The Mirror of Simple Souls

I think this book was good. I requested it because it sounded interesting, and it was. The cast of characters was interesting and all so different from one another

This book was such a unique premise. The story follows women in the 14th century in Paris living apart from men as Beguines. The story encapsulates a time when women were unable, except in this one very specific circumstance to be "free" in any sense of the word. The tale intersects with historical figures such as the Knights Templar, and paints a very clear picture of a time that is oft forgotten. I had no knowledge of the Beguines, but the story was nonetheless fascinating. Meticulously researched and well-translated, this book is a great choice if you're looking for a lesser known period of time, and an ongoing struggle - that of women throughout history to make their marks, or live freely. The history was clearly very well researched, as there is an extensive bibliography at the back, and I will definitely be looking further into some of those readings as well as this book has piqued my interest. Highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys a great historical fiction book which is actually based on concrete facts.

This ebook was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a heavy but enlightening read of the horrors of a fanatical, oppressive religion. Historical fiction, especially of the Middle Ages, can be difficult to get into, but despite this being a translation, I was able to follow the storyline fairly easily, and the characters were well developed. I’d recommend this to fans of the genre.

A raw and passionate story about women in 14th century Paris losing the one haven of independence and freedom they have after the Templars are tried and punished for their heretical plight, starting a ripple effect that will leave the lives of all the characters forever changed. When it gets down to it, this is a tale about actions, however big or small, having the power to change the world, and not always in a good way.

"Ysabel knows this: however small our lives are, they are all part of a greater whole; the movements and the troubles of the soul depend on those of the world at large; violence does not end with its target, but rebounds onward like a pebble skipping over water, striking and striking again."

"The Mirror of Simple Souls" is well written (and well translated), capturing a beautiful balance of dark and gritty prose that reflects the nature of what it was like to be a woman during this time period with an almost poetic description of nature and the world within which these awful things are taking place. Although Maheut was the most compelling character for me, and I wished to see more of the story from her perspective, I appreciated that Kiner created such a unique selection of women to tell this story. Ysabel, Ade, and Maheut were all very different characters who used the safety of the beguinage in completely different ways, which made it all that more impactful when that safety was threatened and began crumbling down around them. Each character has their own set of complex motives, including the Franciscan monk Humbert, who orbits around the women with his own set of sinister motives during the first half of the book.

Although the large paragraphs of historical information did slow my reading down (which was definitely a personal problem and not a reflection of the writing), I think that the plot of this book is brilliant, particularly in the ways that the characters and plot points weave in and out of each other until they all collide together and everything makes sense, including the historical and religious context that my brain had a hard time focusing on even though it was all undeniably interesting to learn (but perhaps maybe not in the late hours of the night).

Joyful reading! I accept that this will not be everyone’s cup of tea but for a Theology graduate who wrote their dissertation on medieval heresy it could not have peaked my interest more. The characters were strong and well developed and I loved the foundation of fact that this tale was woven around. Not as in depth with regards to the spirituality, religious doctrine and heretical debates as some other authors writing about this time. However, it would be a good entry book for those looking to explore fiction set in this period of European Christian history.

This book offers a mesmerizing glimpse into the lives of independent women in medieval Paris, weaving a tale of love, jealousy, and faith against the backdrop of a vibrant historical setting. Set amid the trial of the Templars in 1310, the beguinage provides a sanctuary for women free from the oppressive dominance of men, a sanctuary threatened by the arrival of a mysterious red-haired child and a vengeful monk.

As the community of beguines grapples with religious repression and danger lurking at their doorstep, the story unfolds with intrigue and suspense. The forbidden love and heretical text add layers of complexity to the narrative, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

This captivating historical drama, reminiscent of "Hamnet" and "The Lost Apothecary," offers an immersive reading experience for fans of historical fiction. With its richly detailed portrayal of medieval Paris and the beguine community, This book is a compelling summer read that transports readers to a world of love, danger, and the resilience of women.

I like the vivid historical setting of medieval Paris and the intriguing premise of the beguine community, offering a unique perspective on independent women in a time of religious upheaval. The blend of love, jealousy, and faith creates a riveting narrative that keeps readers engrossed until the very end.

I enjoyed this book immensely! The descriptive language and well developed characters draw you into the story of the beguines of Paris in the early 1300s. The story follows the lives and struggles of a number of women in the beguinage. As with all good historical fiction, this story made me want to learn more about the history of the beguines and beguinages. I’ll be looking for some nonfiction in this topic.

