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Eleanore of Avignon: A Novel
A Library Reads Pick!
An Amazon Best Book of the Month!
An Aardvark Book Club Pick!
Rich with unforgettable characters, gorgeously drawn, and full of captivating historical drama, Eleanore of Avignon is the story of a healer who risks her life, her freedom, and everything she holds dear to protect her beloved city from the encroaching Black Death
Provence, 1347. Eleanore (Elea) Blanchet is a young midwife and herbalist with remarkable skills. But as she learned the day her mother died, the most dangerous thing a woman can do is draw attention to herself. She attends patients in her home city of Avignon, spends time with her father and twin sister, gathers herbs in the surrounding woods, and dreams of the freedom to pursue her calling without fear.
In a chance encounter, Elea meets Guigo de Chauliac, the enigmatic personal physician to the powerful Pope Clement, and strikes a deal with him to take her on as his apprentice. Under Chauliac’s tutelage she hones her skills as a healer, combining her knowledge of folk medicine with anatomy, astrology, and surgical techniques.
Then, two pieces of earth-shattering news: the Black Death has made landfall in Europe, and the disgraced Queen Joanna is coming to Avignon to stand trial for her husband’s murder. She is pregnant and in need of a midwife, a role only Elea can fill.
The queen’s childbirth approaches as the plague spreads like wildfire, leaving half the city dead in its wake. The people of Avignon grow desperate for a scapegoat and a group of religious heretics launch a witch hunt, one that could cost Elea—an intelligent, talented, unwed woman—everything.
An Amazon Best Book of the Month!
An Aardvark Book Club Pick!
Rich with unforgettable characters, gorgeously drawn, and full of captivating historical drama, Eleanore of Avignon is the story of a healer who risks her life, her freedom, and everything she holds dear to protect her beloved city from the encroaching Black Death
Provence, 1347. Eleanore (Elea) Blanchet is a young midwife and herbalist with remarkable skills. But as she learned the day her mother died, the most dangerous thing a woman can do is draw attention to herself. She attends patients in her home city of Avignon, spends time with her father and twin sister, gathers herbs in the surrounding woods, and dreams of the freedom to pursue her calling without fear.
In a chance encounter, Elea meets Guigo de Chauliac, the enigmatic personal physician to the powerful Pope Clement, and strikes a deal with him to take her on as his apprentice. Under Chauliac’s tutelage she hones her skills as a healer, combining her knowledge of folk medicine with anatomy, astrology, and surgical techniques.
Then, two pieces of earth-shattering news: the Black Death has made landfall in Europe, and the disgraced Queen Joanna is coming to Avignon to stand trial for her husband’s murder. She is pregnant and in need of a midwife, a role only Elea can fill.
The queen’s childbirth approaches as the plague spreads like wildfire, leaving half the city dead in its wake. The people of Avignon grow desperate for a scapegoat and a group of religious heretics launch a witch hunt, one that could cost Elea—an intelligent, talented, unwed woman—everything.
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Community Reviews
4.25
This is a heavy read that will potentially trigger painful memories of the Covid pandemic. It was particularly difficult to read just after the 2024 US Presidential election, when the same type of scapegoating and fearmongering of 1347 seems to have won in our modern age. Eleanore is a compelling protagonist and fortunately encounters enough enlightened and open minded people that the bleak atmosphere of the story is somewhat bearable. The story could have gone much darker than it did, and I'm grateful for the hope spots and kindnesses that were highlighted instead. The dog does not die! Saskia Maarleveld was an excellent audiobook narrator, as always.
Content Warnings:
Graphic: Death, Antisemitism, Medical content, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Child abuse and Alcohol
This is a heavy read that will potentially trigger painful memories of the Covid pandemic. It was particularly difficult to read just after the 2024 US Presidential election, when the same type of scapegoating and fearmongering of 1347 seems to have won in our modern age. Eleanore is a compelling protagonist and fortunately encounters enough enlightened and open minded people that the bleak atmosphere of the story is somewhat bearable. The story could have gone much darker than it did, and I'm grateful for the hope spots and kindnesses that were highlighted instead. The dog does not die! Saskia Maarleveld was an excellent audiobook narrator, as always.
Content Warnings:
Graphic: Death, Antisemitism, Medical content, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Child abuse and Alcohol
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