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The Bloodletter's Daughter
Within the glittering Hapsburg court in Prague lurks a darkness of which no one dares speak...
In 1606, the city of Prague shines as a golden mecca of art and culture carefully cultivated by Emperor Rudolf II. But the emperor hides an ugly secret: his bastard son, Don Julius, is afflicted with a madness that pushes the young prince to unspeakable depravity. Desperate to stem his son’s growing number of scandals, the emperor exiles Don Julius to a remote corner of Bohemia where the young man is placed in the care of a bloodletter named Pichler. The bloodletter’s task: cure Don Julius of his madness by purging the vicious humors coursing through his veins.
When Pichler brings his daughter Marketa to assist him, she becomes the object of Don Julius’s frenzied --and dangerous-- obsession. To him, she is the embodiment of the women pictured in the Coded Book of Wonder, a priceless manuscript from the imperial library that was the mad prince’s only link to sanity. As the prince descends further into the darkness of his mind, his acts become ever more desperate, as Marketa, both frightened and fascinated, can’t stay away.
Inspired by a real-life murder that threatened to topple the powerful Hapsburg dynasty, The Bloodletter’s Daughter is a dark and richly detailed saga of passion and revenge.
In 1606, the city of Prague shines as a golden mecca of art and culture carefully cultivated by Emperor Rudolf II. But the emperor hides an ugly secret: his bastard son, Don Julius, is afflicted with a madness that pushes the young prince to unspeakable depravity. Desperate to stem his son’s growing number of scandals, the emperor exiles Don Julius to a remote corner of Bohemia where the young man is placed in the care of a bloodletter named Pichler. The bloodletter’s task: cure Don Julius of his madness by purging the vicious humors coursing through his veins.
When Pichler brings his daughter Marketa to assist him, she becomes the object of Don Julius’s frenzied --and dangerous-- obsession. To him, she is the embodiment of the women pictured in the Coded Book of Wonder, a priceless manuscript from the imperial library that was the mad prince’s only link to sanity. As the prince descends further into the darkness of his mind, his acts become ever more desperate, as Marketa, both frightened and fascinated, can’t stay away.
Inspired by a real-life murder that threatened to topple the powerful Hapsburg dynasty, The Bloodletter’s Daughter is a dark and richly detailed saga of passion and revenge.
512 pages, Paperback
First published September 4, 2012
812 people are currently reading
7031 people want to read
About the author
Linda Lafferty
10 books297 followersThe daughter of a naval commander, Linda Lafferty attended fourteen different schools growing up, ultimately graduating from the University of Colorado with a master's degree and a PhD in education. Her peripatetic childhood nourished a lifelong love of travel, and she studied abroad in England, France, Mexico, and Spain. Her uncle introduced her to the sport of polo when she was just ten years old, and she enjoys playing to this day. She also competed on the Lancaster University Riding Team in England in stadium jumping, cross country, and dressage. A veteran school educator, she is the author of The Bloodletter's Daughter and The Drowning Guard. She lives in Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,257 reviews
December 4, 2013
I read several negative reviews on this book, but I found it to be fascinating. I just didn’t see the stylistic problems noted by some others. The author’s words did not get in the way of a gripping tale of history and madness.
I checked on the internet to see what was known about the historical figures and found that the book followed what I read. I thought the character of Marketa, bloodletter's daughter, to be very well drawn. She was an inexperienced young girl and the fact that she misunderstood the reality of mental illness is plausible. When I was and Evaluator at the Diagnostic Center for the Dept. of Juvenile Corrections, the supervisors accidentally left me alone in the building while I was interviewing a very disturbed (and very large) 17 year old boy. All my experiences with the boy had been very positive until I pointed out that he couldn’t be released to his mother because he told me he hated her. Suddenly, my 6’ x 8’ office became very small when he reacted very badly to being challenged. I barely breathed while he struggled for control. (A few weeks later, I saw him handcuffed to his waist and waiting to be transferred to a mental hospital for an involuntary commitment.) I could well understand how Marketa could think that her special relationship with Don Julius would protect her.
I also found the history of the Hapsburgs fascinating. I started looking for images of the “Hapsburg lip” and found some interesting information about their inbreeding and mental problems. The mental problems of Don Julius became understandable as well as his father’s refusal to admit to the extent of his illness.
For anyone who enjoys history and especially this time period, this is a great book.
I checked on the internet to see what was known about the historical figures and found that the book followed what I read. I thought the character of Marketa, bloodletter's daughter, to be very well drawn. She was an inexperienced young girl and the fact that she misunderstood the reality of mental illness is plausible. When I was and Evaluator at the Diagnostic Center for the Dept. of Juvenile Corrections, the supervisors accidentally left me alone in the building while I was interviewing a very disturbed (and very large) 17 year old boy. All my experiences with the boy had been very positive until I pointed out that he couldn’t be released to his mother because he told me he hated her. Suddenly, my 6’ x 8’ office became very small when he reacted very badly to being challenged. I barely breathed while he struggled for control. (A few weeks later, I saw him handcuffed to his waist and waiting to be transferred to a mental hospital for an involuntary commitment.) I could well understand how Marketa could think that her special relationship with Don Julius would protect her.
I also found the history of the Hapsburgs fascinating. I started looking for images of the “Hapsburg lip” and found some interesting information about their inbreeding and mental problems. The mental problems of Don Julius became understandable as well as his father’s refusal to admit to the extent of his illness.
For anyone who enjoys history and especially this time period, this is a great book.
October 20, 2012
This really was one of the most poorly written books I've ever read. The dialogue between characters is clunky and inauthentic. I imagine the author was trying to keep with the times and how people may have spoken then, but it read more like a Harlequin romance novel - and one that needed heavy editing at that.
The descriptions of people, places, and things were so numerous and repetitive that it stalled any sense of the story progressing. I mean, how many times do you need to describe what rain looks like as it hits a window during a storm?
And the characters... the only way I could tell them apart was when their names were used, and even then it was an effort. To call them cardboard cutouts of people would be doing a disservice to actual cardboard cutouts.
I'm at a loss as to how this book has gotten so much praise.
The descriptions of people, places, and things were so numerous and repetitive that it stalled any sense of the story progressing. I mean, how many times do you need to describe what rain looks like as it hits a window during a storm?
And the characters... the only way I could tell them apart was when their names were used, and even then it was an effort. To call them cardboard cutouts of people would be doing a disservice to actual cardboard cutouts.
I'm at a loss as to how this book has gotten so much praise.
October 16, 2021
This book was inspired by the true story of Don Julius, the illegitimate son of Hapsburg Emperor Rudolf. Don Julius was a mentally ill young man who scandalized the Holy Roman Empire in the early 1600s, when he cold-bloodedly murdered a young girl who worked in a Bohemian bathhouse.
