Title: Catherine, Called Birdy
Author: Karen Cushman
First published May 23, 1994
224 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780060739423 (ISBN10: 0060739428)
Rating: 3.73
Overview
“Good grief! Life is unbearable,” Catherine laments. Her father is determined to marry her off to any wealthy man, no matter how undesirable.
But Catherine refuses to give up her freedom, and through quick thinking and a bit of luck, she manages to send several potential suitors packing. However, when a repulsive, bearded lord from the north arrives, Catherine’s fate seems sealed.
He is not only the oldest and ugliest of them all, but also the richest. Can a young, spirited maiden with a razor-sharp wit and an independent mind really succumb to the wishes of a rude, pig-like lord and her greedy, unimaginative father?
Find out in Catherine, Called Birdy.
About the Author
Karen Cushman hails from Chicago, Illinois. She gained admission to Stanford University on a scholarship in 1959 and successfully completed her studies in Greek and English, bagging degrees in both fields.
Subsequently, she went on to pursue master’s degrees in museum studies and human behavior.
Before she decided to pursue writing full-time, Karen worked as an adjunct professor in the Museum Studies Department at John F. Kennedy University for a remarkable eleven years.
She finally resigned from her academic position in 1996 to concentrate on her writing career. These days, Karen resides on Vashon Island, Washington, alongside her husband, Philip.
Editoral Review
“Catherine, Called Birdy” by Karen Cushman tells the story of a young girl growing up in medieval England. Published on May 23, 1994, the novel is a historical fiction that sheds light on the life of women during the Middle Ages.
Karen Cushman is an American writer of children’s books who has won numerous awards for her work, including the Newbery Medal for “The Midwife’s Apprentice.”
The novel is written in the form of a diary kept by Catherine, the main character. The book follows Catherine’s life for a year, from her fourteenth birthday to her fifteenth.
Catherine wishes to break the mold of traditional expectations of marriage and motherhood placed upon women of the time. We witness her humorous attempts to do so, which include poisoning potential suitors, running away, and eventually coming to terms with her role as a woman in society.
The novel is set in a small English village during the 14th century. The detail about the period in which the story is set is thorough and historically accurate, from the hiring of midwives to the footwear of peasants, and this helps to transport the reader to that time and place.
The language used paints a vivid image of what life looked like, smelled like, sounded like, and felt like during medieval times. The strength of the book is the character of Catherine.
She is a strong-willed and headstrong girl who is not afraid to speak her mind. Her humor, intelligence, and wit make her a likable character.
Her actions, while sometimes foolish and selfish, are understandable given the circumstances of her life. Her development throughout the novel is profound, as she learns to accept her expected role in society while working within it to create a meaningful life.
However, the novel does have its weaknesses. The pacing is uneven, as some parts of Catherine’s story are repetitive and slow-moving.
The conflict is not as intense as one would expect in a novel of this genre, and some readers may find the ending unsatisfying. Despite the flaws, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in medieval literature or historical fiction in general.
It provides a unique insight into the daily lives of men and women of the time, which can help readers develop an understanding of how past events and practices have influenced present-day attitudes towards gender and societal expectations. The novel is also relevant to modern-day readers as it highlights the need for women to have control over their own lives and to be able to choose their own path.
In conclusion, “Catherine, Called Birdy” is an engaging and well-written novel that will appeal to a wide audience. With a rating of 4 out of 5, it is an enjoyable read that will keep readers entertained and enlightened.
