The Knot

(Paperback)

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From the author of the Orange New Writers shortlisted The Book of Fires, an extraordinary tale of love and science.
An extraordinarily evocative story of obsession, love and secrets, THE KNOT holds at its heart the struggle of one man: Henry Lyte. Spanning twelve years, 1565-1578, Henry struggles with his lifes work, the translation of a Herbal which lists, for the first time, every herb, against the backdrop of his hearts desire, the creation of a perfect, beautiful garden at the heart of which lies the Knot.

After the tragic death of his much-loved first wife Anys, Henry falls in love again and brings Frances home to Lytes Cary. She struggles to come to terms with life in the remote rural setting of the Levels in Somerset, and feels the threat of the watery landscape despite Henrys efforts to show her how the landscape he loves can bring her happiness. Henrys father is not happy about his second marriage however, and the tensions within the family grow.

Just as Henry finds a precarious equilibrium, in his intellectual and emotional lives, this sense of balance is shattered by his fathers unexpected death and the unleashed malevolence of Henrys step-mother, Joan Young, begins.

Reviews

This is a story about dreams, about the fragility of human achievement and the restorative and destructive powers of nature Surprising and intensely moving. Maria McCann, author of The Wilding

Pitch-perfectTime flew as I was transported back to the mid-sixteenth centuryBorodale exhibits a breathtaking knowledge of all things rural and horticultural. Dove Grey Reader

A beautiful book which goes to the heart of a gentle, driven man bringing his dream to life. The malign force he faces is chilling. The detail is touched in with great and subtle skill. James Long, author of Ferney and The Lives She Left Behind

Praise for Jane Borodales first novel, THE BOOK OF FIRES:

'Jane Borodale displays a deft touch in this very pleasing story' MAUREEN WALLER, Daily Telegraph

Borodale's refreshingly original approach and engaging style makes 'The Book of Fires a welcome addition to the historical fiction genre'
Yorkshire Evening Post

Author Bio

Jane Borodale gained her MA from Wimbledon School of Art. She has written and exhibited work for a variety of sites, including the Wordsworth Trust, Cumbria, the Foundling Museum, London, and the Dartington Hall Trust in Devon, where she was writer-in-residence. She is currently Leverhulme Artist in Residence at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum in Sussex, and lives in the West Country with her husband and two children.