The Unfortunate Son

Gr 5-9–Readers are effortlessly transported back to 15th-century France in this beautiful tale of misfortune turned salvation. Born with only one ear, Luc was never the favored son. His father despises him and doesn’t care when Luc apprentices himself to Pons, an elderly fisherman. The fishing village is richly detailed, romanticized yet realistic. Luc’s fortune seems to change while he lives under the care of Pons, his sister Mattie, and 14-year-old Beatrice, daughter of a disgraced knight. The fully drawn characters banter back and forth, creating a warm surrogate family. The dialogue sparkles; the rapport between Luc and Beatrice is outstanding. When Pons and Luc are attacked by Saracen pirates, Luc’s misfortune seems to return. Enslaved and purchased for a pittance because of his missing ear, his highly educated master realizes Luc’s intelligence and begins to teach his new slave–an excellent illustration of education bridging barriers. Luc’s world expands dramatically but he still longs for freedom. In France, Beatrice refuses to give up hope regarding his fate, even though her family has been cleared. She returns to nobility, taking Pons and Mattie with her. She believes rumors that Luc is not a simple country lad. But who is he? Freed upon his master’s death, Luc returns to France to find his family, and Beatrice must choose between him and a nobleman. This fine historical novel is set in a place and time that is not commonly explored.-Lisa Crandall, Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI