Lynn D. reviewed on 1/25/2014

"In this affecting historical novel, Sharratt imagines the inner life of Hildegard, first as an angry child, then as a young woman nurturing the other girls forced into this restricted life, and finally as a mature woman leading her companions out of the anchorage, establishing the first monastic institution for women in Germany, and advocating an idea of religious devotion based on love rather than suffering. Psychological insight, passages of moving spirituality, and abundant historical detailfrom straw bedding and hair shirts to turtle soup and wooden dollsmake this a memorable addition to the genre of medieval historical fiction."

This book just totally "awed" me --- felt like you were Hildegard herself living through this sometimes living hell. I had never heard of this person and was just overcome by her life! I would have NEVER in my life dreamed how parents could just give their children away like this and yet often they were giving their daughters a better life. The culture, history seemed so very alive in this book, felt like I was her living there! I would recommend this book to everyone - would be great for any literature, history class...totally remarkable! Glad I found it and will find more by this author!

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