Thanks to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Translated from French by Susan Emanuel.
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect with this book when I asked to review it. Something about the title spoke to me, and I've always been a sucker for a cover with Mediaeval illumination.
This is a historical fiction, set in early 14th century Paris, the time of King Philip the Fair ("le Bel" in French), the Order of the Knights Templar, and the Beguines - that curious and vibrant order of women wanting an escape from the binary path of marriage or nunnery, and who will take the lion's share of our attention for this story. For those who are acquainted with French history and literature, you may also know this as the beginnings of the Accursed Kings ("Les Rois Maudits"). The title itself is not the original French title ("La Nuit des Beguines"), but is taken from the writings of the same name by the mystical beguine Marguerite Porete, whose burning at the stake is our introduction to the story.
There are a few themes interwoven, threads pulling us through the skein of Aline Kiner's work - how the past haunts us, the oppressive weight of the inevitable, and the joy and tragedy of being a woman. Each of these hits home and hits hard - a ghost at my shoulder, dread at what I knew must come, and feeling the happiness and despair of each of the women we follow.
A lovely, but often sad, book, which is more than worth your time.

I enjoyed this book immensely. l I liked the setting of medieval Paris and the premise of the beguine community, offering a
interesting perspective on independent women in a time of religious upheaval.
A narrative that keeps readers engrossed until the very end.

Having read Swan's non-fiction title, Wisdom of the Beguines: The Forgotten Story of a Medieval Women's Movement, I was excited to see a fiction title about Beguines. The Beguine communities were made up of unmarried(single or widowed)women who chose to live communally. Their mission was to serve the poor, sick and uneducated. Beguines were not nuns and took no vows. They could own property and businesses.The Mirror of Simple Souls is set in such a community in Paris in 1310. The title is taken from a book by Marguerite Porete , a Beguine and mystic who was burned at the stake for her writing.
One morning a young, ragged, traumatized girl is found outside the gate. She's taken in and nursed back to health but her rescue exposes the women to great risk when it's discovered that she has run away from her brutal, aristocratic husband and is being hunted by a sinister monk. Secrets are kept, jealousies arise and betrayals threaten the community.
The Parisian setting is depicted in all its glory and gore. Characters are beautifully developed and the language is lyrical.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the opportunity to read this amazing story.

This book was incredibly beautiful. Very poetic and imaginative. This world and story were, from what I gather, extremely well researched and accurate and I loved that.

I really enjoyed this. I thought it was well translated and the tone was quite beautiful. It was thoughtful and thought provoking. I could have read a lot more of it

The Mirror of Simple Souls by Aline Kiner is primarily about the Beguinage, a commune of independant women in 14th century Paris, a time when religious persecution was rampant. The community is peaceful, quiet, a simple co-existence, a refuge. The story describes the life of single women, able to follow pursuits that were not afforded to them in French soceity at the time. That is, until a young girl begs for sanctuary and right behind her, a franciscan monk. The problem is, that the flame haired child (Maheut) is a fugitive, her red hair being the focal point of symbolism, of the Templars, of treachery.

This book is fascinating, I learned many things taht I had not previously known of and even if it was just for that, this book was exceptional for me. However, add to that, the strong storyline of Maheut and we have a compelling, dramatic, dark narrative, with the flames of hope, strength and fortitude matching the flames of Maheuts hair. A fantastic read for fans of historical fiction

Thank you to Netgalley, Pushkin Press and Aline Kiner for this stunning ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

This is a beautiful, engaging, and well-crafted look at a fascinating period in history. This is dense historical fiction, but it rewards you in spades for your attention: you can feel the pulse of the city beneath the cobblestone streets and smell the faint, lingering scent of ash on the wind. The translation here is excellent (although, as always, I bemoan my inability to learn every language and read every book in the original text). Dense historical fiction can often feel inaccessible, and that is far from the case here: this is a very lived-in world of real people with real problems and real, tangible emotions. It's once again a testament to both the author and translator: in lesser hands, this topic (the Beguines) could've easily felt confusing and abstract. The opposite is true here. This is time travel. Absolutely beautiful work.

This book touched my soul. The narrative was simple yet poetic, light yet full of meaning. I felt like I was in old Paris and was part of the beguinage, felt the women's struggles and still am frustrated that our fight is still the same. The characters were lovely and the bitersweet ending is a plus for someone who does not always like happy endings.

The beguines of medieval Europe were lay religious orders of women who lived in community but did not take monastic vows. As the translator, Susan Emanuel, explains in her afterword to Aline Kiner's The Mirror of Simple Souls, becoming a beguine allowed women to follow a different path outside 'the binary choice between marriage and the cloister'. This liminal space attracted fear and suspicion from authorities. In the late thirteenth century, the Parisian satirist Rutebeuf ridiculed these women for what he saw as the inherent contradictions in their lives:

If the Beguine marries,

That is her conversion:

Since her vows, her profession

Are not for life.

Now she weeps and then she prays,

And then she will take a husband:

Now she is Martha, now she is Mary;

Now she is chaste, now she marries.

But do not speak ill of her.

The king will not tolerate it.

As this suggests, the beguines of early fourteenth-century Paris, on which this novel focuses, had enjoyed royal protection for their way of life and their beguinage, the walled haven in which most of the women lived. At the time Rutebeuf was writing, King Louis IX was a staunch supporter of mendicant orders like the Franciscans, who were responsible for the spiritual guidance of the beguines. But when this novel opens, Louis is long dead and there are ongoing tensions between the current king, Philip the Fair, and the pope. Hundreds of warrior monks, the Templars, have been arrested after malicious rumours about their practices and the beguine Marguerite Porete has been accused of heresy for her work of religious mysticism, The Mirror of Simple Souls. This novel starts with Marguerite burning at the stake, the only medieval author to be executed for a book.

