The Book of Eve: A beguiling historical feminist tale – inspired by the undeciphered Voynich manuscript

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The empowering sense of friendship and sisterhood that developments between our Fiercely determined protagonist and the women at the convent was wonderfully wrought and really highlighted the complexities and challenges faced by women in a male dominated (and religiously patriarchal) society. There were a few things about Lilly (protagonist) that were briefly mentioned, but never fully disclosed or explained. These items left me wondering and wishing they had been explored. Without giving too much away (no spoilers!!) I will say that there is a DNA storyline and a betrothal storyline that are both mentioned in relation to Lilly, but nothing more…literally nothing. Both are mentioned in ways that leave readers thinking it means something, but when nothing else happens, it just leaves questions and confusion.

Instead, the vast majority of the book is taken up by an esoteric narrative that can’t decide if it wants to be fantasy, sci-fi or paranormal (and does none of these particularly well). The world-building is poorly done and I was confused for the greater part of the novel. The characters are flat and stereotypical, as is the dialogue. Is this book priced correctly? I’d never pay 27 dollars for a hardcover of this book it’s way over priced for the length and the difficulties of connecting to story line. But there is so much more to this multi-faceted story. On the surface you have the rehabilitation of this lost girl, Lilly. However, underneath this easily readable tale there is a much deeper story unfolding, where the author delves further into a much more eternal plane. For as Lilly struggles to understand her personal history and works towards physical recovery, she also has an otherworldly experience where she visits the utter beginning of everything. God, how is it that You still love us?” he whispered. He paused and glanced in the direction of the container. “Please, grant to her Your peace,” he prayed. We are in the non-defined place the longest and it is the most confusing one of the three settings. It HAD a sense, but the sense wasn't shared. The people all had titles starting with Capital Letters and some made sense, but they weren't really explained at ALL.

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Admittedly, the first few chapters of this book were difficult for me to follow. You are dropped in a place where you are not quite sure where you are and who you are with. It took me a while to get my bearings in this story but once I did, it was an interesting journey. Caught in the tidal flows of unspoken morning prayers and simple wonder, John the Collector rested against a tree with his toes burrowed and curled into the coolness beneath the warming sand. Before him, a rippling ocean stretched out until it disappeared, merging into the clear cobalt sky. I will say that the alternative view of theology is interesting. Because the story fell so horribly flat for me, I don’t really have any strong feelings about it, but it wasn’t off putting. Though, I do imagine biblical purists won’t necessarily like what Young presents. I do think the difference just added to the confusion though – readers are jumping all over in time, reading a mix of traditional theology and alternative ideas from the author, while also trying to keep up with a plethora of names for God (many I’d never even heard…YIKES). The book does not leave one begging to discuss ideas with others, because it leaves you confused rather than fascinated.

Y no penséis que es un libro que os volará la cabeza porque no creo que sea su función, pero sí es un libro con una intención muy concreta en la que realzar la sororidad entre las mujeres y, en cierta manera, el feminismo.Another challenging book for me to review. There are some things about it which are extremely well done. I can fully appreciate the quality of the prose which flows nicely and is very easy to read whilst at the same time being expressive and poetic in places. There is a clever sense of ambiguity about the setting. We are in a convent. The time period and place is never fully defined. There is a strong undertone of magical realism flowing through the text. The implicit criticism of patriarchy within religion was mostly well crafted. At the same time, I found myself struggling to connect with it. The Binding meets The Handmaid's Tale - Discovering a book of dark and ancient power, a convent librarian must defend it with her life. Perfect for fans of dark academia and historical feminist fiction. THOUGHTFUL ... EXAMINES THE BOUNDARIES OF MOTHERHOOD THROUGH AN UNUSUAL LENS: ARTIFICIAL WOMBS. ... A SKILLED WRITER WITH A CAREFUL GRASP OF HER SUBJECT AND ITS FASCINATING HISTORY' Angela Saini, Telegraph I also got a sense that this book doesn't know where it is being marketed - I received it through a fantasy and Sci-fi subscription box, but honestly it felt more like historical fiction even if it isn't exactly placed in time or place. The fantastical elements are mostly present through a sense of magical realism which was only very minor.

There have been a good few novels in recent years flaunting similar ideas to 'The Book of Eve'. Since I'd enjoyed books such as 'The Dance Tree' by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Katherine Arden's Winternight trilogy, I thought I'd enjoy this, given its premise. Sublime writing, secrets, lovable characters I didn't want to leave, and a ripping plot twist that kept me guessing. An absolute jewel of a book After falling in love with the cover design of this book - it might even end up being one of my favourite covers of the year - next to impress me was the writing skill of this new-to-me author. Bohannon presents nothing less than a new history of the species by examining human evolution through the lens of womankind. It’s a provocative corrective that will answer dozens of questions you’ve always had — and even more you never thought to ask.”Eve was immeasurably useful to me in my life-long quest to understand my own body. I highly recommend it to anyone who is on the same journey.”

My one and only complaint, and the reason for my 4 star review instead of 5 is because I'm not 100% sold on the way the author placed the heavy blame of man's fall from grace on Adam as opposed to Eve. Perhaps I have misunderstood, but I was always lead to believe that Eve first tempted Adam- not the other way around. If you manage to have two cadaver brains in your hands, you actually will not be able to tell which is male and which is female. And that's true by almost any measure. Even if you are using microscopes, even if you are using the most careful instruments, the only way to actually do it is to sluice the whole thing down in a blender and sequence the DNA and look for the Y chromosome, because the brain is actually made of many, many different regions. And there are some typical sex differences in some features in some regions, but the differences are so subtle, and even a brain that might have a so-called female typical region would then end up having a male typical other region. You end up with a mosaicism and that means that what human brains really evolved to be is remarkably similar, more similar in many ways, both in structure and in overall functionality than they are for other mammals. Needless to say I could definitely relate to Sister Beatrice and preferring books over people. I adored her love for her manuscripts and how it was often work from ancient authors that wouldn't exactly be approved of by powerful men, who want to use religion for their own needs, that she cared the most about. Aside from Beatrice, this book had a bunch of other strong female characters like Mother Chiara, Diana and Ortolana that I couldn't help but love too. Also, I learned that the character of Diana was based on Artemisia Gentileschi and that made me love this book even more. I genuinely loved the ease with which Beatrice disregards soo many ‘rules and regulations’ that didn’t suit her needs. And her rebellious streak had me root for her from the very start. The Reverend Mother, Chiara, painter Diana and Beatrice’s step-mother Ortolana were also some of the really strong and empowered characters that meet (either by their confidence, job or social position) and enjoyed getting to know each, as well as their small acts of rebellion along the way.Los personajes circulan como pasando lista, sin profundizar en ninguno, monja para arriba, monja para abajo, llega un momento que ni se diferencian, por el medio intercalo un malo malísimo, y una hermana tan buena que se convierte en mártir y símbolo de una pseudosecta emergente de vida y de poder.