The Passion of Dolssa

By: Julie Berry

Narrated by: Jayne Entwistle, Fiona Hardingham, Julie Berry, Allan Corduner

I must write this account, and when I have finished, I will burn it.

Buried deep within the archives of a convent in medieval France is an untold story of love, loss, and wonder, and the two girls at the heart of it all.

Dolssa is an upper-crust city girl with a secret lover and an uncanny gift. Branded a heretic, she’s on the run from the friar who condemned her mother to death by fire, and wants Dolssa executed, too. Botille is a matchmaker and a tavern-keeper, struggling to keep herself and her sisters on the right side of the law in their seaside town of Bajas. When their lives collide by a dark riverside, Botille rescues a dying Dolssa and conceals her in the tavern, where an unlikely friendship blooms. Aided by her sisters and Symo, her surly but loyal neighbor, Botille nurses Dolssa back to health and hides her from her pursuers.

But all of Botille’s tricks, tales, and cleverness can’t protect them forever, and when the full wrath of the Church bears down upon Bajas, Dolssa’s passion and Botille’s good intentions could destroy the entire village.

From the author of the award-winning All the Truth That's in Me comes a spellbinding thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end, and make you wonder if miracles really are possible.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2016 Julie Berry (P)2016 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Irresistibly compelling...[Berry conveys] complex historical and religious matters fluently and accessibly for today’s readers.” (Horn Book, starred review)

"Berry again delivers an utterly original and instantly engrossing story...she weaves a tense, moving portrait of these two teenage girls and their struggle to survive against insurmountable odds.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“Kudos, then, to Berry for creating a sweeping saga that not only deeply entwines both [historical fiction & religion], but also dissects its characters’ humanity as it looks at the often troubling beliefs that underlay their actions.” (Booklist, starred review)

Heartbreaking

One of the best books I’ve read lately. Makes me want to read other of the author’s work.
Heartbreaking, because it captures human nature so well.

Will Not Disappoint

As all of Julie Berry’s masterpieces her dedication to research and character creation is superb. Reading her work only prompts you to pick up another of her books. The performers bringing the characters to life and their inflections embody the story elevating it to life. Don’t pass this book up. It will leave you appreciating history and see it cycling through in our day and age.

Intriguing

I did not want to stop listening. I loved the way it was read by two readers to separate the main characters. The after story information was very interesting and answered some questions I had. This was a very different experience of course, than her children’s books. Worth the time.

An Intersting story with great narration

Great Story. The narrators did a fantastic job, particularly the voice of the three sisters was so expressive of their personalities.

Important

Strange period of the history of man. Better to understand it then to live through it! Frightening , interesting and fulfilling all wrapped up in a very historic story! You did a service Julie Berry , thank you! A story I'd recommend !

Truly excellent!!

From beginning to the very last word this is an excellant read and captivating!

Each character has been created in your mind and heart as you travel on their journeys.

Bravo Julie Berry 👏 🙌 👍 ❤

Remarkable historical fiction

This intriguing book introduced me to a disturbing period of European history that I was previously unfamiliar with (even though I have a history minor and MA in Humanities!) Berry weaves a compelling tale with endearing characters into a well-researched backdrop of medieval French history. Dolssa's story generates universal questions and issues that are still relevant today. Berry is a masterful storyteller-- I enjoyed this book even better the second time through!

Revelatory!

Amazing book rich in history but wealthier in idiosyncratic characters whose lives thrill and terrify.

Enjoyed!

This is my second Julie Berry book. I really enjoy her writing style paired with the main narrator for the main character, not Dolssa. She was the same narrator on the other book. It’s like the writing and her were made for each other. She really brings the characters to life and endearing.
The story itself is sad and infuriating knowing that the Catholic Church misrepresented God and did horrific things in His name, which is what the 3rd commandment is about. Not sure that they kept any of the commandments and certainly not following the example of Jesus. The Catholic Church has engaged in abuse of their power and position and wealth for centuries. But we can thank them for the pilgrims that came to America escaping the persecution from the Church and our founders, because they made a constitution that would create a society that prohibited the “church” from ruling and the freedom for people to worship according to their own beliefs/conscience.

Compelling

This book is compelling not because of an anxiety ridden fervor of exploitative material but because of well written characters in a narrative woven through story and historical context.