Synopsis
CONRAD THE GOOD serves as court jester to a most unworthy master: Lord Otto “the Witless,” who rarely appreciates jesting and acrobatics and more often rewards his good fool with a good whipping. So one night, Conrad flees, leaving Otto’s realm in search of a more enlightened master—taking with him only his noble horse, Blackspur, and his beloved, the servant girl Christa the Fair. As they take to the road, they soon learn that along with their quest comes hardship. But for all the hardships they encounter, there are as many unexpected joys and friends in unexpected places, and there is always their love for one another. And always, their destination lies before them: somewhere, a sanctuary where they’ll have the freedom to be together and be themselves.
KLIATT
In this lively story of the Middle Ages, Conrad, a teenaged court jester, has had it with serving nasty Lord Otto. He takes off across Germany with Christa, the servant girl he loves, and his horse, Blackspur, in search of freedom and sanctuary. They pose as traveling entertainers, with Christa disguised as a boy, though she still attracts unwanted attention. On the road they meet up with a sweet, mentally challenged dwarf named Grock and save a boy named Max from hanging. Snowy weather presents challenges, and they must deal with bandits and other evil people as well before finding a just lord at last. Conrad's ingenuity and religious faith see them through, and Karr makes the medieval era come alive with appropriate vocabulary and expressions (which some readers may find challenging) and details of 13th-century food, dress and customs. Fine historical fiction. Reviewer: Paula Rohrlick