The Words In My Hand Av Guinevere Glasfurd

<P><B><I>THE TIMES </I>BOOK OF THE MONTH SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARD THE AUTHORS'' CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD</B><br><br><I><B>The Words in My Hand</B></I> is the reimagined true story of <B>Helena Jans</B>, a Dutch maid in 17th century Amsterdam working for an English bookseller. One day a mysterious and reclusive lodger arrives - the Monsieur - who turns out to be <B>Ren¿escartes</B>. <br><br>At first encounter the maid and the philosopher seem to have little in common, yet Helena yearns for <B>knowledge and literacy</B> - wanting to write so badly that she uses beetroot for ink and her body as paper. <br><br>And the philosopher, for all his learning, finds that it is Helena who reveals the surprise in the everyday world that surrounds him, as gradually their relationship deepens in <B>a surprising story of love and learning</B>.<br><br><B>''Excellent . . . an entirely unsentimental love story with a memorable and engaging heroine. Clever and touching'' <I>The Ti