The Mirror of Simple Souls was originally published in French as La nuit des béguines [The Night of the Beguines], recognising the doom approaching this Parisian order in a time of turmoil. Although beguines continued to practice in the Low Countries, the Parisian beguinage was closed in 1317, just after this novel finishes, after a set of decrees published by Pope John XXII condemned and banned them. The canon Jean de Saint-Victor wrote at the time, 'The beguines no longer sing, the beguines no longer read'. This sense of menace is visible from early on in The Mirror of Simple Souls, as an older beguine, Ysabel, reflects that something is up with the weather: 'The winters have become steadily harsher. In 1303, a frost scorched the earth... In 1308, on the first Saturday after Ascension, a snowstorm made more destructive by huge hailstones devastated the region around Paris... And on 30th October 1309, a wind blew for an hour that was so strong it made the stone arches of Saint-Denis cathedral tremble'.

Kiner is brilliant at conveying these complex histories throughout her novel. The Mirror of Simple Souls is the opposite of much bad histfic which seizes upon an exciting setting and then just uses it to play out modern cliches. This book is steeped in the story of the Parisian beguines, and it's fascinating. I love novels about nuns but I had no idea that so many medieval European women lived in this different kind of religious space. Kiner also writes well about her two principal settings: the beguinage itself and a silk workshop where some of the beguines work. If there's a medieval setting I truly adore other than a nunnery, it's a craft workshop, so this was right up my street.

Having said that, I didn't love The Mirror of Simple Souls as much as I wanted to, despite its great strengths. The central cast of beguines are serviceable enough characters but never quite sparked into life for me. They fulfil slightly stock roles in this kind of book: the older herbalist, the intelligent woman who dabbles in forbidden texts, the rebellious redhead who wants to flee the institution, the one who has her nose in everybody's business. The plot reminded me of Sarah Dunant's Sacred Hearts but without the same kind of emotional depth. The Mirror of Simple Souls is absolutely worth reading, but it's inspired me to seek out more non-fiction about the beguines (the go-to seems to be Tanya Stabler Miller's work) rather than to really take this book to my heart. 3.5 stars.

The Mirror of Simple Souls is a really interesting look at a community of women in medieval France. Beguines are pious women, but they are not wives or nuns, so some sections of society are suspicious that they may be dangerous or heretical. The women are in danger of attack from religious leaders if they try to preach, or if they stand up for themselves, for example by protecting other women from violent marriages.

I particularly enjoyed comparing the story to that of the English woman mystic, Julian of Norwich, in For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy On My Little Pain which I read last year.

A recommended read for people interested in medieval history.

***Thank you to Pushkin Press for providing a copy of The Mirror of Simple Souls via NetGalley. My review contains my honest thoughts about my reading experience.***

The Mirror of Simple Souls provided such a fascinating look at individuals who are often ignored in this period of French history. I learned so much from reading this book even though I'm already familiar with the events of the fall of the Capetian dynasty. I liked that the story focused on everyday people and how the tumultuous times impacted their ability to go about their day-to-day lives.

The writing in The Mirror of Simple Souls did a great job of bringing medieval France to life. The descriptions of the beguinage and the streets of Paris made me feel like I was there alongside the characters. I did have some trouble following the writing at first, though. It had a tendency to bounce around from character to character without transitions or noticeable breaks. Although, once I became accustomed to the style, it didn't impact my ability to understand the story.

The characters in The Mirror of Simple Souls were all unique with distinct backgrounds and personalities. I was moved by many of the women's stories and quickly became invested in their lives. However, I never felt much of an emotional connection to the women themselves. The writing style made them feel a bit distant. I wanted to spend more time inside their heads than the narrative provided. Although, I appreciated how the writing gave a good window into what it meant to be a beguine by illustrating many different examples of the lifestyle.

The Mirror of Simple Souls also explored some incredibly timely and relevant themes. Namely, the narrative captured how quickly, and easily, societal progress can be subverted. The women in this story experienced a massive reduction in their freedoms and rights, which felt eerily familiar given the current state of affairs in the U.S. The story highlighted the detrimental impact of the quick resurgence of tradition and repression in response to difficult times. It also showed how suddenly the erosion of government protection for minorities' rights can happen once such a shift occurs. Ultimately, there was much to learn from this book.

Overall, The Mirror of Simple Souls was a fascinating window into the lives of individuals in medieval France. I enjoyed learning about the beguines and getting to see how the volatile politics of the time impacted these women. This story would be a great companion piece to Druon's The Accursed Kings series, which also explored this time period. If you are a fan of medieval historical fiction, I definitely recommend picking this one up. Therefore, I rate The Mirror of Simple Souls 3.75 out of 5 stars.