A review by kiwi_fruit
A Vision of Light by Judith Merkle Riley
2.0
This novel is set in England in the middle of the 14th century. It all starts when Margaret, a wealthy but illiterate merchant wife, struggles to find someone willing to write her memoirs. She meets Brother Gregory, a copyist down on his luck, who reluctantly accepts the post. Like most of his colleagues, Gregory is resistant to the idea of writing about the life of a commoner (and a woman besides) because only classics, religious texts or saints biographies are worthy of a scholar’s time and effort.
The book started strong with the author presenting Margaret and describing the medieval setting really well. Misogyny by Brother Gregory was annoying at first but it is typical of the times, his religious views and exchanges with Margaret were believable. The tale of Margaret’s life was interesting and varied, although some of her stories were predicable.
The tales are populated by medieval class stereotypes, with the poor but wise peasant, crafty merchants, dishonest peddlers, wealthy and wicked lord and unkind clergymen. They have a picaresque quality but were also a bit humdrum. Unfortunately, the novel for me started going downhill at the halfway mark and by the time I reached the ending I had enough.
In the book, you’ll find stories of religious fervour and superstition, mystic visions and miraculous healing, witchery and heresy trials, pestilence and alchemy, violence and plenty of death. I would have preferred less stories and more character depth and I didn’t like the conclusion at all.
Based on the many glowing reviews, once again I seem to be in the minority with my opinion, so even if this novel didn’t work for me it may work for you.
2.5 stars rounded down.
The book started strong with the author presenting Margaret and describing the medieval setting really well. Misogyny by Brother Gregory was annoying at first but it is typical of the times, his religious views and exchanges with Margaret were believable. The tale of Margaret’s life was interesting and varied, although some of her stories were predicable
Spoiler
(like the babies switched at birth)The tales are populated by medieval class stereotypes, with the poor but wise peasant, crafty merchants, dishonest peddlers, wealthy and wicked lord and unkind clergymen. They have a picaresque quality but were also a bit humdrum. Unfortunately, the novel for me started going downhill at the halfway mark and by the time I reached the ending I had enough.
In the book, you’ll find stories of religious fervour and superstition, mystic visions and miraculous healing, witchery and heresy trials, pestilence and alchemy, violence and plenty of death. I would have preferred less stories and more character depth and I didn’t like the conclusion at all.
Based on the many glowing reviews, once again I seem to be in the minority with my opinion, so even if this novel didn’t work for me it may work for you.
2.5 stars rounded down.