Book Club - Medieval Tapestries

3.5 stars. Didn't love the beginning, but it got quite gripping as it went along & the description of how the tapestry was made was interesting. ( )

A book by Tracy Chevalier is always good value. She tells a good yarn, and while her subject matter is well-researched, she wears her learning lightly. This book got off on the wrong foot however. The tale of the over-sexed miniature painter, Nicholas des Innnocents, and his first foray into tapestry design struck a false note with me from the earliest pages. I simply didn't believe that the 14 year old daughter of nobleman Jean le Viste would all but give herself, on the slightest of acquaintance, and under the table at that, to this artist.

Things improved. I was interested in the weavers of Bruges who have to interpret Nicholas' design. The difficulties they encountered and the personalities involved got me interested. I wanted to know how the story would play out. It was a pity that at the end of the book, there was more scarcely credible under-the-table action.

The tapestries exists to this day. The story that Chevalier weaves is in no sense an account of its history. But it's an involving story, with just a few incredible plot details that somewhat spoilt the book for me. ( )

"The unicorn's horn is a magical thing...with special powers. They say that if a unicorn dips his horn into a poisoned will the water will become pure again. He can make other things pure again."

While the description of the artistic process of creating tapestries was interesting, the bawdy backstory was a bit distracting. If you enjoy books about art or about live in the middle ages, this may be a book to add to your tbr.
( )

Fast read, kept my interest but not at all what I expected. I felt like i was reading an edited version of a good book that had been watered down and sexed up. I've heard great things about her other books so someday I'd like to give her a second try but this one wasn't anything special. ( )