Mary Imlay Taylor
The cobbler of Nîmes
"The Cobbler of Nîmes" by M. Imlay Taylor is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. Set in the early 18th century, the story revolves around the lives of Huguenots struggling for their rights amidst persecution in France. The narrative introduces the hunchbacked cobbler Charlot, who is sympathetic to the plight of the Huguenots, and a young man named François d’Aguesseau, who is trying to navigate his own dangers after the execution of his sister. At the start of the novel, the scene is set in a lively market in Nîmes during a fair, where a showman is exhibiting the body of a damned Huguenot woman. Amidst the chaos, Charlot, the cobbler, observes the crowd and its reactions, and eventually encounters François, who is distraught over the death of his sister. Recognizing the danger François faces, Charlot offers him shelter in his shop. The opening chapters encapsulate the stark realities of life for Huguenots in this period while also introducing key themes of kindness, danger, and the moral dilemmas faced by those caught between loyalties and fears.