The master and the maid by Laura Libricz

 

Name of Book: The Master and the Maid 

Author: Laura Libricz

ISBN: 978-0-9968177-8-3

Publisher: Blue Heron Book Works 

Part of a Series: The soldiers return a sequel 

Type of book: 1616-1617, Germany, 30 years war, religion, witches, daily life, medieval Germany, countryside, city, secrets, danger, family, feud, Netherlands, romance, friendship 

Year it was published: 2016

Summary:

She’s lost her work, her home and her freedom. Now, harboring a mysterious newborn, she could lose her life.

In 17th Century Germany on the brink of the Thirty Years War, 24-year-old Katarina is traded to the patrician Sebald Tucher by her fiancé Willi Prutt in order to pay his debts. En route to her forced relocation to the Tucher country estate, Katarina is met by a crazed archer, Hans-Wolfgang, carrying a baby under his cloak. He tells her an incredible story of how his beloved was executed by a Jesuit priest for witchcraft right after the birth and makes Katarina—at sword point—swear on her life to protect the child. But protecting the child puts Katarina at risk. She could fall in disfavor with her master. She could be hunted by the zealots who killed his beloved. She could be executed for witchcraft herself. Can Katarina's love for the baby and Sebald Tucher's desire for her keep the wrath of the zealots at bay?

Set in Franconia, The Master and the Maid is an accurate, authentic account of a young woman's life in Germany in the 1600's, her struggle for freedom and her fight for those she loves.

Characters:

Main characters include Katarina, a woman from countryside who was taught survival. She is shrewd, has good self control and is sacrificing, especially when it comes to caring for a baby thats not hers. She has lived in the city for awhile, trying to convince Willi Prutt to marry her, but he didn't want to. Sebald Tucher is definitely a bit more difficult to pin down, but he is intelligent, an introvert, wealthy and stealthy when it comes to getting what he wants. He cares very little for family business or wealth and only desires peace. Secondary characters include a fanatical monk named Ralf who will do everything for Catholic church as well as Pieter who is trying to find himself, Isabeau, a baby who is in constant danger and Hans-wolfgang who only wants to see his daughter grow up safely and later claim what is hers by right. 

Theme:

Don't be fooled by life 

Plot:

The story is in third person narrative from Katarinas and Tuchers points of views, although few other characters such as Pieter, Ralf and perhaps Hans-wolfgang also make their voices heard as well. The tale begins in 1616 when Katarina learns some ugly things about her fiance Willi Prutt and then is won by over by Sebald Tucher who seems to care more for knowledge rather than money. Sebald is also determined to make a dream of his come true, and he does that by buying Katarinas childhood home and begins to live there along with other people. The narrative lasts a year into  1617 And the author doesnt shy away from the ugliness of the century or life there. It may seem ideal, but it isn't.  

Author Information:
(From goodreads)

Laura Libricz was born and raised in Bethlehem PA and moved to Upstate New York when she was 22. After working a few years building Steinberger guitars, she received a scholarship to go to college. She tried to ‘do the right thing’ and study something useful, but spent all her time reading German literature.

She earned a BA in German at The College of New Paltz, NY in 1991 and moved to Germany, where she resides today. When she isn’t writing she can be found sifting through city archives, picking through castle ruins or aiding the steady flood of musical instruments into the world market.

Her first novel, The Master and the Maid, is the first book of the Heaven's Pond Trilogy. The Soldier’s Return and Ash and Rubble are the second and third books in the series.

Opinion:

In historical fiction, the most common Germany that we see is of 1930s and 1940s, with Germany post ww2 making a very rare appearance. Yet Germany, just like England, Italy and France has also existed for a few thousand years, but very little attention is given to it. That's why I'm kind of excited to present this novel, The Master and the Maid, which covers about a year and takes place from 1616 to 1617. It's well written in describing daily life as well as beginning conflicts between protestants and Catholics. The characters are also well done and plot is highly fascinating. I sincerely hope that third novel will be released soon so I can finally put the plots together. If the reader  desires to see Germany from another angle, then i would highly recommend this novel.  

This was given for review 

4 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)