In this richly textured historical novel, best-selling author Kathryn Harrison spins a mesmerizing tale of forbidden passion and terrifying superstition in 17th-century Spain. As the Spanish Inquisition conducts its ruthless reign of terror, the lives of two women-one, the free spirited daughter of a poor silk farmer; the other, the French princess doomed to marry the deformed King of Spain-unravel like the cocoons of silkworms. A nationally-acclaimed writer of exquisite talents, Kathryn Harrison will leave you breathless.
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"Beautifully written, about love during the time of the Spanish Inquisiton, and the danger in being a woman during a time when women and love were suspect. Two parallel lives, one a commoner in love with a priest, the other a French princess married to the mad King Carlos II of Spain, one destroyed because of love, the other destroyed for lack of it. The two main characters are so well developed you really feel you are conversing with them as they reminise about their lives as they near its end. Beautiful."
— Linda (4 out of 5 stars)
“Blinding and superbly written lust…a hothouse of a novel…heavily scented, serious and thoughtful.”
— New York Times Book Review“An illuminating portrait of a woman’s lot in an age poisoned by superstition and the church’s tyranny.”
— Publishers Weekly“A darkly lyrical and deeply disturbing tour de force.”
— Booklist“The evocative historical setting is a departure for Harrison…However, her brilliant descriptions and compelling examination of the minds and motivations of her two heroines, each condemned by society for wanting happiness, will maintain the author’s reputation as a writer of power and rare sensibility.”
— Library Journal“Deft, archly mesmerizing phrase-making…A minutely detailed novel that captures the depravity as well as the beauty of a frightening era.”
— Kirkus Reviews“Kathryn Harrison’s debut historical is a true masterpiece—a novel filled with accurate, revealing historical details and characters, real and fictional, who capture our imagination and compassion…Kathryn Harrison is so skilled at her craft that once your are drawn into Poison you will not want to leave the passionate, colorful, thought-provoking world she creates.”
— RT Book Reviews (4½ stars)" Book Club memories! Racy--loved it, loved it, loved it! "
— P, 2/14/2014" The time of the inquisition seems to be one of history's most complicated; the history of Spain for about 300 years at the same general time is extremely complicated. While much of this book was very enjoyable, other sections were unnecessarily complicated. Intellectually I understand why she named the book Poison -- the silk work angle was mildly interesting but it seemed to add extra unnecessary length and detail to an already long and detailed book. I was anxious to read this; enjoyed parts a lot, couldn't wait for it to be done. Not a favorite. "
— Judy, 2/14/2014" A bit of a let-down, considering how much I loved The Binding Chair "
— Diana, 2/14/2014" A little too fantastical to give it the highest rating, but very, very good nonetheless! Good enough for me to go looking for another book by the same author in the library. "
— Susan, 2/7/2014" Oh, let's be honest--I'm never going to finish this. Her writing is far too graphic and I just can't stand it. Too many good books to read to keep this on my list... "
— Anna, 1/25/2014" Fantastic and sexy! A great great great read! "
— Kelly, 1/22/2014" A beautiful read. This book is a silky treasure. Kathryn Harrison writes you into the story. I've read this book 6 times and will more than likely read 6 more times! "
— Olivestarr, 1/20/2014" 50 pages in and I'm still sort of bored and drowning in information on silk making vs. feeling empathetic to characters. Will I give it another 50 pages? I'd rather go get a Stephanie Meyer book... We'll see. "
— Tamara, 12/30/2013" I have to agree with with those who found Francisca's story distracting. Her narration seems to offer nothing more than padding. The book would have been a much tighter and compelling tragedy if it only followed the Queen's hardships. "
— Sarah, 12/12/2013" First half was engaging, but the inquisition is disturbing, dark and menacing. "
— Jennywren1965, 11/12/2013" The stories of two women during the Spanish Inquisition, one the queen, the other a common sil grower having an affair with a priest. "
— Susan, 10/23/2013" I loved the way the author captured the characters every nuance of feeling but the subject matter was a bit dull for me. I already knew how it ended and the journey to get there seemed long, tedious, and convoluted. "
— Daina, 9/18/2013" A departure for Harrison, and better than the memoirs in so many ways. I forgot I'd read it. It also appeared as Poison. "
— ruzmarì, 6/19/2013" This book had some twists and turns. I liked it, but was slow starting with all the info about the silk worms. Then the contrasting/comparing between the main character Francisca and the queen of Spain (Marie from France) got a little weird. "
— Michelle, 1/8/2013" Harrison's writing is masterful, Caruso's narration is spot on and the subject, the time of Spain's Inquisition, is fascinating (but not really for the faint of heart ) I couldn't stop listening "
— Kathy, 8/25/2012" Very disjointed writing style which is why it gets I star. Did make me do research into Queen Maria Louisa and Carlos II. Disturbing period of history "
— Kathleen, 12/13/2011" It's fairly well written but the characters are kind of flat for me. The story itself was interesting and engrossing but I don't remember any of the character's names as soon as the novel was finished. The book is worth reading but not purchasing. "
— Hannah, 10/24/2011" I know I've enjoyed Harrison's writing before, but honestly, I don't really remember this book after 9 years. I only know I've read it because I have it in my read log. Too bad. "
— lisa_emily, 7/15/2011" very interesting story , somewhat historically accurate of spain during the spanish inquistion as told from the point of view of a peasant young girl and the queen of spain. "
— Jeanne, 6/25/2011" Evocative and sensory writing about a French princess married off to an Italian king. I just didn't enjoy this. "
— Rae, 5/3/2011" I sure talked about this book a lot while I was reading it. Does that mean I liked it? I´m not really sure... "
— Amanda, 2/24/2011" Oh, let's be honest--I'm never going to finish this. Her writing is far too graphic and I just can't stand it. Too many good books to read to keep this on my list... "
— Anna, 8/30/2010" Harrison is a gifted writer, but whole passages in this just blew me away. Awesome book. "
— Karla, 10/2/2009" Book Club memories! Racy--loved it, loved it, loved it! "
— P, 11/22/2008" I know I've enjoyed Harrison's writing before, but honestly, I don't really remember this book after 9 years. I only know I've read it because I have it in my read log. Too bad. "
— lisa_emily, 9/24/2008" 50 pages in and I'm still sort of bored and drowning in information on silk making vs. feeling empathetic to characters. Will I give it another 50 pages? I'd rather go get a Stephanie Meyer book... We'll see. "
— Tamara, 8/17/2008" At times, an extremely difficult book to read, but it was captivating to me... "
— Tamara, 6/24/2008" Loved the history in this books - Spain, France, silk. An engrossing read. "
— Kelly, 6/21/2008" Very disjointed writing style which is why it gets I star. Did make me do research into Queen Maria Louisa and Carlos II. Disturbing period of history "
— Kathleen, 2/22/2008Kathryn Harrison has written the novels Thicker Than Water, Exposure, Poison, The Binding Chair, The Seal Wife, Envy, and Enchantments. Her autobiographical work includes The Kiss, Seeking Rapture, The Road to Santiago, The Mother Knot, and True Crimes. She has written two biographies, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and Joan of Arc, and a book of true crime, While They Slept.
Barbara Caruso, winner of numerous Earphones Awards for narration, is an accomplished actress. A graduate of London’s prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she was a featured player in the Royal Shakespeare Company. She has played starring roles on Broadway and in theaters across the country. She won the Alexander Scourby Reader of the Year Award for her performances of young adult fiction and has more than one hundred audiobook narrations to her credit.