The Saxon Chronicle
Volume III - The
Millers' Daughters
In The Millers' Daughters, Volume III of The
Saxon Chronicle, Jane
Ellen Swan continues the gripping multigenerational saga. The novel's
characters are caught up in the sweep of social, historic and economic
change. Napoleon and his army sweep through the German states, forcibly
recruiting young German men who are soon defeated by the severe Russian
winter. The catastrophic retreat from Russia eventually leads to
Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo. The Congress of Vienna in 1815 brings
order to Europe, but the specter of Prussian militarism overshadows the
rest of Germany and results in massive emigration to America.
Beethoven is found at the royal court in Vienna where he composes
and conducts. Later, Brahms' and Schubert's music appears and they set
European feet to gliding gracefully around the dance floor. On the
literary scene two professors, the Brothers Grimm, collect the old
German tales and compile them into a book that gains popularity
throughout the German states. Meanwhile the craft class -- masters of
milling, weaving, cabinetry and metalworking -- are forced to face the
industrial revolution. The railroad and the telephone forever change
Europe. Yet despite this onset of literary and musical culture, a wise
old woman still lives along near Vilsen with only a dachshund and a
goat, honoring the old German gods. She is a master of herbal potions
and speaks to the ravens -- they warn her of the French invasion.
The Millers' Daughters is strong and vivid historical fiction,
bringing to life an unknown era.
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