As the book opens an adolescent Don Julius is obsessed with deciphering the secrets of a book called 'The Coded Book of Wonder', an activity which seems to quiet the evil voices in his head. Emperor Rudolf, thinking his son Julius should get out and about, forbids the boy from reading the book. Don Julius then devotes his time to feasting and debauchery and grows up to be a violent, obese young man who copulates in the streets and terrorizes the people of Prague, where he lives.
Fearing backlash from the public the Emperor sends his son to a village called Český Krumlov in Bohemia, where Julius is essentially imprisoned in a castle with guards, a priest, and a doctor. A local barber-surgeon named Pichler is hired to cure the mad royal using the medical treatment of the time - blood-letting and leeches.
To assist him, Pilchler brings his daughter Marketa, a pretty young girl who works in the family-run bathhouse but longs to be a doctor. The descriptions of what goes on in the bathhouse are quite graphic. The male customers paw and pinch the bathhouse girls, masturbate, and one particularly gross customer negotiates with Marketa's mother to take Marketa's virginity when she gets a little older.
Deranged Julius, convinced that Marketa is an angel from 'The Coded Book of Wonder', becomes obsessed with her - and his subsequent behavior has terrible consequences. Though the book is fiction, the historical events depicted are plausible and the arrogance and behavior of the Empire's rulers is shocking. It seems a prince of the realm could rape and pillage as he pleased with the townsfolk having no one to turn to for help. Nevertheless the murder of an innocent girl was apparently a step too far and Emperor Rudolf was forced to act, especially since his brother was already plotting to replace him on the throne.
The story's setting is well-portrayed and the characters are vividly described and believable though I disliked many of them, including Don Julius, his priest, Marketa's mother, and most of the patrons of the bathhouse. The author does a laudable job fictionalizing Don Julius's life but for me the story moves slowly and isn't totally compelling. Fans of historical fiction, though, might like the book better than I did.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
September 21, 2012
Holy historical innacuracies, Batman. The big one being that Queen Elizabeth was dead by 1606. That took me out of the book a little, but the story was still so compelling...until the end, when everyone starts acting like they normally would not, characters are thrown in like Dr. Jelinek and Dr. Jan (I think he was supposed to be famous? Really seems like Lafferty wikipedia'd a whole bunch of famous characters, checked to see if they were alive then, then added them to this book). My big issue with the ending--okay, one big issue--was with Annabella using Jakub to get pregnant then expecting Marketa to be okay with it...and then Marketa is okay with it, and they are just one big happy poly family at the end? Also, the cop-out ending was an ending I wanted--I wanted Marketa to be happy with Jakub and have a happy ending and was rooting for them even knowing what happened to the real Marketa?--but it was a cop out and if you're going to cop out ,can you at least give us a satisfying end chapter, not just a hazy "she saw Jakub walking out and limping and they all greeted annabella and went inside".
Another inaccuracy, or rather continuity issue: according to the first chapter and the middle and end, the brewer was not allowed to touch Marketa. Why then, towards the beginning, does it say that she had a rash everywhere he touched her, including in her crotch area?
I also don't understand why Annabella was going all those spells in Rozmberk Castle....when in the end it doesn't seem like anything was done except make a hasty wig out of Market's hair and put them on a dying Ludmilla. There is no mention made of whether Ludmilla looked like Marketa because of a spell.
This had the potential to be so good. SO GOOD. In fact, even with the mediocre writing ("She felt sad" "He realized he was jealous"--- saying it doesn't make it so, SHOWING does), I still could not put it down, mostly because of Don Julius's characterization--Marketa's too, until she "gives in" to Julius (seemed totally out of character or not explained well) and totally sidesteps the fact that her best friend bewitched and slept with the man she loved.
Another inaccuracy, or rather continuity issue: according to the first chapter and the middle and end, the brewer was not allowed to touch Marketa. Why then, towards the beginning, does it say that she had a rash everywhere he touched her, including in her crotch area?
I also don't understand why Annabella was going all those spells in Rozmberk Castle....when in the end it doesn't seem like anything was done except make a hasty wig out of Market's hair and put them on a dying Ludmilla. There is no mention made of whether Ludmilla looked like Marketa because of a spell.
This had the potential to be so good. SO GOOD. In fact, even with the mediocre writing ("She felt sad" "He realized he was jealous"--- saying it doesn't make it so, SHOWING does), I still could not put it down, mostly because of Don Julius's characterization--Marketa's too, until she "gives in" to Julius (seemed totally out of character or not explained well) and totally sidesteps the fact that her best friend bewitched and slept with the man she loved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2012
The Bloodletter's Daughter is an amazing read. I stayed up for a few very late nights totally engrossed in this book. The novel is a fictionalize account of Marketa Pichlerova's life as a bathmaid and assistant to her Barber/Bloodletter father in Bohemia in the early 1600's. Don Julius was the eldest son of Emperor Rudolf II. He was said to suffer serious mental illness that made him violent and impulsive. After ravaging Prague and threatening his father's crown he was sent away to the Bohemian village of Cesky Krumlov to be held captive in the old Rosenberg castle to receive treatment from court Physican, Jesuit Priest, and the village's bloodletter. When Marketa assisted her father with the first 'letting Don Julius becomes obsessed with this bathmaid he swears is his angel from the Coded Book of Wonders. Naive and encouraged by her status hungry mother, Marketa feeds the mad Prince's obsession and her own desire for the knowledge of medicine. A grave mistake leads Marketa into a downward spiral of drama and secrets. When Don Julius' madness goes too far, a plan is made to rid the village of this madman once and for all.
The author Linda Lafferty did a beautiful job of depicting Bohemia. The characters came to life on the page. You could feel for each character as if knowing them. Lafferty did her research well, and used many historical events and people through the pages of this novel. If you enjoy historical fiction, this novel is worth the time to read!
The author Linda Lafferty did a beautiful job of depicting Bohemia. The characters came to life on the page. You could feel for each character as if knowing them. Lafferty did her research well, and used many historical events and people through the pages of this novel. If you enjoy historical fiction, this novel is worth the time to read!
December 18, 2017
Based on a true story of the bathmaid Marketa Pichlerova and the scandalous butchery that rocked the European royal courts in 1608. Set mainly in Cesky Krumlov, at the time Bohemia, during the reign of King Rudolf II of Austria.
Marketa, girl of 16, despises being a bathmaid, forced by her mother against her wishes. She dreams of her father’s profession, which is practiced only by men. She wants to be a bloodletter - “a full physician, a one who can heal with the teachings of Paracelsus as well as Galen.”
