The Bearkeeper's Daughter - first US edition
by Gillian Bradshaw
Intrigue, bastardy and godlike privilege emerge as the chief motivators in a
fanciful tale of the Byzantine Empress Theodora and John, the lowly scribe who
materializes one day and addresses her as "Mother." Since he has clearly
inherited her beauty and brains, he soon establishes himself not only as an
impeccable record keeper and linguist but as an unparalleled military commander,
defeating forces that far outnumber his own. John's uncertainties over his
status and his unfamiliarity with a new life are deftly portrayed using a
swift-moving, engrossing in plot and excellent characterization.
There are no previous owner's marks in the book, which has brown boards quarter
bound with tan cloth, title in gold on the spine, maps decorate end papers. Nice
clean copy.
The dust jacket price has not been clipped and would be fine except for a some
very faint rubbing on the rear panel and at extreme edges.