Watermark

by Vanitha Sankaran

Book Overview

"Watermark is a powerful novel about the destructive forces unleashed by ignorance and superstition. Readers will care deeply for the courageous Auda."
--New York Times bestselling author Sharon Kay Penman

Watermark is a magnificent debut by Vanitha Sankaran--an atmospheric and compelling novel about the search for identity, the power of self-expression, and value of the written word, set during the dark days of the Inquisition...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061849278
• ISBN13: 9780061849275
• Release Date: April 2010
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

wonderfully dramatic and romantic

Auda is a young albino woman in medieval Narbonne, mute from birth. She has been raised by her devoted sister and father, who have sheltered her from the suspicious, frightened eyes of their neighbors. Her father, a papermaker, encourages Auda's dreams of finding her voice through the written word. The increasing popularity of inexpensive paper over parchment feeds that dream. But Auda's world is changing. The Inquisition has come to Narbonne. A "white witch," a female with dangerous ideas who can read and write, brings danger on herself and her loved ones. Watermark is a wonderfully dramatic, romantic story that will transport you to the middle ages.

Watermark Hits the Mark!

Vanitha Sankaran's Watermark is a beautifully written piece of historical fiction that will completely immerse you in the story within the first few pages. Auda is a unique and interesting character and it is impossible not to be immediately drawn into her life. Her struggles are the same struggles universal to women of the time period, but are amplified by her physical and educational differences. Auda and the other characters in Watermark are realistic and well-written, and come to vivid life through Sankaran's imaginative descriptions. Sankaran's writing style if phenomenal. Her depiction of 1300s France - the people and small towns - as well as details of papermaking and scribing, are well-researched and artistically portrayed in Watermark. Auda's story is engrossing and memorable. Once I picked up Watermark, it was unimaginable that I would put the book down until I had devoured every last word. Fascinating and expertly paced, Watermark is a definite literary gem.

Extremely compelling and well written debut novel

I am usually not a fan of historical fiction, but this novel was so compelling and well-written that I was immediately drawn in. Auda is a layered and complex character, and while on the surface she seems powerless, she is able to find real strength and her voice through writing. The descriptions of papermaking and this region in the South of France are vividly depicted, and the relationships between the characters are extremely moving and powerful. I would highly recommend this novel to readers of contemporary fiction who may not usually pick up historical fiction. It is eye-opening and astounding how the antiquated and sometimes cruel attitudes of characters in this time period really do not differ that much from our modern ideas. In many ways, this novel put a mirror up to the shortcomings of our own society. Watermark really enriched my understanding of this time period, and was such an enjoyable read. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to see what this amazing author comes out with next!

The most difficult of times bring out the best in a woman

From the moment of her birth Auda had been labeled "the white witch". She was born an albino and cursed with snow white hair and a pure ivory complexion. Added to the fact that she was mute as a result of a midwife who thought to stop the devil from coming out of her by cutting her tongue out at birth her life seemed doomed to failure. Even now life for someone that unique life would be difficult but in the time of the inquisition where they were always on the hunt for witches and heretics life for Auda was complicated, troublesome and dangerous. She lived a quiet, secluded life with her father making paper and keeping a very low profile hoping no one would notice that she was different. It was a life she was happy with but one that could not last for someone as unique and special as Auda. When Auda ventures into the world outside of her home events occur that bring such pain and heartache but also a tender and thoughtful love. Her father's visits into town show Auda what life is like outside her reserved world but there are those seeking the heretics and the threat of inquisitors is everywhere. She tries to stay out of sight but at one chaotic scene she is threatened then saved by a wonderful and handsome man named Jamie. It turns out he has also had less than a stellar existence and uses his gift of painting to work through his pain and is able to show her how beautiful life can be. They have some chance and some intended encounters and each one takes up the danger of the meeting another notch but the passion that is stirring inside each of them make every rendezvous worth the risk. But a position writing on the paper she and her father had created for the vicomtesse changes life for Auda completely. She is making her own money, writing her own verses and being part of a social community. Just as she feels things have become as close to normal as possible for her a horrid event ruins everything. Her father is taken prisoner as a heretic when papers that Auda had been in possession of are discovered. Not long after she is also taken prisoner and suffers such atrocities against her person it is by her sheer power and will to live that makes her survive. When she realizes who has brought all this evil upon her life nothing is more painful that the grief she feels from that deception. While this is not an easy book to read the Middle Ages were I am sure a difficult time to write about yet Ms. Sankaran has done so magnificently. She shows the true face of pain and grief one who is unique lives with in such a dark and foreboding time in history. The characters are well scripted and have enormous depth to add to the story and each character brings something to the book that is critical when you have so many stories to tell. Auda and Jamie stand out as the lead here but each of them can and does survive without the other. This book at times made me think with all the prejudice surrounding us today if this was being written about t