レビュー

• 自分の存在意義をみつけてゆく喜び

  身寄りもなく、自分の名前もわからず、ただ流れにまかせて生きるしかなかった少女が、しっかりした意志をもつ人間に成長する物語。 はじめ、不思議な読感がありました。というのは、少女の心情を直接的に表現した箇所があまりなく、少女が考えていること、感じていることがよく分からなかったからです。「ゴキブリ」なんてひどい呼び名をつけられても怒ることもしません。 ですが、読み進むうちに、少女は本来の人間らしさを取り戻していき、読者にも少女の人となりがわかってきます。 まず、少女は自分の名前をアリスと決めます。難しい出産を成功させて、自分にもできることがあるんだと少しずつ自信をつけてゆきます。 ある時少女は、ある人から「君はどうしたい？」と問われ、途方にくれます。 食べるためにただ成り行きにまかせて生きてきたこの少女は、自分がどうしたいかなんて考えたこともなかったからです。 この問いをうけたとき、少女はある失敗から自分に絶望していたのですが、最後には私はこうしたいというしっかりした意志をもつ、力強い人間に生まれ変ります。 12歳以上の子供向けの本のわりに、英文が難しいのでは？

• Great book I really enjoyed it

• I loved the simplicity of the story and the wonderfully descriptive writing. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves to read.

• I bought this and a few other Karen Cushman books for some research on a project I'm working on. I like how (in this book and in others) she get the historical accuracy in, without it ever getting boring and I certainly learned a lot!. Even if you're an adult, reading her books can certainly teach you a thing or two, and it's clear a lot of research has gone in to her work. I would definitely recommend any of her books for a young person with an interest in history. The great strength of the midwife's apprentice is the main character and how she's learns to trust herself and stand up for herself, starting on a dungheap and ending quite well. Also showing that even though she hasn't had any education, she's smart enough to pull off a big trick on the whole village.

• La escuela de mi hijo necesita

• Karen Cushman has such a knack for historical fiction. I've enjoyed reading and sharing all of her books again and again...though I must admit this one is my favorite (and well Catherine too..and Rodzina...I take it back...I love them all! ;). Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. - the very point of this review option...but it just amazes me how some people find the ending or the overall treatment of this girl to be offensive. Life was HARD in medieval times, particularly for the downtrodden and children (who in many ways weren't really recognized as being in any special group...just "little adults")...most were lucky to actually reach adulthood. Sure the midwife is obnoxious and at times cruel but "Brat" was given a home...and over time, a trade (more of a passion, I'd say). She came into her own at the end...and knew exactly what she was doing with that final decision. Sure nobody (well I hope) actually enjoys reading about a child suffering ...in whatever way (and on that note, animals too), but it was what it was. Won't say more because I don't want to be a spoiler...but Brat aka Alyce overcame it all...she was a survivor! One great read.

購入リンク