Tapestry by Kylie Fitzpatrick

• Paperback: 430 pages
• Publisher: Head of Zeus (1 Jan. 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1788542282
• ISBN-13: 978-1788542289
• Product Dimensions: 13 x 2.5 x 19.8 cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

Set in eleventh-century London and Normandy and in the present day, Tapestry tells the story of the origin of the famous and enigmatic Bayeux Tapestry. Told from the point of view of two women who lived nine centuries apart: Leofgyth, an eleventh-century embroiderer who works in the court of Edward the Confessor, and Madeleine, a twenty-first century professor of Medieval History. Between them, the dramatic story of the end of Saxon England unfolds and an ancient mystery is solved.

 

Review

Tapestry by Kylie Fitzpatrick has a dual plot line, in the present we follow Madeleine, a university history lecturer as she deals with the death of her mother, also a historian, and in the past we read Loefgyth’s chronicle of the year 1064, in the lead up to the Battle of Hastings and the beginnings of The Bayeaux Tapestry.  It is a topical read as France has announced that it is willing to loan The Bayeaux Tapestry to England in 2020, depending on it’s condition.

Kylie Fitzpatrick seamlessly weaves together both plot lines, and the different writing styles of the present and the more archaic translation of Leofgyth’s writing.  In the present the plot moves between Caen, where Madeleine lives and works and Canterbury where her mother lived and was researching the family tree.  Madeleine is a character who seems lost: she isn’t enjoying  her job anymore, she is in love with a man who chose the church over her, and now has to deal with the sudden death of her mother.  Translating Leofgyth’s writing gives her a focus and something to distract her from her grief and feel closer to her mother, who sent her the first pages before she died. The chronicle itself is beautifully written and offers a different look at how and why The Bayeaux Tapestry was created.  Leofgyth’s character came alive, and opened up what living was like almost a thousand years ago for women. It is also worth noting that in the serving chronicles of the period there is no entry for 1064.  It is obvious from the detail that a lot of research has gone into this novel, the plot is as detailed as the tapestry itself.

 

In the past and present there are some very interesting characters.  In 1064 in Canterbury Leofgyth works for Queen Edith, a queen who apparently never consummated her marriage to Edward the Confessor  but was in a relationship with  monk, and court chronicle writer Odericus.  There is also the different factions fighting for the the throne as Edward and Edith had no children; William in France and Harold, the queen’s brother.  In the present day there is Madeleine’s best friend, the colourful Rosa, who is extrovert in dress and character as Madeleine is introvert, they really are polar opposites.  There is also the suspicious Karl, who takes an interest inMadeleine but she is never sure what his motives maybe, and her two elderly cousins to whom the chronicle belongs; every family has their quirky characters and Margaret and Mary Broder certainly fill that place.

Kylie Fitzpatrick’s writing, and understanding of the different characters, their emotions and places in life, both in the present and in the past, is wonderful.  She not only brings the characters to life but also the places; Canterbury in the past and present, the surrounding quintessential English villages and their wonderful old churches and Caen in France, where Madeline lives.  She is able to make you feel these places are familiar, that you’ve walked their paths and visited their cafes.

Tapestry is a masterpiece of historical fiction, that weaves an intelligent story line with wonderful historical detail resulting in a Tapestry of words that brings the narrative together.  A brilliant and enlightening read, that you will find hard to put down.