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What Members Thought
When Meggy’s mother unexpectedly sends her to live with her father, a man she’s never even met, Meggy accepts this without much hesitation because her mother has never loved her. Her father wants an apprentice in his alchemy lab, although he decides that he does not, in fact, want her to assist him once he sees that: 1) she’s a girl, and 2) she needs sticks to help her walk.
Having lived in a small town up until now, Meggy immediately hates London; it’s too loud, crowded, and confusing to her. Sh ...more
Having lived in a small town up until now, Meggy immediately hates London; it’s too loud, crowded, and confusing to her. Sh ...more
Ye toads and vipers, it takes a certain kind of nerd to appreciate a book like this. For example: Shakespeare lovers, language geeks, Renaissance Faire attenders, history buffs, etc. I enjoyed it, but I am your classic Society of Creative Anachronism apologist.
Here we have young Meggy Swann who is transplanted from a country village to the middle of teeming London in the year 1573. Meggy was born with crooked legs, so she walks with the aid of sticks and endures a lot of insults and prejudice. ...more
Here we have young Meggy Swann who is transplanted from a country village to the middle of teeming London in the year 1573. Meggy was born with crooked legs, so she walks with the aid of sticks and endures a lot of insults and prejudice. ...more
There was nothing outstanding about this book. The story wasn't extremely compelling and the job of an alchemist is not well explained and alchemy is not as central to the plot as I imagined it would be. I did like that Meggy's character experiences a lot of growth and empowerment over the course of the novel. She went from being a self-pitying, angry girl to a more self-sufficient, happier and ambitious one. The alchemist, her father, is despicable and the author does little to make the reader
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This was a great listen (I listened to the audio version)--Katherine Kellgren is a wonderful narrator & did a great job portraying Meggy. I enjoyed Meggy's story, and Cushman did a good job showing Elizabethan London from the eyes of someone new to the city, as well as someone disabled. The language is well-done & researched and is entertaining. Meggy is a likable heroine and is a real girl too. She learns how to be more giving and understanding and learns how to forgive herself for her shortcom
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I love Karen Cushman's books (except for Rodzina). I stayed up late and woke up early to finish this book. I adore it. Ten-year-old me would have adored it. I want to start a parent-kid book group and begin with this book paired with The Disappearing Spoon. I can say no more.
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I'm biased. I love historical fiction, strong female protagonists and London. Lots of things to learn about Elizabethan England here: the new science of alchemy (obviously), ballads, printing, acting troupes, etc. Cushman's author's note is wonderful--adding much to Meggy's story, not to mention her obvious superb research.
And most amazing of all was the FABULOUS narration by Katherine Kellgren. She makes Elizabethan England come alive. Move over Jim Dale. Odyssey honor totally deserved. ...more
And most amazing of all was the FABULOUS narration by Katherine Kellgren. She makes Elizabethan England come alive. Move over Jim Dale. Odyssey honor totally deserved. ...more
Enjoyed this look at London in 1573 through the eyes of a young girl who needs crutches to walk sent to live with her previously unknown alchemist father. Clever resolution.
May 10, 2010
Jess
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
juv
This is one of those books that pulls you into the past with smells, sounds, tastes, and Shakespearean curses. It gets extra points for explaining alchemy in a way that actually makes sense - as the search for perfection and immortality, rather than just to turn things into gold. Cushman makes you feel both the circumstances and mindset of early Elizabethan England, without turning it into a history lesson or losing any vitality.
As an added bonus, I got to see Cushman speak at Powell's, where s ...more
As an added bonus, I got to see Cushman speak at Powell's, where s ...more
Listened to audio narrated by Katherine Kellgren. While this is definitely not my favorite Cushman, Kellgren's narrative carries the audio edition admirably. I enjoyed the depiction of how someone with a physical disability might have survived in medieval England, but I did think Cushman tackled a few too many subplots. I particularly enjoyed the bardic songs as well.
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Oct 30, 2010
carissa
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
juvenile-fiction,
juvenile-fiction-historical
Recommended Ages: grades 5-8
Meggy's mother was glad to be rid of her; her father, who sent for her, doesn't want her after all. Meggy is appalled by London,dirty and noisy, full of rogues and thieves, and difficult to get around in--not that getting around is ever easy for someone who walks with the help of two sticks.Just as her alchemist father pursues his Great Work of transforming base metal into gold, Meggy finds herself pursuing her own transformation.
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Meggy's mother was glad to be rid of her; her father, who sent for her, doesn't want her after all. Meggy is appalled by London,dirty and noisy, full of rogues and thieves, and difficult to get around in--not that getting around is ever easy for someone who walks with the help of two sticks.Just as her alchemist father pursues his Great Work of transforming base metal into gold, Meggy finds herself pursuing her own transformation.
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I already reviewed the hardcover edition, but I had to give the audio version a listen after it won an Odyssey Honor - plus, it's read by Katherine Kellgren, one of my favorite narrators. She gives the historical language her all, making it easy to distinguish between characters, singing the ballads with gusto, and making those fabulous curses come alive. Recommended to fans of historical fiction and Cushman's other books.
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Good solid historical fiction as we've grown to expect from Cushman. Vivid descriptions of London in the 1600's (if I remember correctly). Cushman places her feisty young girls smack dab in the center of the action in her books and this one doesn't disappoint.
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May 19, 2010
Maggi Rohde
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
middle-grade,
historical-fiction
Aug 19, 2010
Karyn The Pirate
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
juvenile-fic
Dec 28, 2010
Mary Lee
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
ya
Feb 26, 2011
Rachel
marked it as to-read
