The Mirror of Simple Souls

I think this book was good. I requested it because it sounded interesting, and it was. The cast of characters was interesting and all so different from one another

This book was such a unique premise. The story follows women in the 14th century in Paris living apart from men as Beguines. The story encapsulates a time when women were unable, except in this one very specific circumstance to be "free" in any sense of the word. The tale intersects with historical figures such as the Knights Templar, and paints a very clear picture of a time that is oft forgotten. I had no knowledge of the Beguines, but the story was nonetheless fascinating. Meticulously researched and well-translated, this book is a great choice if you're looking for a lesser known period of time, and an ongoing struggle - that of women throughout history to make their marks, or live freely. The history was clearly very well researched, as there is an extensive bibliography at the back, and I will definitely be looking further into some of those readings as well as this book has piqued my interest. Highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys a great historical fiction book which is actually based on concrete facts.

This ebook was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a heavy but enlightening read of the horrors of a fanatical, oppressive religion. Historical fiction, especially of the Middle Ages, can be difficult to get into, but despite this being a translation, I was able to follow the storyline fairly easily, and the characters were well developed. I’d recommend this to fans of the genre.

A raw and passionate story about women in 14th century Paris losing the one haven of independence and freedom they have after the Templars are tried and punished for their heretical plight, starting a ripple effect that will leave the lives of all the characters forever changed. When it gets down to it, this is a tale about actions, however big or small, having the power to change the world, and not always in a good way.

"Ysabel knows this: however small our lives are, they are all part of a greater whole; the movements and the troubles of the soul depend on those of the world at large; violence does not end with its target, but rebounds onward like a pebble skipping over water, striking and striking again."

"The Mirror of Simple Souls" is well written (and well translated), capturing a beautiful balance of dark and gritty prose that reflects the nature of what it was like to be a woman during this time period with an almost poetic description of nature and the world within which these awful things are taking place. Although Maheut was the most compelling character for me, and I wished to see more of the story from her perspective, I appreciated that Kiner created such a unique selection of women to tell this story. Ysabel, Ade, and Maheut were all very different characters who used the safety of the beguinage in completely different ways, which made it all that more impactful when that safety was threatened and began crumbling down around them. Each character has their own set of complex motives, including the Franciscan monk Humbert, who orbits around the women with his own set of sinister motives during the first half of the book.

Although the large paragraphs of historical information did slow my reading down (which was definitely a personal problem and not a reflection of the writing), I think that the plot of this book is brilliant, particularly in the ways that the characters and plot points weave in and out of each other until they all collide together and everything makes sense, including the historical and religious context that my brain had a hard time focusing on even though it was all undeniably interesting to learn (but perhaps maybe not in the late hours of the night).

Joyful reading! I accept that this will not be everyone’s cup of tea but for a Theology graduate who wrote their dissertation on medieval heresy it could not have peaked my interest more. The characters were strong and well developed and I loved the foundation of fact that this tale was woven around. Not as in depth with regards to the spirituality, religious doctrine and heretical debates as some other authors writing about this time. However, it would be a good entry book for those looking to explore fiction set in this period of European Christian history.

This book offers a mesmerizing glimpse into the lives of independent women in medieval Paris, weaving a tale of love, jealousy, and faith against the backdrop of a vibrant historical setting. Set amid the trial of the Templars in 1310, the beguinage provides a sanctuary for women free from the oppressive dominance of men, a sanctuary threatened by the arrival of a mysterious red-haired child and a vengeful monk.

As the community of beguines grapples with religious repression and danger lurking at their doorstep, the story unfolds with intrigue and suspense. The forbidden love and heretical text add layers of complexity to the narrative, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

This captivating historical drama, reminiscent of "Hamnet" and "The Lost Apothecary," offers an immersive reading experience for fans of historical fiction. With its richly detailed portrayal of medieval Paris and the beguine community, This book is a compelling summer read that transports readers to a world of love, danger, and the resilience of women.

I like the vivid historical setting of medieval Paris and the intriguing premise of the beguine community, offering a unique perspective on independent women in a time of religious upheaval. The blend of love, jealousy, and faith creates a riveting narrative that keeps readers engrossed until the very end.

I enjoyed this book immensely! The descriptive language and well developed characters draw you into the story of the beguines of Paris in the early 1300s. The story follows the lives and struggles of a number of women in the beguinage. As with all good historical fiction, this story made me want to learn more about the history of the beguines and beguinages. I’ll be looking for some nonfiction in this topic.

Thanks to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Translated from French by Susan Emanuel.
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect with this book when I asked to review it. Something about the title spoke to me, and I've always been a sucker for a cover with Mediaeval illumination.
This is a historical fiction, set in early 14th century Paris, the time of King Philip the Fair ("le Bel" in French), the Order of the Knights Templar, and the Beguines - that curious and vibrant order of women wanting an escape from the binary path of marriage or nunnery, and who will take the lion's share of our attention for this story. For those who are acquainted with French history and literature, you may also know this as the beginnings of the Accursed Kings ("Les Rois Maudits"). The title itself is not the original French title ("La Nuit des Beguines"), but is taken from the writings of the same name by the mystical beguine Marguerite Porete, whose burning at the stake is our introduction to the story.
There are a few themes interwoven, threads pulling us through the skein of Aline Kiner's work - how the past haunts us, the oppressive weight of the inevitable, and the joy and tragedy of being a woman. Each of these hits home and hits hard - a ghost at my shoulder, dread at what I knew must come, and feeling the happiness and despair of each of the women we follow.
A lovely, but often sad, book, which is more than worth your time.

I enjoyed this book immensely. l I liked the setting of medieval Paris and the premise of the beguine community, offering a
interesting perspective on independent women in a time of religious upheaval.
A narrative that keeps readers engrossed until the very end.

Having read Swan's non-fiction title, Wisdom of the Beguines: The Forgotten Story of a Medieval Women's Movement, I was excited to see a fiction title about Beguines. The Beguine communities were made up of unmarried(single or widowed)women who chose to live communally. Their mission was to serve the poor, sick and uneducated. Beguines were not nuns and took no vows. They could own property and businesses.The Mirror of Simple Souls is set in such a community in Paris in 1310. The title is taken from a book by Marguerite Porete , a Beguine and mystic who was burned at the stake for her writing.
One morning a young, ragged, traumatized girl is found outside the gate. She's taken in and nursed back to health but her rescue exposes the women to great risk when it's discovered that she has run away from her brutal, aristocratic husband and is being hunted by a sinister monk. Secrets are kept, jealousies arise and betrayals threaten the community.
The Parisian setting is depicted in all its glory and gore. Characters are beautifully developed and the language is lyrical.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the opportunity to read this amazing story.

This book was incredibly beautiful. Very poetic and imaginative. This world and story were, from what I gather, extremely well researched and accurate and I loved that.

I really enjoyed this. I thought it was well translated and the tone was quite beautiful. It was thoughtful and thought provoking. I could have read a lot more of it

This was a wonderfully done historical drama that I couldn’t put down. It was a great overall feel and wanted to keep reading until I finished it. The characters were everything that I hoped for and enjoyed the overall feel of them in the story. I enjoyed how good Aline Kiner has a great writing style and I can’t wait to read more from them.