We had the opportunity to review the newest production, St. Bartholomew’s Eve (a 2-CD set), from Heirloom Audio.
You have not done real drama until you listen to an audio drama from Heirloom Audio Productions. The company produces high end and quality Christian audio dramas that are riveting, captivating and engage the listener from the beginning of the story all the way to the end. The clarity that comes through in the audio is magnified by the actors who portray the characters we meet in the dramas. The characters are portrayed by professional actors, many who may already be familiar to you from other Heirloom Audio productions or credits in movie and theatre.
This time around we had the opportunity to review St. Bartholomew’s Eve, which takes back to 1572 when the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre actually occurred. I love history, but have never heard of this event. That is one of the reasons we enjoy the G.A. Henty stories. The history that is shared are pieces of history we may not normally learn about in our regular history books. Most of the dramas take place on foreign soil.
The St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre (A.K.A. Massacre de la Saint-Barthélemy) was a sad and deadly period in history that started in Paris. Conflict between the Huguenots and the French Roman Catholics climaxed resulting in several Huguenots leaders, who were attending a royal wedding in Paris, to be killed. The murders were believed to have been ordered by the king. The massacre lasted for many weeks resulting in the death of many Huguenots. Ironically, all of the slaughter was based on religious differences between the Catholics and the Protestants (Huguenots).
Listeners are introduced to cousins, Francois and Phillip, who are both young boys. Just in all of Henty’s stories, the protagonist is always a young boy. Phillip is visiting family in France during the time of conflict. Phillip and Francois feel it is their duty to defend the persecuted (the Huguenots) and also defend their king (God).
“Whom shall we obey? The king of France or the King of Kings?”
That statement gives you an idea of the mindset of the young boys as well as all of the protagonists in the Henty stories. Honor and duty to God is king and a character trait to be admired in the young people we meet in the stories. They fight for God, because, “my savior died for me.”
Another powerful statement is, “When a soldier takes a blade it is a child of god who falls.”
Their faith in God and love for Him is taken seriously.
Phillip, who “didn’t know a pistol from a pigeon” and Francois prepare for battle by studying the military tactics of some of the great warriors. After that time, they are prepared for battle.
With the battle scenes, you feel like you are right there fighting alongside the Hugenauts, but instead we are in the comfort of our home. Thank goodness, because it sounds frightening. I cannot imagine living in times where I would have to fight for my faith. Men (and boys) of fighting age took up arms, because they believed in their cause.
A little boy by the name of Argento is introduced in the story. His faith and desire to fight is amazing, but not unusual even though he is only 11 years old. Argento later lost his leg, which is amputated, and gains a maple peg. Despite his loss, Argento, to his pleasure, manages to be a valuable asset to the battle. His spirit is overwhelming and incredible, and is experienced as he leads the Hugenauts in song even though France has banned the singing of psalms.
The suggested age of listener is six years old. The G.A. Henty stories are graphic, but true to the story. The stories include talk about amputations and death, and the battle scenes are vivid. That aside, the stories are ones from which your child will learn. They also open the door for great discussion about a period of time in history.
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
St. Bartholomew’s Eve
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