44 pages • 1 hour read
The Cloisters
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Summary and Study Guide
Overview
Introduction
The Cloisters (2022) is a debut novel by American writer and art historian Katy Hays. The novel takes place in the real Cloisters museum, part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Marketed as part of the “dark academia” genre, The Cloisters follows an aspiring researcher who discovers an ancient deck of tarot cards and uses them to elevate her academic career. The novel explores themes of destiny and fate, ambition, personal ethics, and gender disparity in the academic community. This guide refers to the 2022 hardcover edition from Bantam.
Plot Summary
Ann Stilwell is a newly graduated researcher heading to New York City for a summer opportunity at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She’s trying to put space between herself and her hometown of Walla Walla, Washington, as a hit-and-run driver recently killed her father. When she arrives in New York City, however, she learns that, due to an administrative error, she’ll be working at the smaller Cloisters museum instead. The head curator, Patrick Roland, is compiling an exhibition on divination. He’s particularly interested in the Renaissance use of tarot cards. Working along with them is another young researcher named Unlock all 44 pages of this Study Guide Plus, gain access to 8,900+ more expert-written Study Guides. Including features:
