11.01.2012

The Brides of Rollrock Island

Title: The Brides of Rollrock Island
Author: Margo Lanagan
Pub: David Fickling Books; 2012
Pages: 320
Genre: Fantasy, Legend, Fairy-talish,
Etc: props up to the publisher and NetGalley!

There are very few books where I fell NO URGE whatsoever to explain what they're about and instead just skip along and singsong "Read this! Read this!".  Because here's the thing, I could tell you that it's about this secluded island where the men marry seals, but that wouldn't make sense would it?  Because everything in my head, if I heard that statement, would say "Whoah, that's a little too far-fetched for me right now..." So if that IS what you've heard, ignore it.  Seriously.  Get one of those sponges and wipe that spot away from your memory.

This book is magical.  Lanagan cleverly shares tidbits of the legend through various narrators, each one gliding you closer to the big picture.  There's moments of depression, of vengeance, and utter despair.

The beauty of the story is in the unravel.


7 comments:

  1. ROFL!!! OK sorry I had to tell you I spit out my water
    "Because here's the thing, I could tell you that it's about this secluded island where the men marry seals, but that wouldn't make sense would it?"
    Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've heard so much about Lanagan lately. I really need to pick up one of her books. I might start with Tender Morsels first. Glad you loved this one. Sometimes it's really hard to describe some books.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Totally agree…this novel is best gone into blind and what an absolutely AMAZING novel it was!! I see Printz all over this book for her!

    ReplyDelete
  4. That plot synopsis would totally make me want to read it! I saw The Secret of Roan Inish as a little girl and it made me permanently interested in selkies.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ya know, I glanced at the cover and the title and thought, NO WAY. But then I saw the author's name -- one that I have often thought I should try -- and decided to go ahead and read your post. You must have been speaking right to me! I will tbr this.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh, a selkie book! I can think of a few of my students who would definitely want to read this book. Fairy-tale-ish books are usually intriguing to me, so I might give this one a try.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Well, you've convinced me! Looks like I need to pick it up.

    ReplyDelete

Talk to me!