The Book of Eve: A beguiling historical feminist tale – inspired by the undeciphered Voynich manuscript

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The question that hangs over the early part of the story is the identity of the young woman, and why she feels so unworthy. It's a question that will keep you reading as she gradually recovers her identity. Eve Chase is one of my favourite authors and I fell in love with The Birdcage. A gorgeously written, atmospheric and twisty story of sisters and secrets set on the Cornish coast. Eve Chase's books never fail to make me cry. I devoured it! Eve Chase never disappoints. The far west of Cornwall is evoked in all its wild and mystical glory in this lyrical and propulsive family drama about three sisters whose lives have been overshadowed by a tragic secret on the eve of the 1999 eclipse. Chase conjures up a bohemian, artistic world filled with damaged daughters and their charismatic, largely absent and narcissistic father. Immersive, tense and ultimately redemptive, while I was reading, it held me completely in its grip. Atmospheric and twisty: think Daphne Du Maurier for the modern day I loved it . . . engrossing, gripping and layered Atmospheric and beautifully written. I absolutely loved it. Die italienische Renaissance und ein Kloster als Schauplatz, Christentum, Volksglaube, Mystik - das musste ich einfach ausprobieren. Ich finde es spannend, das Thema Schrift/ Schriftarten mit einem phantastischen Ansatz zu bearbeiten.

Perfect for a trivia night or a long trip, #TrainTeasers will both test your knowledge of this country`s rail system and enlighten you on the most colourful aspects of its long history. Meet trunk murderers, trainspotters, haters of railways, railway writers, Ministers for Transport good and bad, railway cats, dogs and a railway penguin. This is NOT a book for number-crunching nerds. Many of the answers are guessable by the intelligent reader. It is a quiz, yes, but also a cavalcade of historical incident and colour relating to a system that was the making of modern Britain. Instead, the vast majority of the book is taken up by an esoteric narrative that can’t decide if it wants to be fantasy, sci-fi or paranormal (and does none of these particularly well). The world-building is poorly done and I was confused for the greater part of the novel. The characters are flat and stereotypical, as is the dialogue. My overall judgement is that this novel doesn't seem to know what it is, or what it's doing. Ultimately, it felt like part one of a three-part novel and I was left unfulfilled at the end. Beatrice is my favourite character amongst a fascinating array. (Closely followed by Timofea!) She is observant, curious, clever, courageous, decisive. The tone and texture of language used by the author to embody her thoughts is exceptional - at times she feels almost made of book, eager to use her education and knowledge as a kind of armour, protecting her more vulnerable self. Without spoilers, the occasions when she forgoes this protection are some of the most moving in the novel, reminding us that all woman in the convent must have striking stories to tell about their lives ‘before.’

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I would have liked to see more of the book, but I felt the main focus was on the sisters and their reactions. The book had a ripple effect and some of the effects were deadly. This Historical Fiction is well written, the pacing is slow but it adds to the mystery and creates tension.

My one and only complaint, and the reason for my 4 star review instead of 5 is because I'm not 100% sold on the way the author placed the heavy blame of man's fall from grace on Adam as opposed to Eve. Perhaps I have misunderstood, but I was always lead to believe that Eve first tempted Adam- not the other way around.

Bohannon offers a refreshing and lively corrective to a story that has focused mainly on male evolution.” The Book of Eve is a dangerous yet compelling book and I feel that the reader barely scratches the surface when discovering the magic of this book. Con esta premisa yo solita le puse unas expectativas altísimas a este libro que en mi cabeza era un cruce entre ‘El código Da Vinci’ y ‘El nombre de la rosa’ pero con monjas. Esperaba yo aventurillas, misterios y una buena dosis de ficción de secretos históricos. Y a ver, algo de eso tiene, pero lamentablemente este libro no ha sido de mi gusto. No one but Eve, Mother of the Living, who calls her daughter and invites her to witness the truth about her story--indeed, the truth about us all.

The Binding meets The Handmaid's Tale - Discovering a book of dark and ancient power, a convent librarian must defend it with her life. Perfect for fans of dark academia and historical feminist fiction. Told from the perspective of Convent Librarian, Beatrice who, in longing for the knowledge housed beyond the Convent’s gates, has spent her years shunning the company of her sisters (and in some instances shirking her duties) in favour of her precious manuscripts. All of this is problematic, as well as the fact that the writing is done badly. It is verbose, tedious, and tautological (see what I did there). I KNOW that Young can write better, which just made this more disappointing.

The Church Times Archive

The Book of Eve tells the story of Beatrice, who runs the convent’s library. Like many of us book lovers, she chooses her manuscripts & books over spending time with her sisters! Bohannon presents nothing less than a new history of the species by examining human evolution through the lens of womankind. It’s a provocative corrective that will answer dozens of questions you’ve always had — and even more you never thought to ask.”

Tras un inicio prometedor, donde yo ya me las daba de feliz con mi historia medieval con reliquia ancestral rodeada de magia y misterio, me topo con una historia lenta, cuasi somnífera, donde la trama no acaba de arrancar, y cuando lo hace, es tan bruscamente, que parece que te hayas perdido trozos de texto por medio, se torna tan fantasiosa, que se desinfla totalmente. He vuelto páginas atrás asombrada, pensando haberme perdido algo, la narración es deslavazada, caótica, con hechos incomprensibles incluso partiendo de una premisa mágica. Así, nos encontramos diferentes versiones de mujeres que, en ocasiones, buscan la expiación del Padre entregándose a él en cuerpo y alma. Sin embargo, este convento es algo distinto ya que hay mujeres que no han hecho votos y están allí para sobrevivir, pues es el único lugar seguro para ellas.

The narrator, Amalia Vitale was marvellous, by the way. Pitch-perfect, flawless delivery. I'll listen to anything she voices! Additional review star added for her contribution. But the men of the city, bent on the book's destruction, are closing in. Beatrice must do all she can to protect it - no matter what the cost. I genuinely loved the ease with which Beatrice disregards soo many ‘rules and regulations’ that didn’t suit her needs. And her rebellious streak had me root for her from the very start. The Reverend Mother, Chiara, painter Diana and Beatrice’s step-mother Ortolana were also some of the really strong and empowered characters that meet (either by their confidence, job or social position) and enjoyed getting to know each, as well as their small acts of rebellion along the way.