A 15th-century portrait artist, grieving the untimely death of his lover, takes refuge at the monastery at Mont Saint-Michel. Though he is illiterate, he is assigned the task of copying manuscripts, helping to produce a vast library that brings the monastery great acclaim. His story is revealed by a young Montreal novelist researching Mont Saint-Michel's history five hundred years later. Thruoghout these emotional rescues in the high seas, Dominique Fortier's writing is carried on a rich, beautiful and evocative language. The recurrent use of words from old French adds a patina that is appropriate for this journey filled with touching, illuminating moments... Dominique Fortier plunges into the depths of human paradox and emerges with a love of books that she shares with grace and generosity.