At the same time, Don Julius, illegitimate son of King Rudolf is afflicted with madness. He causes scandals in both cities of Prague and Vienna. When his debauchery continues and he causes yet another scandal, he gets send to Rozmberk Castle of Cesky Krumlov for a secure confinement. Marketa catches his eye and this leads her to assistance of his bleedings and the tragedy.
The first part of the book, concentrated on the story of Marketa and her eagerness to learn, is very engrossing. In the second part, the bloodletting and the drama between Don Julius and Marketa becomes repetitive at some points instead of being a progressive story. Marketa’s boldness toward Dr. Mingonius, a leading doctor to Don Julius, doesn’t seem believable. Didn’t care for all the descriptions. “He sacked at his thumbnail and the dislodged food, smacking his lips in satisfaction.” Or “King Rudolf scratched peevishly inside one nostril with his manicured fingernail.” The prose could be more interesting.
@FB: Best Historical Fiction
Marketa, girl of 16, despises being a bathmaid, forced by her mother against her wishes. She dreams of her father’s profession, which is practiced only by men. She wants to be a bloodletter - “a full physician, a one who can heal with the teachings of Paracelsus as well as Galen.”
At the same time, Don Julius, illegitimate son of King Rudolf is afflicted with madness. He causes scandals in both cities of Prague and Vienna. When his debauchery continues and he causes yet another scandal, he gets send to Rozmberk Castle of Cesky Krumlov for a secure confinement. Marketa catches his eye and this leads her to assistance of his bleedings and the tragedy.
The first part of the book, concentrated on the story of Marketa and her eagerness to learn, is very engrossing. In the second part, the bloodletting and the drama between Don Julius and Marketa becomes repetitive at some points instead of being a progressive story. Marketa’s boldness toward Dr. Mingonius, a leading doctor to Don Julius, doesn’t seem believable. Didn’t care for all the descriptions. “He sacked at his thumbnail and the dislodged food, smacking his lips in satisfaction.” Or “King Rudolf scratched peevishly inside one nostril with his manicured fingernail.” The prose could be more interesting.
@FB: Best Historical Fiction
September 23, 2012
Oh bejeesus, where to start?
Sometimes there's a reason you don't get published for 30 years and it's not because you have unrecognized/unappreciated genius. Sometimes it's just because you're not a terribly good writer.
1. We get it. It's historical fiction set in the overwhelmingly beautiful land of Bohemia. You don't need to keep driving the point into our heads with a mallet.
2. Some people may consider this anti female coming from a female, but I find the "spunky in entirely historically inaccurate ways" heroine to be exhausting to read about. One more page of her virtue and curiosity being repeatedly pointed out and I would have wanted to murder her as well.
3. The characters were all very one dimensional however. She is the virtuous bathmaid. He is the mad bastard prince. So on and so forth. There is not a single surprising aspect to ANY of these characters. Not one.
4. I hate pointless side stories that contribute nothing to the main story. Marketa's best friend's romance with the butcher's son. Why is it even there? Just to give the excuse for the butcher's son to cut Don Julius? Because if so, really, what a waste of words.
I could go on, but I won't.
Suffice it to say that if I wasn't the kind of person who had to compulsively finish books, this one would have never been finished.
Sometimes there's a reason you don't get published for 30 years and it's not because you have unrecognized/unappreciated genius. Sometimes it's just because you're not a terribly good writer.
1. We get it. It's historical fiction set in the overwhelmingly beautiful land of Bohemia. You don't need to keep driving the point into our heads with a mallet.
2. Some people may consider this anti female coming from a female, but I find the "spunky in entirely historically inaccurate ways" heroine to be exhausting to read about. One more page of her virtue and curiosity being repeatedly pointed out and I would have wanted to murder her as well.
3. The characters were all very one dimensional however. She is the virtuous bathmaid. He is the mad bastard prince. So on and so forth. There is not a single surprising aspect to ANY of these characters. Not one.
4. I hate pointless side stories that contribute nothing to the main story. Marketa's best friend's romance with the butcher's son. Why is it even there? Just to give the excuse for the butcher's son to cut Don Julius? Because if so, really, what a waste of words.
I could go on, but I won't.
Suffice it to say that if I wasn't the kind of person who had to compulsively finish books, this one would have never been finished.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2012
I don't remember how I got sucked into reading this book. Maybe it was recommended on Kindle by some people who were friends of the author who raved that they could not put it down. While it was a mindless and easy read, I regret having spent the time to plug through it when so many quality books are begging me to read them. Reading this book did give me some encouragement, though... If she can write like she did and be successful, then maybe there is hope for me yet if I ever decide to give writing a try.
The story line was compelling enough, and since I have visited Cesky Krumlov and Prague, I enjoyed reading about its history. Lafferty could have made this a wonderful read with more work on sentence structure. The expression of her character's thoughts and verbalizations shifted constantly - sometimes they seemed to be living in the 15th century - sometimes they spoke as if they were living now, and using our own American slang.
What kept me going was the promise that Marketa was going to make a "DECISION", and the act of doing that would compel her into her future. But that concept got lost in the end.
I am no scholar of the period, but the facts seemed grossly distorted.. at least the ending was entirely inaccurate, albeit a much happier one than reality.
Enough said.. this is not a book for lovers of good literature. Just a easy read and interesting story line.
The story line was compelling enough, and since I have visited Cesky Krumlov and Prague, I enjoyed reading about its history. Lafferty could have made this a wonderful read with more work on sentence structure. The expression of her character's thoughts and verbalizations shifted constantly - sometimes they seemed to be living in the 15th century - sometimes they spoke as if they were living now, and using our own American slang.
What kept me going was the promise that Marketa was going to make a "DECISION", and the act of doing that would compel her into her future. But that concept got lost in the end.
I am no scholar of the period, but the facts seemed grossly distorted.. at least the ending was entirely inaccurate, albeit a much happier one than reality.
Enough said.. this is not a book for lovers of good literature. Just a easy read and interesting story line.
April 1, 2016
Lotsa spoilers here folks!
I don't know, maybe because of Joyce Carol Oates "The Gravedigger's Daughter" I was thinking that a book about an [insert job title] daughter would be good as well.... NOPE!
