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lsparrow's review against another edition
4.0
A great YA historical novel about medival times in particular about medicine in those times. I loved the main character. I also love historical novels and also looking and the history of medicine.
ilovestory's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyed getting to know the kindly folks of Blood & Bone alley!
shakespeareanqueer's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookswithbets's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
halschrieve's review against another edition
4.0
Matilda, unlike most 13-year-old girls in medieval England, knows how to read. She was raised in a convent by a priest named Father Leufredus, who taught her about saints, demons, good, evil, and how to speak and read Latin. But when Father Leufredus is called away to London, he abandons Matilda at the home of a woman named Red Peg, who makes her living as a bonesetter (someone who mends broken bones). While Matilda wants to be useful as Peg’s assistant, she quickly becomes terrified by how bloody, physical and heretical (against the Bible) the outside world can be. Red Peg has no use for books or saints, and is frequently fed up with Matilda’s inability to tend a fire, get a good deal at the market, or make use of herbs, balms, or household tools like a broom. Even worse, plenty of people Matilda meets don’t have any faith at all that prayer to saints is the way to Heaven—and that’s if they believe in Heaven at all. But as time goes on, Matilda realizes that the practical medicine that Red Peg provides her customers with—and the humane way she treats them—might be more valuable in day-to-day life than the words of priests.
Cushman has many novels (The Midwife’s Apprentice, Catherine Called Birdy) about smart, independent girls living in what we know as the Middle Ages. Her basic idea, which is a good one, is that even in times when most women’s stories weren’t written down and they were treated by men as property, most women probably thought for themselves and made their own lives on their wits just like men did, when they could. Most history books about this time period leave out details about women and girls’ lives, and also leave out the ways people got medical care when they lived too far away or were too poor to visit famous doctors. Only recently have historians looked at cookbooks, books on medicine, and artifacts to find out more about what women did during the “dark ages.” This book, like Cushman’s other books, draws on a lot of research to paint a picture of what daily life and medicine looked like. Often, that reality was disgusting and bloody.
The gross details of Medieval England in this book include:
-Rotten eels sold as fresh fish
-Gruel
-Streets full of poop and garbage
-Barbers who double as doctors —when someone needs to amputate a leg!
-Eye medicine from “experts” that calls for bull manure
At the same time, Cushman writes about the things people did know how to do, far better than they do today—which they drew on experience for. These include herbal medicine, practical skills like bonesetting, and midwifery (delivering babies at home). This book is more than just a history book, though. Matilda navigates loneliness, panic, and hard work before becoming an independent, admirable woman. Many women like Matilda have probably been forever erased from history. Cushman brings her back.
Cushman has many novels (The Midwife’s Apprentice, Catherine Called Birdy) about smart, independent girls living in what we know as the Middle Ages. Her basic idea, which is a good one, is that even in times when most women’s stories weren’t written down and they were treated by men as property, most women probably thought for themselves and made their own lives on their wits just like men did, when they could. Most history books about this time period leave out details about women and girls’ lives, and also leave out the ways people got medical care when they lived too far away or were too poor to visit famous doctors. Only recently have historians looked at cookbooks, books on medicine, and artifacts to find out more about what women did during the “dark ages.” This book, like Cushman’s other books, draws on a lot of research to paint a picture of what daily life and medicine looked like. Often, that reality was disgusting and bloody.
The gross details of Medieval England in this book include:
-Rotten eels sold as fresh fish
-Gruel
-Streets full of poop and garbage
-Barbers who double as doctors —when someone needs to amputate a leg!
-Eye medicine from “experts” that calls for bull manure
At the same time, Cushman writes about the things people did know how to do, far better than they do today—which they drew on experience for. These include herbal medicine, practical skills like bonesetting, and midwifery (delivering babies at home). This book is more than just a history book, though. Matilda navigates loneliness, panic, and hard work before becoming an independent, admirable woman. Many women like Matilda have probably been forever erased from history. Cushman brings her back.
compass_rose's review against another edition
4.0
Read aloud to 8yo for Medieval study. I enjoyed this more than [b:The Midwife's Apprentice|15595|The Midwife's Apprentice|Karen Cushman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1305983479s/15595.jpg|168119]. I think the main characters had more depth. But still, both books were about 100-150 pages too short. I would have liked more description and more time spent with each scene and event. I feel like we only barely got to know everyone.
a_otto's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
sphinx_'s review against another edition
4.0
I think the story was well-researched. I like how the story also doesn't easily flip Matilda's perspective on the people she's surrounded with as she started living in Blood and Bone Alley. Until the very end of the story, she still has doubts about what is right and wrong, and what is ahead of her. But she did become open to change and to think about her future prospects. I really liked that. I also like that she learned through Peg, Tom, Margaret, Walter, and others to actually observe the other person you are tending to. It is mostly in that way that you will be able to help them.
The author said that Blood and Bone Alley was fictitious but it was through research that she learned people of related jobs live together in small villages, so to her, it only makes sense that there is also a place for a group of people whose jobs are related to medical pursuits.
Favorite part of the book? That duck talk. And when Matilda cradled the baby and sang what Effie couldn't do so.
The author said that Blood and Bone Alley was fictitious but it was through research that she learned people of related jobs live together in small villages, so to her, it only makes sense that there is also a place for a group of people whose jobs are related to medical pursuits.
Favorite part of the book? That duck talk. And when Matilda cradled the baby and sang what Effie couldn't do so.
hldavids's review against another edition
3.0
Cushman, once again has brought the past to life in a young girl's coming of age story. Fans of Cushman, however, may find the current saga somewhat disappointing. In this story Cushman chooses to take the focus away from her endearing characters and place it instead on the setting of the story (commented on in the Booklist review). Cushman herself admits, "I did realize finally that I was telling a story, not writing a textbook on medieval medicine, so I took out most of it [the interesting material on medieval medicine]." My hope would be that Cushman would return to focusing on her characters using her elaborate settings for the backdrops. Despite all of this, I still consider this a must read.
bookslovejenna's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Five things about Matilda Bone by Karen Cushman 📚📚📚📚📚
1. Matilda is the Uber religious medieval Anne Shirley and I LOVE her!
2. This was my first Karen Cushman and now I’m so excited to read all her books! This book is magic. I adored the writing, characters, story, setting, pacing….I loved it! This is how middle grade should be.
3. This would make such a wonderful read aloud. It not only is written in such a way that sounds wonderfully satisfying out loud but it also has so many opportunities for conversation with with curious and questioning minds.
4. What’s more valuable? Skills you do or knowledge you know? Physical presence or spiritual otherness?
5. Also cats are evil. 😂🐈⬛🐈🙀 Pick up this book! It’s a thought provoking delight.
1. Matilda is the Uber religious medieval Anne Shirley and I LOVE her!
2. This was my first Karen Cushman and now I’m so excited to read all her books! This book is magic. I adored the writing, characters, story, setting, pacing….I loved it! This is how middle grade should be.
3. This would make such a wonderful read aloud. It not only is written in such a way that sounds wonderfully satisfying out loud but it also has so many opportunities for conversation with with curious and questioning minds.
4. What’s more valuable? Skills you do or knowledge you know? Physical presence or spiritual otherness?
5. Also cats are evil. 😂🐈⬛🐈🙀 Pick up this book! It’s a thought provoking delight.