The Tapestry Shop

By Joyce Elson Moore

From the back of the book:

“The Tapestry Shop is the story of the trouvere, Adam de la Halle, a thirteenth century poet-musician who entertained in France’s royal courts. Adam’s secular play, Robin et Marion, led to the birth of the comic opera form and the first penning of the Robin Hood legend. The book draws the reader into the Middle Ages, where women joined the crusades and students held discourse on the Street of Straw, but the overriding appeal of The Tapestry Shop is Adam’s connection to the legend of Robin Hood.”

In this book, the author takes a very little historical entry about a little known figure and weaves a fascinating tale of life in the Middle Ages. And she does an awesome job of it.

Slated to hit the bookstores in October, The Tapestry Shop follows the life of Adam de la Halle as he is sent into exile for writing words that offend and are censured. He does his time and returns to seek revenge on the guard who escorted him to his punishment. They stole what little goods he took with him and he wants it back.

However, along the way, he meets Catherine, the daughter of a tapestry shopkeeper, and falls desperately in love. But Catherine is betrothed to another – albeit against her own wants.

This book weaves their encounters in and out of the pages, gives the reader the chance to see Adam’s career develop and provides a glimpse into the 13^th century in a way that is charming and enchanting.

I really enjoyed this book and I hope you’ll add it to your list of books to watch for this fall. I believe you’ll like it, too.