This novel is rife with contradictions (eg: Marketa first describes Giuglio as smelling of sweat "acrid and animalistic" as the bathhouse men smell, then a maybe 3 paragraphs later his breathe has the sweetness fragrance wine and his skin is fresh and cologne. OR Marketa worrying about the White Lady's gloves, when she has JUST been told about the meaning of white or black gloves by her aunt, yet sees the block gloves and carries on. OR the fact she never really let her mother force her into much, but the incident with Giuglio was her mother's fault even though Marketa clearly went because she felt physical attraction towards him). Marketa's father has no issue with her daughter being bartered at the bathhouse so he can have traveling and book money- for shit's sake, the people in town call her 'muscle' and joke about her pearl- but with Giuglio it's like OMG my daughter's purity. He is constantly showing Marketa the bloodletting trade and diagrams and charts but then reminding her she can NEVER EVER be a doctor. The town knows Giuglio is on the loose and batshit crazy, yet Katarina's parents let her go out to root for food with her little brother (she ends up viciously raped and sodomized it seems). Annabella has sex to have a child with the man Marketa loves. All this is is going on about Annabella's potions - it seems to me in the end, she cut off Marketa's hair, had the dying aunt (who we are pointedly told has smooth creamy skin despite her age) put on the dress meant for Maketa, pulls the covers over her as if she is sleeping and Marketa's hair is placed around her and the the Prince chops her up thinking she is Marketa.
The language went from normal to something you'd hear in King Authur's court.
It was like a terrible romance novel with a few twists. This novel had no substance to it.
I don't know, maybe because of Joyce Carol Oates "The Gravedigger's Daughter" I was thinking that a book about an [insert job title] daughter would be good as well.... NOPE!
This novel is rife with contradictions (eg: Marketa first describes Giuglio as smelling of sweat "acrid and animalistic" as the bathhouse men smell, then a maybe 3 paragraphs later his breathe has the sweetness fragrance wine and his skin is fresh and cologne. OR Marketa worrying about the White Lady's gloves, when she has JUST been told about the meaning of white or black gloves by her aunt, yet sees the block gloves and carries on. OR the fact she never really let her mother force her into much, but the incident with Giuglio was her mother's fault even though Marketa clearly went because she felt physical attraction towards him). Marketa's father has no issue with her daughter being bartered at the bathhouse so he can have traveling and book money- for shit's sake, the people in town call her 'muscle' and joke about her pearl- but with Giuglio it's like OMG my daughter's purity. He is constantly showing Marketa the bloodletting trade and diagrams and charts but then reminding her she can NEVER EVER be a doctor. The town knows Giuglio is on the loose and batshit crazy, yet Katarina's parents let her go out to root for food with her little brother (she ends up viciously raped and sodomized it seems). Annabella has sex to have a child with the man Marketa loves. All this is is going on about Annabella's potions - it seems to me in the end, she cut off Marketa's hair, had the dying aunt (who we are pointedly told has smooth creamy skin despite her age) put on the dress meant for Maketa, pulls the covers over her as if she is sleeping and Marketa's hair is placed around her and the the Prince chops her up thinking she is Marketa.
The language went from normal to something you'd hear in King Authur's court.
It was like a terrible romance novel with a few twists. This novel had no substance to it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2014
This was a very interesting book that I absolutely devoured. Well, I don't keep reading books that don't hold my attention to the point of devouring it, but still.
What was really interesting to me here was the main character's struggle in society because she was a woman. She could not do what she so longed to do; she had to work in a role that so petty deemed fit for a woman, despite it not being what she wanted.
I did not realize until reading the questionnaire with the author at the end that this is actual based on historical facts, and that this girl did exist. Obviously the author may have take dramatic liberties, but it seems that it was very thoroughly researched and the details that are historical are as accurate as possible.
Without giving too much away, I really felt the main character's struggle with her perception of the mad nobleman whose affections turned towards her, despite him being known to be mad and dangerous. When she makes her mistakes, I actually found myself rooting FOR her to make them (not realizing they were mistakes at the time even) because the author did such a great job of convincing the reader, through the character's psyche, that the choices were sound.
What was really interesting to me here was the main character's struggle in society because she was a woman. She could not do what she so longed to do; she had to work in a role that so petty deemed fit for a woman, despite it not being what she wanted.
I did not realize until reading the questionnaire with the author at the end that this is actual based on historical facts, and that this girl did exist. Obviously the author may have take dramatic liberties, but it seems that it was very thoroughly researched and the details that are historical are as accurate as possible.
Without giving too much away, I really felt the main character's struggle with her perception of the mad nobleman whose affections turned towards her, despite him being known to be mad and dangerous. When she makes her mistakes, I actually found myself rooting FOR her to make them (not realizing they were mistakes at the time even) because the author did such a great job of convincing the reader, through the character's psyche, that the choices were sound.
December 26, 2013
I just finished the Bloodletter's Daughter and I have to admit I quite enjoyed the historically based story of the mad prince's obsession with a bath maid. I would have enjoyed this book regardless, but it was made all the better because it was based on a true story. I felt a mixture of pity and hate towards the mad bastard prince Don Julius and my heart broke for Marketa, who was the focus of his obsession. Mental illness is never pretty but I can't imagine what it must have been like back in the 1600's without proper understanding and medication. The fear and frustration that must have been felt towards the spoiled, dangerous and crazy prince that was allowed to roam free without any consequences from his father the king.
August 29, 2012
The time is 1599 (though most of the story unfolds beginning in 1605). The place, Prague (and Cesky Krumlov, and Vienna). This rich story about a melancholy king's young, mad son Don Julius and the common (not really) bathmaid, Marketa, who also works with her father, the bloodletter, to help him, doesn't have a dull moment.
The story is easy to follow but has depth and range - the secondary characters (Matthias, King Rudolph's brother, who is anxious to take the crown; Annabella, the red-haired witch/healer and both Marketa's and the king's doctor, Jakub's friend; Katarina, Marketa's young love-struck friend who is forbidden to see her lover; and several others) are vivid, sympathetic characters with stories and lives I cared about. I enjoyed getting a look at the superstitions, beliefs, religious wars and family expectations and pressures of the time, as well as the foods and clothes the people ate and wore.
One of the things I loved most about the book is how the author drew such a captivating, compassionate and believable portrait of Marketa and Don Julius and their situation (relationship? it's difficult to use that word here). It's so easy to despise and criticize the young prince for his violent, abusive and horrific actions. But in Marketa's presence, some bit of mad magic occurs. We see the sad, scared boy within the young man fighting and struggling against the voices, his inner demons, to win and to do the right thing. This little bit of humanity makes it reasonable for smart, ambitious and brave young Marketa, who wants to be a doctor when it's seemingly hopeless for her to achieve such a goal, to have hope, sympathy and compassion for the prince, who is very close to her in age, and handsome and charming at certain moments despite his madness. I can understand how Marketa would believe she had a chance to cure Don Julius, and all things considered, throwing in her mother Lucie's selfish pressure for Marketa to help the family, I can even see how Marketa might hope for love with the prince.
Another of the things I admired about the book is how the author paints hope and redemption into characters who have made mistakes. An old, seemingly loveless and rude priest gets a chance to do the right thing. A dying mother superior who thinks she knows the best life for Marketa, listens to her frustrated young niece who she has never seen before, and makes the ultimate sacrifice.
