Matrix is a novel set in the 12th century England and follows a young french royal, cast away Marie, who was banished to become a prioress of an abbey with nuns in rural England. The reasoning behind this is because Marie is deemed unfit for married life because of her unruly and defiant nature.
Growing accustomed to her new life, Marie has to deal with the religious expectations and her passionate nature. She is expected to run the abbey one day, but realizes that her beliefs do not coincide with those of the nun’s life. But, Marie also realizes that her new position enables her to hold much more power than she ever believed herself to be able to possess.
The novel falls into the genre of historical fiction and portrays the main theme of feminism through the character of Marie. It also shows the cruelty and corruption of religion, and the effects of power upon a person. The book was nominated for the National Book Award for Fiction.
