Customer Reviews

Sylvia

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The book's namesake is a girl living in medieval Germany, who has a remarkable gift of being able to imitate birds. The story cleverly weaves historical elements and nuances of folk stories, linking historical events (notably the Children's Crusade) with characters from folklore (eg the Pied Pier of Hamlin). Courtenay has certainly done his research, and while the plot does ring true, I found it hard to believe that all of these characters and events would revolve around Sylvia's life.

My only criticism is that the book seems about 50 pages too long. After the climax of the story, the denouement is quite a let-down and I found myself skipping pages. Still definitely worth a read, though.

I've read about a half dozen of Bryce Courtenay's novels so far, and I find them very hit and miss. I was a bit disappointed with Sylvia.

Sylvia is an orphaned peasant in 13th century Germany who finds herself blessed with an extraordinary singing voice, an aptitude for learning and mimicking, and a birthmark shaped like a fish. While I generally enjoyed the plot, I found the narrative to be excessively wordy which made it tedious to read. I also found that (like many Courtney novels) "Sylvia" ended rather abruptly.

If you are looking for a read with an interesting character who faces unique circumstances, "Sylvia" will probably satisfy you. But don't expect to be blown away.

Bryce Courtenay is BY FAR the BEST writer around!!!! I only wish he were in Kindle!!!! This book is, like all of his, fascinating, heartwarming & exciting~ Highly recommended.

Bryce Courtenay, Sylvia
(Melbourne: Penguin, 2006)

Reviewed by Darren Cronshaw

Sylvia narrates the background and events of the Children's Crusade of 1212. Bryce Courtenay describes this as `perhaps the strangest true event to have taken place in European history' as thousands of children trekked towards Jerusalem inspired by mystical visions. He draws on the few scattered Latin and Arabic texts about the crusade, and gives insights into religion and society of medieval times.

Courtenay's imaginative recreation revolves around Sylvia Honeyeater, born around 1196, and her quest for identity, learning, friendship and compassion. At times she is exposed to wanton cruelty, church corruption, questionable doctrine, self-righteous clergy and political bishops. But she also meets loyal friends, godly churchmen and wise mentors. At times tragic and dark in its themes, the book is a delightful read of a young girl finding her womanhood and a sense of vocation. While others seem too quick to see miracles in her musical abilities and her way with animals, she delights in how God does seem to use her - in compassion to street children, in challenging superstition with reasoned logic and in confronting abuses of power.

I particularly appreciated watching Sylvia develop in her persistent love of learning. She learns from a wondering musician, a Jewish businesswoman and her multilingual husband, prostitute friends and religious scholars. Rather than accepting rote-learning and dogma she learns `argument is the pathway to truth and in discussion lies the seeds of the resolution to most human problems' (p.188). Talking to Jews, for example, led her to question the anti-semitic assumptions of her childhood, and she questions other sacredly-held assumptions of her time including the basis for `miracles', crusades and the absolution of sins.

Typical of Bryce Courtenay's down-to-earth writing, Sylvia does not gloss over the darkness of medieval times but neither does it deny the presence of courage and God at work in mysterious ways. Thus Sylvia offers both insightful background to the tragedy of the children's crusade and inspiring characterisation of an intriguing and intelligent young woman of faith.

Darren Cronshaw is a Baptist pastor who enjoys good books, great movies, long walks and quality Asian food. He reviewed Sylvia originally in Zadok Perspectives No.94 (Autumn, 2007), p.25.

I have listened to every one of BC's books available on Audible and have always been charmed by his sense of character, adventure, and history. He also paints vivid scenery throughout all his stories. Imagine my excitement when I perused here and found he had another novel! This book, I felt, lacked all of the afore mentioned qualities. Here we have a tale of religious zealotry which dwelt far to heavily on philosophy. Also, I was not impressed with his incorporation of historical and mythical? figures such as the pied piper (Gregory McGuire does a better job in Wicked), although I'm not against the idea, he just didn't pull it off. I also didn't like the narrator, she was okay until she spoke in the first person and then she had a really (I'm not kidding) high pitched and reedy tone. Icckk! She also pronounced all of her Vs as Ws since the story took place in Germany, which I found exceedingly irritating. I missed Humphry Bower, perhaps the best audible narrator I've ever heard. The reason I'm writing this review is that I find BC to be the very best author I have found on Audible , especially for long books, and this just didn't measure up. So for fans, I'd pass...

I love historical fiction, and I absolutely adored this tale by Mr. Courtenay

Sylvia is a passionate story of a down trodden girl who, through trials and travels, learn who she is and what she is truly capable of.

This tale can be - at times - confronting and sad, but it is also a tale of triumph and belief.

Sylvia is a story anyone who enjoys historical fiction will enjoy - of that I have no doubt.

Set in 1212, Sylvia tells the story of the Children's Crusade. I am instantly attracted to (most) books set in the medieval period, especially if they have a female as the main protagonist. So I eagerly opened the pages to this book.

Unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. Not that my expectations were that high, as I have read a few of Bryce Courtenay's books and apart from Jessica which I really connected with, I found the others verbose or just plain didn't grab me. This was one of the books that I felt didn't grab me. The main Character, Sylvia, felt like an empty shell. I want to read about characters that make me feel emotions, that I can feel what they are going through, feel their pain and their joy. I did not feel this for Sylvia.

The book wasn't so bad, I mean, I did get to the end. But it is nothing special. My favourite character, Reihnheart, based on the old story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, was a delight to read about. He was definitely my favourite character, however was not in the story nearly enough and departed half way through. :'(

Overall, it is banally average.