> Skip to content
  • Published: 7 January 2008
  • ISBN: 9780143006992
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 528
  • RRP: $24.95

Sylvia




‘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 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.

  • Published: 7 January 2008
  • ISBN: 9780143006992
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 528
  • RRP: $24.95

About the author

Bryce Courtenay

The Late Bryce Courtenay was the bestselling author of The Power of One, Tandia, April Fool's Day, The Potato Factory, Tommo & Hawk, Solomon's Song, Jessica, A Recipe for Dreaming, The Family Frying Pan, The Night Country, Smoky Joe's Cafe, Four Fires, Matthew Flinders' Cat, Brother Fish, Whitethorn, Sylvia, The Persimmon Tree, Fishing for Stars, The Story of Danny Dunn, Fortune Cookie, Jack of Diamonds and The Silver Moon: Reflections and Stories on Life, Death and Writing. The Power of One is also available in an edition for younger readers, and Jessica has been made into an award-winning television miniseries.

Also by Bryce Courtenay

See all

Praise for Sylvia

Well researched and historically accurate.

Herald Sun

A tale of the triumph of love and intelligence over poverty, brutality and bigotry, it sucks you in and drags you right along to the very end.

Sunday Examiner (Launceston)

Courtenay in his usual brilliantly witty and intriguing style, captures the essence of the times and of his remarkable heroine.

Toowoomba Chronicle