The Bloodletter's Daughter

A Novel of Old Bohemia

By: Linda Lafferty

Narrated by: Carrington MacDuffie

Length: 13 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1606, the grand city of Prague hides an ugly secret: the emperor’s bastard son, Don Julius, is afflicted with a madness that pushes the prince to unspeakable depravity. Banished to a remote corner of Bohemia, Don Julius comes under the care of a bloodletter who works to purge the vicious humors coursing through the young royal’s veins. When the prince meets the bloodletter’s daughter Marketa, his madness sparks a frenzied - and dangerous - obsession. He believes Marketa embodies the women from the Coded Book of Wonder, a priceless manuscript from the imperial library that was the young prince’s only link to sanity. As the prince descends further into the darkness of his mind, his acts become ever more desperate, and Marketa, both frightened and fascinated, can’t stay away.

Inspired by a true murder that rocked the Hapsburg dynasty, The Bloodletter’s Daughter is a dark and richly detailed saga of passion and revenge.

©2012 Trish McCallan (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Fasinating historical novel

Based on historical facts regarding Don Julius, the mad son of Emperor Rudolf II of the House of Hapsburg and his obsession with Marketa, the daughter of a local barber, this well researched novel really draws you in with its rich details. The characters are colorful and details about life in 17th century Bohemia well described. The story is based on history but veers from the actual events, maybe thankfully as the real story is horribly tragic. I was not enthralled with the narration. It was not bad but the attempt at giving accents to the characters was hit or miss.

Twisted

didn't realize until the end it was based on a true story. certainly captivating and full of drama

Interesting Story of an Era and Place I Never Knew

As soon as I finished this, I had to look up the details of Don Julius, the mad son of King Rudolph II and his relationship with Marketa . . . best done AFTER listening to The Bloodletter's Daughter. The 1600's was a fascinating time in history, when a great debate between Christianity and Science began, as well as one between Catholics and Protestants. While some listeners think the book long and wandering with unneeded content, I found the discussions of astrology, medicine, potions, changing thoughts on bleeding patients, and the great battle between the priest and the physician to be critical to the story and time period . . . and a great foundation for modern medicine and science. Without wavering on faith in God. In the beginning, I was put off by the acts in the bath houses, and very much so by Marketa's mother . . . but now I have researched, and I find that the bath houses were common during this period in history. I'm saddened that children could have been used in this way. The book is fiction, written very much like an old Grimm's fairy tale, mixing historical facts with some "magic" and taking some liberties . . . the legend of the white lady exist and are expertly woven into the book . . . It was a long listen, expertly woven and the end was worth the wait.

Wonderful!!!

I have read AND listened to this book so many times, that i probably could recite some parts by heart.
This book is one of my very favorite books EVER!!!
I love this time, i love these characters i LOVE this book!!
I read it when it first came out and then got the audiobook later on. I have listened to it so many times that if it were possible to wear out an Audible audiobook, this one would be worn out!!
I highly recommend anything by this author.
She has such a lovely way of telling a story!

The narrator does a wonderful job bringing these characters to life!

A breathtaking story on a historical legend.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I loved listening to this book! The character development was awesome, the story gave you information that you needed, and didn't waste too much time giving you information that was not an important part of the story.

The one problem I had with the story was the ending. Now I listen to an audible book on my way to work almost every day, and my commute is rather easy and almost traffic free. So it gives me a good forty to forty five minutes to just drive and listen and not be distracted. However, I found that with this book towards the last five chapters, I kept having to repeat and repeat just to keep up with what was happening. The characters acted out of 'character' from what you knew them to be, and you never get a clear understanding of just HOW the ending was accomplished. I do not want to spoil the book for anyone, but it just kind of odd how a character was in the aid of leading someone else to their death, and at the very end changed their mind to help. Or that blood letter's daughter would be okay with betrayal when throughout the book you see how she doesn't forgive so easily.

The positives again was the story. It is based off of a true story and like any historical fiction with a few twists and flourishes to help enhance the story. You grow with the characters, understand what they're going through, and actually believe and understand when a character makes a poor choice. If you are looking for something that will take your breath away, and that will surprise you at every turn, I suggest this book hands down. Just ending is hard to follow and it ends kind of sappy when I do not think that everything should/would have a happy ending.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Nothing, the speaker was very good and clear and she kept certain voices with the main characters so you knew when one character was talking and didn't get confused because she kept he main voice.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene is when Marketa decides to go see Don Julius, and you see just how crazy Don Julius is and how naive Marketa was to think that he loved her. It kind of brings you back to when you were sixteen and how it just made sense when you thought it but not when you spoke it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, it took me about a month to get through listening it to and from work only which is a forty to forty five minute drive.

Any additional comments?

Great book, great literature. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Not for me...

The information was good and writing skills were there, but I personally didn't like the style of writing. The narrator left a lot to be desired, in my opinion. I felt the author could have achieved the same outcome without a lot of the unnecessary vulgarity and crude writing. I understand that the mature subject matter warranted a story line that would include graphic details, however I think the writing was more gratuitous for the purpose of shock not enlightenment.

It is really making me love history, amazing.

I liked the great explanations about the past in Europe. The story keeps you inthralles.

Outstanding!

Wonderfully written book am with an awesome narration. The narrator is one of the best I've listened to. Recommend this highly!

Intense Story

Very intense story with meaning and passion. I couldn't stop listening, I just had to know what was coming next!

Engrossing story of Bohemia in 17th Century

Thoroughly enjoyed the story of the mad Hapsburg prince and his obsession with the bloodletter’s daughter in Cesky Krumlov.