⇒ Read Free Maude Reed Tale Norah Robinson Lofts 9780440955290 Books

Maude Reed Tale Norah Robinson Lofts 9780440955290 Books

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Maude Reed Tale Norah Robinson Lofts 9780440955290 Books

When I first read this book as a teenager, I was unfamiliar with Norah Lofts. I did not know that she was a prolific writer of historical fiction. I only knew that her story of Maude Reed was spellbinding. Delighted with my discovery, I lent the book to a friend--and never saw it again.

Fast forward 35 years. A gift certificate to Amazon. What books would I like to add to my collection? For some reason I remembered this story, found a used copy, and placed an order.

If possible, I enjoyed Maude Reed's story more on the second reading than I did on the first! Simply delightful!


Tags : Maude Reed Tale [Norah Robinson Lofts] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. A girl living in England in the Middle Ages wants to become a wool merchant but is sent, instead, to a castle in Sussex to learn to be a lady.,Norah Robinson Lofts,Maude Reed Tale,Dell Publishing,0440955297,Fiction,Gt. Brit,History

Maude Reed Tale Norah Robinson Lofts 9780440955290 Books Reviews

Description from the book back cover

A most unladylike heroine struggles to outwit the system that would have her become a lady. "I do not want to be a lady. I want to be a wool merchant." In those two sentences young Maude Reed expresses her most burning desire. But in fifteenth-century England, girls of good family do not go into business. Instead, they are often sent to live in one of the great castles, where they do needlework, play the lute, and are taught the complicated customs and manners of that age of knighthood. At Beauclaire Castle, Maude meets two people who are to have a lasting influence on her - the beautiful Melusine, who serves Lady Astallon, and Henry Rancon, destined one day for knighthood. Nevertheless, the moment comes when she can face life there no longer, and on Christmas day she mounts her pony, steals over the drawbridge and starts on the long perilous journey home. Then her real adventures begin ...
I found THE MAUDE REED TALE at a garage sale and I was transported back to the 70s and 80s, when I read a lot of Norah Lofts. I always thought she was just superlative at what she did, and I was excited to re-make the acquaintance of someone who seems like an old friend.

As I read the book, it felt familiar to me - and eventually I realized why Maude Reed appears in one of Lofts' best adult books, THE TOWN HOUSE, as the granddaughter of Martin Reed, the medieval serf who breaks out of the feudal system to make a success of himself despite terrible odds and almost unimaginable poverty. Maude was a likable little girl in THE TOWN HOUSE, and in this book she has the starring role as a girl who wants to be a wool merchant but is banished to a medieval court to learn to become a lady. At Beauclaire, Maude makes friends, learns to read and write, and develops a burgeoning romance with a boy who aspires to be a knight.

This book is just so adorable... and I mean that in a really complimentary way. Maude is what so many little girls aspire to A little on the tomboyish side, she takes on boys in athletic competition and even the entire castle when she sees an animal being abused (a bear used in bear-baiting). Finally, she gets tired of the whole thing and just heads home, where she learns a few lessons on the road before coming back to save her ailing mother and grandfather from the plottings of a worker who is trying to take over Martin Reed's business.

There are some funny moments in the book, as well as many touching ones... including Maude's friendship with a bunch of goose-driving women who form an early feminist sorority on the road to and from London. We see Maude grow up throughout the book. She starts out as a maturing girl but becomes a young woman who takes the bull by the horns when she sees her family threatened. Some of her behaviors may be a little tough for today's kids to see - but viewed within the context of medieval society and women's roles (and limitations) there, she seems realistic (within the conventions of fiction, of course). I thoroughly enjoyed this, but the ending is a little out of sync with the ending of Maude's tale in THE TOWN HOUSE - I preferred the ending in the latter, as well as Martin Reed's character in the original book, too. (And for some reason Master Freeman in THE TOWN HOUSE has become Master Firman here.) But the book stands on its own very nicely and I look forward to sharing it with grandchildren (when I have them!).
I wish I could give this book 10 stars. I first read it as a child when it came out, and although I didn't realize it then, I was a budding feminist, and this book made me feel like girls can do anything! No need to explain the plot, as other reviewers have done that, but I will add my voice to those that said this book was one they still remember and treasure. I always felt that it should be made into a movie. Because it takes place in the first person, we experience all that Maude learns as she grows, and we learn about life and about growing up through her. Nora Lofts had a gift for bringing the past to life, and making you realize that people's thoughts, problems and dreams are the same now as they were centuries ago. This book is a real gem, and even at the age of 56, I still take it out and read it now and then. If you have a daughter, give her this wonderful book.
I read this story in junior high about 20 years ago so I was happy to find it after so many years.
This is a reworking of a story which is part of an earlier, larger book, The Town House series. I wore out my paperback version and was glad to have it in hardback. I recommend the trilogy The Town House, The House At Old Vine and The House at Sunset.
This is a great feminist tale set in fifteenth century England. I taught this book in my middle school language arts/social studies classes several years ago. The girls loved it! I tracked down a copy to give to my grand daughter as an inspiration to follow her dreams and be true to herself. Both Maude Reed the story and Maude Reed the girl are treasures!
When I first read this book as a teenager, I was unfamiliar with Norah Lofts. I did not know that she was a prolific writer of historical fiction. I only knew that her story of Maude Reed was spellbinding. Delighted with my discovery, I lent the book to a friend--and never saw it again.

Fast forward 35 years. A gift certificate to . What books would I like to add to my collection? For some reason I remembered this story, found a used copy, and placed an order.

If possible, I enjoyed Maude Reed's story more on the second reading than I did on the first! Simply delightful!