All in all, those 500+ pages whiz by in a colorful flurry of on the edge-of-your-seat suspense, action and relationships that either grow stronger or fall apart. The book is a treasure to savor.
The story is easy to follow but has depth and range - the secondary characters (Matthias, King Rudolph's brother, who is anxious to take the crown; Annabella, the red-haired witch/healer and both Marketa's and the king's doctor, Jakub's friend; Katarina, Marketa's young love-struck friend who is forbidden to see her lover; and several others) are vivid, sympathetic characters with stories and lives I cared about. I enjoyed getting a look at the superstitions, beliefs, religious wars and family expectations and pressures of the time, as well as the foods and clothes the people ate and wore.
One of the things I loved most about the book is how the author drew such a captivating, compassionate and believable portrait of Marketa and Don Julius and their situation (relationship? it's difficult to use that word here). It's so easy to despise and criticize the young prince for his violent, abusive and horrific actions. But in Marketa's presence, some bit of mad magic occurs. We see the sad, scared boy within the young man fighting and struggling against the voices, his inner demons, to win and to do the right thing. This little bit of humanity makes it reasonable for smart, ambitious and brave young Marketa, who wants to be a doctor when it's seemingly hopeless for her to achieve such a goal, to have hope, sympathy and compassion for the prince, who is very close to her in age, and handsome and charming at certain moments despite his madness. I can understand how Marketa would believe she had a chance to cure Don Julius, and all things considered, throwing in her mother Lucie's selfish pressure for Marketa to help the family, I can even see how Marketa might hope for love with the prince.
Another of the things I admired about the book is how the author paints hope and redemption into characters who have made mistakes. An old, seemingly loveless and rude priest gets a chance to do the right thing. A dying mother superior who thinks she knows the best life for Marketa, listens to her frustrated young niece who she has never seen before, and makes the ultimate sacrifice.
All in all, those 500+ pages whiz by in a colorful flurry of on the edge-of-your-seat suspense, action and relationships that either grow stronger or fall apart. The book is a treasure to savor.
September 11, 2012
I absolutely loved this book! The unique setting immediately caught my attention - Bohemia in the early 1600s, under the Hapsburgs made for a fascinating read. I only wish that it had been published earlier in the year so that I could have taken it with me to Prague! The book reminded me - with the inclusion of the history of medicine and the art of bloodletting, a bit of The Hangman’s Daughter, but this was not only a more enjoyable read, but the writing itself is much, much stronger and more consistent. The research felt impeccable, with an almost educational flair to it, due to the unique setting. The story itself is fascinating - and it’s amazing that it hasn’t been the basis to other fiction before this - Lafferyt did a wonderful job of bringing a regional tale and history to vivid life.
Some redundancy does occur, but those readers who devour their books at a slower pace will probably be thankful for the reminders this offers. There are also some dark elements within the story that may trouble the faint of heart, but Lafferty still manages to bring in a lot of love, light, beauty and hope - not to mention the hint of magic. What is most shocking is that in the acknowledgements, Lafferty acknowledges that this book came after a 27-year period as an unpublished writer. I am grateful for her persistence and am eager to see what she publishes next!
Some redundancy does occur, but those readers who devour their books at a slower pace will probably be thankful for the reminders this offers. There are also some dark elements within the story that may trouble the faint of heart, but Lafferty still manages to bring in a lot of love, light, beauty and hope - not to mention the hint of magic. What is most shocking is that in the acknowledgements, Lafferty acknowledges that this book came after a 27-year period as an unpublished writer. I am grateful for her persistence and am eager to see what she publishes next!
December 4, 2016
A misery read
This book is based about a true story about Don Julius the illegitemate son of Emperor Rudolf II Don Julius was mentally unstable and was banished to a castle. Where he got involved with a commoners daughter. In "The bloodletters daughter" she is our main character,Marketa.
Marketa is as the title states the daughter of a bloodletter,her father Pichler a transient presence in her mothers establishment a bathing house that is also a brothel.Its expected that Marketa will become a prostitute eventually. When her father brings her with him to cure the emperors bastard son Don Julius he becomes obsessed with with her. In his confused mind she is similar to the women depicted in the Voynich manuscript one of the many treasures his father has in his Collection of curiosities.
The history that this is based on is quite interesting and grisly wich I find it sad the author didnt manage to create something more memorable out of the . Also involved in the story is the enimagtic Voynich manuscript that Don Julius has an obsession with.
This book is based about a true story about Don Julius the illegitemate son of Emperor Rudolf II Don Julius was mentally unstable and was banished to a castle. Where he got involved with a commoners daughter. In "The bloodletters daughter" she is our main character,Marketa.
Marketa is as the title states the daughter of a bloodletter,her father Pichler a transient presence in her mothers establishment a bathing house that is also a brothel.Its expected that Marketa will become a prostitute eventually. When her father brings her with him to cure the emperors bastard son Don Julius he becomes obsessed with with her. In his confused mind she is similar to the women depicted in the Voynich manuscript one of the many treasures his father has in his Collection of curiosities.
The history that this is based on is quite interesting and grisly wich I find it sad the author didnt manage to create something more memorable out of the . Also involved in the story is the enimagtic Voynich manuscript that Don Julius has an obsession with.
December 13, 2012
Set in the 1600s Bohemia, this historically based novel tells the tale of King Rudolph II's mad son and his infatuation and obsession with Mareta a bathmaid and daughter of the bloodletter (barber surgeon) in a small village. The plot had quite a lot of promise, unfortunately I found the writing stilted and somewhat immature. Although, I will say the historical setting was interesting and got me interested in a time period I know very little about. The background seems to be well researched. The book does impose a modern sense of women's rights on a period where women had very little in the way of domestic or civil rights. While it's not a book I would read again, if you are looking for something quick without needing a literary master piece, you might enjoy this. As warning, with out being a spoiler, many of the scenes in the book are graphic and brutal.
December 24, 2012
I have a huge collection of Kindle daily deals. I have decided that I every other book I read must be one of my daily deals. This, The Bloodletter's Daughter by Lina Lafferty was my first daily deal after reaching that decision. What a wonderful way to start off.
Even though I probably would have never chosen this book if it hadn't been a daily deal, I usually don't read books taking place in the 1600's, I completely enjoyed it.
It is the story of Slecna Marketa Pichlerova a bathmaid and the bloodletter's daughter. I didn't even know that there was such a thing as a bathmaid, which is basically a girl who helps others (mostly men, it seems) bathe. She prepares their water and washes them, providing other *duties*. But Marketa is not your everyday average bathmaid, she is the daughter of Zigmund Pichler the barber-surgeon. She is fascinated by the bloodletting and the science of bloodletting.
