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eliya's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was a challenge for me.
It took me 15h 21m technically, with the Libby app open whether or not I was actually reading.
I’ve never read a historical fiction book for me, and the beginning was a little slow. Once it picked up, the pace ebbed and flowed, and, I began to appreciate how beautifully it is written. So many passages that I want to keep and remember forever, the word choice and the poetic cadence of Lauren’s Groff’s writing is best described by a friend of mine as “delicious.” absolutely.
I love women and I’m so glad I read this book even though this book is way smarter than I will ever be. Gonna go finish weeping now.
It took me 15h 21m technically, with the Libby app open whether or not I was actually reading.
I’ve never read a historical fiction book for me, and the beginning was a little slow. Once it picked up, the pace ebbed and flowed, and, I began to appreciate how beautifully it is written. So many passages that I want to keep and remember forever, the word choice and the poetic cadence of Lauren’s Groff’s writing is best described by a friend of mine as “delicious.” absolutely.
I love women and I’m so glad I read this book even though this book is way smarter than I will ever be. Gonna go finish weeping now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Violence, and Pregnancy
Minor: Grief, Adult/minor relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Cancer, Animal death, Torture, Body horror, Confinement, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Sexual assault, Slavery, War, Animal cruelty, and Forced institutionalization
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Miscarriage, Animal death, Pregnancy, Child death, Death, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Cancer, Body shaming, Mental illness, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, War, Islamophobia, and Terminal illness
edamamebean's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Probably the best book I’ll read all year. It’s small in scale—never leaving the abbey—but it’s proportions are mythic. The writing is so beautiful that I had to stop and underline often. Lauren Groff is not only a good writer, she’s also a wise one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Excrement, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Child death, Animal death, Death of parent, Grief, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Rape, Violence, Dementia, Blood, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Murder, Vomit, Bullying, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and War
thecriticalreader's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Review:
Admittedly, it took me nearly 200 pages to really start to get used to Matrix by Lauren Groff and its poetic, fluid, somewhat stream-of-consciousness writing style as well as its unique storyline that often produces more questions than answers. Even then, it was not until the end of the story that I fully appreciated the book for what it is. At the heart of the story is the character of Marie, an admirable but flawed nun whose ambition leads her to transform a starving, poor abbey into a magnificent, self-sustaining wealthy fortress. Marie’s character arc is wonderfully executed, and I appreciated the large cast of supporting characters as well.
My favorite part of Matrix, however, is its thematic exploration of religion, feminism, ambition, power, sapphic love, and humanity’s relationship with the natural world. This is the sort of book that I could read many times over and glean new meaning each time; it is the type of book that begs to be analyzed in a literature class. Groff trusts in the intelligence of her readers and never oversimplifies or hits the reader over the head in order to make her point.
The Run-Down:
You will probably like Matrix if:
· You go into the book with an open mind
· You are someone who is interested in themes of religion and queerness
· You enjoy poetic writing styles
You might not like Matrix if:
· You dislike flowery writing and fluid plot structure
· You prefer exciting plots and clear explanations for events
A Similar Book:
This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladsone. Similarities between these books include:
· Beautiful, lyrical, intelligent prose
· Friend/enemy relationship between two strong women from different worlds
· Themes of feminism, queerness and humanity’s relation to the natural world
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cancer, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, and Sexism
Moderate: Dementia, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Physical abuse, Blood, Ableism, Body horror, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, and Classism
Minor: Excrement, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Infidelity, Death of parent, Violence, War, Torture, and Toxic friendship
olivebleu's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a challenging one for me to review! At times I couldn't decide if I loved or hated the writing style and that usually is what kills a book for me. But I loved the layers to this story. The book really grew on me as I continued. I would certainly recommend it though I think the first quarter is not a breeze to get through. I wish
the affect of the abbey on its local environment and Marie's climate disaster vision were woven more throughout the story. I thought it added another interesting perspective which is not often included in books of this genre, but it arrived later in the story and felt like more of a last minute thought than I'd have liked.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Death
dr_aimz's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Dementia, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Child death, Misogyny, Death of parent, Cancer, Medical trauma, Violence, and Death
Minor: Sexual assault, Rape, and Domestic abuse
carbs666's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I don't know what it is about books that don't use quotation marks to indicate speech but I'm such a slut for them. Anyways, I loved this book.
