Watermark: A Novel of the Middle Ages by Vanitha Sankaran

 This story is set during a period of Inquisition and intolerance, 14th century, when new ideas are considered heresy and the era, which is best illustrated by the development of papermaking from Moorish to Christian Spain and through the rest of Europe. 

It is believed by some that papermaking advanced by heretical sects who needed cheap writing materials for their secret studies. 

In the Middle Ages, Narbonne in France was known as a secluded place from heresy, while the rest of the Spain was surrounded by Inquisition. 

This turbulent period of prosecution and intolerance brings a story of a young mute woman, Auda, who is skilled in written word. She lives in Narbonne with her father who is a scribe. He arranges for her to be a scribe as well to a noble lady. “Better the safety of the Vicomtesse than to trust in a stranger whose motives we don’t know" (better safety than arranged marriage). 

The paper they use for their scribes and what they write leads them to a dangerous place. At the same time, as a mute she never expects to get married. But this changes, when she crosses a path with a poor artist, whose sketches of simple people like her doing everyday choirs, resonates with her.

Overall, the story is interesting and well-written, but it takes a while before the story grasps you. Also the era of paper development could be better explored, giving it a more vivid picture. For those reasons, 4 stars.

https://www.facebook.com/BestHistoricalFiction