When Don Julius, the King's mad bastard son is imprisoned in a castle that overlooks her baths, he falls madly in love with Marketa.
I totally fell into the story. Loved all the characters, from Annabella, the witch healer, to Jakub Horicicky de Tenepec - the rosy chemist born and raised in Cesky Krumlov.
I enjoyed the story so much that I even read the author's note and found that her inspiration came from a true historical event - the scandalous butchery of the bathmaid Marketa Pichlerova in 1608.
Even though I probably would have never chosen this book if it hadn't been a daily deal, I usually don't read books taking place in the 1600's, I completely enjoyed it.
It is the story of Slecna Marketa Pichlerova a bathmaid and the bloodletter's daughter. I didn't even know that there was such a thing as a bathmaid, which is basically a girl who helps others (mostly men, it seems) bathe. She prepares their water and washes them, providing other *duties*. But Marketa is not your everyday average bathmaid, she is the daughter of Zigmund Pichler the barber-surgeon. She is fascinated by the bloodletting and the science of bloodletting.
When Don Julius, the King's mad bastard son is imprisoned in a castle that overlooks her baths, he falls madly in love with Marketa.
I totally fell into the story. Loved all the characters, from Annabella, the witch healer, to Jakub Horicicky de Tenepec - the rosy chemist born and raised in Cesky Krumlov.
I enjoyed the story so much that I even read the author's note and found that her inspiration came from a true historical event - the scandalous butchery of the bathmaid Marketa Pichlerova in 1608.
October 19, 2012
I have absolutely no idea how I ran across this book on the Kindle -- but I'm glad I did!
It's the early 1600's, in Prague and Bohemia. Emperor Rudolf II has no legitimate heirs, but his illegitimate first-born son is much-loved, if only by the Emperor and his mistress. This son, Don Julius, suffers from what is undoubtedly schizophrenia -- he hears voices, he has mad rages, he acts completely recklessly and inappropriately (and illegally). To keep the townspeople from revolting, the emperor sends his son to be held in a castle in a small town in Bohemia.
In this town, the barber surgeon (or blood-letter) is tasked with bleeding Don Julius to get his "humors into balance". His daughter, Marketa, is headstrong and wants what no girl is allowed -- to be a doctor. Marketa does assist her father, handling tools and such, and when Don Julius sees Marketa, he realizes the voices in his head go quiet.
That's the main gist. There's also a mysterious Book of Wonder that no one can translate, and several interesting side stories. The ending is exciting and fascinating, considering the book is based upon a real murder of the time.
I was captivated by the characters (even when they irritated me) and it's a unique story worth reading.
Lori Anderson
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It's the early 1600's, in Prague and Bohemia. Emperor Rudolf II has no legitimate heirs, but his illegitimate first-born son is much-loved, if only by the Emperor and his mistress. This son, Don Julius, suffers from what is undoubtedly schizophrenia -- he hears voices, he has mad rages, he acts completely recklessly and inappropriately (and illegally). To keep the townspeople from revolting, the emperor sends his son to be held in a castle in a small town in Bohemia.
In this town, the barber surgeon (or blood-letter) is tasked with bleeding Don Julius to get his "humors into balance". His daughter, Marketa, is headstrong and wants what no girl is allowed -- to be a doctor. Marketa does assist her father, handling tools and such, and when Don Julius sees Marketa, he realizes the voices in his head go quiet.
That's the main gist. There's also a mysterious Book of Wonder that no one can translate, and several interesting side stories. The ending is exciting and fascinating, considering the book is based upon a real murder of the time.
I was captivated by the characters (even when they irritated me) and it's a unique story worth reading.
Lori Anderson
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Shop
Book Blog
October 4, 2012
The Bloodletter’s Daughter tells the story of the mad Hapsburg prince. Set in 17th century Prague, the citizens of a small hamlet in Bohemia are forced to deal with the horror and depravity of King Rudolf II’s insane illegitimate son living in the castle. The local bloodletter is called in to bleed the prince in the hopes of balancing his bad humors, taking along his pretty daughter, Marketa, as his assistant. When the mad prince becomes obsessed with the girl, all hell breaks loose.
Based on a true story turned local legend, the tale is artfully woven into a fictional tale. The author did a superb job in bringing these historical characters to life. I could not put the book down until I reached the last page! One word of advice though – you will be mightily tempted to rush off to Google and look up these characters and events. Resist the urge! I was so mad at myself for looking them up and knowing the ending before I finished reading the novel. Although, the author does add in some hair raising twists!
Based on a true story turned local legend, the tale is artfully woven into a fictional tale. The author did a superb job in bringing these historical characters to life. I could not put the book down until I reached the last page! One word of advice though – you will be mightily tempted to rush off to Google and look up these characters and events. Resist the urge! I was so mad at myself for looking them up and knowing the ending before I finished reading the novel. Although, the author does add in some hair raising twists!
March 4, 2013
I LOVED this book. As a huge fan of historical fiction, I have pretty high standards when it comes to historical accuracy, engrossing storylines, and memorable characters. This book had them all. A teenaged Bohemian bathmaid named Marketa is put forward by her scheming mother to use her daughter's virtue to improve the family's fortune. Marketa is her father's favorite, with a shrewd mind uncommon among young girls in her day. By assisting her bloodletter father, Marketa places herself in the sights of the resident lunatic Hapsburg prince, Don Julius D'Austria. He has been banished to the castle in Marketa's town because of his deplorable behaviour in Prague by his father, the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II. What follows is a tale of obsession, madness, intrigue, betrayal, and ultimately, redemption. Linda Lafferty certainly burst on the scene with her first novel, and I can't wait until September when her next one comes out.("The Drowning Guard: A Novel of the Ottoman Empire")
May 31, 2017
I think I listened to this one out of sheer morbid curiosity. I found it pretty interesting, truth be told. The way the "doctors" practiced their medicine, their attitude towards mental illness, just the lifestyle of the time and place in general was pretty fascinating to me. Most fascinating, though, is the realization that this book is inspired by true events (though this is a fictionalized recount of those events.) I also liked the author's simple style. In a time period where many were not literate or "learned", it seemed to fit. Overall, I enjoyed it.
October 19, 2018
4.5 stars
Really dark but with an unexpected ending. Can't wait to read more from Linda Lafferty! She belongs on my shelf with the likes of Kate Quinn and Stephanie Thornton. If you like off-the-beaten-path history with fantastic lady characters, check this out. HOWEVER: TW for sexual assault/rape. It's not gratuitous or explicit, but it's part of the book because Don Julius is an entitled nutcase. But I loved Marketa and this book gives me hope for her that the history books do not.