The way Groff effortlessly explores the mystical, sacred lives of characters bound to their faith while simultaneously getting into the mud and shit and darkness and weirdness of being a human body on this earth is really provoking. There are so many beautiful quiet moments of contemplation and description in this book about a woman who knows she is destined for greatness and therefore makes greatness happen, against all odds and all opponents. I also liked how Groff played with the prophetess element of the book by giving Marie holy yet heretical visions of the future, the future in which we now live, and imbued a sense of foreboding in the descriptions of the impact of the nuns' ambitions on their natural world. This book is rich in symbolism that isn't allowed to linger in the subtext - both Groff and Marie have to pick it up and turn it about in their hands, so by the end of the book the consequences are very clear.
I will echo what some other reviews have said, which is basically that there isn't much believable external conflict for Marie to face so the book can feel a bit repetitive. But overall, this book blazes with holy and profane love, and its gay as hell.
The way Groff effortlessly explores the mystical, sacred lives of characters bound to their faith while simultaneously getting into the mud and shit and darkness and weirdness of being a human body on this earth is really provoking. There are so many beautiful quiet moments of contemplation and description in this book about a woman who knows she is destined for greatness and therefore makes greatness happen, against all odds and all opponents. I also liked how Groff played with the prophetess element of the book by giving Marie holy yet heretical visions of the future, the future in which we now live, and imbued a sense of foreboding in the descriptions of the impact of the nuns' ambitions on their natural world. This book is rich in symbolism that isn't allowed to linger in the subtext - both Groff and Marie have to pick it up and turn it about in their hands, so by the end of the book the consequences are very clear.
I will echo what some other reviews have said, which is basically that there isn't much believable external conflict for Marie to face so the book can feel a bit repetitive. But overall, this book blazes with holy and profane love, and its gay as hell.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Violence
apersonfromflorida's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Child death, and Animal death
Minor: Vomit, Religious bigotry, and Rape
xjuliaaaaaax's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
What it's about:
We follow Marie de France over the course of her life at an English abbey from ages 17 til her death at 72. Marie de France is a real historical figure, and is known as the first female francophone poet and writer of a series of lais that are still studied; however, her true identity is not known. Groff has chosen to interpret her identity as that of Marie Abbess of Shaftesbury and half-sister to Henry II, King of England.
In this life, Marie is born to a house of lively warrior-women with free-spirits after her mother is raped by Geoffrey of Anjou, descended from a fairy. With her fairy-blood and wild upbringing, she doesn't fit in at the English court where she is forced to find shelter after her mother's death. As an ugly, unfeminine, illegitimate daughter, she is sent to an impoverished abbey to become the prioress and prevent any risk of competing heirs to the throne.
Convinced she has been sent to a living death, Marie despairs. She's been sent here by the woman she loves, Eleanor of Aquitane, Queen of England. We continually view glimpses of Eleanor through rumors that make their way to Marie, whose love eventually turns to respect and friendship for the beautiful and radiant queen who never stops seeking power. In their relationship we see two similar women born to different fates, one beautiful and given the chance to rule the world through marriage and motherhood; the other ugly, and finding greatness through community with her sister-nuns, and motherhood of a different kind as she raises the abbey from poverty, employees and educates local women, and encourages their nascent talents for the sake of their "island of women."
Marie struggles to find faith like the nuns she leads but is blessed with visions from the Virgin Mary, the holy mother. Her political mind, network of spies and friends, and holy visions establish her power locally, freeing her from the patriarchal hierarchy of the church. She builds a labyrinth around the abbey, protecting the nuns from men who wish to steal and harm them, isolating them from external forces, and securing Marie's power over her abbey.
Through her life, you see her struggle with her pride, which threatens the abbey on more than one occasion when her hand stretches too far and risks attracting too much attention to this group of women uninfluenced by men; her blasphemous tendencies, such as believing women are equal or superior to men, able to conduct mass and take confession, and that God is a woman; and her love for women, which is explored platonically, romantically, and sexually as the thing that both connects her to her community, and threatens to destroy everything she has built if she cannot control her earthly desire.
This book paints a portrait of a complex and remarkable woman who challenged all societal norms of medieval England to create a safe haven for women on earth.
