Its banister worn smooth as soap…

Reading time: Less than 1 minute

I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about some metaphors and similes from Kimberly Cutter.

As a child I became obsessed with the Tudor family and with Joan of Arc. I’m not sure to what I should attribute this interest but I recall reading every possible book on the subjects and figuring out ways to twist school essay assignments to suit my curiosity.

This summer I was able to renew my interest in the 15th century by reading the delightful historical novel, Maid: A novel of Joan of Arc by Kimberly Cutter.

In addition to filling my Joan “fix” the book also gave me some lovely metaphors and similes. Here are my favourites:

  • Durand’s wife, Marie, was sour — a cold, frowning woman who shouted and slapped your hand if you want for a second slice of meat at supper — but Durand was different. Durand, Jehanne thought, was so kind it was as if he had two hearts pounding in his chest.
  • Henri was a wheelwright, and there were dozens of wheels propped up neatly against the house like a thicket of wooden suns.
  • Jehanne followed Henri up a narrow stone staircase, its banister worn smooth as soap.

Henceforth, whenever I hold a well-worn banister, I will always think of this image.

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