Eleanore of Avignon by Elizabeth DeLozier

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A well researched debut that explores one woman's fight to be the physician she was meant to be amidst superstition, religious radicalism and men in power of the 1300's France. Eleanore (Elea) was an apprentice to her midwife mother but saw how the same villagers who called her friend turned their back when others branded her a witch making Elea careful of hiding her gift. Now the dreaded Black Plague has reached Avignon just as Elea's knowledge of herbalism is called upon to heal Pope Clement. Her abilities surprise the Pope's physician and he agrees to take Elea on as an apprentice. As they get closer to understanding how to treat the plague Elea is called to become a midwife to an exiled Italian Queen. They work round the clock to try to find the answers that will stop the trail of death decimating Europe. The plague is not the only thing that Elea must fear as there is a fanatic priest who has her in his sights. Based on a true woman this is a fascinating look at early medicine and the many ways women worked to heal even as they were persecuted as witches. Fans of Arianna Franklin, Geraldine Brooks A YEAR OF WONDERS and Chris Bohjalian's HOUR OF THE WITCH will have a hard time putting this down.
5 stars