Really dark but with an unexpected ending. Can't wait to read more from Linda Lafferty! She belongs on my shelf with the likes of Kate Quinn and Stephanie Thornton. If you like off-the-beaten-path history with fantastic lady characters, check this out. HOWEVER: TW for sexual assault/rape. It's not gratuitous or explicit, but it's part of the book because Don Julius is an entitled nutcase. But I loved Marketa and this book gives me hope for her that the history books do not.
June 21, 2020
According to my purchase history, I bought this book in July 2018 , and it sat on a bookshelf for almost 2 years. I think I saw a review of it and made an impulse desion to buy it, maybe it was on offer ? In an effort to read what I already own I started this.
Twice I almost stopped reading it, and I did skip a few pages here and there. In theory this should be bloody fascinating, an illegitimate son of royalty, obsessed with a coded book , dangerously imbalanced get sent on a mental and physical detox to a castle where he becomes convinced that the daughter of the local barber/ bloodletter is a character from the coded book - who will save him.
At over 500 pages at least 100 of these could have been culled to reduce the dull pointless and repetitive details, the writing is odd, it's not sure if the dialogue should mirror the language of the time or be modern, so does a weird wooden mix of both.
The relationship between Marketa and Don Julius is well done at times, she really does believe she can make a difference, but the tell, tell, tell style of writing starts and I lost interest again.
Rather than focus on the relationship, and on Marketa's desire to be a medical professional, and the issues that faced women we have several pointless side plots brought in, a love interest with no chemistry, a wise woman who didn't seem very wise , all of which managed to make the book more dull !
By the time that the ending limped in, the style of the book had changed once more, but luckily one of my many moments of boredom , I read the ending about 60% of the way through, so it wasn't such a bookish WTF as it would have been .
I see that this is on KU, and can only imagine this is why it has so many ratings, and that the average is almost 4 stars, and that the readers are kind. For the avoidance of doubt, I found this book poor
Twice I almost stopped reading it, and I did skip a few pages here and there. In theory this should be bloody fascinating, an illegitimate son of royalty, obsessed with a coded book , dangerously imbalanced get sent on a mental and physical detox to a castle where he becomes convinced that the daughter of the local barber/ bloodletter is a character from the coded book - who will save him.
At over 500 pages at least 100 of these could have been culled to reduce the dull pointless and repetitive details, the writing is odd, it's not sure if the dialogue should mirror the language of the time or be modern, so does a weird wooden mix of both.
The relationship between Marketa and Don Julius is well done at times, she really does believe she can make a difference, but the tell, tell, tell style of writing starts and I lost interest again.
Rather than focus on the relationship, and on Marketa's desire to be a medical professional, and the issues that faced women we have several pointless side plots brought in, a love interest with no chemistry, a wise woman who didn't seem very wise , all of which managed to make the book more dull !
By the time that the ending limped in, the style of the book had changed once more, but luckily one of my many moments of boredom , I read the ending about 60% of the way through, so it wasn't such a bookish WTF as it would have been .
I see that this is on KU, and can only imagine this is why it has so many ratings, and that the average is almost 4 stars, and that the readers are kind. For the avoidance of doubt, I found this book poor
September 29, 2014
I have no idea what led me to buy this book, and wish I had not. I read over half of it and don't know why I continued that long. I think maybe it was because I was a bit familiar with Bohemia in the late 1500's and King Rudolph II from reading the All Souls Trilogy. There is a bit about alchemy and science in the book which made me curious. I should have stopped reading when I was turned off by the concept of the blood letting and the life of a girl whose mother owned a Bath House. The mother alternated between encouraging her daughter to do personal things with the clients and offering her to a disgusting man and then turning around and protecting her from him. King Rudolph's disgusting lunatic son has some obsession with this girl....I quit reading. Perhaps I should not rate it when I did not finish, but I read almost 300 pages which is a pretty good taste of a book. Speaking of tastes I didn't even like the tastes and smells described within the pages....except perhaps the baker's daughter who had sugar all over her body and in her hair....not very appealing either.
October 31, 2012
3.5 As explained in the very welcome author's note and interview, this novel was very well researched. The time period, the bath houses, the bloodletting and Marketa, who is the main character of this novel, all really existed and in much the way it is written. The insanity that ran through the Hapsburg's is well documented and so it is portrayed here. That his blindness to his sons condition definitely added to the reason Rupert is deprived of his crown. This is a very dark book, almost melancholy in tone, but I loved all the history within especially the very real power struggle between the all powerful church and the sciences. This book actually encompasses quite a bit, the historical struggle, the relationship of Marketa and the mad prince, as well as the quest in medical and other scientific fields. While at times the conversations between characters seemed awkward, the author foes a great job in descriptive paragraphs and taken as a whole, this was a very goo first novel.
December 8, 2012
I'm giving this historical novel set in Old Bohemia in the early 1600's four stars for an engrossing read. I felt as sucked into the story as the hungry leeches used to balance the madman Don Julius' humors. The history came alive in, as I understand, an historically accurate, albeit strange, series of events. (No spoilers!) The author interestingly juxtaposed the struggles of the times between science, medieval medicinal practices (bloodletting, among others), alchemy, witchcraft and religion through strong characters. I liked the realistic, raw, sensual descriptions of the smells and tastes of the early 17th century and the sex scenes which are often left out of historical novels in an attempt to sanitize the story. I recommend this book to historical fiction lovers who enjoy the feeling of being dropped into another time and place.
August 23, 2012
Loved this! I am so glad my old book club introduced me to historical fiction! This was so interesting-madness in the Hapsburg family! Based on a true story and I can only hope that the way this author imagined it actually happened. A nice thick book I read the first week of school-usually do not do any of my own reading this week but couldn't stop reading!
September 17, 2012
I loved revisiting Prague and the Czech Republic in this book, reading about places that are familiar to me from the 4 months I lived there. This story about one event in the history of the Hapsburg Empire is exciting, dangerous and thrilling. I couldn't put the book down.
January 12, 2023
During a recent trip I learned of the very real story of a woman who was thrown out the window of the castle twice by a crazy Hapsburg prince. This novel tells the tragic story of the local bath maid and the mad Don Julius. I loved the way this book told Marketa’s story, painting a beautiful and dark picture of life in Bavaria in the 1600’s under Hapsburg rule. I have to say I even enjoyed the ending. 3.5 stars for me
February 13, 2014
Bad history, worse writing and a crime against the main character
Bad history, worse writing and a crime against the main character
The author states in a Q&A that she felt sorry for the main female character because she was nicknamed 'musle' -- apparently a Czech word meaning 'mussel', a smarmy term for her genitalia -- thus writing a book that tells us nothing about the"real" character and what happened to her. This is a great crime against the girl in this awful, comic book version of her life. Her life as well as her death are brutally trivialized.
