“An exquisite novel.” Martha Conway, author of Thieving ForestB.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree A Renaissance-era female artist and an American scholar. Linked by a 500-year-old mystery… Renaissance-era artist Mira grows up in a Pyrenees convent believing she is an orphan. When tragedy strikes, Mira learns the devastating truth about her own origins. But does she have the strength to face those who would destroy her?
2015: Centuries later, art scholar Zari unearths traces of a mysterious young woman named Mira in two 16th-century portraits. Obsessed, Zari tracks Mira through the great cities of Europe to the pilgrim’s route of Camino de Santiago—and is stunned by what she finds. Will her discovery be enough to bring Mira’s story to life?
A powerful story and an intriguing mystery, The Girl from Oto is an unforgettable novel of obsession, passion, and human resilience.
Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah and Anthony Doerr.
Author Interview:
Q: Why did you write The Girl from Oto?
A: During travels with my family through Europe in 2010-11, I was thrilled by museum visits but my two young daughters were not. I wished more of the art they saw was relevant to them. We wandered through great halls of medieval and Renaissance-era paintings, and I mourned the lack of female artists. Meanwhile, my girls stared at portraits of frozen-in-time people in their gilt frames and were unmoved. I wished we knew more about the stories behind those portraits.
Then I visited Oxford University and saw a 500-year-old painting of a mysterious woman, attributed to female portrait artist Caterina van Hemessen. I was floored. So there were women painters in those days! I began to dig into history, and the idea for The Girl from Oto was born. I would bring one of those mysterious old portraits to life, and I would create a place in history for its maker. Along the way I learned that women have always been artists. Their work was often attributed to men or kept anonymous, but it exists. And more and more of these women are being rescued from history’s shadows.
Q: What is the significance of the Camino de Santiago in the story?
A: The action in Mira’s story takes place in the Pyrenees mountains along the pilgrim’s route of Camino de Santiago (also known as the Way of St. James or St. Jacques). From the middle ages onward, this also happened to be a major trade route between what is now Spain and the rest of Europe. The mountain communities evolved with the constant presence of traveling pilgrims, itinerant merchants and artisans, smugglers, refugees, and nomadic shepherds. This created a dramatic brew of tensions, culture clashes, religious differences, unlikely alliances, the spread of disease, and a constant flow of news. Add into the mix the looming presence of the mountains themselves, and it’s a writer’s dream come true!
Q: How many books are in the series?
A: The Miramonde Series is a trilogy. The Girl from Oto is Book 1, Mira’s Way is Book 2, and A Place in the World is Book 3. There is also a prequel novella to the series, The Promise, and a collection of short stories called Gift of Gold.
Q: What kind of reader likes your writing?
A: Fans of Pillars of the Earth tend to like my story. People who love history, art, travel, romance, and mystery will enjoy The Girl from Oto.
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I had heard good things about this book, but I wasn’t prepared for the intensive and complete research with which Maroney crafted her tale. She is a gifted storyteller who offers great depth and consistency in each character.
Mira’s story is a precision-tuned masterpiece from the get-go. Maroney’s usage of split-timelines is a trendy tool helping to capture the modern reader, as well. Art history oozes from each page in a compelling stream of information that is balanced and guides the reader through the tale. And if Maroney hasn’t hiked “The Way”, then she faked me out!
I had never read anything about the Pyrenees region before, and this story certainly whetted my appetite. From the darker characters such as Ramon to the tragic ones like Marguerite, the story is full of unexpected turns and casts light on the late Middle Ages/Renaissance and how women were perceived in those periods. Contrasting that is the storyline about Zari and her dogged determination to turn a summer in Europe into a longer tenure to further her career. In her fascination with Mira’s world, Zari becomes what any historical fiction reader is–hooked, mesmerized, and eager to cast light on all that time has erased.
A FABULOUS read!!!
There is a haunting quality of well-written historical fiction when you are so intertwined with the narrative you know not your own time or place. And so it is for me in The Girl from Oto. In Amy Maroney’s brilliantly constructed dual narrative novel, Mira, a lost Renaissance artist, and Zari, a modern-day historian on her trail, weave their tales through time and place, each defying destiny and fueled by the courage of their own convictions. A beautifully written novel, the stories are so immersive, so exquisitely crafted that I was completely absorbed in past and present, and willingly gave myself up to Ms. Maroney’s skillful storytelling. Absorbed but never lost, for throughout both narratives, the majestic and beautifully observed presence of the countryside, mountains and forests of the Pyrenees kept us grounded in both women’s lives, and the clever introduction of the Camino de Santiago encouraged me to let Ms Maroney guide the way. And, just as Zari finds herself retracing the pilgrim’s route, so Mira walks ahead of her, just out of sight, around the next corner, beckoning her forward with tantalising breadcrumbs of her hidden artistic signature.
