Author Discussion: Karen Cushman

[nocowardsoul]

Karen Cushman is the author of eight historical novels and one fantasy novel including the Newbery Honor book Catherine, Called Birdy and the Newbery Winner The Midwife's Apprentice. And The Ballad of Lucy Whipple, which was made into a TV movie with Jena Malone, Glenn Close, and Meat Loaf.

Discuss any of her works and their adaptations and fanworks.

Comments

[nocowardsoul]

I love this fanfic about Catherine's daughter and this one of Stephen of Lithgow's diary.

And these adorable drawings for a graphic novel of Catherine, Called Birdy (which was shelved).

[jeweledeyes]

Oh wow, this is an author I haven't thought about in a long time! I read both Catherine, Called Birdy and The Midwife's Apprentice in elementary school. I remember NOTHING about them except the covers and that I liked them. I will have to dig around and see if I still have my copies!

[nocowardsoul]

I don't remember much about The Midwife's Apprentice aside from the "make a mistake, quit, then come back" plotline and the fact that she picked the name Alyce because someone mistook her for a different Alyce who could read.

I remember Catherine more because it's funnier and more quotable.

[feather_ghyll]

I've read and reread Catherine, Called Birdy, and adored its zest for life, the historical research (although the older I get, the more I get sniffy about all these things happening in one village in one year) and the use of language. I thought the recent film adaptation did it justice. I have read 'The Ballad of Lucy Whipple', but am struggling to remember anything about it, while 'The Midwife's Apprentice' is in my To Be Read pile.