Matilda grew up in a manor house, where the only work expected of her
was to assist Father Leufredus, the priest, in his studies. She knows
Latin and some Greek, the names and stories of hundreds of saints, and
how to be meek and obedient. None of this helps her much when Father
Leufredus is called to London, and apprentices Matilda to a bone setter
named Red Peg in a town halfway between London and Oxford. Peg is full
of good humor and common sense, but all Matilda can see is how different
she is from the priest and his teachings. Can Matilda look beyond her
preconceptions and find a place in her new life?
I typically like
Cushman’s historical fiction, but Matilda is a difficult character to
love. She does soften up a bit by the end, but reading about her
self-imposed misery for most of the book is not a lot of fun. And, while
I liked some of the secondary characters, I had trouble keeping them
straight. Recommended only to those who can’t get enough of Cushman’s
writing.
(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)
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