The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier

I found her story to be really touching – especially her daily struggle to be useful to her family. What did you like the most about the book?.What did you think of Nicholas and Claude’s relationship?.It’s just one of the book’s many unanswered questions. Of course, Tracy Chevalier doesn’t explain. Neither option speaks well of Geneviève, but then, she doesn’t have a lot of options to choose from! If that’s true, Geneviève has willingly sent her daughter to a very harsh place. Or maybe Geneviève does understand convent life, and Claude is just thinking the worst of her mother. It pains me to think that Geneviève’s all-consuming dream might be a fantasy, or a mistake. I expect there is a lovely room for her to stay in too, full of cushions …There are no cushions on my seat, no tapestries to warm the walls … All this I had worked out for myself after only four days at the convent.“Ĭlaude’s observation fascinated me. “Maman thinks convent life is much like her visits here, when the Abbess pampers her, preparing lavish dishes from food the convent would normally sell at market. As Claude adjusts to her new home, she questions her mother’s understanding. Geneviève sends her daughter, Claude, to a convent against her will. Geneviève is the noblewoman who dreams of becoming a nun.

I was especially intrigued by Geneviève’s storyline. I was really struck by how well constructed all the characters and their relationships are. For some reason, this book’s fast pacing, high stakes, and real-life emotion really does it for me. When I re-read it this spring, I was delighted to find that it was even better than I remembered. I first read this book about 6 years ago. Let’s talk about The Lady and the Unicorn!

The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier