Recent Read: The Unfortunate Son

Set in 16th century France, this story is about Luc, a boy born with only one ear. His father rejects him, as do many others who see his deformity. But when he meets a fisherman named Pons and his sister and niece, Luc is embraced and loved as part of the family. He's gifted at fishing and becomes an apprentice. But his happiness is short lived. At sea one day, a ship of pirates kidnap Luc and sell him as a slave in North Africa. Villagers think of the boy as terribly unlucky--one ear, a drunkard father, stolen by pirates--but Pons always called Luc his good-luck boy. Will Luc survive and overcome the misfortune that's befallen him, or will his life prove unlucky as the villagers say?

The Unfortunate Son by Constance Leeds was wonderful. The writing is top-notch. The historical setting is meticulously researched, and Leeds gives the reader an interesting look into 16th century France. But it's not an exciting swashbuckling tale, as the kidnapped-by-pirates part might suggest. He doesn't even get kidnapped until almost 100 pages in. That's not to say that it's boring. There's a little bit of a mystery involving Luc's parentage, there's the hope/effort to reunite Luc with his adopted fisherman family, there's the quest for survival in a new place as a slave, etc. Leeds creates meaningful relationships with fully fleshed-out characters. I became invested in these people and their stories--I didn't want to say goodbye. I also loved the themes Leeds delved into (and how she addressed them)--destiny, luck, attitude, perception, as well as forgiveness. Does Luc's ear make him lucky or unlucky? Is Luc's fortune determined by exterior circumstances or his own attitudes and decisions?

(There is a mention of eunuchs--it's for a purpose, but I would imagine that some parents would not want to explain the what and why to their children.)