Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Apr 2010
368 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication Information
Paperback Original. The daughter of a papermaker in a small French village in the year 1320 - mute from birth and forced to shun normal society - young Auda finds solace and escape in the wonder of the written word. Believed to be cursed by those who embrace ignorance and superstition, Auda's very survival is a testament to the strength of her spirit. But this is an age of Inquisition and intolerance, when difference and defiance are punishable "sins" and new ideas are considered damnable heresy. When darkness descends upon her world, Auda—newly grown to womanhood—is forced to flee, setting off on a remarkable quest to discover love and a new sense of self ... and to reclaim her heritage and the small glory of her father's art.
"Though improbable plot twists detract, Sankaran has created a likable, easy-to-root-for protagonist in Auda." - Publishers Weekly
"Avoiding being either overly dark or sweet, this debut historical by an author who already plans a second novel about printmaking in Italy has potential for book club discussions and will appeal to readers of medieval historical fiction." - Library Journal
"Sankaran deftly illuminates a time of intellectual darkness in this superbly rendered debut." - Booklist
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Vanitha Sankaran holds a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Northwestern University and an M.F.A. in creative writing from Antioch University. Her stories have been published in various print and online journals. In addition, she is a founding editor for the literary journal flashquake. She is at work on her second novel, which is about printmaking in Renaissance Venice.
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