The Printed Page

Watermark by Vanitha Sankaran is a sure thing for my favorite books list come year end and for a debut novel that’s an quite an accomplishment. Your first clue that I loved Watermark is in knowing that right after turning the last page I wanted to immediately start reading Ms. Sankaran’s second historical novel which she’s currently in the midst of writing. I loved everything about Watermark – the characters, the setting, the historical details of the inquisition and papermaking but most of all the story itself. As I was unsure if I’d enjoy Watermark I downloaded the sample to my Kindle (Chpts 1-4) but I needn’t have worried that I’d DNF this one because right from the very beginning Auda’s story drew me in. Auda’s unique in that her looks and lack of speech combined with her profession set her apart from most female characters in historical fiction. Watermark doesn’t read like a debut novel. It reads like the author is a seasoned writer taking bits of historical fact and weaving them into interesting and entertaining fiction. I simply couldn’t put Watermark down. Historical fiction fans shouldn’t let Watermark drift on by.

Here’s what others are saying:

• Raging Bibliomania
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The daughter of a papermaker in a small French village in the year 1320—mute from birth and forced to shun normal society—young Auda finds solace and escape in the wonder of the written word. Believed to be cursed by those who embrace ignorance and superstition, Auda’s very survival is a testament to the strength of her spirit. But this is an age of Inquisition and intolerance, when difference and defiance are punishable “sins” and new ideas are considered damnable heresy. When darkness descends upon her world, Auda—newly grown to womanhood—is forced to flee, setting off on a remarkable quest to discover love and a new sense of self . . . and to reclaim her heritage and the small glory of her father’s art.