Anchoress Of Shere
This disturbing first novel by Paul Moorcraft juxtaposes the events of the early fourteenth century and those of the late 1960s. The action is confined to one small village–Shere, in Surrey–yet Moorcraft’s exploration of obsession, self-fulfillment, spiritual bondage and belief spans the centuries.
We are introduced to Christine, the daughter of a respected carpenter, born in 1311 in Shere. In 1329, she breaks her engagement and enters upon a path not chosen by many, even those in the religious life. She chooses the life of an anchoress, to spend the remainder of her life entombed in the Church of St. James. Her path is not an easy one.
In Shere in 1967, a young woman is abducted. She is not the first. The abductor, Father Michael Duval, is clearly deranged. While hiding behind his clerical garb, Duval is writing the story of Christine, with whom he is obsessed. His prisoners, all young women Christine’s age, are given the opportunity to purify themselves and live the life of an anchoress. Needless to say, the survival rate is low.
Moorcraft captures the flavor of medieval village life with passionate restraint. The events of Christine’s life, although drawn from history, are fleshed out beautifully. Duval’s insanity and the workings of the mind of a serial killer are perfectly portrayed. Duval’s “Christine” is smart and clever, tenacious and endearing. You really want this young woman to survive.
I’m not saying this is a pleasant book to read. It isn’t. But it is well written, informative and touches upon a subject that isn’t widely explored.
