of Anjou and Richard the Lionheart. You either need to google or have a really strong knowledge of medieval history and society. There's definitely no plot here, it's really a character study. I never truly understood the underpinnings of Eleanor and Marie's relationship. Marie adored her... because she was pretty and charismatic? When she ages I think maybe also because of her power. And then why does Eleanor send Marie away, really? It's only ever hinted at but it is confusing because Marie always seems to think there's a possibility she could win Eleanor's affections, as though she had reason to hope but we are never told what possible reason she could have. I think that was the major flaw because it's the one semblance of a plotline we're given.
If you like historical character-study with a slightly sapphic tone, I'd recommend it. It's not a sapphic love-story though so do not expect that. But considering it is set in medieval times, it's quite open and accepting of lesbian relationships. No one in the novel is "out" but it feels more like that is because they are nuns than because of any homophobia in the society.
We follow Marie de France over the course of her life at an English abbey from ages 17 til her death at 72. Marie de France is a real historical figure, and is known as the first female francophone poet and writer of a series of lais that are still studied; however, her true identity is not known. Groff has chosen to interpret her identity as that of Marie Abbess of Shaftesbury and half-sister to Henry II, King of England.
In this life, Marie is born to a house of lively warrior-women with free-spirits after her mother is raped by Geoffrey of Anjou, descended from a fairy. With her fairy-blood and wild upbringing, she doesn't fit in at the English court where she is forced to find shelter after her mother's death. As an ugly, unfeminine, illegitimate daughter, she is sent to an impoverished abbey to become the prioress and prevent any risk of competing heirs to the throne.
Convinced she has been sent to a living death, Marie despairs. She's been sent here by the woman she loves, Eleanor of Aquitane, Queen of England. We continually view glimpses of Eleanor through rumors that make their way to Marie, whose love eventually turns to respect and friendship for the beautiful and radiant queen who never stops seeking power. In their relationship we see two similar women born to different fates, one beautiful and given the chance to rule the world through marriage and motherhood; the other ugly, and finding greatness through community with her sister-nuns, and motherhood of a different kind as she raises the abbey from poverty, employees and educates local women, and encourages their nascent talents for the sake of their "island of women."
Marie struggles to find faith like the nuns she leads but is blessed with visions from the Virgin Mary, the holy mother. Her political mind, network of spies and friends, and holy visions establish her power locally, freeing her from the patriarchal hierarchy of the church. She builds a labyrinth around the abbey, protecting the nuns from men who wish to steal and harm them, isolating them from external forces, and securing Marie's power over her abbey.
Through her life, you see her struggle with her pride, which threatens the abbey on more than one occasion when her hand stretches too far and risks attracting too much attention to this group of women uninfluenced by men; her blasphemous tendencies, such as believing women are equal or superior to men, able to conduct mass and take confession, and that God is a woman; and her love for women, which is explored platonically, romantically, and sexually as the thing that both connects her to her community, and threatens to destroy everything she has built if she cannot control her earthly desire.
This book paints a portrait of a complex and remarkable woman who challenged all societal norms of medieval England to create a safe haven for women on earth.
How I felt:
I don't feel particularly strongly about this book. I liked the style of writing, though there are many historical references that are subtly hinted rather than overtly named, such as Geoffrey of Anjou and Richard the Lionheart. You either need to google or have a really strong knowledge of medieval history and society. There's definitely no plot here, it's really a character study. I never truly understood the underpinnings of Eleanor and Marie's relationship. Marie adored her... because she was pretty and charismatic? When she ages I think maybe also because of her power. And then why does Eleanor send Marie away, really? It's only ever hinted at but it is confusing because Marie always seems to think there's a possibility she could win Eleanor's affections, as though she had reason to hope but we are never told what possible reason she could have. I think that was the major flaw because it's the one semblance of a plotline we're given.
If you like historical character-study with a slightly sapphic tone, I'd recommend it. It's not a sapphic love-story though so do not expect that. But considering it is set in medieval times, it's quite open and accepting of lesbian relationships. No one in the novel is "out" but it feels more like that is because they are nuns than because of any homophobia in the society.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Excrement, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness and Dementia
stevie's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Terminal illness, Blood, Excrement, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
caseythereader's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thanks to Riverhead Books for the free advance copy of this book.
- MATRIX is gorgeous, painful, and powerful. Groff's writing carries you along its current through Marie's ups and downs, power grabs and moments of softness.
- This book is an ode to matriarchy, female friendship and sapphic love, and how these support systems propel us through even the bleakest of times.
- Though at times the poetry of the writing felt like it kept the reader at a remove, I still felt deeply for these women, cheering their victories and mourning their losses with them. Even if you know next to nothing about Marie de France or Eleanor of Aquitane (as I did not) this book is still quite engrossing.
- MATRIX is gorgeous, painful, and powerful. Groff's writing carries you along its current through Marie's ups and downs, power grabs and moments of softness.
- This book is an ode to matriarchy, female friendship and sapphic love, and how these support systems propel us through even the bleakest of times.
- Though at times the poetry of the writing felt like it kept the reader at a remove, I still felt deeply for these women, cheering their victories and mourning their losses with them. Even if you know next to nothing about Marie de France or Eleanor of Aquitane (as I did not) this book is still quite engrossing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and War