Sarah is a 17-year-old female anchorite who plans to hide from the outside world after the demise of her sister during delivery. The death of her sister compels Sarah to request to be enclosed as an anchoress. Sarah spends her life locked in a tiny stone cell at the side of the village church. Indeed, Sarah withdrawals from her anguish and the attentions of Sir Geoffrey’s son, Thomas. There is a room adjacent to her cell where two maids, Anna and Louise, tend to her. The women need guidance from her. Sarah is given the bible and the rule book and is expected to guide tribeswomen.
Sarah trades her prayers for financial support. However, Sir Geoffrey offers a piece of land to the local religious community to support Sarah financially. Sarah is devoted to the spiritual world that she denies herself pleasure. Father Peter is Sarah’s advisor. At some point, he confesses to father Ranaulf that holy women may grow manly souls. Ranaulf becomes Sarah’s advisor. Ranaulf hears Sarah confessing about Sir Thomas, who tried to lure her before she locked herself. In the cell, Sarah is haunted by spirits of two anchoresses, Sister Agnes and Isabella, who were locked in the cell before her.
Ultimately, Ranaulf comes to learn about what happened to Isabella. As a result, he engages villagers to get a clear story. We learn that Isabella was physically assaulted by a particular bishop before fleeing and vanishing. Ranaulf wants to ensure that such a thing doesn’t happen to Sarah. Eventually, the cell goes through a renovation. Sarah is densely protected. Neither the bishop nor sir Thomas can access her. The book tells a story of fear, desire, and faith.
