`17th-century Amsterdam sparkles into life in this delightful, playful & beautifully written debut. I loved it!` Rachel Hore, bestselling author of A Week In Paris ` Guinevere Glasfurd`s writing is fresh & elegant. I loved the subject & the way she brings Amsterdam in the 1600s into vivid, believable life. A lovely book` Dinah Jefferies, bestselling author of The Tea Planter`s Wife The Words in My Hand is the reimagined true story of Helena Jans, a Dutch maid in 17th-century Amsterdam, who works for Mr Sergeant the English bookseller. When a mysterious & reclusive lodger arrives
- the Monsieur
- Mr Sergeant insists everything must be just so. It transpires that the Monsieur is Rene Descartes. This is Helena`s story: the woman in front of Descartes, a young woman who yearns for knowledge, who wants to write so badly she makes ink from beetroot & writes in secret on her skin
- only to be held back by her position in society. Weaving together the story of Descartes` quest for reason with Helena`s struggle for literacy, their worlds overlap as their feelings deepen; yet remain sharply divided. For all Descartes` learning, it is Helena he seeks out as she reveals the surprise in the everyday world that surrounds him. When reputation is everything & with so much to lose, some truths must remain hidden. Helena & Descartes face a terrible tragedy & ultimately have to decide if their love is possible at all.