Catherine, Called Birdy

Reader reviewed by mary

Catharine, Called Birdy is the story of a young girl growing up in the year 1290s. A feminist way before her time, Catharine is a noble with a father who views her as currency as a young bride and a mother who meekly follows the rules of 13^th century England. The book is mostly about her fathers quest to find a rich man young or old, ugly or handsome, vulgar or polite, it made no difference to him. As long as this man was willing to take Catharine with him into wedlock as his bride. Catharine, though, will have nothing of this. She pulls parks and many stunts, sending each suitor scurrying back to wherever he came from; all except one. Enter Shaggy Beard by far the oldest, ugliest, and most revolting suitor of them all. Unfortunately, he is also the richest, and her father seems determined to marry her off to this man! But Catharine will have none of it.

 

Her story gives a new view on life in early England, from monks to the oppression of Jews. This was an eye-opening story, a must-read.

Reader reviewed by Stephanie

In no other book set in thirteenth-century England has such a willful and admirable protagonist starred. Catherine, the fourteen-year-old daughter of a knight whom she claims is a rude pig, is called Birdy, and somehow the name suits her. Shed much rather be a villager, frolicking outdoors all day and not being reprimanded for getting her feet and clothes dirty.

Unfortunately for her, a well-off young lady has but one aim in life, and that is to be married to a well-off man. Throughout the year that she documents in her journal, Birdys father attempts to find her a husband. However, Birdy manages to scare away each one with her liveliness and cleverness.

Birdys doing pretty well considering the number of suitors shes managed to send away. Then she meets her match. A rich suitor, affectionately called by her as Shaggy Beard, wants to wed her. He doesnt care that she is willful, independent, and not very ladylike. Shes expected to not care that hes almost older than her father, ugly, bad-mannered, and gross. What will Birdy come up with in order to escape this most horrible fate for herself?

While not all readers will be satisfied with the ending, thinking that its a copout, the ending brought tears to my eyes. Birdy is such a fun main character who manages to also be eloquent and observant. Her concluding realization is wise beyond her years and marks her as a strong character who people should admire.

Reader reviewed by Dylana

This book is great if you like reading about teenagers' lives in the past. Catherine's character is very witty and adventerous. She hates her father, who tries to marry her off to an old and rich suitor. She tries her hardest and uses the funniest ways to get out of being married off to a "pig". This book is a great read for any teenage girl because the chracters are interesting and Catherine is so much fun!