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The Rebel Rose
Carol Lee Campbell spins a new story based on very old practices of love, magic and rebellion. Mathilde has few options. She is part of the peasantry but finds hope when a visiting monk takes an interest in her poetry. He steals it instead. While Mathilde must walk a difficult line of proving her own worth in early modern England when witch hunts were gaining steam, we become witness to the unseen where rogue women resist early capitalism and unusual friends make alliances with fairy folk. The Rebel Rose is a homage to everyone who will fight to have their voices heard.
Campbell is an award-winning writer, musician and professor. She is the creator of Crone Stones, a widely popular divination oracle that includes thirty-three porcelain stones and an accompanying book, Return to Wellness: The New Book of Crone Stones. Carol teaches Women’s Studies and Greek Mythology at several Virginia community colleges and travels regionally as a performance artist and a dramaturg.
Campbell is an award-winning writer, musician and professor. She is the creator of Crone Stones, a widely popular divination oracle that includes thirty-three porcelain stones and an accompanying book, Return to Wellness: The New Book of Crone Stones. Carol teaches Women’s Studies and Greek Mythology at several Virginia community colleges and travels regionally as a performance artist and a dramaturg.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
162 pages, Paperback
Published May 31, 2024
About the author
Carol Lee Campbell
4 books12 followersCarol Lee Campbell is an award-winning writer, musician and professor. She is the creator of Crone Stones, a widely popular divination oracle that includes thirty-three porcelain stones and an accompanying book, Return to Wellness: The New Book of Crone Stones. Chicks In Heaven, her first play with music, premiered in April 2024 at The Creative Cauldron in Virginia. Carol teaches Women and Gender Studies and Greek Mythology at several Virginia community colleges and travels regionally as a performance artist and a lecturer.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 9, 2024
Mathilde is a talented woman who is confined by many things: her gender which limits her opportunities and choices in sixteenth-century England, her boldness which many label as ireful, and her desires which are seen as dangerous. She bounces around in her life, trying to find her place in the world. At one point, she even disguises herself as a male monk, but she is eventually found out. Throughout, Mathilde desires freedom, beauty, and romance. She finds ways to explore each of these, especially through her poetry—which is at one point cruelly taken from her. But dangers lurk for her around many a corner. The possibility of vengeful faeries and the very real threat of witch trials lurk at the corners of Mathilde’s world, at times closing in.
Carol Lee Campbell has written a lovely novella in “The Rebel Rose,” part of the Bijou Book Series. Her prose flows beautifully and her talents are especially on display when it comes to Matilde’s writing which is stirring, evocative, and, at times, quite sensual. Campbell paints a delicate yet intricate picture of Mathilde’s world as it grows and shrinks, as it becomes imperiled, and as it finds rich ground.
Mathilde feels grounded as a character even though she exists in the relatively unfamiliar world of sixteenth-century England. Her hopes and aspirations easily become ones the reader roots for. Mathilde is also surrounded by friends, and a few nemeses, that, while not explored as deeply as her, are also wholly real.
Although, as mentioned before, the setting in “The Rebel Rose” is generally unfamiliar to readers, Campbell does a deft job of exploring it. She describes it wonderfully, bringing the past to the present. She also explores multiple stages of Mathilde’s life, which each generally comes with a new location. These locations range from an abbey to a dairy farm, and each feels vivid to the reader.
While “The Rebel Rose” is a quick read, author Campbell does bring a lot of richness and depth to this tale. Readers will be swept along with the main character Mathilde and her poetry while exploring different avenues of life in sixteenth-century England.
Carol Lee Campbell has written a lovely novella in “The Rebel Rose,” part of the Bijou Book Series. Her prose flows beautifully and her talents are especially on display when it comes to Matilde’s writing which is stirring, evocative, and, at times, quite sensual. Campbell paints a delicate yet intricate picture of Mathilde’s world as it grows and shrinks, as it becomes imperiled, and as it finds rich ground.
Mathilde feels grounded as a character even though she exists in the relatively unfamiliar world of sixteenth-century England. Her hopes and aspirations easily become ones the reader roots for. Mathilde is also surrounded by friends, and a few nemeses, that, while not explored as deeply as her, are also wholly real.
Although, as mentioned before, the setting in “The Rebel Rose” is generally unfamiliar to readers, Campbell does a deft job of exploring it. She describes it wonderfully, bringing the past to the present. She also explores multiple stages of Mathilde’s life, which each generally comes with a new location. These locations range from an abbey to a dairy farm, and each feels vivid to the reader.
While “The Rebel Rose” is a quick read, author Campbell does bring a lot of richness and depth to this tale. Readers will be swept along with the main character Mathilde and her poetry while exploring different avenues of life in sixteenth-century England.
December 31, 2024
A fantastic read for an aching heart!
A visceral journey and rousing tale of resilience and passion that draws readers into the heart of a woman's experiences of artistic expression, love, and betrayal. This novel is not just a tale of personal struggle; it is a poignant exploration of the themes of religious oppression and the subjugation of women, all seen through the eyes of a spirited protagonist.
From the very first page, Campbell's lyrical prose immerses us in a world filled with vivid imagery and emotional depth. The spirit of the main character radiates with a love for life that is truly infectious. Her unwavering passion for poetry and prose serves as a beautiful counterpoint to the challenges she faces, reminding us of the power of creativity as an act of defiance against adversity.
What sets "Rebel Rose" apart is its ability to resonate with contemporary issues while being firmly rooted in a historical context. The exploration of betrayal and deception is not merely a plot device but a reflection of the societal constraints that women have faced throughout history. Campbell's nuanced portrayal of these themes encourages readers to reflect on the struggle for autonomy and the importance of self-expression.
"Rebel Rose" is an inspiring read that reminds us of the strength of the human spirit. It is a celebration of love, creativity, and the pursuit of beauty in a world that often seeks to stifle it. Carol Lee Campbell has crafted a remarkable story that will linger in the hearts and minds of readers long after the final page is turned. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a powerful narrative that combines historical depth with a celebration of life and resilience.
A visceral journey and rousing tale of resilience and passion that draws readers into the heart of a woman's experiences of artistic expression, love, and betrayal. This novel is not just a tale of personal struggle; it is a poignant exploration of the themes of religious oppression and the subjugation of women, all seen through the eyes of a spirited protagonist.
From the very first page, Campbell's lyrical prose immerses us in a world filled with vivid imagery and emotional depth. The spirit of the main character radiates with a love for life that is truly infectious. Her unwavering passion for poetry and prose serves as a beautiful counterpoint to the challenges she faces, reminding us of the power of creativity as an act of defiance against adversity.
What sets "Rebel Rose" apart is its ability to resonate with contemporary issues while being firmly rooted in a historical context. The exploration of betrayal and deception is not merely a plot device but a reflection of the societal constraints that women have faced throughout history. Campbell's nuanced portrayal of these themes encourages readers to reflect on the struggle for autonomy and the importance of self-expression.
"Rebel Rose" is an inspiring read that reminds us of the strength of the human spirit. It is a celebration of love, creativity, and the pursuit of beauty in a world that often seeks to stifle it. Carol Lee Campbell has crafted a remarkable story that will linger in the hearts and minds of readers long after the final page is turned. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a powerful narrative that combines historical depth with a celebration of life and resilience.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews