The Book of Eve: A beguiling historical feminist tale – inspired by the undeciphered Voynich manuscript

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Headline, Mar 2, 2023 - Fiction - 368 pages

The Binding meets The Handmaid's Tale - Discovering a book of dark and ancient power, a convent librarian must defend it with her life. Perfect for fans of dark academia and historical feminist fiction.

'A wonderfully rich and absorbing tale' Observer
'Expertly crafted and beautifully told' Jennifer Saint
'
All so good. I read it in two days flat, and wish I had spaced it out more' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ READER REVIEW


Beatrice is the convent's librarian. For years, she has shunned the company of her sisters, finding solace only with her manuscripts.

Then, one carnival night, two women, bleeding and stricken, are abandoned outside the convent's walls. Moments from death, one of them presses something into Beatrice's hands: a bewitching book whose pages have a dangerous life of their own.

But men of the faith want the book destroyed, and a zealous preacher has tracked it to her door. Her sisters' lives - or her obsession. Beatrice must decide.

The book's voice is growing stronger.

An ancient power uncoils.

Will she dare to listen?


More praise for THE BOOK OF EVE:
'What an extraordinary book' Harriet Tyce
'A ravishing, erudite feminist hijack of Renaissance Florence' Alice Albinia
'A beautifully written, utterly enthralling read' Karen Coles
'Mysterious, bewitching and beautiful' Elizabeth Lee
'Brutal and haunting' Melissa Fu
'Erudite and bewitching' Costanza Casati

And some early reader reviews:
'It is a tribute to female strength, power and resilience' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'A very interesting take on myth, mythology and the power of women when they work together for the greater good' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'The writing was excellent with a compelling storyline and well developed characters and a fantastic setting' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'An emotional journey, I absolutely loved the story and characters' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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About the author (2023)

Meg Clothier studied Classics at Cambridge, sailed from England to Alaska, and worked as a journalist in London and Moscow. She now lives and writes in Somerset. The Book of Eve is her third novel.

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