A Wigwam for a Goose's Bridle

I must admit that I came to this novel with only a general knowledge of The Canterbury Tales, not yet having read them. I knew, however, that the Wife of Bath is oft talked about. Was she good? Was she bad? Was Chaucer “secretly a feminist” or was he upholding traditional patriarchy?

In this novel, Karen Brooks tells the wife’s story in the first person, taking us through all five husbands and a very colourful life. Brooks cleverly inserts Chaucer into her story as a friend and cousin to Alyson. It is well written and immersive, and sometimes I briefly forgot it is indeed fiction. It felt more like a real autobiography. It’s a bit of an epic to get through, but really worth the read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.