How I felt:
I don't feel particularly strongly about this book. I liked the style of writing, though there are many historical references that are subtly hinted rather than overtly named, such as Geoffrey of Anjou and Richard the Lionheart. You either need to google or have a really strong knowledge of medieval history and society. There's definitely no plot here, it's really a character study. I never truly understood the underpinnings of Eleanor and Marie's relationship. Marie adored her... because she was pretty and charismatic? When she ages I think maybe also because of her power. And then why does Eleanor send Marie away, really? It's only ever hinted at but it is confusing because Marie always seems to think there's a possibility she could win Eleanor's affections, as though she had reason to hope but we are never told what possible reason she could have. I think that was the major flaw because it's the one semblance of a plotline we're given.
If you like historical character-study with a slightly sapphic tone, I'd recommend it. It's not a sapphic love-story though so do not expect that. But considering it is set in medieval times, it's quite open and accepting of lesbian relationships. No one in the novel is "out" but it feels more like that is because they are nuns than because of any homophobia in the society.
We follow Marie de France over the course of her life at an English abbey from ages 17 til her death at 72. Marie de France is a real historical figure, and is known as the first female francophone poet and writer of a series of lais that are still studied; however, her true identity is not known. Groff has chosen to interpret her identity as that of Marie Abbess of Shaftesbury and half-sister to Henry II, King of England.
In this life, Marie is born to a house of lively warrior-women with free-spirits after her mother is raped by Geoffrey of Anjou, descended from a fairy. With her fairy-blood and wild upbringing, she doesn't fit in at the English court where she is forced to find shelter after her mother's death. As an ugly, unfeminine, illegitimate daughter, she is sent to an impoverished abbey to become the prioress and prevent any risk of competing heirs to the throne.
Convinced she has been sent to a living death, Marie despairs. She's been sent here by the woman she loves, Eleanor of Aquitane, Queen of England. We continually view glimpses of Eleanor through rumors that make their way to Marie, whose love eventually turns to respect and friendship for the beautiful and radiant queen who never stops seeking power. In their relationship we see two similar women born to different fates, one beautiful and given the chance to rule the world through marriage and motherhood; the other ugly, and finding greatness through community with her sister-nuns, and motherhood of a different kind as she raises the abbey from poverty, employees and educates local women, and encourages their nascent talents for the sake of their "island of women."
Marie struggles to find faith like the nuns she leads but is blessed with visions from the Virgin Mary, the holy mother. Her political mind, network of spies and friends, and holy visions establish her power locally, freeing her from the patriarchal hierarchy of the church. She builds a labyrinth around the abbey, protecting the nuns from men who wish to steal and harm them, isolating them from external forces, and securing Marie's power over her abbey.
Through her life, you see her struggle with her pride, which threatens the abbey on more than one occasion when her hand stretches too far and risks attracting too much attention to this group of women uninfluenced by men; her blasphemous tendencies, such as believing women are equal or superior to men, able to conduct mass and take confession, and that God is a woman; and her love for women, which is explored platonically, romantically, and sexually as the thing that both connects her to her community, and threatens to destroy everything she has built if she cannot control her earthly desire.
This book paints a portrait of a complex and remarkable woman who challenged all societal norms of medieval England to create a safe haven for women on earth.
How I felt:
I don't feel particularly strongly about this book. I liked the style of writing, though there are many historical references that are subtly hinted rather than overtly named, such as Geoffrey of Anjou and Richard the Lionheart. You either need to google or have a really strong knowledge of medieval history and society. There's definitely no plot here, it's really a character study. I never truly understood the underpinnings of Eleanor and Marie's relationship. Marie adored her... because she was pretty and charismatic? When she ages I think maybe also because of her power. And then why does Eleanor send Marie away, really? It's only ever hinted at but it is confusing because Marie always seems to think there's a possibility she could win Eleanor's affections, as though she had reason to hope but we are never told what possible reason she could have. I think that was the major flaw because it's the one semblance of a plotline we're given.
If you like historical character-study with a slightly sapphic tone, I'd recommend it. It's not a sapphic love-story though so do not expect that. But considering it is set in medieval times, it's quite open and accepting of lesbian relationships. No one in the novel is "out" but it feels more like that is because they are nuns than because of any homophobia in the society.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Excrement, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Dementia and Mental illness
balth_the_chaotic_good's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Vomit, and War