Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2021 by Time, Entertainment Weekly, Buzzfeed, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Vulture, The Guardian, and more. “Thrilling and heartbreaking…An electric work of historical fiction.” –Time Magazine “[A] page-by-page pleasure as we soar with her.” –New York Times “Stunning… grand, mythic.” – Entertainment Weekly One of our best American writers, Lauren Groff returns with her exhilarating first new novel since the groundbreaking Fates and Furies.Cast out of the royal court by Eleanor of Aquitaine, deemed too coarse and rough-hewn for marriage or courtly life, seventeen-year-old Marie de France is sent to England to be the new prioress of an impoverished abbey, its nuns on the brink of starvation and beset by disease. At first taken aback by the severity of her new life, Marie finds focus and love in collective life with her singular and mercurial sisters. In this crucible, Marie steadily supplants her desire for family, for her homeland, for the passions of her youth with something new to her: devotion to her sisters, and a conviction in her own divine visions. Marie, born the last in a long line of women warriors and crusaders, is determined to chart a bold new course for the women she now leads and protects. But in a world that is shifting and corroding in frightening ways, one that can never reconcile itself with her existence, will the sheer force of Marie’s vision be bulwark enough? Equally alive to the sacred and the profane,
Matrix gathers currents of violence, sensuality, and religious ecstasy in a mesmerizing portrait of consuming passion, aberrant faith, and a woman that history moves both through and around. Lauren Groff’s new novel, her first since
Fates and Furies, is a defiant and timely exploration of the raw power of female creativity in a corrupted world.
Embark on a thought-provoking journey with Lauren Groff's captivating novel, "Matrix: A Novel". Delve into the life of Marie de France, a twelfth-century poet and abbess, as she navigates the boundaries of her cloistered world and the allure of forbidden love.
Immerse yourself in the rich historical tapestry of medieval England, where Marie's sharp intellect and unconventional spirit challenge the constraints imposed upon her. Witness her struggle to reconcile her devotion to God with her longing for personal fulfillment.
Groff's evocative prose transports readers to a time of shifting power dynamics and evolving social norms. Marie's interactions with the enigmatic Eleanor of Aquitaine, the powerful Henry II, and the beguiling troubadour Jaufre Rudel ignite a whirlwind of emotions and set the stage for a compelling narrative.
As Marie grapples with her desires and the consequences of her choices, "Matrix" explores the timeless themes of love, faith, and self-discovery. Groff masterfully weaves together historical fact and poetic license, creating a poignant and immersive tale that resonates with contemporary readers.
Unveil the secrets hidden within the walls of an ancient abbey, navigate the treacherous terrain of forbidden love, and witness the indomitable spirit of a woman who defies societal norms. "Matrix: A Novel" by Lauren Groff is a literary masterpiece that will captivate your mind and linger in your heart long after you finish reading.
