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Cargando... The Dove in the Eagle's Nest (1866)por Charlotte Mary Yonge
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Inscríbete en LibraryThing para averiguar si este libro te gustará. Actualmente no hay Conversaciones sobre este libro. This is the first historical novel by Charlotte M Yonge that I've read and it didn't disappoint. Set in pre reformation Germany, the bourgeoise dove of the title, Christina, steps into the Eagle's Nest and civilises it, thanks to having two gorgeous sons with her scarcely house trained and quickly lost husband. Blood feuds, church building, goldsmithing, bridge building and fights to the death amongst the romantic peaks of the German mountains make this a very satisfying read... sin reseñas | añadir una reseña
Pertenece a las series editorialesEveryman's Library (329)
In sending forth this little book, I am inclined to add a few explanatory words as to the use I have made of historical personages. The origin of the whole story was probably Freytag's first series of pictures of German Life: probably, I say, for its first commencement was a dream, dreamt some weeks after reading that most interesting collection of sketches. The return of the squire with the tidings of the death of the two knights was vividly depicted in sleep; and, though without local habitation or name, the scene was most likely to have been a reflection from the wild scenes so lately read of. In sending forth this little book, I am inclined to add a few explanatory words as to the use I have made of historical personages. The origin of the whole story was probably Freytag's first series of pictures of German Life: probably, I say, for its first commencement was a dream, dreamt some weeks after reading that most interesting collection of sketches. The return of the squire with the tidings of the death of the two knights was vividly depicted in sleep; and, though without local habitation or name, the scene was most likely to have been a reflection from the wild scenes so lately read of. No se han encontrado descripciones de biblioteca. |
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Set in the 15th century, this medieval tale reminded me of reading Ivanhoe in both language and style. A young girl, Christina, is taken from the shelter of her Uncle and Aunt who have raised her by a father she literally does not know. He takes her to a baronetcy perched in the Austrian alps to be a companion and nurse to an even younger girl who is the baron’s daughter. The place is so high and removed that it resembles an eagle’s aerie and Christina, a devout Christian, becomes a symbolic dove in the eagle’s nest.
Christina comes into this violent and coarse environment and, through her faith and goodness, affects changes that transform both the people and the system. This is a time of change generally in society as the independent barons are giving way to being governed by a Kaiser. The Adlersteins are among the last small group of what one wishes to call “ronin” rulers. The historical elements of the novel fascinate me, especially the role of women in Germanic society during this time. The religious elements are important but do not overshadow the progress of the story.
The story is multi-generational, following Christina’s story with that of her sons, Eberhard and Friedel. Considering the sometimes stilted language, the characters are amazingly absorbing. And, while the plot is sometimes a bit predictable, that is primarily because it is the kind of story people have found worthwhile to tell more than once.
One of the nice things about participating in the challenges in the Catching Up on Classics group is that I find myself reading books that would otherwise never make my list. This wasn’t anything like a favorite, but it was interesting and enjoyable, so I am glad to have read it.
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