The Barefoot Girl: A Novel of St. Margaret, Patroness of the Abused

by Catherine Monroe

Book Overview

Set in 1340, The Barefoot Girl is the riveting story of one woman who reached out to those less fortunate with the only thing they couldn't take away--her faith.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451217713
• ISBN13: 9780451217714
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: New American Library
• Length: 260 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

This lowly peasant was called to sainthood...a lesson for all of us

I was going to give this book 4-1/2 stars but I noticed there are no 1/2 stars. There were some metaphors and descriptions of male genitalia and lovemaking I found amusing. That's probably the only thing stopping the Church's Imprimatur on the book. I looked on the web and found there was indeed a Saint Margaret the Barefooted. She tolerated her husband's abuse for years. Nothing is mentioned of a pregnancy by another man. She dressed as a peasant and went to help the poor, thus infuriating her wealthy husband even more. When her husband died she sold her possessions and wealth and distributed it to the poor, dressing in rags and going barefoot. I read the book in 3 days. I enjoyed it and learned about a saint I never knew existed. The book has a lesson you've probably heard from the pulpit many times. You can gain all the material possessions in the world but they won't make you happy. Everything breaks down, rusts or gathers dust. Only giving to others on earth and loving God and your neighbor will make you happy. Perhaps a by product of this is sainthood.

From Sinner to Saint

I love historical fiction, and was interested in this book, but I was fearful that it was going to be very preachy. I was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case. Yes, she prays, and tries to be good, but we see a very human person who has faults like everyone. I think the author did a wonderful job of handling a religious subject without the novel becoming a sermon. That being said there were a few things that I felt were glossed over. However, I really enjoyed this book and I hope the author continues to write historical fiction.

inspirational biographical fiction

Now elderly Margharita looks back to when her life changed. In 1340 San Severino, Italy, fifteen-year-old Margharita works in the fields alongside her ten years old sister Teresa and her beloved Augustino whom she hopes to marry one day soon. A gentleman arrives at her family home and she realizes he was the one staring at her in the market place. Papa informs Margharita that she will wed the handsome outsider Master Domenico Vasari. Margharita is stunned that not only was she sold, but she will leave those she loves to live with a stranger. Domenico takes his teenage bride to his home Vasari Castle where he insists she wear sensual perfumes and elaborate silk gowns. He beats her when he perceives she disobeys him and is even more physically abusive when he has an urge to show her who's in charge. Margharita refuses to bend to his demands when it comes to attending church services. When he batters her even when she is pregnant, she turns to the Blessed Mother and Saint Mary Magdalene for help. Her prayers are not for herself; instead thy are to protect her unborn child, the starving impoverished people nearby and to guide her on how to help those in need. Heeding the Virgin Mother Margharita kicks off her shoes and begins providing sustenance to the less fortunate though that means more beatings, but she knows she is blessed because Jesus is with her. This biographical fiction provides a deep look at a courageous heroine who earned her sainthood, St. Margaret, Patroness of the Abused; perhaps Mother Teresa is the nearest modern day figure to this fourteenth century champion of the oppressed. Catherine Monroe provides a powerful inspirational look at an individual who walked the talk in spite of spousal abuse. Harriet Klausner