LISTEN TO THE WIND

In this historical novel, set in the
Languedoc area of France, two young orphans try to forge their own destinies
amid many dangers.

In tumultuous 13th-century France,
political ambitions and crusades against heretics—presumably Cathars, although
the term is never used—have brought much warfare and upheaval. When the
orphaned Azalaïs, a girl, and Azemar, a boy, flee charges of witchcraft, they
hastily agree to split up and meet in Bésiers. A kindly forest anchorite helps
Azalaïs disguise herself as a boy, and over several years the recluse teaches
her herbal medicine, reading, writing, and Latin. But Azalaïs must go on the
run again when she makes an unexpected enemy, and she finds shelter with Domna
Jordane de la Moux d’Aniort, who takes Azalaïs into her household. Jordane’s
wealthy father is planning her daughter’s marriage to a French-allied noble, but
she’s in love with a rebellious knight named Raimon de Berenger. After finding
out about Azalaïs’ true sex, Jordane insists that the young woman disguise
herself and take her own place as the noble’s bride, while Jordane pursues
Raimon. The disguised Azalaïs must prove herself in a perilous situation that she
doesn’t fully understand. Meanwhile, the real Azemar finds a patron and receives
training in commerce and war. It’s nine years before the two orphans briefly
find each other again. In this well-researched novel, Dunlap (The Academie,
2012, etc.) breathes life into the distant 13th-century setting by providing
many everyday, textural details, such as the uncomfortable realities of wearing
jousting armor. Poetry and music are as essential to the plot as warfare, with engaging
glimpses of trobairitz (female
troubadours). Necessary exposition is well-integrated into the story, although
the closing author’s note would likely have worked better as a preface, and a
glossary would have been useful. The characters are generally believable,
although Jordane is implausibly headstrong for a young woman of her era and
Raimon doesn’t seem to be worth so much plotting and difficulty.

A complex, absorbing, and dramatic
start to a planned series.