Vanitha Sankaran's debut novel is the story of a papermaker's daughter in 1300's Narbonne, France. Heretic fever is at its height, with the church inspectors ready to question and torture those suspected of undermining the church and its teachings. Neighbouring Carcassonne is suffering the heretic fires, and many in Narbonne fear the inevitable arrival of the inquisitors.

Anyone who looks different is in danger of accusations of being a disciple of the devil or a witch, so Auda, the twenty-year-old heroine is under threat, for she is certainly different.

Born an albino, Auda cannot speak with her own voice, but uses a primitive form of signing to communicate with her father, Martin and her sister, Poncia the only ones who love Auda enough to try and protect her from the prejudices of both friends and strangers.

Without speech, Auda is a compelling heroine and shows the reader the world through her eyes and thoughts. Her feelings about her mother, who died giving birth to her, her understanding of what normal life as a wife and mother would be like. Love, marriage and a family are not what Auda sees for herself, but her yearning for another pathway where she can express herself proves her downfall.

Taken in as a scribe to the Vicomtesse, Auda is the focus of attention when her poetic soul finds an outlet in the written word about the quality of love. But her verses are subject to misinterpretation by others as well as the church. Even a gift Auda has made for her father becomes a weapon that is ultimately used against her.

There is one man who sees Auda's inner self. Jaime, an artist, is prepared to take a risk to be with her.

Ms Sankaran has painted a colourful picture of a Fourteenth Century French town with all its seething and primitive life, together with an inherent terror of the church’s powers. Her research is exemplary and includes some fascinating details of the papermakers' art.

Auda is an unusual heroine, but one who will stay with you long after the final, savage chapters of her remarkable story.