Very rarely does a person come across a novel like Susann Cokal’s The Kingdom of Little Wounds also fondly referred to by the author as a fairy tale about syphilis. And if that isn’t enough to stop you in your tracks this novel is found in the teen section!
How could we not run towards it with open arms?
Little Wounds showcases the dirty side to medieval and Renaissance life. This is not an idealized world of princesses and glamour. In this novel, everyone is dirty, everyone is sick and everyone is understandably miserable. And I loved it.
For a book about such ugly things the prose was absolutely beautiful and because of this I found the novel impossible to put down.
If you’re interested in period fiction or even just looking for a distinct read, then I would suggest checking this novel out. But be warned this is not for the light of heart. This is a novel about ugly things and you will probably feel like you’ll need a shower after reading it.
I sure did.
