God's Equal

Winner of the Prix Femina award in 1987, this historical novel is set a thousand years ago in France, and follows the story of Odilon de Bernay, who serves as page to Liebaut de Malbry. Absire's books have won several prizes - "Lazarus" was his seventh award-winning novel.

Set in 11th century Normandy and originally published in France in 1987, this pastiche of medieval storytelling describes the last exploits of Liebaut de Malbray, the much-loved knight to Robert, Duke of Normandy, in the defense of a small town from Frisian pirates. Odilon de Bernay, once Liebaut's squire and now an aging monk writing in his cell, narrates the tale, taking the occasion to profess his love for the knight and confess the jealous betrayal that led to his master's murder. Absire uses this narrative frame to describe life in early medieval France--not only in the court, but the monastery and the village as well. A rare glimpse into the mores of the feudal era, this novel should appeal to fans of The Name of the Rose , who can take comfort in the fact that they won't need a course in Latin to understand the meaning of the story.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Seventeen-year-old squire Odilon de Bernay experiences both the pinnacle and depths of love in his relationship with his noble lord, Liebaut de Malbray. In between these opposing extremes, Odilon sleeps wrapped with his lord against cold nights; bears Liebaut's shield into battle; and wields his sword against Frisian barbarians, only to have his own heart pierced by jealousy of his lord's love for the peasant girl Mathilde. In a single act of treachery Odilon loses his lord and commits himself to a self-imposed monastic life of 40 years. This thousand-year-old tale captures the timeless duality of chivalry, loyalty, and love.
- M.J. Hethcoat, San Francisco
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.