"the words in my hand" by Guinevere Glasfurd (Two Roads, 2016)

Shortlisted for the 2016 Costa First Novel Award, this is first-person tale by a maid, Helena, who gave birth to Descartes' child. She's clever and composed. She's told 'It is your function to cook and clean. You do these well, I am happy to say. I do not pay you to be distracted ... with ink' (p.80). Nevertheless, she learns to read and write, and later insists that her daughter is educated (preferably by her father). At times it sounds as if Dr Who's assistant has been abandoned in the 1600s. She's not abandoned by Descartes, though she doesn't always like the terms of their arrangement (which is complicated by how his enemies will react if they find her; the differences in their religions, etc).

The main drama (will Descartes dump her) is broken into several mini-dramas (will he turn up at the baptism, will he write to her, will he teach their daughter, etc). Because we see everything through Helena's eyes, we learn little about Descartes' ideas, or the state of the world.

I didn't understand "old enough to know that death can pull holes in the floor" (p.395) but otherwise it reads well. At the end is a 2 page "Historical Note" telling us how much is based on fact.

Other reviews

• Jane Housham (In casting Helena as proto-feminist, artistic, courageous, Glasfurd gives her narrative a rather modern sensibility but it is this quality that makes it such a satisfying read. She brilliantly dissects the complex frustrations of a woman in love with a man consumed by intellectual obsessions. There is much to move us here.)
• goodreads
• historical novel society (This is a fascinating book fleshing out the life of a real woman and her story; it brings to vivid life the frustrations of women who were denied access to education and art. In an age when reputation meant everything and to be different often meant to be beaten down, Helena stands as an icon facing challenges as desperate as those faced by Descartes. Despite this, Glasfurd is honest about the reality of their unequal relationship as Helena must regularly take second place. Fans of The Girl with the Pearl Earring and The Miniaturist will love this tale.)
• Louise Jones (we always see Helena aiming above, staying hopeful and seeing the beauty of nature and religion around her.)
• Dervla McCormick (Clearly, this novel offers a celebration of stories, depicting Descartes frequently inventing snippets of his next book, and Helena writing in secret and teaching her daughter the same skills of reading and writing. In this novel, stories are comforting and an escape from the harsh reality of the world)