Merry Ever After

by Joe Lasker

Contrasts the way children of different social classes were betrothed and married during the Middle Ages.

Genres: Picture Books, History, Childrens

Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

You're invited to two very different weddings, both taking place on the same day in Medieval Europe. Both sets of brides and grooms are young teens, and their marriages have been arranged to economically benefit their families, but that's where the similarities end. One couple are the children of wealthy fathers, the other comes from peasant stock.

Lasker's illustrations, inspired by fifteenth- and sixteenth-century masters, are fun, and contain plenty of detail to linger over.

[What April's Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merry Every After is a cute book that compares what two young marriages might have been like in the middle ages. The illustrations are vibrant and eye-catching.

[Shiloah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Medieval wedding customs told in the story of two young couples. The art was lovely.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book capture my imagination as a seven-year old and inspired a lifelong love affair with historical fiction. I cannot objectively comment on its quality because I will forever see it the through the rose colored glasses of a enthralled little girl.

[Kathryn Baron · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's easy to see the inspiration for most of the illustrations. And thus why I bought it. The text however it uninspired. & honestly – I don't belive it's entirely historically accurate. So. May not keep.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of a noble wedding and a peasant wedding — includes customs and clothing. Beautiful, lush illustrations.

[Sheri Elsasser · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of two different weddings in Medieval England. Quite interesting. Beautiful illustrations.

[Helen Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book tells two stories of marriage, one in the wealthy families and one in the poorer families. The main characters are Anne & Gilbert and Martha & Simon. In the fifteenth-century Europe it was a custom for parents to arrange a marriage of these two young couples who are 15 years old. This book could be used in the classroom to show the fifteenth century European style of everyday lives, marriage, and language. Students can interact by sharing their thoughts of differences in the society and how they celebrate it differently or similarly. The author puts the story in simple way for students to understand and enjoy. This is related to my topic because not only does it show a European wedding, but it also shows the fifteenth century wedding and different socioeconomic status and how they celebrate weddings.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our SCA family took this book with us to Pennsic, and one 47 year old, a 5 year old and a 4 year old read it several times with great enjoyment. The story of 2 medieval celebrations, charmingly illustrated, captured their eyes and hearts, and though they winced at a claim that spoons had not been invented yet (huh?) they went back to it again and again. Touches lightly on the idea of arranged marriages and that we don't approve of it now.
Would be excellent for a medieval unit in grade school or, as we enjoy it, for medieval re-creators to share with their kids.

[Mckinley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is wonderfully illustrated. The 'story' is very factual in an engaging way about 2 marriages. One of wealthy class and one of village serfs in the middle ages. Well done.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple but fascinating look at marriage in the fifteenth century. Gorgeously illustrated.