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The Potter’s Field

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

The Potter’s Field (1989) Ellis Peters

Set in England in 1143.

The local potter named Ruald, abandoned his wife to take monastic vows. When a body is discovers in the field where the both once lived, it is assumed to be Generys.

(H)e could have his freedom to go and become a monk, but his going didn’t confer freedom on her. She could not take another husband; the one she had, monk or no, was still alive.

As much as I am aware of how women were treated and viewed throughout history, I can still be amazed by just how little power women had over their own lives.

In the background of the story continues the war between Stephen and Maud. I think that if that history weren’t historical fact, it would be hard to believe things could possibly have turned out as they did.

This story also has several other subthreads, one of which is the illness (dying) of Donata, mother of Sulien, a young man who attempted to become a brother.

You have seen her! Nothing but a handful of slender bones covered with pain for flesh and courage for skin. How dare any man look at her, and say of any matter, however daunting: We mustn’t let this come to her ears, she could not bear it!

It’s interesting how as humans we seek to protect those we deem to be weak, even if they don’t need the protection we seek to grant them.

I think this is one of my favorite stories, simply because of the complexity of the tale, and the twists and turns it takes.

Earth is innocent, he said. Only the use we make of it mars it.”

Publisher: MysteriousPress.com
Rating: 8.5/10

 

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