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A review by annrawson
The Words in My Hand by Guinevere Glasfurd
5.0
Helena de Jans was a maid for an English bookseller in Amsterdam, where René Descartes lodged in 1634. A year later, she gave birth to his daughter, Francine.
From the sparse historical details available, Guin has imagined how this relationship might have developed. How did Helena learn to read and write? What would her life have been like?
This is a very moving novel, and I think it's an important one too. There are so many women in our history who are invisible, whose everyday lives we know so little about. Guin's imagination has brought one of them to life.
Full disclosure : I've known Guin for some time and have no hesitation in recommending this book. It's one of those novels which will stay with me, and I know I will read it again.
From the sparse historical details available, Guin has imagined how this relationship might have developed. How did Helena learn to read and write? What would her life have been like?
This is a very moving novel, and I think it's an important one too. There are so many women in our history who are invisible, whose everyday lives we know so little about. Guin's imagination has brought one of them to life.
Full disclosure : I've known Guin for some time and have no hesitation in recommending this book. It's one of those novels which will stay with me, and I know I will read it again.