A strange, sometimes disquieting, novel that juxtaposes spiritual and erotic obsession and blurs the line between the two. We have two women, one the mistress of a sadist, and the other, a novice nun who is the target of both the sadist's derision and fascination. The story is set in New Orleans and in addition to religious fervor and violent sex, we are treated to dead rats, plague, and murder. All of which makes it sound incredibly grotesque, so it is to Martin's credit that she makes it work somehow. It's an odd book but one I ended up appreciating, if not liking exactly. ( )