“The Fire and the Rose” by Robyn Cadwallader is a historical fiction novel set in England in 1276. The story is about a young woman called Eleanor who has moved to a town called Lincoln to work as a housemaid. Things are not easy for Eleanor: she has a conspicuous birthmark on her face and she has talents and ambitions for a profession women are excluded from. Then, she falls in love with a Jewish spicer called Asher, but their relationship is forbidden. As Jewish people are increasingly persecuted in Lincoln, Eleanor must find a way to be true to herself and survive on her own.

This is Cadwallader’s third novel and I think it’s my favourite. She revisits some familiar themes from “The Anchoress” and “Book of Colours” such as the role of religion and the significance of books in 13th century England. However this book feels bolder and more subversive than her previous books, tackling issues like facial difference, sexism and racial and religious discrimination. Eleanor was a great character and I really enjoyed reading a book about someone who did not fall within the typical roles of women during that time. Of course, there would have been unmarried women who worked in atypical jobs, but Cadwallader created a believable story about how someone like Eleanor would have lived and the ways in which communities practise tolerance while churches preach exclusion. I also really enjoyed Asher as a character. He was gentle, erudite and principled and the long-term romantic tension between him and Eleanor felt very real.

The only part I struggled with was the ending. Eleanor experiences a lot of indecision towards the end, and although I felt her reactions and responses throughout the novel were very realistic, I didn’t quite feel the same way about her ultimate choices at the end.

A really interesting and immersive story about a tumultuous period of persecution in England.

A powerful novel that brought me to tears and had me shaking with the feel of love and danger. The protagonist is a strong and courageous minded individual. Beautifully written.

‘Eleanor has no parchment, but she does have three quills and a pot of ink.’

If you have read Ms Cadwallader’s novel, The Anchoress (2015), you have already met Eleanor, then a child who was taught to read and write by Sarah, the Anchoress. Twenty years later, in 1276, Eleanor has moved to Lincoln where she works as a housemaid for a wool merchant. Eleanor is independent and stubborn, and well aware that her prospects are blighted by the port-wine birthmark on her face. Eleanor dreams of working as a scribe, a profession that is not open to women.

Thirteenth century Lincoln is a dangerous place, divided by religious prejudice. The Jews, forced to wear a yellow badge, are frequently subjected to violence. They are accused of the kidnapping and torture of a boy called Hugh. Now known as Little Hugh the Martyr, his tomb in the cathedral is visited by crowds of pilgrims, resulting in huge profits for the church.

While Eleanor initially shares antisemitic prejudices, her need to buy spices for the house where she works results in frequent visits to Asher, a widowed Jewish spicer. Asher and Eleanor share a love of books and words, and Eleanor becomes interested in learning the Hebrew script. A covert relationship follows, a relationship forbidden both by religion and law, resulting in pregnancy. Eleanor is dismissed by her employer, leaving her both homeless and penniless. The friendship of other women, especially of Marchota a Jewish businesswoman, enables Eleanor to survive.

‘Some stories must be told.’

This novel is both a love story and a witness to the antisemitism that led to the expulsion of the Jews from England by King Edward I in 1290. Part of the witnessing comes in the form of verse in which the stones of the wall around Lincoln lament the horrors of the persecution unfolding within.

Both Asher and Eleanor are caught within the restrictions of their own religions: Eleanor is publicly shamed by the Church as an unmarried mother, while Asher is under pressure to marry within his community. Both are made ‘other’ by religious difference, by societal expectations that prevent either following their hearts (and in Eleanor’s case at least, her dreams).

I opened this novel and stepped into thirteenth century Lincoln, to the sights, sounds and smells of medieval England, to prejudices which still exist, unfortunately.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

A beautifully written historical/literary fiction. Set in the late 1200s in England.
Immerse yourself in history, religion, power, discrimination, dive in and experience history in its fullest. Quite a powerful and well thought book

'kill the one you cannot understand, other, woman, Jew...such suffering in common might give way to mercy, But fear, we see, is buried deep within the city's heart.'

Eleanor has recently moved to the city of Lincoln after being forced to leave her home. Despite finding work as a housemaid, she truly longs to become a scribe; a skill she has unwittingly been taught as a child, although it is man's work. Having been born with a port wine stain partially covering her face, Eleanor has learned defiance in the face of cruelty and skepticism. As an orphan, she has learned independence, courage, and self-sufficiency. What she lacks is an understanding as to why the Jews who have resided in Lincoln for generations, who have become an integral part of the town's business community have become reviled and spat upon. When she falls in love with Asher, the Jewish spicer, Eleanor must try and determine how to uphold her sense of integrity and rightness against the rules which bind her actions.

I so enjoyed this book. The weight of the words gives a considered cadence that allows you to ponder the journey, the loneliness, injustice, hate, and ignorance. Interspersed is a poem 'The Walls Speak' which reflects not only the mood of the upcoming chapters but also reflects the timeless, senselessness of the hate and fear of 'other', 'Those that only know themselves by the ones that they make exiles'. Indeed, people who rely upon defining themselves through comparison or derision instead of by their own sense of morality and integrity.

Robyn Cadwallader has written not only a strong piece of historical fiction, bringing to light the forced expulsion of Jews, from England, in 1290 and the violence and hate leading up to such an edict: 'blood libel, she has written a lovely piece of literary fiction which causes the reader to pause for thought. When I closed the book, I wondered, 'How can such misery bring such yearning'? I can only reply, that it makes us look more deeply at ourselves, our innate prejudices, and our close-mindedness and begs us to strive for more; for better. What I lacked in this book was more. If not an epilogue, then the author's notes to help me make sense of all that I read.

I would highly recommend this book to both historical and literary fiction lovers. It is weighty, and it is often unkind and unjust, but it is thought-provoking and it will sit with you long after the book has closed.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Australia for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A beautifully written and detailed historical novel set in England in the late 1200s. It’s quite an immersive experience. Religion and power, discrimination, womens lives and more. Quite wonderful.

This is what historical fiction is all about. Set in the the late 13th century The Fire and the Rose follows the fiercely independent Eleanor as she struggles to find her place in Lincoln. All she wants is to find work as a scribe, but in the upheaval of time she finds so much more.

Those who love Robyn Cadwallader’s previous books, The Anchoress and Book of Colours, will love this one. It has the same attention to detail and context and the same beautifully crafted characters.

The characters are are so vivid I found myself getting g frustrated with them and at them while wanting to offer comfort and hope. An engaging and enjoyable novel.

I really wanted to enjoy this book and give it a good review. And it is not that I didn't like it as the subject and idea of the story is fantastic and the overall feel of the book is good. I enjoyed the main characters as they are well balanced and lend personality to a book that deals with a time and situation.

Set in 13th century England this is the story of Eleanor and Asher, both from different worlds, different backgrounds and different religions. But they fall in love and have a child. Unfortunately the world around them does not allow this and as Asher is Jewish they have to jeep their relationship a secret.

This story follows their lives, their sorrows and hardships and brings to light they way people lived all those many years ago. It is heartbreaking.

My problem with this book and the reason I only give it 3 1/2 stars is that it seemed to drag on, seemed to be overly descriptive and dragged on. I felt I was getting nowhere and started to loose interest, therefore skimming through paragraphs in order to get to the final outcome. Which for me feel flat.

This could have been a great book for me had it been shortened as sometimes less is more.