Eleanore of Avignon by Elizabeth DeLozier

 

Summary (from the publisher): 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 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.

Review: This is extremely compelling historical fiction that follows Eleanore Blanchet who was trained by her mother to be a midwife and herbalist in 1300s France. In a chance encounter, she gains the chance to train with the personal physician to Pope Clement and become his apprentice. This opportunity opens up doors so she can increase her skills as a healer and learn more about anatomy and surgery. And she is called to serve Queen Joanna as a midwife. But the Black Death is sweeping through Europe. 

This was so well done. I particularly loved all the medical descriptions and how authentic it felt. There are a lot of gruesome descriptions of treating plague victims so I wouldn't advise this for the squeamish. I loved that Eleanore isn't content with midwifery alone but seeks to heal through herbs and later through dissections and working directly with medical experts of the time. She is a selfless and passionate healer and her efforts propel her and the pot forward in this book. I also loved Eleanore's complicated relationship with her twin sister. This felt like the most central relationship in the book and despite how different the two are, their love and shared history transcend their differences and conflicts. 

This reminded me so much of The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, but obviously a different time period. Both feature midwives who chafe against the boundaries of what women are allowed to do during their period and face persecution for their independence. 

I did think the love interest in this book felt rushed and forced. There didn't seem to be a lot of substance there. I also thought the dog was extremely underdeveloped. It appears in multiple scenes, but it was unclear what the meaning or greater point was. 

The ending of this was so dramatic and shocking! I did not anticipate it all. 

Stars: 4