I'd love to introduce you to Jolene Neri, one of the wonderful ladies who joined us in France earlier this year. Bubbly, vivacious and full of life, Jolene brought wonderful energy to our travels and a tremendous passion for historical fiction.
Her love of books sparked many conversations along the way, so I was absolutely delighted when she offered to share a review with us. And what better choice than Watermark by Vanitha Sankaran, a novel set in southern France, a region we explored together!
Jolene’s Review
I chose this novel for several reasons. Firstly, anything set around the Middle Ages is my favourite reading genre. From Saxons and knights to Shogun, I'm drawn to stories of people facing challenges in an evolving world. Second, I love history, and third, I'm always looking for heroes who will take me on an adventure to faraway places, allowing me to experience their stories and better understand the challenges they faced. There's something about the resilience of the human spirit that keeps me turning the pages.
The novel takes place in southern France during the rise of the Inquisition, a period I wouldn't normally choose to read about. However, having recently visited Carcassonne, I was mesmerised by the beautiful countryside and castles and wanted to learn more. As we travelled towards Carcassonne, the Pyrenees appeared on the horizon, and I was smitten. I knew I had to return to explore more of this beautiful region, so I signed up for another journey, this time following in the footsteps of the Cathars.
I'd already read novels about the Albigensian Crusade, but I was eager to discover more, which led me to Watermark. And when I spotted a recommendation from Sharon Kay Penman, one of my favourite authors, on the cover, that sealed the deal!
The heroine, Aude, is an intelligent, literate young woman living a simple life in Narbonne with her father. Together, they make paper, a relatively rare and unfamiliar commodity in early 14th-century France. Elements of the church, however, are tuning in to the fears of the Inquisition, and beginning to see reading as a potential vehicle of heretical ideas.
I love the pace of this novel. It begins gently, introducing us to Aude's family and everyday life, along with characters from all walks of life. We learn about the fascinating craft of papermaking, not in a dry way, but in a way that introduces you to different characters involved in the trade. This is where the watermark comes in. Do you remember those from years ago?
Aude is fascinated by the process and eager to learn more. As the novel picks up the pace, mysterious figures begin moving in and out of Narbonne, and she is given a remarkable opportunity to use her literacy and writing skills to uncover and document old manuscripts. The tension gradually builds, and the tempo speeds up as the Inquisition arrives.
My only sadness at finishing this novel in just two days was discovering that this wonderful first-time author has yet to publish another novel. I do hope she'll gift us with another adventure exploring the resilience of the human spirit in the face of dangerous adversity.
I thoroughly enjoyed Watermark and highly recommend it. You’ll be looking for more and will not be disappointed.
