Stacy's review
Holy Fools: A Novel
by Joanne Harris
Stacy's review
Holy Fools: A Novel by Joanne Harris
Stacy's review
rating:
recommended for: French gypsies from the Renaissance
One of the reasons I like to read historical fiction set in far away places is I learn about history and far away places. This book doesn't give that satisfaction because instead of doing historical and locational research, the author made stuff up. She sets much of the action in a nunnery on an island near the southern town Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. I've actually been to this town, and there's no island and no nunnery there. I think she was inspired by the island monastary of Mont St. Michel, on the other end of the country, where the monks really are isolated at high tide (or would have been before the modern causeway was built). Also, Juliet's ideas about everything from hygiene to religion are way more 21st century than 17th century.
Still... I sped right through this book. Inaccurate, unbelievable, and formulaic. And a fun, relaxing read.
Still... I sped right through this book. Inaccurate, unbelievable, and formulaic. And a fun, relaxing read.
