Book Review: Matrix by Lauren Groff

´Marie is almost at her best when there is someone to fight´.

I love the sharp nuanced writing of Lauren Groff and when you have such a rare talent, even among the best praised writers, I could not miss including her latest, Matrix, on my reading shelves. 

Set in the second half of the 12th century, it was inspired by the personality of Marie de France, innovative poetesse and extraordinary abbess. If we are familiar with her poetic works, although scarcely through her Lais, her ´professional´ career is less known therefore it allows Groff to knit her story where Marie is a fearful leader, able to juggle games of power and influence. In fact, in the vein of our times, this assumed role is more important than her literary achievements. Marie is a women of strength and together with her women nuns she made it into a pack to be afraid of.

I was not sure what exactly to expect from this book, except the extraordinary writing which happened. Each word has its place and convenes deep human encounters. But although there are many Latin references and historical ambiance elements, I haven´t feel any moment that I am in a Middle Ages realm. The pace, the structure of the conversations, the interests all sounded for me too contemporaneous to be believable. In those moments, I would have love at least some Lais to read to make me feel at least a bit into the real timeline. 

It happens to study for one full year Middle Age history and literary beginnings and therefore I felt so estranged by the supposed temporary realm of this book. 

I can understand and I full agree with the importance of featuring strong women and encouraging and empowering women. Religions were always a deterrent of allowing women to grow and until very late in the human history, sometimes were at the forefront of blocking any society efforts to be offered the chance of assuming historical roles. Despite the fact that all those men so praised by religions came from a woman. Without Eve there was not the rest of humanity. However, forcing stories of women role-models do have some limited historical availability and does not need to be made at all price. 

Matrix - reading as The Mother -  could have been different. I would have love to read a book about a woman like Marie, but not set in an abbey and not inspired by Marie de France. Somehow, the circumstances are too complex and the details do not always match our natural desire to see our role models even in the faintest resemblance with the truth.

Rating: 2.5 stars