The Mirror of Simple Souls: A Novel

A compelling account of women struggling in a society determined to shackle them, set in 1310 Paris. A wild, red-haired child arrives at the beguinage gate, setting in motion a chain of events that will shatter the peace.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2024
Publisher: Pushkin Press

A remarkable evocation of hidden aspects of the medieval world, Kiner blends unfamiliar history with a compelling account of women struggling in a society determined to shackle them. The year is 1310, and Paris is alive with talk of the trial of the Templars. Religious repression is on the rise, and the smoke of execution pyres blackens the sky above the city. But sheltered behind the walls of Paris's great beguinage, a community of women is still free to work, study, and live their lives away from the domination of men.

When a wild, red-haired child clothed in rags arrives at the beguinage gate one morning, with a sinister Franciscan monk on her tail, she sets in motion a chain of events that will shatter the peace of this little world and plunge it into grave danger.

As the child's identity and the true nature of her mission become clear, the women of the beguinage must band together to protect their way of life and defend the innocent child from the forces that seek to destroy them.

Through a series of thrilling adventures and perilous encounters, they learn the secrets of the medieval world and discover the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

In the end, they emerge victorious, but not without paying a heavy price. The beguinage is forever changed, and the women who once lived there must adapt to a new world that is both challenging and dangerous.

Kiner's novel is a triumph of historical fiction, offering a fresh and exciting perspective on a period of history that is often overlooked. It is a must-read for anyone who loves to explore the hidden corners of the past and discover the stories that have shaped our world.

Weight: 282g
Dimension: 200 x 130 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781782278320