The story of Sylvia Honeyeater, who sings like an angel and can literally charm the birds from the trees, this epic tale of a Europe torn by religious intolerance also features the Pied Piper of Hamelin, Francis of Assisi, the Muslim Sultan and his harem, as well as the fervour that became the Children's Crusade and then later the Crusades.

'I am Sylvia Honeyeater; I think myself born around 1196, and this is the story of my life.' From master storyteller Bryce Courtenay comes the colourful epic of Sylvia. Late twelfth-century Europe is torn by religious intolerance. Sylvia, with a singing voice that can literally charm the birds out of the trees, and an acute and questioning mind that refuses to accept unreasoned beliefs, embarks on a pilgrimage. She joins the Children's Crusade, bound for the Holy Land. From a bawdy life as an entertainer in a whorehouse to an austere and frequently cruel existence in a convent, she fights to be true to her destiny. And her mysterious birthmark causes much confusion- can this peasant maid indeed be a chosen messenger? Sylviais a tale of adversity, of adventure and crusades, and of a beautiful and gifted woman.

The new novel from Australia's bestselling author. Sylvia Honeyeater is a departure in setting for Bryce but it is utterly Bryce in character and style-his fans will be delighted. An epic tale of a Europe torn by religious intolerance. From master storyteller Bryce Courtenay comes a colourful, lusty story set in the thirteenth century. The story of Sylvia Honeyeater, who sings like an angel and can literally charm the birds from the trees, this epic tale of a Europe torn by religious intolerance also features the Pied Piper of Hamelin, Francis of Assisi, the Muslim Sultan and his harem, as well as the fervour that became the Children's Crusade and then later the Crusades.

Sylvia is a story of the Children's Crusade, which occurred in the year 1212. It is perhaps the strangest true event to have taken place in European history. I enjoyed the digging that uncovered it - buried in a dark corner of times long out of mind. It is also a story of how, throughout some of the darkest medieval times, the redeeming power and strength of a young woman's love and intelligence prevail over poverty, brutality and bigotry.

'I am Sylvia Honeyeater; I think myself born around 1196, and this is the story of my life. I am cursed by folk as an optimist and a dreamer, which is a dangerous combination ...' Sylviais the story of the Children's Crusade, which occurred in the year 1212, and is perhaps the strangest true event to have taken place in European history. It is also a story of how, throughout some of the darkest medieval times, the redeeming power and strength of a young woman's love and intelligence prevail over poverty, brutality and bigotry. Sylvia was a remarkable, talented and eccentric young woman and this is her story.

The story of Sylvia Honeyeater, who sings like an angel and can literally charm the birds from the trees, this epic tale of a Europe torn by religious intolerance also features the Pied Piper of Hamelin, Francis of Assisi, the Muslim Sultan and his harem, as well as the fervour that became the Children's Crusade and then later the Crusades.From master storyteller Bryce Courtenay comes the colourful epic of Sylvia, a peasant girl born into a medieval Europe torn by religious intolerance. With a singing voice that can literally charm the birds out of the trees, and an acute and questioning mind that refuses to accept unreasoned beliefs, Sylvia leaves her birthplace to embark on a pilgrimage. This is storytelling at its very best. Sylvia is a tale of adversity and triumph, of adventure and belief, and of a beautiful, strong and gifted woman.

From master storyteller Bryce Courtenay comes a colourful, lusty story set in the thirteenth century. The story of Sylvia Honeyeater, who sings like an angel and can literally charm the birds from the trees, this epic tale of a Europe torn by religious intolerance also features the Pied Piper of Hamelin, Francis of Assisi, the Muslim Sultan and his harem, as well as the fervour that became the Children's Crusade and then later the Crusades ... This will be the first of three volumes in what promises to be a broad, sweeping magnum opus.

From master storyteller Bryce Courtenay comes the colourful epic of Sylvia, a peasant girl born into a medieval Europe torn by religious intolerance. With a singing voice that can literally charm the birds out of the trees, and an acute and questioning mind that refuses to accept unreasoned beliefs, Sylvia leaves her birthplace to embark on a pilgrimage. This is storytelling at its very best. Sylvia is a tale of adversity and triumph, of adventure and belief, and of a beautiful, strong and gifted woman.

I am Sylvia Honeyeater; I think myself born around 1196, and this is the story of my life. I am cursed by folk as an optimist and a dreamer, which is a dangerous combination...' Sylvia is the story of the Children's Crusade, which occurred in ...

'Sylvia is the story of the Children's Crusade, which occurred in the year 1212, and is perhaps the strangest true event to have taken place in European history. It is also a story of how the redeeming power and strength of a young woman's love and intelligence prevail over poverty, brutality and bigotry.