Thoughts 
by Lauren Groff, Penguin Audio 2021, 8 hours 52 minutes, Narrated by Adjoa Andoh
Challenge: TOB2022
Genre/Theme: Historical Fiction
Type/Source: Audiobook / Audible
What It’s About: Oh, Marie. Marie is a force! Lauren Groff is a FORCE for fiercely imagining a life for Marie that is BOLD. Marie is a bastard ugly child of nobility in a family fraught with fighting for control of countries in the 12th century. Poor Marie is never going to be given her due and is banished to a nunnery but she is cunning, she is extremely bright and proud, and she will want. She will never get quite what she thinks she must have but OMG does she ACCOMPLISH. She is always one step ahead and almost there.
She arrives to her post a mere child with nuns dying of starvation and disease. Over her lifetime, she builds the Abbey to be many females strong and to have much wealth garnered by strategy and stealth.
The narration was excellent.
The entire book features female characters. (By which I mean there are NO male ones.)
Thoughts: Marie is actually hard to like, as any megalomaniac can tend to be. But the more I read reviews and think about what this book does, I think it is delicious! I have read criticisms that there’s too much sex. Well, HUH. Deal. And another asked, “what was the POINT of this?” ok, well I think THAT is too much thinking. LG has an imagination of WHAT IF and she went for it. I’ve read that some people don’t like Groff’s writing — now, ok, personal preference can certainly apply, I’m all for that. But I am a fan. I like her. I liked Fates and Furies, and I’m stating now that I hope to read her backlist and everything she writes next. She is FIERCE.
Rating: Four slices of pie. I noticed at least three mentions of pie: maybe even Figgy Pudding Pie?! Definitely Buttery Leek Pie. My Audible account is not showing my notes (?!) so I can’ give the exact quote so I’ve decided to pair in a link to a recipe!
Today, January 23, is National Pie Day, so let’s share what I found for Leek Pie. This one from Smitten Kitchen looks fabulous! click the image to go to Leek & Swiss Chard Tart:
Happy Pie Day!
Care's Books and Pie 
I love Groff’s writing. I haven’t read this yet but absolutely loved Arcadia and Florida.
I’ve never read anything by Groff but have been reading a long fictionalized history of the reign of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, so I’m already immersed in the period and might have to look for this one.
Oh please do! I appreciate your reviews and it is always special to hear your interpretations of things I have read.
I love most Groff! I recommend Monsters of Templeton followed by Delicate Edible Birds. Loved Fates and Furies and liked Florida and Matrix.