Matrix by Lauren Groff | Book Review

Today I'm reviewing Lauren Groff’s fourth novel, Matrix.
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☀ Matrix by Lauren Groff ☀
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📚 Further Reading 📚
Goddess by Kelly Gardiner: amzn.to/3BXaO8H
The Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee: amzn.to/3kSaOjj
Margaret the First by Danielle Dutton: amzn.to/2F6fhNV
Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor: amzn.to/2DQIThz
The Women of the Copper Country by Mary Doria Russell: amzn.to/2LVREKp
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[@janeshaul841]

This review is so spot on, especially the analogy to the queen bee in the natural sense. I found this review after reading the book, because Groff’s language, imagery and characters elicit unpacking. You just want more. One of the best reads this year for me.

[@Kim_Traveling_in_Books]

Your review makes this book sound so much better than the blurbs I've seen for it. I love historical fiction, but so much of it simplifies the past and focuses on romances. But history is so much more complicated than most people give it credit for. And so much weirder. I can't wait to pick this one up!

[@abookolive]

Couldn't agree more about the missed opportunities re: historical fiction!

[@candacepearson8603]

Your review is so well done. I am almost finished with this book and already couldn’t wait to see what others thought of it. I am captivated. I love the questions you bring up, so much to think about. Makes you want to learn so much more.

[@svance1041]

What an amazing review! I just finished reading this book and I think my favorite parts were seeing the women use their gifts and intelligence, especially the one who was such a great engineer! Marie was a force to be reckoned with for sure. I never entirely liked her but I admired her amazing organizational abilities and her focus. She would veer between self-awareness and deliberately wearing blinders. I enjoyed your queen bee comparison and yes, she was a prisoner, but she made the most of it!

[@tudinail]

Read this book at the beginning of last year but I DNF'd at around 60-70% because I felt the same way as you.. it was lingering on/a bit too slow. HOWEVER in the beginning I was completely blown away by the writing. I underlined so many delicious sentences and contemplative analogies about religion and Marie's world. I thought it was going to be a 5 out of 5 within those first few chapters. Some scenes really stayed with me too, and I can remember details vividly which isn't common and goes to show the impeccable writing and attention to detail. Anyway, great review! You are spot on!

[@athertonca]

I am about 60% done with Matrix and think it is quite absorbing. It will probably be a 4 or 5 star read for me. I know Groff is a talented writer, so I was willing to read Matrix despite not caring for Fates and Furies and I am glad I did.

[@Elizabeth-uu5tv]

I'm reading this for a book club this month! You've made me excited about it!

[@sandeesandwich2180]

This description sounds so much better than the blurb on the back. I'm much more likely to read it now. A good book about a woman of that time period -- actually I think it is technically before the middle ages -- is Hild by Nicola Griffith.

[@abookolive]

Well my description is a whole lot less sexy-sounding than what they went with, which is probably why they went in the direction they did, haha! I'll have to look up Hild - I've never heard of that one!

[@sandeesandwich2180]

@@abookolive Perhaps less sexy sounding (jury's out on that one!) but lots more intriguing.

[@sandeesandwich2180]

@@abookolive P.S. "Hild" is based on a real person -- albeit a real person we know little about, since she lived 1000 years ago, but I thought I'd mention that in case the non-fiction-adjacent element made the book more appealing to you. :)

[@theresaemig2328]

I preordered this book because I thought it would be an important book but I didn’t think I’d really like it. But now that I’ve watched this video I am excited to read it!

[@abookolive]

That's awesome - I'm glad you're feeling more excited about it and I'm crossing my fingers that you enjoy it!

[@ravenpicks]

Thanks for this review, it answered my questions.

[@LoveVnGo]

Your review is spot on! It’s a challenging book for me to describe to people and you describe it so well.

[@SpringboardThought]

Huh, much more compelling than the blurb. I already have it on hold from the library, which I’m very glad for now! It seems like I’d like it. Great video!

[@lasaraboles3746]

Really awesome review! So well said.

[@tatiad378]

After reading and really enjoying Agatha of Little Neon, I'm so excited to read more books about sisters/nuns. Matrix wasn't on my radar. Thanks for bringing it to my attention ♥️

[@abookolive]

And thank YOU for bringing Agatha of Little Neon to my attention! It sounds amazing!

[@tatiad378]

@@abookolive You're welcome! I hope you like it 😊 The audiobook is really good too.

[@bookishcreature8907]

“This book is much more about female ambition” oh well I guess I’m buying the book

[@abookolive]

😁

[@erosbutyassified]

this is exactly how i perceived this book and im glad you felt the same way!!!

[@HeartDrivenTarot]

What an excellent commentary on the book. My reactions are mixed. I loved the writing but life in the Middle Ages was so harsh, violent, and depressing. I made myself finish it because I’m in a book club that’s discussing it today.

[@Ecusenbary]

Incredible review! I just finished this one and am still trying to wrap my head around all of the elements of Marie’s story. And excellent point about the ebook - I read a physical copy of this and had to pause to look words up basically every other page 😂

[@RachelB.BookReferences]

I'm always interested in books about nuns and monks; but I'm worried about the portrayal of religion in the book, I have to admit. A a devout Christian myself, I'm often frustrated with inaccurate portrayals of religious life.

[@abookolive]

I can see why that would frustrate you. I don't know how accurate of a portrayal it is since I haven't read anything about what life was like in a late 12th century abbey, but I'm sure (like in most historical fiction), liberties were taken to serve the story. However, it is clear she did a ton of research, so who knows!

[@MsPeppersmom]

I'm reading now and yes the writing is amazing. I am picturing Jaimes sidekick from Game of Thrones as Marie when I read this. Forgot her name.

