In medieval England, a nameless, homeless girl known only as Brat survives by sleeping in dung heaps for warmth. Her life changes when Jane Sharp, a sharp-tongued local midwife, takes her in as an apprentice. Renaming herself Alyce, the girl learns the medicinal uses of herbs and the physical techniques of delivering infants in a village setting. The story follows her transition from a frightened scavenger to a skilled laborer as she navigates professional failure, the superstitions of the townspeople, and the search for her own identity and social standing.
Historical fiction enthusiasts and young readers interested in the Middle Ages read this for its unsanitized portrayal of medieval survival and female agency. It offers a look at the history of healthcare and the specific social hierarchies of the fourteenth century. Readers walk away with a clear understanding of the grit required to overcome poverty and the way a person builds self-worth through the acquisition of specialized knowledge and professional persistence.
Clear-cut; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Story Seeker. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1995
- Language
- EN