We moderns should not alter history, culture and fact to shield ourselves from the ugliness that often surrounds us today, and which burns so brightly and harshly from the past. It may seem like a good idea to change the psychology of people from our past, such as reinventing the daughter's character so that she wants to be a "noble' bloodletter rather than a 'bathhouse' girl, supposedly a euphemism for a prostitute. Why the change in ambition? Is there any historical data that suggests her occupation was any less valued than an ignoramus who cuts people and applies leeches to further drain their blood -- often making the patient sicker if they aren't killed outright!
Bloodletting was and still is a misbegotten idea, it should not be used as an ideal! Practitioners were idiots and ultimately murderers. Bless the day'medical' practices like this were discarded forever.
Understandably, we have a hard time dealing with a society where women, from childhood to death, were seen almost exclusively as sexual objects who were expected to 'satisfy' men. But it does not honor the dark but valiant lives these women led to modernize the psychology of their lives by not portraying their brutal reality. The main character is a bathhouse girl, who satisfies the lust of her customers, assisted in the corrupt practice of bloodletting, and who met a brutal, ugly end.
You won't read that story in this trivialized version of her life, so don't worry. Accept the opinions of everyone who gave this book more than one star (really wishing I could give it a negative star). This book plots along. The characters are either clean and virtuous, with dreams and ideas just like our own, or they are fat, dirty, soiled in heart, soul, and body. In other words, it is historical fiction cookie cut to satisfy escapist-fiction readers....and Hollywood, of course.
My last hope? You will take the time to read Robert Browning's "Pippa Passes" -- it's short, O Mighty Lafferty-lovers, but it tells you more about the life and times of a young girl/women in the real historical past than this shameful piece of dimestore novel/trash.
Bad history, worse writing and a crime against the main character
The author states in a Q&A that she felt sorry for the main female character because she was nicknamed 'musle' -- apparently a Czech word meaning 'mussel', a smarmy term for her genitalia -- thus writing a book that tells us nothing about the"real" character and what happened to her. This is a great crime against the girl in this awful, comic book version of her life. Her life as well as her death are brutally trivialized.
We moderns should not alter history, culture and fact to shield ourselves from the ugliness that often surrounds us today, and which burns so brightly and harshly from the past. It may seem like a good idea to change the psychology of people from our past, such as reinventing the daughter's character so that she wants to be a "noble' bloodletter rather than a 'bathhouse' girl, supposedly a euphemism for a prostitute. Why the change in ambition? Is there any historical data that suggests her occupation was any less valued than an ignoramus who cuts people and applies leeches to further drain their blood -- often making the patient sicker if they aren't killed outright!
Bloodletting was and still is a misbegotten idea, it should not be used as an ideal! Practitioners were idiots and ultimately murderers. Bless the day'medical' practices like this were discarded forever.
Understandably, we have a hard time dealing with a society where women, from childhood to death, were seen almost exclusively as sexual objects who were expected to 'satisfy' men. But it does not honor the dark but valiant lives these women led to modernize the psychology of their lives by not portraying their brutal reality. The main character is a bathhouse girl, who satisfies the lust of her customers, assisted in the corrupt practice of bloodletting, and who met a brutal, ugly end.
You won't read that story in this trivialized version of her life, so don't worry. Accept the opinions of everyone who gave this book more than one star (really wishing I could give it a negative star). This book plots along. The characters are either clean and virtuous, with dreams and ideas just like our own, or they are fat, dirty, soiled in heart, soul, and body. In other words, it is historical fiction cookie cut to satisfy escapist-fiction readers....and Hollywood, of course.
My last hope? You will take the time to read Robert Browning's "Pippa Passes" -- it's short, O Mighty Lafferty-lovers, but it tells you more about the life and times of a young girl/women in the real historical past than this shameful piece of dimestore novel/trash.
October 22, 2012
I'd actually give The Bloodletter's Daughter 3.5 stars. It was good enough to keep me reading and wanting more but there were a few flaws that left me wondering or bored. I have no doubt that I enjoyed this book more because of a coincidence; I read The Physician before The Bloodletter's Daughter and because of some similar topics and storylines, I ALMOST felt as if I were reading a sequel (although The Physician is an all-time favorite).
The story is set in a tiny Bohemian village in the 1600's. Our heroine is the daughter of the town bloodletter and her dream is to be a physician. The small village sits in the shadow of an ancient castle. King Rudolf II takes over the castle as a place to secure (and hopefully cure) his mad son, Don Julius. Marketa and Don Julius' lives are intertwined when the bloodletter is hired to assist the royal doctors.
The author does a good job giving each of the characters a distinct and believable voice. I loved learning so much about daily life in a 17th century Bohemian village and I didn't want to put the book down most of the time.
But, I did not enjoy the side story regarding Matthias; brother to King Rudolf II. I felt as if Matthias' entire story was unnecessary, an intrusion into the real story, and I think all of Matthias' story could have been told in the Epilogue.
And WHAT was up with Chapter 25: Katarina and the Grain Shed? Actually, the question should be, what happened after the grain shed? The chapter ends in a cliffhanger and the story is forgotten for quite a while. We get one or two lines thrown in much later but no details. I felt as if that part of the story was edited out. Way too choppy!
Overall, I did enjoy The Bloodletter's Daughter and I will recommend it to anyone who enjoys light historical fiction.
Kindle Edition is NOT lendable
The story is set in a tiny Bohemian village in the 1600's. Our heroine is the daughter of the town bloodletter and her dream is to be a physician. The small village sits in the shadow of an ancient castle. King Rudolf II takes over the castle as a place to secure (and hopefully cure) his mad son, Don Julius. Marketa and Don Julius' lives are intertwined when the bloodletter is hired to assist the royal doctors.
The author does a good job giving each of the characters a distinct and believable voice. I loved learning so much about daily life in a 17th century Bohemian village and I didn't want to put the book down most of the time.
But, I did not enjoy the side story regarding Matthias; brother to King Rudolf II. I felt as if Matthias' entire story was unnecessary, an intrusion into the real story, and I think all of Matthias' story could have been told in the Epilogue.
And WHAT was up with Chapter 25: Katarina and the Grain Shed? Actually, the question should be, what happened after the grain shed? The chapter ends in a cliffhanger and the story is forgotten for quite a while. We get one or two lines thrown in much later but no details. I felt as if that part of the story was edited out. Way too choppy!
Overall, I did enjoy The Bloodletter's Daughter and I will recommend it to anyone who enjoys light historical fiction.
Kindle Edition is NOT lendable
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