SYLVIA

Bryce Courtenay sets his tale in early-thirteenth-century Germany. Weaving elements of history and folklore, he shines a light on the Children's Crusade of 1212. Medieval Europe is mired in poverty, ignorance, religious fervor, and intolerance. The Church, which pulls the political strings and controls the dissemination of knowledge, uses superstition and misinformation to fan the flames of fear and incite conflict. Edwina Wren is 11-year-old Sylvia Honeyeater, a German peasant with the voice of an angel and a talent for mimicry that charms the birds from the trees. Wren's skill with accents is put to the test with a wide cast of characters ranging from Reinhart the Ratcatcher (modeled on the Pied Piper of Hamelin) to priests and peasants. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 08]