The level of historical research is fascinating, for Ms Maroney takes us deep into the craft of Renaissance art, the lives of the nuns of the Benedictine abbey, and the crucial role of the wool trade in those distant times to bring Mira to life. Her counterpart Zari is equally interesting, set in the cutthroat world of modern academia, where careers are made and broken on the strength of discovery.
The first in a series, by nature of its structure The Girl from Oto flows at pace that encourages a slow read, savouring the beautiful descriptions and fascinating details. Knowing this story is a pilgrimage to the past in its own right, settle down and enjoy every scene and nuance, reread those you will inevitably love, and walk with the Girl from Oto on her compelling journey. Highly recommend.
‘A powerful story and an intriguing mystery. A Red Ribbon winner and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
26 March 2018
Format: Paperback
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: The Girl from Oto
Author: Amy Maroney
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers:
Stats
Editing: 7/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 7/10
Of the 17 readers:
15 would read another book by this author.
10 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
15 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
10 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
15 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘A very enjoyable historical novel. This author is most comfortable when working in the past. The characters were well-drawn and interesting; the twisting plot and the strong element of mystery was intriguing. The modern day element was not quite so strong. Slow here and there but, all in all, a very enjoyable book.’ Male reader, aged 44
‘The central premise was very clever. I also liked the way the story was woven into two different moments in history. The ending was not so strong; I’m guessing setting it up for a sequel. Well, I for one will be reading it. Well done!’ Female reader, aged 42
‘The author shows excellent understanding of the time the story is set in. The romantic parts were not for me, almost distracting, but the rest of the novel was wonderfully written. I would expect this author to get better and better. One to watch!’ Female reader, aged 68
To Sum It Up:
‘A powerful story and an intriguing mystery. A Red Ribbon winner and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Loved this book so much I immediately bought the other two books in the series! I liked the historical aspects as well as the way the author included information on the art world.
The first of three stories about a modern art scholar and a renaissance artist. Both worlds are interesting, and both main characters grow through their experiences. Read the books in order for the full story.
Loved this book so much that I read the 3 book series right away.
This is one of those rare books that you never want to end. Luckily, it’s what you could describe as a big fat read! And there’s Books Two and Three waiting in the wings.
Set in the dual setting of late fifteenth century Aragon and modern day England, ‘The Girl from Oto’ is a multi-layered, very fast-paced novel following the lives of the two main female protagonists: Mira and Zari. In the course of her research of a medieval female painter, Cornelia van der Zee, Zari ends up pursuing Mira across the centuries, trying to unpick the past using the precision of her skills as an art historian. This makes for some fascinating reading about the methods used to trace the painter of a work of art, its age and provenance.
The novel draws on many different themes in both time zones: the need of an ancient family for a male heir; the competitive world of modern academia; the surprisingly similar struggle of women to have their voices heard over five hundred years ago and now; the choices women had then and have today; the nuances of love.
Getting a balance between the two time frames requires an awful lot of talent but Amy Maroney has it in bucket loads. Never once did I feel I was being dragged away from one to the other; what made it even more exciting were the multiple character perspectives which kept it fresh and moved the novel along at a cracking pace.
Then there is the humour! Plenty of it as Maroney, an American, describes what happens when Americans meet Brits abroad. Trust me, neither side comes out squeaky clean and these encounters make for hilarious reading. Sue, an overly chatty American walking the ancient Way of Santiago de Compostela is a match for a smug British couple who are convinced of their own superiority.
All in all, a novel guaranteeing a thrilling adventure to another world.
Historical novel set in Pyrrennes
I felt like each chapter was the beginning of a new book – and not in a good way. The book begins with such intricate detail that I thought perhaps I was in book 2 of a series. The author has not considered the audience with this one.
The setting of the book was the real star. The beauty of the rugged Pyrenees was captivating.
Unfortunately I’ve read too many of these dual time period novels lately. I find the technique annoying even when one of the story lines (Mira in this book) was quite interesting.
Wonderful blending of modern & historic story lines. Characters heartwarming & well developed and history details fascinating. After reading this first book in series, read the other two, which were equally engaging.