A Debut Novel Set During the Black Plague
Drawing on her own expertise, gemologist Anna Rasche creates a heroine who harnesses the power of stones to heal the sick
Rock crystal amulets—believed to have the power to ward off evil, illness, and misfortune—on display at the National Museum of Bargello in Florence, Italy. Photo courtesy of Anna Rasche
A Debut Novel Set During the Black Plague
Drawing on her own expertise, gemologist Anna Rasche creates a heroine who harnesses the power of stones to heal the sick
As a jewelry historian and gemologist, Anna Rasche has investigated the provenance of jewelry in private collections and at prestigious institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As a debut novelist, she has created a heroine who can harness the power of stones for good.
In 2014, while researching medieval uses of the organic gem coral for a grad school assignment, Rasche (CAS’09) encountered a number of lapidaries—medieval-era encyclopedias detailing gemstones’ supposed healing powers.
These lapidaries explained that coral worn around the neck protected against bad omens and cured infertility. An amethyst placed under the tongue could prevent drunkenness and provide clarity. And an emerald could cure diseases of the eyes and help one see clearly. As she read, Rasche began imagining a fictional tale.
Rasche’s debut novel, The Stone Witch of Florence (Park Row, 2024), begins in 1348 with Ginevra, a young girl who uses gemstones to heal the sick. She is branded as a witch and banished from Florence, but is called back when the Black Plague takes hold. The city’s only hope is recovering some stolen church relics, which they believe have led to a curse. Protected by a coral amulet, Ginevra (“the stone witch”) can travel the streets of Florence to investigate the thefts. If she succeeds, she will be forgiven and respected as a true healer.
Entertainment Weekly described the book as a “twisty, historical witchy escape,” and the Washington Post called it an “interesting look at the intersection of folk magic, medicine and religion in the 14th century.”
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