4Real Forums: Karen Cushman books

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Cay Gibson
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Posted: Aug 11 2005 at 10:27am \| IP Logged

We've discussed Karen Cushman's book books at CCM and Lit Alive! before. But I'm needing to explore her books again.

Does anyone have any insight? Who has read her books? Did you enjoy them or not? Why or why not? What age would you allow your dc to read them?

I'm mainly interested in discussing the prevalent Catholic influence of the middle ages found in Catherine, Called Birdy, The Midwife's Apprentice, and Mathilda Bone.

Are you able to overlook the few vulgarities and reap the Catholic influence or do you feel the crude lifestyle of the middle ages is too pronounced in her books?

How would you compare her books to Come Rack, Come Rope! and the Howard Pyle books and Margueite deAngeli's book The Door in the Wall?

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Cay Gibson
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Elena
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Posted: Aug 16 2006 at 8:05am \| IP Logged

I'm planning to write something for my blog about the Midwife's apprentice today. I actually have a draft started but I need to look a couple more things.

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed The Midwife's Apprentice AND Catherine called Birdy. It never occurred to me that TMA was controversial until I noted that you could not buy or sell it through Catholic Swap! Then I noted that the Catholic League had reviewed it negatively.

I think this book is probably best for jr. high or late elementary. It's about a very poor orphan girl in medieval times surviving by eating scraps and digging into a dung heap at night to keep warm. She is more than happy then to find regular work with the midwife who at least gives her a bit of bread to eat although she is very cruel and cold to her otherwise. This girl learns the art of midwifery by watching the midwife attend births and eventually learns to have confidence and a bit of self-esteem in herself and her own abilities by the end of the book.

I think the book gives a real flavor for the time. Medieval times were full of superstitions and Cushman does illustrate that in her book. The Catholic league opposed the relics and sacramentals were used, but anyone with an Eastern European grandmother might remember similar superstitious practices that were more cultural really than anything else. The Catholic League also made a big deal out of the midwife attending mass and yet being so cruel and unkind as well as carrying on an adulterous relationship. It was my impression that the entire village was Catholic and they weren't an entirely virtuous lot, but I didn't take that as a slam against Catholicism but more a realistic look at human nature and medieval living. The midwife is a supporting character. The protagonist is the orphaned and impoverished apprentice, who doesn't even have a proper name until several chapters into the book. This is her story of surviving and living in such poverty that she has to dig into a manure heap at night for warmth, to feeling that she has worth and purpose in this world above trying to fill her stomach every day. It's an uplifting and interesting story. The few parts that might be objectionable (and they didn't offend me because I took them mostly as historical or studies in human nature rather than as anti-Catholicism) can easily be explained by parents and perhaps even used as a springboard to other conversations.

Catherine called Birdie is about an aristocratic young lady also in medieval times. My son was amazed at how closely this young lady followed the feast and commemorations in her diary, using those actually instead of the month and date. Her story dealt more with fears of being married off against her wishes and fears for her pregnant mother and other such concerns. I actually listened to a recording of this book and found it to be quite delightful.

I would not have any problem including these books in a study of midlevel times or just for general reading.

Natalia
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Posted: Aug 16 2006 at 8:26am \| IP Logged

I can't offered a detailed review since we read the book two years ago. We actually listened to the audio version. Like Elena we found it quite delightful. The reader does a great job. I don't remember anything offensive. We listened at dinner time so my dh listened also. He is more stric than I am and he didn't find anything offensive. I believe we did have to explain some points to the dc about live in the middle ages and believes and superstitions.

You can always listen to the audio version so that you can discuss or skip anything that you might find offensive.

Natalia

Natalia
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Posted: Aug 16 2006 at 8:30am \| IP Logged

Oh I forgot to mention that at least CCB, is not crude. At least I didn't find it so.

I haven't read the Howard Pyle book you mentioned. The Door in the Wall is good also but I think it is writen for younger kids. The plot is simpler and I don't think and the subject matter is also for younger kids. We love The Door in the Wall also but I think if you have a great variety of ages I would include both.

Natalia

stefoodie
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Posted: Aug 16 2006 at 8:35am \| IP Logged

I read the Midwife's Apprentice two years ago as a pre-read but decided not to let then-13-yo read it. AFAIR there was no direct anti-Catholicism but the superstitions did bother me... although I would have no problem now with my 15-yo reading it -- she's older and more discerning. Because we had other/better choices for the Middle Ages anyway, I chose to leave this one out. It was a fun read for me though.

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