A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS

by Geraldine McCaughrean ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1987

Young Gabriel has been apprenticed to a cruel stonemason. When a group of players arrives to perform one of the biblical ""Mysteries,"" Gabriel is enchanted and, after a narrow escape, finds refuge with God Himself--in the form of Garvey, head of the players, as well as Lucie, the ""Devil,"" and Izzie, Lucie's daughter. Gabriel, with his flowing blond curls, is soon a member of the troupe, playing the angel Gabriel. But the players are not welcomed in every town--not until Garvey convinces a group of townspeople that Gabriel can make the blind see and perform other miracles. The sham, which makes them wealthy, continues for several years, until the stonemason turns up demanding a cut of the profits. The players fail on hard times and meet the Black Death; Gabriel's life changes more rapidly than he could have imagined. First-novelist McCaughrean paints a vivid picture of life in medieval Britain and examines the complexities of the relationships among the players, including the uncertain friendship between Gabriel and Izzie. Altogether, an involving story for the advanced reader.

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1987

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 133

Publisher: Oxford Univ. Press

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1987

Categories: CHILDREN'S