The Minstrel's Tale [Hardcover]

Berit Haahr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 8, 2000

A rollicking adventure set in medieval England about a heroine who refuses to live by other people's rules.

Judith of Nesscliffe is 13 years old and her stepfather thinks it's time she married. Her future husband is at least 30 years older than she is and already has five daughters--some of them older than Judith. Now he wants a son and heir. Judith has other ideas. Wearing boys' clothing to disguise herself, Judith becomes Jude and runs away from home. With only a falcon for company, she sets out on a 150-mile journey to join the King's Minstrels. Along the way, she is attacked by thieves and forced to defend herself against the advances of a young woman who thinks that "Jude" would make an ideal husband. But she also finds her own true love as well as a way to live the life she chooses.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This first novel, set in 14th-century England, succeeds more as an extended fairy tale than a work of historical fiction. When 13-year-old Lady Judith meets her intended husband at her betrothal banquet, she is repulsed by his base behavior. She decides, at the prompting of one of the King's minstrels, who entertains at the banquet and notes the girl's musical talent, to disguise herself as a boy and escape to Kent to become a minstrel to King Edward, too. As "Jude," her ability to pass as a boy, survive in the woods and defend herself against attackers is sometimes convincing (as when she makes use of her stepfather's peregrine falcon) and sometimes forced (e.g., when a blacksmith robs her and fails to discover her identity). Her many detours on the journey from Nesscliff to London and finally to Kent provide some insight into the varied lives of nobility, serfs and abbots. But they also give rise to contrived events that sustain the narrative, such as landing at her friends' manor where a petty sister-in-law is bound to fall for the young musician. The third-person narration's frequent shifts from Jude to her many acquaintances (sometimes only for a paragraph or two) is often confusing. Judith lives happily ever after, but only after she finds it impossible to keep up her ruse does she compromise her goal, and settle for love. Those who enjoy a good once-upon-a-time tale may be willing to stick with this heroine through her fairly implausible escapades. Ages 12-up. (Aug.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Gr 6-8-Thirteen-year-old Judith of Nesscliff is a talented musician in 13th-century England. She is distraught when her gluttonous stepfather announces her betrothal to the middle-aged and coarse Lord Walter. At her engagement dinner, Judith is entranced by Robin, a musician in the King's Minstrels, and decides to escape by disguising herself as a boy, "Jude," and begins a trek across England to audition for this prestigious group. Along the way, she encounters those who help and those who harm or hinder her, including a cruel thief and a beautiful lady who thinks "Jude" would make an ideal husband. While the book has its strengths, it is not consistently well written. Too often, the characters' thoughts rather than their actions provide details about themselves or other characters. Though plenty happens to Jude, the events do not tie together in a way that creates a true feeling of suspense, and the ending, in which Judith and Robin head off to his family manor together, seems to come too soon and too abruptly. Karen Cushman's The Midwife's Apprentice (1995) and Catherine, Called Birdy (1994, both Clarion) are more satisfying. However, even though this novel has some weaknesses, Haahr has created a strong and charming female character.-Toni D. Moore, Simon Kenton High School, Independence, KY

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 247 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (August 8, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385327137
• ISBN-13: 978-0385327138
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,314,154 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good, but with loose ends, September 19, 2000

By 

bonnie (West Coast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Minstrel's Tale (Hardcover)

This was a very well-written story about a young girl who dresses as a boy to escape her marriage to a beastly old man, and to realize her dream of becoming a King's Minstrel. Although this story was very enjoyable, it seemed like it needed a sequel. Such loose ends as Lady Christine and her plots were left hanging. Another book about Judith, though, is not a terrible prospect. I can only hope the sequel (if there is one) comes quickly and is as well-written. If you liked The Minstrel's Tale, I am almost positive that you would enjoy The Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce. It is another sereis about a girl that disguises herself as a boy to do the thing she loves (in this case becoming a knight). Overall, this was a very good book and a wonderful read for teen and pre-teen girls.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the mom of an avid young reader, January 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Minstrel's Tale (Hardcover)

This wonderful book came highly recommended, and my daughter and I were thoroughly absorbed the entire read. It has all the elements of a story I remember loving as a youngster: limited danger that the heroine overcomes, connection to nature, historical accuracy, friendship, and even romance. I was particularly impressed that the romantic story concluded only after Judith knew she was willing to continue her adventure on her own. A satisfying, entertaining story about being true to one's dreams.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great and Refreshingly Different Story, June 6, 2002

By 

Katie (Annapolis, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Minstrel's Tale (Hardcover)

First of all, I loved this book and have read it at least three times. It's a great book, with carefully depicted characters and a wonderful plot. I read it straight through each time, I was so caught up in the story.

Main Character: Judith a.k.a. Jude a.k.a. Stephen: a girl engaged to marry a disgusting and revolting man (this is set in almost medeivel times), she loves music and wants to become one of the Kings Minstrel's, she is strong-willed and brave.

Other Character: Robin: a King's Minstrel who meets Judith and goads her on with her plan of running away...

Plot:
1.Judith runs away to escape her stepfather and disgusting betrothed, disguising herself as a boy

2.Judith a.k.a Stephen is robbed by a bandit, and finds her way to an old friend's house, where a young lady falls in love with "Stephen, Judith's brother"

3.Judith makes a daring escape from an abbey, where she spots the bandit again

4. Judith, now "Jude" enters the minstrel's training school, where she is terrorized by the other boys, yet she must still find a way to survive with out anyone finding out her secret

All in all, it's a terrific book for young adults.

And if you like this book, I suggest you read Tamora Pierce's Song of the Lioness Quartet, Seven Daughters and Seven Sons, Samantha and the Cowboy (which is a romance), which all have a girl disguising herself as a boy. Or if you just liked the journey part, I suggest you read The Ramsey Scallop, which is sorta like it.
Anyway, if you get anything from this review I hope its this:
READ THIS BOOK!!!