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Description edit
Ireland 1488: An unusual young woman washes ashore on a remote Connemarra isle. Astonished by her golden skin and raven-black hair, the primitive islanders believe her to be a dark spirit or possibly even a mermaid or selkie, and set out to capture her. Resourceful and intelligent, the... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
- - A dark mysterious girl, a curious scholar, a remote isle off west Ireland: adventure and romance
Characters/People edit
- Aedan: A young scholar from Galway
- Marra: The Raven Girl, who washes ashore Inis Ghall
- Comgall: the hapless priest/pastor of Inis Ghall's church
- Jacobo De Adamo: Aedan's father
- Murtogh: chieftain of the O hEynne clann
- Lord Fulke: Aedan's mentor
- Brother Paulus: Another mentor to Aedan
- Colm: the priest's son and The Raven Girl's first friend
- Donnacha: An old, grumpy eeler married to the witchlike Anhin
- Fiona: Jacobo's one-time mistress
- Brendan: Ancient Irish saint whose voyages inspire Aedan
- Itta: Colm's little sister
- Anhin: Witch-like beachcomber
First Sentence edit
Colm, the priest's boy, scampered along the stony, fog-clogged shores of Inis Ghall, making his way toward the pagan caves.
Glossary edit
- Inis Ghall: Irish/Gaelic, literally meaning Island of Foreigners
Themes & Symbolism edit
- Raven: The raven is an important symbol in Irish and Celtic culture, sometimes a portent of darkness but other times a symbol of canniness and strength. Here it simply references the islander's comparison of Marra's dark hair to the feathers of a raven
- Brendan the Voyager: The saint Brendan's tale of his alleged voyages into the Atlantic was a medieval bestseller, and the inspiration for many explorers and sailors
- The Pearl: The pearl worn by Marra is almost a metaphor for the girl herself: Golden, beautiful, natural, but coveted by men who want to sell it--and her.
Errata edit
The small water vessels called "currachs" in this book are actually coracles. A coracle has a round, limpet-like shape, while a currach ihas more of a canoe shape.
Series & Lists edit
This book is in The Foreigner's Saga. (standard series)
Authors & Contributors edit
- Kathy Cecala (Author)
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
- Dewey: 813
Notes for Parents edit
Reading Level: Young AdultsThere is no sexual content in the book or any kind of obscenity, only a chaste romance; but there are brief references to rape, prostitution and cannibalism. There is some violence, but not overly graphic. Some younger readers under 16 might find the history daunting or confusing, especially if they have no background in World History.
Subjects edit
Links to Supplemental Material edit
- Inis Ghall: More information about The Raven Girl and upcoming books; author bio; reviews and events; reader's guide; research blog
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