Emily Maguire's Rapture is captivating historical fiction that reimagines the legend of Pope Joan, a woman who infiltrated the Vatican and ascended to the papacy. With a powerful feminist narrative that explores themes of resilience, determination, and faith, Maguire delivers a compelling and fearless story of remarkable brilliance. I adored this novel, absolutely loved it. The stunning cover is just the beginning with this beautiful novel.

Agnes, disguised as John, is a woman of extraordinary intellect and ambition. Her dedication to her chosen path and her unwavering faith in God's will were truly inspiring. Maguire's portrayal of Agnes is both nuanced and sympathetic, allowing readers to connect with her on a deep level.

Set in the tumultuous mid-800s, Rapture is meticulously researched and written with a remarkable balance of accessibility and authenticity. Maguire's ability to transport readers to a world in chaos, so far back in history, is truly impressive. The novel is filled with vivid descriptions, historical details, and compelling characters that bring the story to life.

Rapture is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and feminist literature. It is a powerful and thought-provoking novel, one that has stayed with me and that I highly recommend.

*Thank you to NetGalley & Allen & Unwin for sending me a digital copy to review*

I quite like books that are a bit weird and this book definitely had that element to it. This is a historical fiction set in the ninth century and follows Anges, a deeply religious girl who does not want a future as a wife and mother. She disguises herself as a man and lives the rest of her life as John, a scholar who travels to Athens & Rome and becomes a celebrated teacher.

The ninth century is not a time period that doesn’t get written about a lot so I was intrigued going into this book. Agnes is an interesting character. She grew up listening to religious men talk about scriptures and the world. She knew very early in her life that the traditional path of a woman wasn't for her and she believed she had ‘confirmation’ from God that she was meant for more.

Agnes journey throughout this book is interesting and not anything I’ve seen before in a book. While she spends most of her life as John she is still aware and constantly dwells on the fact that she is a woman, and at times is the only person who knows who she truly is. This creates a sense of loneliness for her, knowing that the other religious men around her would not take it well if it were discovered.

While reading I did some research and was surprised to learn that this book is an interpretation of what is considered a historical myth of a significant religious leader that was discovered to be a woman. It is an interesting concept and it made the book much more intriguing.

This is a very interesting book about Agnes and her life as a person whom she is not. She transforms herself and lives the life of a man in a time when women where to be wives, mothers or nuns. It is a very interesting story and read but I did find it a bit full on and hard to read at times. The concept of the story is different but it is well written and worth the read.

It is a good book to get your teeth stuck into and will keep you on your toes throughout. Well worth the read.

Thank you NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is a beautifully written study of what it must have been like living in the early 1800's as a woman unable to choose your own life and being forced to live within the confines of a world where every choice is made for you by men. So Agnes dresses as a man and escapes into the world of monks to learn what she as a woman is denied.
Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres and I loved learning about this period of history. Emily puts the reader right into the story from the start. Loved it.

A delightful historical tale, Rapture (2024) by Emily Maguire begins in 1821 Mainz. Agnes is the daughter raised alone, by a man known by locals as the English Priest. Hers is an idyllic childhood, able to roam free in the local forest and taught to read by her father, who allows her personality to shine. When a young visiting Benedictine monk befriends Agnes, he further educates her and eventually moves her to a monastery so she can study the classic religious texts. A gentle engaging narrative that then reveals Agnes’s life and journeys as she becomes a learned and powerful figure. This literary historical fiction novel has some interesting themes at its core and yet, it is a truly congenial read with a four and a half star rating. With thanks to Allen & Unwin and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.

In her seventh novel, Rapture, Australian author Emily Maguire takes readers to ninth century Europe and a story that feels like it could almost be true. The story, of a woman who dresses as a man to enter a monastic order does have its roots in both reality and myth. Only in the case, the heights which Maguire’s protagonist reaches may start to stretch credulity.
Rapture opens in the city of Mainz in 821. Agnes is a young girl, raised by her father, a travelling preacher known as ‘the English Priest’ after the death of her mother in childbirth. Agnes is taught to read and write and also learns by hiding under the table when her father has guests. One of those guests, the Benedictine monk Randulf, treats her with respect, but also lusts after her. And after her father dies, Randulf suggests she dresses as a man and accompany him back to his monastery. Thus begins Agnes’ journey as John, a pious man to the world, her deception only known to Randulf who continues to carry a torch for her.
Rapture follows Agnes’ physical and spiritual journey across Europe to Athens and eventually to Rome and the offices of the Papacy. Agnes lives a devout life, eschewing temptation when it comes to her, but using her reactions to understand and teach the people around her. And it is her devotion and belief, her compassion for the poor, that makes her stand out among the debauchery and corruption of Rome more than anything else.
Agnes is a character both of her time and ahead of her time. But she is also intensely human. Despite her devotion to her calling she is still feels the stirrings of desire, desires which many of her fellow monks freely give themselves to. And interestingly, finds her connection to her faith strengthened when she accepts those desires rather than faking it.
Maguire effectively renders the medieval era in which Agnes lives – the sights, the smells the food, the people, the political ructions and wars. But she also explores the difficulties of literally being a woman in a man’s world. Of having to do better and be better than those around her. Agnes’ story may not be true but it is fascinating to consider the ramification for history if it was.

RAPTURE - EMILY MAGUIRE
This historical fiction tackles a time period that I didn't know a lot about, taking a close look at 9th-century Europe and the societal expectations at play during that time. Here's a synopsis:

The motherless child of an English priest living in ninth-century Mainz, Agnes is a wild and brilliant girl with a deep, visceral love of God. At eighteen, to avoid a future as a wife or nun, Agnes enlists the help of a lovesick Benedictine monk to disguise herself as a man and devote her life to the study she is denied as a woman.  

Agnes' story is absolutely fascinating. After seeing numerous women die during childbirth, she shuns expectations and succeeds in disguising herself as a man so that she can devote herself to religious learning. What follows is a tale that takes us, the reader, to numerous locations and Agnes to unexpected heights.

What I loved most about the book was that even as Agnes succeeds in these strict religious settings, she still finds herself fighting emotions like pride, ambition, lust and love, all of which are seen as sinful during the time period. 

And, perhaps that's why the book is indeed entitled Rapture - which means an expression of passion and ecstasy - leaving it up to the reader to decide what really leads to rapture for Agnes. 

This is not a light read; why would it be given the subject matter and grim time period? But it's an excellent, thoughtful read that's ideal for readers who love a deeper dive when it comes to their historical fiction.

Thank you to Emily Maguire, NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC.

Release date: 1 October

Review score: 4/5

TW: Death, injury detail, religious settings