Book Review: The Labyrinth

Some folks might sigh and say, “Another Holy Grail Book?”  But I?  I love esoteric stories such as this.  There’s a beautiful undercurrent in life that is rejuvenated by the thrill of ancient secrets, historic stories, and mysterious adventure.  And if anyone can write about this subject and keep it spell-binding, it is Kate Mosse.

While I was reading this book, I was compelled to research a little about Kate Mosse. As it turns out, she’s a creative writing teacher at West Dean College in Sussex; she also writes a blog, and while writing this book, she blogged regularly about its progress.  And if you go to her website for this book, you might be as thrilled as I was that she has a section of advice for writers.  Not only is it inspirational that she wants to help other writers, the advice is brilliant and has helped me to refocus.

In The Labyrinth, Kate masterfully intertwines two stories.  One is of a present-day woman who stumbles upon a hidden cave while helping a girlfriend out at an archeological dig.  Alice, the unsuspecting, intelligent, courageous and sensitive woman, is on leave in France because she has eerily inherited a house from an aunt she had never known about. The second story is of Alais, a young woman in thirteenth century France, who has been sent on a mission by her father to protect the trilogy of esoteric texts, from the Crusaders and those evil-doers who want to steal them.

As the mystery unfolds, one discovers the direct lineage between Alais and Alice.  The wicked web unfolds, and those of us who are curious readers begin to see the links throughout all of the characters between past and present.

This is a beautifully written magical story that leaves me wishing I owned this book in print.  One day, when I have it in my hands again, I will re-read it with bliss and an even greater understanding.