Inspired by real historical figures\u2014Isabelle d\u2019Angoul\u00eame, Hugh de Lusignan, and King John of Magna Carta fame\u2014Behold the Bird in Flight is set in a period that valued women only for their dowries and childbearing. Isabelle\u2019s story has been mainly erased by men, but the medieval chronicles suggest a woman who developed her own power and wielded it\u2014in court and in bed. And as the woman behind the throne, who\u2019s to say she didn\u2019t influence history?<\/em><\/p>\n\u2018Behold the Bird in Flight\u2019 is the debut novel from the pen of American-based author, Terri Lewis. The book is written in the third person and the past tense and we see most of the action from the perspective of Isabelle, the only child and heir of Aymer Taillefer, Count d\u2019 Angoul\u00eame in southwestern France.<\/p>\n
We join the story when Isi is eleven and we then share her life for the next seventeen years. She leaves her parents under a cloud and travels to the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of western France and the home of Hugh X de Lusignan, with whom she falls in love. History suggests that Isi may have actually become betrothed to Hugh\u2019s father (Hugh IX). In the author\u2019s version of events, Isi\u2019s intended future husband is the son, rather than the father. However, Isi is ether kidnapped or voluntarily leaves the security of the Lusignan home to wed England\u2019s King John. We leave the story at the end of his reign. A footnote tells us of her subsequent life.<\/p>\n
Much of the early story is told in great detail but this is not the case as the years go by, so perhaps the pace is a little uneven. However, the characterisations are extremely effective with others allowing us into their thoughts intermittently. The descriptive passages evoke a real feel of life in the thirteenth century with all its pitfalls, superstitions and omens of ill-fortune. These obviously played a huge part in day-to-day living and the author uses this to her advantage when needing a reason to send Isi away from her home at such a tender age.<\/p>\n
The outline of the story is based on fact and I commend the author for her thorough research into events of the time. This is a period of medieval history about which I knew very little so I\u2019m also grateful to her for giving me a thirst for more knowledge.<\/p>\n
Whilst originally being a little dubious about agreeing to review this novel, I\u2019m extremely glad that I did as it proved an excellent read. This will appeal to anyone who enjoys historical stories which breathe life into some lesser known historical figures. I award 4.5 stars.<\/p>\n\n
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Terri Lewis fell in love with medieval history in college. Not the dates or wars, but the mysterious daily lives of the people. Building on this love, she read and travelled widely, marvelling at Europe\u2019s preserved towns and castles. Finally, two sentences in a book bought at Windsor Castle led her to write Behold the Bird in Flight. Terri\u2019s writing has been honed through workshops with Jill McCorkle, Laura van den Berg, and Rebecca Makkai, and she has published in literary magazines. She lives with her husband and two lively dogs in Denver, Colorado.<\/p>\n
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