[@Capricorn152]

I've never read Laura Groff before but this sounds so intriguing, I may have to check it out...

[@abookolive]

I hope you like it if you decide to pick it up!

[@Capricorn152]

@@abookolive I probably will thanks!

[@Capricorn152]

@@abookolive Also the UK cover is gorgeous which is a big plus 😄

[@abookolive]

@@Capricorn152 It's rare that I like both the UK and US covers for a book, but this is one of them!

[@Capricorn152]

@@abookolive Yeah that's a real thing over here in the UK - because the US tends to release books first, we will see the cover and then sometimes get blindsided by something not so great, but then equally sometimes an improvement.

[@wendyhoward2699]

This is on my TBR. After hearing your review, I want to read it even more. Blessings.

[@DDB168]

I was wondering about the title of this book, thanks for the explanation. Sounds like an intriguing read.

[@abookolive]

I was curious about it myself when I first saw this book was going to be coming out this year - it all made sense after I did some digging!

[@peculiaritea]

I am deeeefinitely interested in this one. Fates and Furies was such a special book, such stellar writing! Would have read this book whatever it was about, but your review has made me even more curious.

[@abookolive]

If you liked Fates & Furies, I think you're in for a good time!

[@sorenkrane]

I haven't particularly liked Groff in the past but I am a sucker for anything set in an abbey. Count me in. For another nun/abbey book I'd highly recommend 'Illuminations' by Mary Sharratt. It follows Hildegard von Bingen and is beautifully told. It's in my top reads for this year.

[@abookolive]

Oh, thank you so much for reminding me of that Mary Sharratt book! I've read two of her more recent books (I really enjoyed Daughters of the Witching Hill) and I've been meaning to go back and explore her backlist.

[@launchedathousand]

Ok I was lukewarm about this book before, but now I need to read it!

[@abookolive]

I hope you enjoy it!!

[@jenniferadam2258]

Oooooh this sounds like my next New Most Favorite Book Ever. 😁

[@abookolive]

🤞

[@Anna-wh1zn]

Absolutely excellent review - thank you

[@abookolive]

Thanks!

[@CedricsMom]

Olive I enjoyed your review much more than I think I would enjoy this book. My sense of Lauren Groff's work is that she's a darling of the critics, but for commoners like me, not so much. I started F&F and didn't get very far at all. Good review, though. I appreciate your honest review over what the publishers hyped on the cover. I have to remind myself that publishers employ very good marketing writers, and I have been sold on many a book that I wish I had gotten at the library for free. Not making that mistake with this writer again.

[@abookolive]

I don't know that I agree with you calling yourself a commoner! I don't think you have to be on a certain "tier" to enjoy literary fiction - there are lots of different styles, after all. I, myself, don't gel with all kinds of literary fiction, but I happened to click with Lauren Groff's writing.

[@CedricsMom]

@@abookolive I love some literary fiction--Writers & Lovers, the Glass Hotel, and Vanishing Half to name a few. Perhaps I will give Lauren another shot. BTW I'm so glad you're giving Possession another try.

[@christiansbooks_]

I am SO excited for this novel. Loved F&F…

[@abookolive]

I hope you like it!!

[@coffemuse]

Whatever the quality of the book, this is one outstanding review!

[@abookolive]

Thank you, that's very kind!

[@catsandbats77]

This sounds so fascinating

[@jaynelewis372]

I loved Monsters of Templeton. Haven’t read any others yet. Not sure this is for me. Thank you for a terrific review.

[@abookolive]

I've found that her more recent work is much different than her earlier work (like Monsters of Templeton).

[@melissahumphrey7589]

IGNORE THIS: As Olive pointed out, this is INDEED a different person, and I need to haul out the books about Eleanor of Aquitaine I haven't read in, obviously, a while. :) And I am indeed interested in this book, as well. Well, I'm pretty sure Marie de France was Eleanor of Aquitaine's daughter.....I DO like medieval history. Quick Google confirmed this. The only sister Eleanor had was called Petronilla. Just me being pedantic. I shall return to lurking.

[@abookolive]

Can you please link the site on which you confirmed this? I do plenty of research when it comes to my videos and everything I saw indicated that there's still a tremendous amount of doubt surrounding her true identity. But if you've seen something with definitive proof (versus a theory), I'd love to read through it since I must have missed it.

[@abookolive]

I'm guessing you may have seen this person's information: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_of_France,_Countess_of_Champagne ...when Matrix was inspired by this person: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_de_France

[@melissahumphrey7589]

@@abookolive I stand corrected :), but is there something about her being Eleanor's sister in the book?

[@LinnaAP]

oh, no worst bookish crime as a misleading synopis! I can even forgive a ugly cover bc taste is relative, but deception?? ksksk jokes aside I do hate when this happens! and about this book, I just wish they could attach this video on the back of the book then ksksk so, I'm definetely picking it up when I can, altought I'll probable read fates and furies before bc I have it here.

[@abookolive]

Expectations play a big role in the enjoyment of a book! Just looking at Goodreads reviews on really any book, you'll find people who have rated a book low and/or given it a negative review largely because it wasn't what they expected going into it. I'm of the opinion that it's in everyone's best interest if the publisher is honest about what a book actually contains. I think starting with Fates and Furies is a great idea! It'll give you a good sense of her style.

[@whitneyerin222]

Well now I have to buy it. And…I’m an atheist? Lol much love to you, olive!

[@kellysober9352]

Speaking of female power…. Uhhhh… Olive!!

[@abookolive]

?

[@jeanmarieboucherit7376]

What a boring book, badly written in the present tense. A childish story with no depth, no soul, no emotion. Nothing about Marie de France's poems. It's like writing about Mozart without mentioning music.