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Jump to navigationJump to searchThe Ingo Chronicles: Stormswept by Helen Dunmore (view source)
Revision as of 11:42, 20 September 2020
, 11:42, 20 September 2020no edit summary
Morveren and Jenna's relationship as twins growing from children to adults provides the kitchen sink drama. The sisters have always been close, with that special, almost telepathic, bond that is peculiar to twins. But now they are growing up and Moreven is wild, impulsive and romantic, while Jenna is patient, kindly and practical. Jenna doesn't hear the Mer's music as Morveren does - as much because she doesn't want to as because she isn't able to. The sisters reminded me very much of Susan and Lucy in [[The Chronicles of Narnia by C S Lewis|Narnia]] - one embracing the mysterious, the other keeping her feet very firmly on the ground.
The rescue and return of Malin and the mystery of Conan's fiddle provides provide the fantasy element and it's as beautiful as ever. Dunmore's Mer are wild and fierce but their world view is Gaia-inspired and imbued with a deep respect for every living being and an understanding that one part of the web cannot function without each and all of the others. Malin is defensive and suspicious with Morveren at first but, once she has earned his trust, he gives her his friendship and loyalty with the kind of commitment that makes even an ancient old battleaxe like me go weak at the knees.
I love Ingo. I love the way Helen Dunmore writes about this world with such intensity and romanticism. More please, Helen! And then more. And more. Pretty please. With a jelly tot on top.
Don't forget to read the original [[The Deep by Helen Dunmore|Ingo]] series. It's absolutely unforgettable. For more classy mermaid fiction, you could also look at [[Selina Penaluna by Jan Page]], a lyrical book in which an old woman looks back over her wartime childhood and finally makes peace with her past. You might also appreciate [[Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez]] and older readers will enjoy [[The Soldier's Daughter by Rosie Goodwin]].
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