Historical fiction and travelogue

Flemish author and academic. Stefan Hertmans became fascinated by the true story of a young Catholic French woman who fell in love with the local Rabbi’s son in the 11th century, a totally forbidden love. The lovers fled across France towards Egypt, followed by her father’s knights. Hertmans alternates his fictionalized account of their plight with his own travels across France following what he imagined their journey to be, picking up clues as he went. He brings the Middle Ages vividly to life in this quite anthropological account. I loved it. And am grateful not to have lived then!