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Matilda Bone by Karen Cushman
 | Matilda Bone Karen Cushman Date: 2002-03-12 — 5.99 — Book Rating: |
Has anyone read this book? It is so good. The author, Karen Cushman, won the Newbery for another of her books, The Midwife's Apprentice, a couple of years ago.
Matilda Bone is the story of a young girl who is raised and educated by a priest. She later goes to live with a Bonesetter. It takes place in the early days of Edward III (around the time of the Black Plague). Since she's been educated to read and write in several languages and can do arithmetic, she thinks she's above the common folk, and she cannot relate to them. She also has no experience with emotional attachments so she rebuffs anyone who tries to get close to her. Over the course of the book, however, she learns the value of those around her. It's kind of a simple plot, but very affecting. There's also a little hint of a romance.
The funniest part is that she constantly talks to the saints, and they are always answering her in dismissive terms, like "You think you have problems? I had problems. I was dragged naked through thorns and briars, then boiled in oil, then decapitated. You should toughen up."
The medieval setting was done very well with lots of realistic dirt and grime. Cushman seemed to get the thought processes exactly right, and she went into interesting detail about medical practices in the 14th century.
Highly recommended for kids and adults.